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GNR
A Run in the Sun for Durham Freemasons
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On Sunday the 8th September Tyneside was bathed in sunshine to welcome some 57,000 runners from across the globe, all eager to take part in the world’s greatest half-marathon. Once again, amongst the throng of participants, a number of Durham Freemasons were proudly pounding the tarmac thereby raising over £7,500 in donations and pledges for the 2021 Festival; all were wearing their distinctive MCF Festival shirts.
Along with the Durham contingent were many more of our brethren, their friends and families, who were raising funds for individual charities and we, of course, equally applaud their exertions and congratulate all of them on having successfully completed the gruelling 13.1- mile transition from Newcastle to the coast at South Shields, where thousands of spectators applauded their triumphant efforts. We now look forward to September 2020, when the GNR will celebrate its 40th Anniversary; to mark this milestone in the history of the iconic event we, as a Province, are hoping to encourage 40 Durham Masons to enter.
Feeling inspired to take on #GreatNorthRun 2020?
Sign up to the reminder service and be the first to get our updates for 2020 at http://grtrun.org/JqKCJF and remember to tell Paul Quinn you’ve done it at paulquinn@ durham2021.org
Cockerton is a village suburb of Darlington, Co. Durham. Local people and businesses have come together to form the Cockerton Community and Business Group (CCBG), Their aim is to create a more engaged local community so that companies and residents may share ideas and hold events to benefit the local area. Local people will work together in collaboration with local business to promote the community and understand what the community wants.
One project, which is very close to the hearts of the local community, is to install a memorial for fallen soldiers on Cockerton Green, which will remember those affected by past and modern-day conflicts. CCBG, who are running the project, are seeking donations from the public and local businesses to make the idea a reality. The group has said that “We don’t have anything on show, there’s nothing outside which remembers the fallen and we think it would mean a lot to many people in the community.” CCBG have had consultation with a local stonemason to construct the monument and are currently at the planning permission stage.
Local butcher Nigel Alderson, whose business is situated on the green, in his capacity as CCBG Treasurer, applied to the Freemasons of Durham for a Community Support Grant. The project being of a nature close to the heart of many a freemason received overwhelming support and local Freemason Duncan Maw was entrusted with the pleasing task of presenting Nigel with a grant of £750. On behalf of CCBG, Nigel sent thanks to the Freemasons for their generous donation and said that an invitation would follow in the near future to join with them to celebrate the unveiling of the memorial.
The Bells are Ringing in Tanfield
Picture L-R Bell Captain Andrew Wallace, Dennis Geer (Back) The Right Reverend Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, Parish Priest Rev Dr Andrew Miller, Stewart Bell & Robert Nicholson.
Following an appeal which was set up by parishioners of St Margaret’s Church in the village of Tanfield, Co Durham, £127,000 was raised through donations and sponsorship to restore the bells and renew the framework within the belfry.
The Freemasons of Durham awarded the appeal a Community Support Grant of £1,000.
The organiser and Bell Captain Andrew Wallace issued an open invitation to the Durham Freemasons to come along on Saturday 30th November 2019 to join in the festivities of the bells being rededicated by The Right Reverend Paul Butler, The Bishop of Durham.
Freemasons, Stewart Bell, Robert Nicholson and Dennis Geer accompanied by their families attended the choral evensong and witnessed the rededication while the Bells rang out heralding a new dawn for the Bell Ringers of Tanfield.
Chester- le-Street PALS CIC
Operating from Chester- le-Street Masonic Centre, Chester- le -Street PALS CIC is a Community Interest Company with a mission to tackle the growing tide of loneliness sweeping the older generation, many of whom feel isolated particularly following the death of a partner. The group are in an ideal town central position with a ready access to many older freemasons and widows who will initially form the core of the target demographic, generally over the state retirement age. This initial audience will be expanded using targeted advertising particularly to existing local organizations which serve this age group.
The Strategy is initially to run an event at the Masonic Centre on the last Friday of each month commencing at 10.30 am. The first part will consist of an educational element with topics and demonstrations which are appropriate e.g. Age Concern, NHS Community Health Providers or (CAB) Citizens Advice Bureau. A subsidised lunch will follow provided by the onsite caterer and then organized entertainment e.g. screening black and white movies, a tea dance or a professional entertainer.
The company have been awarded a grant of around £6,000 from Chester-le-Street Area Action Partnership Older People isolation Fund and one of the main organizers and fundraisers, local Freemason Ian Heaviside applied to the Benevolent Committee of the Durham Freemasons. The company aim is to supply and install a digital projector and screen which will allow them to provide high quality demonstrations and information. Freemason Stephen Willis, was delighted to present a Community Support Grant of £750 to a grateful Ian who said that this will enable the group to purchase the required equipment and together with other funding cover the expenses for year one of the project.
One in the net for the Freemasons
Durham Palatinates Netball Club are based in Bearpark and provide opportunities for girls to play netball at all levels, from entry to national standard. The club has members ranging from 5 years to 50+ where training and competitions are played all year and with the club running a successful league throughout County Durham.
www.durhamfreemasons.org The teams compete in competitions both nationally and internationally. Team fundraiser John P Jackson is seeking donations for the club to travel to Singapore for competitions and applied to the Freemasons of Durham for a Community Support Grant. Local Freemason Stewart Bell put one in the net for Durham Freemasons Benevolent Committee when
“Teams compete in competitions both nationally and internationally” presenting a £500 grant to John. The team sent a big thank you to the Freemasons of Durham for their generosity and funding towards their participation in the sport that they enjoy.
