THE MASONIC PROVINCE OF YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING

Leeds Weekend Care Association has received a grant of £15,000, over three years, from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
An example of the donations from Brethren, returning to benefit Charities within the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding.
​A copy of a letter of appreciation, received from the Association, is posted below.
​

This latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during May, to charities and organisations across the Province.  Its aim is to ensure that all Brethren and their families within Yorkshire, West Riding are aware of how their contributions are being used and the work that WRMCL is doing, on their behalf, to support those within our communities. 
 
Since the previous update, the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made grants, to the total value of £22,872, to nine community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit:
 
City of Bradford Brass Band Organisation
 
The Organisation consists of three bands, having members with different abilities; from raw beginners to semi-professional musicians. They describe themselves as a ‘family’ of bands, in that many members, once joined, stay with the organisation for many years.

​

Instruments are loaned to up and coming young musicians, unable to afford to buy them.
 
To raise funds to purchase instruments, the Organisation would normally run a series of concerts throughout the year, along with other fundraising events, none of which have taken place recently, due to the pandemic.
 
The grant of £2,549 will enable the purchase of a Flugel Horn; sponsored by Lodge of Hope No 302, Bradford.
 
Spen Valley District Scouts
 
Serving the young people of the Spen Valley District, the District Scout Council has 9 Scout Groups in the area, covering the communities of Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Scholes, Hightown, Liversedge, Birkenshaw and Hunsworth

​The District has its own Activity Centre and Campsite situated at Fanwood, Gomersal, with a resident Warden on site, which they propose to make available to as many young people as possible, encouraging outdoor activities, exercise, leisure and general mental wellbeing.
 
It is intended to provide outdoor tables, with seating, made from recycled plastic with a timber effect finish, to fit in with the woodland setting.
 
The grant of £1,360 will enable the purchase of two tables; sponsored by Lodge of Friendship No 750, Cleckheaton.
 
SELFA
 
SELFA is a charity that supports children and families experiencing vulnerabilities, to build resilience, thrive and achieve.
 
Set-up in 2007 as ‘Skipton Extended Learning for All’, the Charity provided an inclusive holiday club and some holiday workshops for primary-aged children. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and now supports over 400 children and young people aged 4 to 19.
 
A range of health and wellbeing programmes, peer support groups, targeted holiday workshops, trips and residential breaks are now provided. 

​Activities are delivered from a former school premises and funds are needed to create an outdoor play area, replacing unsafe equipment.
                               
The grant, of £1,900 will make a substantial contribution to the overall cost; sponsored by Mawsis Lodge No 4644, Skipton.
 
Friends of Woodseats Playground
 
The ‘Friends’ work closely with the community to raise money through local and national fundraising, to regenerate Woodseats playground in Graves Park, Sheffield.
 
The aim is to make the playground more inclusive and appealing to families and children of all ages.  To date the group have delivered over £60k worth of improvements to the landscape, playground equipment and benches. 

There is a need for a new climbing frame, to challenge older children and teenagers, to make them feel welcome within the playground and a part of the wider community. They have, to date, raised £20,141 towards the cost of the equipment.
 
The grant of £4,959 will make up the remainder of the total, allowing the equipment to be purchased; sponsored by Welcome Lodge No 3779, Sheffield.

​

Eve Merton's Dreams Trust (Eves Trust)

The Doncaster based charity raises money to help create a Dream or grant a wish for terminally ill or seriously ill Cancer sufferers of all ages, within the local area.
 
Fulfilling a dream provides a positive focus, empowering both patient and their families with new enthusiasm and strength to deal with ongoing daily struggles of the illness.
 
One example of their work is to invite patients and their families to a holiday caravan for respite or a family break.  The caravan is well used and now quite worn and in need of refurbishment. 
 
The charity was awarded a grant of £2,500 to refurbish the caravan; sponsored by Bawtry Lodge No 5174.

Army Cadet Force 

Army Cadet Force C Company, manage 9 Army Cadet detachments across Doncaster and Dearne Valley. The organisation is run by volunteers and sponsored by the MOD, to teach life skills to young people aged 12 to 18, based on military principles.
 
They focus on adventurous training, promoting community activities, teaching skills such as Navigation and First Aid and delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
 
With a newly qualified Paddlesport Instructor, cadets will have the opportunity to undertake new, exciting and challenging opportunities to complete the Award.
 
Facilities are available to undertake British Canoeing Start and Discover awards but in order to offer river and coastal trips, resulting in the completion of the Explorer award, further equipment is required.
 
