11 minute read
3 Province Pedal
The Three Province Pedal
This year’s sponsored cycle ride, in aid of the Durham 2021 Festival, saw a team of 34 riders, ably supported by 6 support drivers, take on The Three Province Pedal. This was a 180 mile ride, from Leeds to Hartlepool via York, Beverley, Scarborough and Whitby, with the small matter of two days of climbs onto the North Yorkshire Moors along the way.
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Friday morning saw the riders set off to Beverly with a lunch stop in between at the Masonic Hall in York.
Saturday morning at 8.30am saw the team setting off to Whitby
with a lunch stop at Hunmanby provided by our very own Paul Quinn, ably assisted by his sous chef, Harry Prince, during which the weather began to close in, and after donning their waterproofs the team were off again this time towards Scarborough Masonic Hall and meeting up with the Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings, Jeff Gillyon. After a brief presentation the team were back on their bikes and to their overnight accommodation in Whitby, where they were met by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Stephen Walker, and his wife.
Sunday, the final morning of this year’s event, was undoubtedly the toughest section of the 3 days, involving some steep climbing out of Whitby and up onto the top of the North Yorkshire Moors. Eventually the team reached the summit and enjoyed a wonderful downhill ride to Guisborough Masonic Hall, where Zetland Lodge, their family, and their friends had put on a wonderful lunch for the weary group.
There had been a couple of injuries along the way, but the final afternoon saw the full team back on their bikes and heading for the finish line. Crossing the
Tees via the Newport Bridge, returning to the Province of Durham, they made for The Headland at Hartlepool, where they were met by their family and friends.
After three days of arduous riding, the team congregated on the Pilot Pier and were delighted to announce to John Arthur, who was once again on hand to meet them, that their collective efforts had raised £25,000 for the Durham 2021 Festival in aid of the RMTGB/MCF.
Well done team, and many, many thanks, to all who supported them.
Cancer Connections
Cancer Connections is a charity located in South Shields and is dedicated to serving individuals and families suffering from cancer and its after-effects. Although treatment in the NHS is very good, it rarely provides the emotional and practical help people need when trying to return to a normal life after cancer.
About 650 local people each year are told they have cancer and this has a profound impact on the whole family. Cancer Connections was formed in May 2007 and since that time people with 30 different types of cancer have come and sought help. The charity offers, Counselling, Complementary Therapies, Family Support, Information and Welfare Benefits Advice. There is no waiting list and help can be given straight away if needed. Many of the volunteers have experienced cancer themselves and help others in a similar situation.
There is no charge for the help that they offer; they depend on local fundraising to cover running costs together with individual and corporate donations. They offer a real ‘Home from Home’ for anybody affected by cancer. Manager and co-founder of Cancer Connections, Deborah Roberts applied to the local freemasons of Durham for a Community Support Grant to assist with their fund raising.
Freemasons Kevin Carter and Lawrence Nolan (also a cancer patient) were delighted to present a grant of £1300 to Deborah who said, “Over 500 people come through their doors each year and this grant will assist 85 people to have treatment.”
St Luke’s Appeal
St Luke’s Church, Framwellgate Moor Durham use the adjacent Church Hall for the benefit of the local community. Various social groups use the hall for many activities.
The Church have been raising funds to remove potholes on the access route which have formed over many years hindering wheelchair accessibility and recently at a funeral the hearse’s wheel entered a pothole causing the coffin to move.
Following guidance and advice from local Freemason and parishioner, Raymond Botone, the Team Rector, Rev Caroline Dick applied to the Durham Freemasons for a Community Support Grant. Raymond was blessed with the task of presenting a grant of £500 to Church Wardens Connie Parkinson and Richard Abernethy who were gratified to receive the grant on behalf of the local community.
Remembrance
The Freemasons of Durham throughout the Province joined the many thousands who attended organised parades and ceremonies which took part on Remembrance Sunday. Wreaths were laid as a mark of gratitude and respect to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the two Great Wars and conflicts around the globe. “Lest we forget.”
Rangers Turning Out in style
Leam Rangers, Under 7 Boys Football Club meet at Hilltop School Gateshead and Freemason Bob Nicholson is one of their most enthusiastic supporters as his grandson Oliver is one of the team. Rangers allow local youngsters to enjoy football in a competitive environment at a very young age. They provide accessibility to football coaching enabling them to enjoy the game whilst keeping fit. With guidance from Bob, the team applied to the Benevolent Committee of the Freemasons of the Province of Durham for a Community Support Grant to purchase new football strips and training jackets. On the 18th June, 2019 Stewart Bell representing the local Freemasons had the pleasure of presenting a grant of £500 to Team Coach, Ronnie Quinn and made arrangements to visit the training ground on the 25th September to see the team in action proudly wearing their new strips. Stewart was delighted to receive a thank you card on behalf of the local Freemasons, signed by the boys who gave a hearty cheer of thanks during the photoshoot.
