Chairman of the Appeal Committee

The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price, President of the RMBI 2015 Festival, appointed WBro David H Thompson to be Chairman of the Festival Appeal Committee. Until this appointment David served as an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals for the Province - a role which gave him the opportunity to prove his excellent organisational and people skills which naturally lead to him being selected for this most inportant of duties. David was appointed in late 2008 and wasted no time in putting together his Appeal Committee who immediately began work on planning for the Festival. So well organised has the team been under David's leadership that all that was necessary was in place by the launch date of the Festival.

David's first message to the brethren is reproduced below:

"Brethren and Companions,

Firstly, may I thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 2015 Festival. It is you, the brethren and companions of the Province who will ultimately contribute to its success.

These web pages have been compiled to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of the Festival. This includes details on the history of the RMBI, its current position as one of the four major Masonic charities and its role in helping Freemasons and their dependents, under United Grand Lodge of England. They also detail how, as a Province, we are managing the 2015 Festival. They will also complement the work of your Lodge and Chapter Festival Representatives and give you further guidance on how charitable donations can be made to the Festival. It is hoped that this information will be useful to you and we will use this medium to keep you fully updated on our progress.

Throughout our long Masonic history our ladies have played a most important part, both directly and indirectly, in our Masonic activities - and long may they continue to do so. Their contributions have been made in so many different ways; not only by their involvements in our activities but also by organising their own, invariably, with great success. Their involvement, therefore, is most important in this undertaking and we should continue to encourage their active participation with appreciation and support.

Whilst our aim is to raise much needed funds for this very worthy charity, we of course will be unfailingly sensitive to a Brother’s / Companion’s current personal circumstances. There is no hard push on any individual but there are so many ways in which each of us can contribute to the success of the Festival. Arranging attractive functions or events, for example, is one way in which you can support the Festival and if the events themselves are fun and enjoyable then so will our fund raising be.

Please remember that I or any other member of the Appeal Committee will always be available to answer your questions. With enthusiasm, determination and support for our Lodge or Chapter Festival Representatives we will enable the Province to raise a donations total of which, I trust, we shall all be very proud at the Festival Banquet in 2015. After all, this Festival belongs to all the Brethren and Companions of the Province.

Please enjoy this Festival and thank you again.

Yours sincerely,

David H Thompson
Chairman of the Festival Appeal Committee

If you wish to contact David you can e-mail him HERE