The grant of £2,500 will contribute towards the cost of acquiring this; sponsored by Hall Cross Lodge No 5744, Doncaster.
 
 
Halton in Bloom   
 
Since 2013, Halton in Bloom has been making Halton, Leeds a more attractive place to live and shop.

Residents work with local businesses and Temple Moor High School, in designing and organising planting sessions. They involve local children’s groups; guides, rainbows etc. and the local pre-school nursery. They continually maintain the planters and the established flower beds in the area.
 
The organisation wishes to convert a piece of land, between the local library and Dial House, making the communal area more user friendly, by adding benches, raised planting beds and a living wall.  

The whole community will benefit greatly from having a nice area to rest and meet others
 
The grant of £3,300 will cover the full cost of the project; sponsored by Tectonic Lodge No 9407, Ripon.
 
The Judean Club for Boys and Girls – ‘The Zone’
Over the last decade The Zone has developed into one of the country’s leading community youth projects, offering state of the art facilities and activities led by our quality team of youth workers, volunteers and leadership participants. 
 
The Zone is a 2nd home for many of the Jewish Community in Leeds. It offers a range of activities, projects and events; to engage young people, from an early age and from all backgrounds, irrespective of physical or mental ability, to learn new skills, hobbies and develop a sense of self-worth.  
​

​Good citizenship is promoted in all areas of club life. As the doors open, all social, economic and religious barriers are broken down creating a harmonious, cohesive community of youth.
Tolerance and understanding are furthered by interfaith and educational programmes.
 
Zone members have the opportunity to embrace their rich and wonderful heritage through a diverse range of activities, including cookery, art, music, science, philanthropy, humour, community and sport.
 
Activities focus on the positive mental health and wellbeing of young people from all ethnic and religious backgrounds and include those with no religious affiliation. The Zone’s Youth Support Service is open to all young people in need.
 
The grant of £2.067 will fund a Child Protection Online Monitoring System for a year, set up a safe space for young people to access resources, guidance and support relating to mental health and wellbeing, including the purchase of laptops/computers to create a digital library;
sponsored by Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds.

Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

​Established in 1922 at Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, the Choir is a fine male voice choir with a prestigious history in choral competition and performance. They bring together ordinary voices and ordinary men, from around the Colne Valley community, to make extraordinary music.
 
They have sung at garden parties, amplified on sports grounds, in small community halls and in large concert halls, at corporate events and in charity concerts. They normally do about a dozen events a year; mostly in Yorkshire and with the prospect of coming out of Covid restrictions, are looking to replace old and tired equipment, particularly a portable stage piano and accessories.
 
The grant of £1,737 will cover the total cost of piano and accessories; sponsored by Iuventutis Lodge No 9338, Castleford. 

The Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds secured a Major Grant of £24,700 from the Provincial Grand Master's Fund for Chapeltown Youth Development Centre on Scott Hall Road.

A letter of appreciation has been received and is copied below:

To whom it may concern,
​
My name is Jake Boyd and I am writing to you on behalf of CFYDC (CHANCE).
Words can not describe the appreciation and gratitude that we have for your
incredible donation to the charity. We have been engaging with young people
through sports and other projects locally since 2002. The organisation has been
in desperate need for the Multi-Use Games Area to be redeveloped, which you
have contributed enormously towards. The redevelopment will benefit 1000’s of
children for the foreseeable future, through football, rugby, boxing, holiday camps
and disability groups.

I would like to thank all who took part in helping us receive this funding, including
Michael Rose and Raymond Diamond. Who I would like to give a special
mention, they took their time to make this happen and without their support it
would have been impossible.

We will do our best to make sure that you all receive the credit and press that you
deserve, you have been fantastic with us. You are a kind group of people and we
want people to know that.

Again, thank you to everyone for your efforts. We will keep you all posted
throughout the redevelopment.
​
Regards,
Jake Boyd - CFYDC (CHANCE).

t


​With the £2,200 donation from the Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, we were able to purchase a new Oska Series 5 V4L mattress.
 

​These mattresses are known as lateral tilt pressure care mattress and offer our patients ultimate comfort and lateral tilt therapy. giving an alternating air and foam combination which provides exceptional comfort and support, they are suitable as an aid in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.

An important message for all members of West Riding Masonic Charities Limited.

​

​You will have read, in the New Year edition of White Rose Masonic News, that the main fund-raiser for the Association of Friends of Connaught Court, the annual Summer fair, was unfortunately cancelled last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd, on your behalf, made a donation of £5,000 to the Association to assist in the fantastic work they do for the residents of the RMBI Home, Fulford, York.