Freemasons do rattle tins for charity
It is said that you will not see Freemasons rattling tins for donations in aid of charity.
Well, they do at Phoenix Hall, Queen Street East in Sunderland. A Food Bank Collection Point has been set up at the Hall for a trial period, in conjunction with Sunderland Food Bank which is a Registered Charity, as part of Freemasonry in the Community.
In a minute book of Phoenix Lodge No 94 it shows that in the 1850 - 60’s brethren of the Sunderland Lodges had regular collections to pay for breakfasts for poor children. After 160 years things do not seem to have changed as there are still families going hungry.
In the last year Sunderland Food Bank has given out over 6000 three-day emergency food parcels with 28% gave out to children.
Users cannot just present themselves to the food bank, they must have been referred by frontline professionals and agencies who will give further advice and counselling In the dining hall at Queen Street you will see a bright yellow mini wheelie bin displaying the Food Bank Logo into which can be deposited non-perishable foods, toiletries etc. So Freemasons do rattle tins when making their donations.
Support for Kyosho Karate Towards the end of 2019 the Kyosho Karate club, who meet at Hurworth Primary School near Darlington, had reached out to local Freemasons for a donation to support their club towards the cost of a trailer. The trailer will enable the club with moving necessary equipment as there is no storage available at the school where they train. Kyosho Karate is a none profit set of Karate Clubs whose students range from the age of 5 up to adult and have specialised classes to suit different ages. The Hurworth club is one of two with the other Kyosho Karate club meeting at Barrow-in-Furness. The club was initially formed in 1982 in Hurworth by Denis Slater (Hurworth Chief Instructor & 4th Dan), formerly of Darlington Lodge and now a member of Strathmore, who meet in Barnard Castle. Denis has enjoyed being part of the club over the years since it was formed and it has supported members of all ages, being an asset to the local community.
On the 7th of January Kevin Williams, a local Freemason, went along to meet the members of the Kyosho Karate club at Hurworth at their first training meeting of the new year. Kevin explained to the instructors, members and parents of some of the students how local Freemasons support the community and went on to present them with a cheque for £750 towards the cost of the much-needed trailer.
In October 2020, the Felling Male Voice Choir will be holding a Centenary Concert at the Sage Gateshead. Over the last 99 years the Choir has grown in numbers and has competed in, and indeed has won, many music festivals around the country. The highlight of the Choir’s achievements was in 1951 when, against competition from all over the UK, the Choir won the “Festival of Britain Trophy”. This was against fourteen Choirs and took place in the Royal Festival Hall. The skill of the conductor, Tom Mearis, was demonstrated not only in the wonderful singing of the Choir, but by his excellent ear for music. Tom, like many of the founders of the Choir, was a Freemason from the Lodge of Industry. The trophy has a place of honour in the Gateshead Mayor’s Parlour to this day. The Secretary of the Choir, Michael Scott, applied to the Freemasons of Durham to assist in their fund-raising towards holding their Centenary Concert. On Friday 11th October, Freemasons Ian Self and Stewart Bell were invited to attend the Choir’s Patrons Concert at the Felling Methodist Church.
Before the concert started, Ian and Stewart, representing the Freemasons of Durham, were introduced to the packed hall by Choir Chairman Stuart Dearlove and Ian was honoured to be able to present a grant of £750, which was received with a rousing round of applause. The Choir often holds concerts for charitable purposes and regularly contribute to designated charities. They aim to interest the public in the art of
singing, taking part in concerts and similar activities. The Choir are looking to recruit new
members, and so whether you are tenor, baritone or bass, they would love to hear from you.
Fluffy Bear
When Isabelle Davies, a 5 year old girl was rushed into the Children’s Accident and Emergency Department at University Hospital North Tees in March 2019, she was surprised to receive one of the TLC Teddies. Mum Carol, was so taken with the local Freemasons generosity in providing them and she helped Isabelle post a picture of herself and the Teddy on Facebook, thus gaining entry into a draw for a Very Large Teddy.
In this the first Big Ted draw, Isabelle’s name was pulled out of the hat and on 4th November 2019, along with mum, she was welcomed back into the Paediatric Accident and Emergency Department for “some blood Tests”. On arrival she was completely surprised to be met by the TLC Coordinator in the Province of Durham, Duncan Maw, Big Ted, Emergency Paediatric Doctor Andy Simpson and several other members of the Paediatric A & E team. Isabelle quickly recovered from the surprise and a big smile spread across her face when she was presented with a Large Teddy which she has since been named “Fluffy Bear”.
Dr. Andy Simpson said, “I was keen to be part of the presentation team. We see the joy the distraction Teddies bring to the children when we are able to hand them one should they be distressed. It is impossible to over emphasise the assistance they provide the medical team in calming the children down and thereby allowing quicker diagnosis and treatment”
Carol also took time to share Isabelle’s Story and she asks that we also share it with our Brethren. Isabelle has been diagnosed with a rare condition called Kawasaki Disease.
