THE MASONIC PROVINCE OF YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING

​Following the annual general meeting held on 19 June 2021, the directors of West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd have elected a new Chairman.

Duncan R Kilbride of Tateshall Lodge No 7645 and Garforth Lodge No 9987 will use his skills and experience to drive 'Your Charity' forward; continuing the excellent work of those who have gone before him.

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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

Major Darren T Baker, Officer Commanding C Company, expressed his gratitude and said that the equipment will be enjoyed by all cadets and adults within the ACF.
 
 
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.  
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​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. 

Joseph Stones, Chairman, expressed the choir's sincere thanks and said not only will it benefit the choir but also, the Colne valley Boys Choir. "Next year is the CVMVC's centenary and the equipment will be a huge help", he said.