The Chair of the Association, Mark Payne, sent the below letter to WRMCL.

THE ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF CONNAUGHT COURT
email: chairman@friendsofconnaughtcourt.org.uk
Website: www.friendsofconnaughtcourt.org.uk

On behalf of myself the Association of Friends of Connaught Court and the residents I am writing to thank yourself and the West Riding Masonic Charities Board for your kind donation of £5000.
I was invited to address the AGM of the Board a number of years ago and know the tremendous support you have given to Connaught Court over the years. In these most difficult times the money will ensure that we can continue to improve life in the home for our residents
.
Kind regards
                                                   
Mark Payne 
Chairman A.F.O.C.C

The Association of Friends of Connaught Court, established in 1973, is a registered charity entirely independent of the RMBI and consists of Freemasons from the Provinces of Yorkshire West Riding, Yorkshire North and East Ridings and Lincolnshire, together with representatives from Castlegate Ladies.

If you wish to support the Association individually, you may do so by becoming a Life Member, paying a one-off fee (currently a minimum of £10). Each Masonic Hall has an Ambassador for the Association, who will be only too pleased to help with your application.

​A grant of £3,000 from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund in February, helped the creation of a social enterprise in Leeds.

The retail outlet, ‘Hidden Owls’ in Armley, offers high end ‘pre-loved’ items for sale and at the same time, provides training and work experience opportunities for individuals who are, or have recently been, homeless in the Leeds and Kirklees areas.
​

​The grant was sponsored by the Lodge of Friendship No 750 and Craig McIntosh, Master accompanied by John Harrison, charity steward, visited the newly renovated premises, where they met with Andy Howarth, staff and volunteers.
​
Following the visit, the Brethren said, “The accounts of current and former clients were very moving to listen to and it is gratifying to know that we have been able to contribute to this venture, which will do so much to help the charity achieve its aims and support individuals who benefit from its support.”

​In March, a Major Grant was awarded in the amount of £29,148 from the PGM’s Fund and as the restrictions on public gatherings were lifted, the Provincial Grand Master RW Bro David S Pratt was able to make a formal presentation to Sharon Milner, Chief Executive of the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF).

​Proud grandfather Carl Woodier (pictured centre with granddaughter Bella), of the sponsoring Lodge, Chevin No 6848, was present to witness the occasion.
Sharon Milner is pictured, front left, with David S Pratt, front right
The Grant has helped to support upgraded accommodation, for parents to stay with children who are undergoing heart operations, making this a much less distressing experience for all concerned.
David S Pratt PGM said, “It is a privilege for us, as Freemasons, to be able to support such a worthy cause and many of us have experienced the world class leading support of the NHS in this particular specialist area and from our truly excellent NHS staff, nurses and doctors, throughout all of our lives.”
Sharon Milner, Chief Executive of the CHSF said, “The charitable generosity of Freemasons is very much appreciated and the grant has made an immediate impact. The results can be seen already in the upgraded accommodation.”

Read more about this on the FMT web site - ​https://www.freemasonrytoday.com/more-news/provinces-districts-a-groups/freemasons-prove-they-are-all-heart-with-29-000-hospital-donation

​This latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during April, to charities and organisations across the Province.  Its aim is to ensure that all Brethren and their families within Yorkshire, West Riding are aware of how their contributions are being used and the work that WRMCL is doing, on their behalf, to support those within our communities. 
 
Since the previous update, the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made grants, to the total value of £17,456, to seven community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit:
 
Cave Rescue Organisation
 
Based in Clapham, North Yorkshire, the charity, run by volunteers, provides cave and mountain rescue services in the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park; extending to the West into Lancashire and Cumbria and to the East as far as Malham and Gordale.

​The organisation is one of the UK’s most specialist rescue teams, often working in challenging conditions.
 
A need has arisen to replace their outdated control desk, PC and monitor in the incident control room. Replacement will make a huge difference to the communications available to them during their operations, which are key to a swift and effective rescue.  A new system will also allow them to maintain more effective, confidential operational communications. 
 
The team’s usual fund-raising efforts have been curtailed by the pandemic, which has prevented them visiting local agricultural/village shows with their trailer and equipment. Visitor numbers to Clapham have also reduced, leading to a loss of donations.
 
The grant of £2,460 will cover the cost of the replacement equipment; sponsored by Castleberg Lodge No 2091, Settle.
 
Ilkley Youth and Community Association
 
The Association works to further the opportunities for the community, with a particular focus on improving the provision and activities for children and young people.  The ‘Warehouse’, based in Little Lane, Ilkley provides facilities and grounds for recreation.
 
