"Charity Begins at Home"

 

MEGSupt, Jack Price, with the 1st Principal, EComp David Thompson

 

The half-yearly meeting of the Provincial Grand Officers' Chapter, No. 3747, was, as usual, an enjoyable and relaxed evening amongst excellent company. The business of the meeting was conducted smoothly by EComp David Thompson with his well known charm and ease. The MEGSupt announced the nominations for the three Principals for the ensuing year as EComps Bill Porter, David Winstanley and Bob Rowden, all of who were then succesfully balloted for. Jack Price noted that they were three good men and true - all with a fine record in the Royal Arch. EComp Porter thanked the MEGSupt for the nominations and the Companions for the acclaim which had followed. He added, "We will follow in the footsteps of our illustrious predecessors and will undoubtedly enjoy our year, given as we will be sharing it with the Companions present here this evening."

The 1st Principal had the obvious pleasure of presenting the MEGSupt with a cheque for £2400 for the EL 2015 Festival. It was somewhat unique to see the Chairman of the Festival Appeal Committee present a cheque to the President, who then promptly returned it so it could find its proper home and be faithfully applied.

Peter Williams, RMBI Head of External Affairs

The Chapter was privileged by the presence of EComp Peter Williams, Head of External Affairs at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. Introducing him, David Thompson explained that Peter had been involved with the Appeal Chairman and the Committee since 2008 and that the help he had given at regular visits, by e-mail and on the telephone had been invaluable.

Peter then presented a paper on the work of the RMBI and explained, in very easy terms, why the funding provided to the RMBI by those Provinces in Festival is so essential (to help make up the £4-5M shortfall that the RMBI needs to provide a home until death for those Freemasons and their dependants who can no longer afford to fund their own care). A fuller account of what Peter spoke of is repeated in the May 2011 edition of the Provincial Newsletter. One very important point is that the RMBI is looking to the future, when in 5 to 10 years its commitment to care for those with dementia (paralleled by an increased need for finance) may have move than trebled and those needing nursing care will also have increased. Peter also strongly recommended a trip to one of the RMBI Care Homes (Ecclesholme is closest). On dementia Peter explained how residents may not have their names on their doors but clear boxes containing objects, perhaps from childhood or favourite photographs. They often cannot remember their own names!

"The RMBI has tremendous optimism for the success of East Lancashire and the 2015 Festival. Your Appeal Committee is very professional in what they do on your and our behalf, and this, in part, assists our optimism." Peter's talk was met with applause. He was thanked for this wonderfully explanatory talk on the RMBI by Companion Thompson. Later in the evening David explained that Peter would be retiring at the end of May but we would still see him as he will be retained by the RMBI on a 100 day per year consultancy basis. In recognition of his hard work on our behalf David presented him with a bottle of whisky and a card signed by all the members of the Appeal Committee. David also announced that to date the Festival total is £603,098.44.

FESTIVE BOARD

 

At the Festive Board the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent addressed the Companions in response to a number of toasts, "We have enjoyed a splendid evening on many counts. With reference to the Grand Officers, they, including our High Rulers, beaver away and work steadfastly on our behalf. As far as you, the Companions are concerned, you are my boss. My job would be 'nil' without the support, commitment, energy and drive of you. My Deputy and the 2nd and 3rd Provincial Grand Principals are part of a team, and they recognise that it must be a team effort in which we never stop learning or gaining experience.
In 2013 the Royal Arch celebrates its bicentenary. In order to support this we have been asked to raise some money, but do not worry Companions, the amount required is £10 per head and no more. It matters not how we get this together and we have 2 years to do so, so if each Chapter collects it from individuals, holds an evening to raise the funds or takes it from reserves it matters not. It is right that we support the 200th Anniversary of the Royal Arch. One of the things that Supreme Grand Chapter will be doing to celebrate is cementing its relationship with the Royal College of Surgeons and they will be looking to donating towards special areas of research for the said body. I have appointed Companion Wesley Marchant, the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal to look after this on our behalf and, early in the next season, he will get be in touch with you all; ultimately so we can be proud of the support we have given and join in the celebrations."

Moving on, fired with enthusiasm and demonstrating that despite recent treatment Jack was still in tip top form, he spoke of the EL 2015 Festival for the RMBI. He thanked EComp Peter Williams for the tremendous insight he had given us regarding the RMBI and its machinations, that had been so eloquently explained and said, "Listen to my plea. The Burden on the RMBI in the years ahead is immense, Increasingly we are healthier and living longer and this comes with the price of increasing needs for care and increasing needs for more advanced and costly care. My desire from the Brethren and Companions of this Province is complete dedication to the Festival. I can't dictate to a Brother or a Lodge what they must do; but I make an earnest request to them because we owe it to our dependants, that one day may very well include you in this room, to commit to look after them. My only other request is not to forget the ELMC, our own Charity with similar objectives to the RMBI."

Enlivened and inspired the MEGSupt continued, "Charity begins at home; this is right, just, proper and Masonic. At this time any other giving needs to be carefully examined before it is made. You may have special or very deserving local community needs that require attention, well fine, look to the ELMC Community Fund, very well chaired by our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Phil Mountford, which has £30,000 per year available throughout this Festival that you can apply to. We can only dip on our own pots so many times and I know we have our own commitments - subscriptions, halls, meals and so on. Beyond this we can only handle so much effectively and we must focus on our priorities and exercise control. The Festival is our priority. These are heavy words Companions but during the last two and a half years I have been a regular visitor to hospital and I have seen the need for care. I love all of you as family brethren and will do my best to look after you. In return, both collectively and individually support our cause, remember that charity begins at home and over this 5 years let us produce a figure worthy of the love, responsibility and care we claim amongst our values."

"Thank you and God Bless you all"