During the first lockdown, they supplied school equipment to disadvantaged families in and around Ilkley and have provided free school meals during school holidays. Activities have been provided for primary school children during the recent Easter holidays.
 
A lack of outdoor creative space and places for children to socialise has been made worse by the current pandemic as children are now being encouraged to socialise outside more. It is acknowledged that there are insufficient playgrounds for the number of children and young people in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The Association are looking to install a number of pieces of musical equipment in a small outdoor area close to the Ben Rhydding Pre-school playgroup.
 

The grant of £1,500 will assist in the purchase of the instruments; sponsored by Lodge of King Arthur No 9311, Ilkley.
 
Venn Academy Trust
​

​Brooke Primary Academy, situated in Thorne in the north of Doncaster, has approximately 410 children from 3-11-year-olds, over a quarter of whom are classified as disadvantaged.

The Venn Academy Trust, a charitable company, raise funds for the purpose of providing curricular and extracurricular activities for the children of this school, in order to enhance their education, awareness, confidence and general well-being.
 
A Breakfast Club is available for children and a 3-2-6 Club is run by academy staff in the on-site bungalow. Children have the opportunity to participate in an array of activities and socialise with their friends in a safe and happy environment as well as having a hot meal.

​Whilst parents are charged for these services, the Venn Academy Trust make up a shortfall in the overall cost to the tune of £900 a month
                                 
The grant, of £2,000 will contribute to the provision of meal costs; sponsored by Stonegate Lodge No 6118, Thorne.
 
The Shadwell Playground Campaign
 
A group of local residents have volunteered their time towards a project aimed at raising funds to refurbish the park in Shadwell.

​In collaboration with Leeds City Council, a scheme has been designed to improve the play area and address a drainage issue associated with the football pitch; at a cost of £120,000. To date, nearly £115,000 has been raised, going a long way to making the plans a reality.
 
In addition, it is hoped to provide benches for use by visitors to the park, including picnic benches with wheelchair access.
 
The grant of £5,000 will enable the purchase of four benches; sponsored by Lodge of Excelsior & Prudence No 1042, Leeds.
 
Leeds Jewish Housing Association
 
 The Jewish led, minority ethnic housing association, provide homes for primarily for the Jewish community, although with almost 500 properties in their portfolio, housing is not restricted to that community alone. Continued support is provided to tenants, to make them feel safe and secure in their home. 

​Around half of tenants are in sheltered housing where residents, with an average age of 82 years, are supported in their day-to-day living. Cleaning services have increased as a result of the pandemic and support staff have been provided with the necessary PPE, resulting in increased costs to the Association.
 
As a contribution towards these costs the Association was awarded a grant of £2,000; sponsored by Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds.

Mr Craig Simons, Director of Operations at the Association, wrote to say what a great surprise it was to learn of the grant, which will make such a difference in these challenging times.
 
 
Farsley Celtic Under 12s Blues
 
Farsley Celtic Football Club are members of the National League North and play at the Citadel in Farsley. They have several age-group teams for both boys and girls. The U12s Blues was established in March 2020 as a grassroots football team, with the aim of pulling together children from different backgrounds, many underprivileged, to share their love of football

​Due to the pandemic the team have been unable to play games or train together regularly.  Nor have they been able to raise funds to be in a position to set up the team for next season.
 
The grant of £1,000 will contribute towards the cost of training kit and footballing equipment; sponsored by St Laurence Lodge No 2330, Pudsey.
 
 
Cloth Cat Studios
 
Established in 1999 to promote the advancement of education and training in the arts, in particular in music, Cloth Cat Studios work with vulnerable adults and young people from disadvantaged areas of Leeds. Their service seeks to engage with those who might not otherwise have access to music courses and lessons.
 
Cloth Cat is open to all, including those with learning disabilities and mental health problems and seeks to promote social integration and tackle stigma.

​A new project, ‘Repair & Recycle’, starts in July this year and will bring together and support a community of unemployed adults, who have mental health issues, from disadvantaged communities in Leeds. They will learn how to repair, recycle and sell musical equipment, instruments and vinyl. The project will reduce the carbon emissions by diverting items destined for landfill and reduce social isolation, teach skills and improve mental health by providing social opportunities and a sense of purpose.  
 
Having raised a substantial amount, including £200 from Excalibur Lodge, the grant of £3,496 will allow the completion of the project; sponsored by Excalibur Lodge No 9214, Morley.

Joe Kent, Business Development Coordinator, wrote to convey the thanks of Cloth Cat to the Freemasons of Yorkshire, West Riding for the kind grant award.

​Over £120,000 distributed in Major Boost to Local Charities
 
Brethren will be used to attending the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in May, or reading about it in the spring edition of White Rose Masonic News. Sadly, due to the pandemic and restrictions on gatherings, the meeting has been put back until September this year.
​
A major part of the annual meeting, in recent years, has been the presentation of Major Grants from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund and although the presentation of the grants cannot take place as usual, local organisations have still benefitted from the generosity of West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd and the support of the Brethren throughout the Province.
In total, grants to the value of £121,448 have been made.

Brighouse Central Methodist Church
​
Over the last few years, the Church has been strongly committed to building ever closer links with the community in Brighouse. Plans have been approved for a £1 Million refurbishment of the building, making it completely accessible, with a ramp from the car park.

An artist’s impression of how the finished project at Brighouse Central Methodist Church might look.

The grant of £25,000 will provide for a lift to all levels from the reception area, truly making the building available to all; sponsored by Rastrick Lodge No 4885, Brighouse.
 
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF)
​
Around 17,000 babies, children and adults with congenital heart disease are treated as outpatients by the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU) every year. Many are admitted to the hospital for surgery and family accommodation is available that keeps parents and siblings near to patients during what is a traumatic time for all.

CHSF’s mission is to support the LCHU in becoming a world class centre of excellence, enhancing the quality of care and support available.
The grant of £29,148 will be used to refurbish and furnish the family accommodation; sponsored by Chevin Lodge No 6848, Otley.
​
Nell Bank Charitable Trust

Nell Bank is an outdoor education centre in Ilkley, providing day and residential experiences for schools and community groups of all ages and abilities. The Centre normally caters for over 20,000 children a year and many have special needs. Visitors with limited mobility have easy access to the buildings and activities.

A specially adapted electric vehicle, the ‘Nellmobile’, enables children with disabilities to enjoy woodland orienteering and habitat trails. This is coming to the end of its life and the grant of £23,400 will provide a replacement; sponsored by Olicana Lodge No 1522, Ilkley.
 
Crosspool & District Youth Sports Trust
​
The Trust, set up to benefit the local community, have a sports hall, field, tennis courts and children’s playground for public use and hire at Coldwell Lane, Sheffield.
The playground had to be closed as the climbing equipment failed a recent inspection, deeming it unsafe to use. The grant of £9,600 will cover the cost of a replacement; sponsored by Royal Brunswick Lodge No 296. Sheffield.

Chapeltown Youth Development Centre (CFDC)
​
Initially set up to counteract the social problems in the local area and give vulnerable young people an environment where they could grow in confidence and as adults, grow into productive members of society, the Charity continues to seek to make a difference to young people’s lives.
The centre provides opportunities for young people to participate in a range of sports, self-development and educational activities; catering for young people and adults, regardless of background, race, religion, ethnicity or gender and is open to all, regardless of ability or disability.
It caters for children from all over the Leeds area but particularly those from the inner-city areas of north and north east Leeds.
The grant of £24,700 will assist in the development of a multi-use games area, to be re-laid with 4G AstroTurf and surrounded by fencing; sponsored by Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds.
 
In addition to the Major Grants, the PGM’s Fund has made grants to the following worthy causes:

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust

The Zone, home to Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, is an indoor facility that holds the largest play structure in the area. It is multi-purpose and holds adult fitness activities as well as a range of themed children’s parties. The Trust has the ability to engage, improve community cohesion, improve fitness and well-being and raise the hopes and aspirations of the people of Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.
To reach out to children and young adults with physical and/or psychological challenges and to support their families and carers, the Trust are installing a state-of-the-art sensory room within the Zone. The grant of £5,000 will assist in equipping the room; sponsored by Concord Lodge No 4126, Lindley.
 
Freedom4Girls

Freedom4Girls are a Leeds-based charity fighting against period poverty. They aim to support those who menstruate, by challenging the stigmas, taboos and gender inequalities associated with menstruation.

​One of the major factors leading to period poverty is the cost of menstrual products and Freedom4Girls provide these to those in need in Leeds and across other regions of the UK, Kenya and Uganda.
Focus is also placed on the importance of education on the range of different menstrual products that exist.
The grant of £4,600 will assist in the delivery of a project designed to campaign for and create environmentally friendly period products; sponsored by Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds.
Freedom4Girls said “As a small, grassroots charitable organisation, that is run almost exclusively by volunteers, we are incredibly grateful for every penny we receive towards supporting women and girls to access period products and ending stigma surrounding menstruation. Generous donations such as this, help us to continue and develop all our projects.”