THE MASONIC PROVINCE OF YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING

​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.
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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
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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)
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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.
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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
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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)
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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.”

Following a grant of £2,000 from the Provincial Grand Master's Fund, the St Saviours Community Project, Sheffield have acknowledged the contribution from members of the Province in their recent Newsletter.

This latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during March, 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, totalling over £14,000, to six community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit:
 
Westend Junior Football Club
 
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Huddersfield based football club formed a volunteer action group of young people, ‘Westend Community Champions’ and began fundraising to support local vulnerable families. During the past year, they have provided thousands of food items to a local foodbank, Jubilee Centre, Paddock; over 2,500 clothing donations to Sanctuary Kirklees and at Christmas, delivered presents to over 1,000 vulnerable families across the town. 

In January they began supporting vulnerable children; providing basic, essential learning items. Additionally, they are putting together ‘Pamper Packages’ for NHS and frontline care workers in the community. The young volunteers, with their selflessness, compassion, acts of kindness and dedication are helping make a positive difference to the lives of others.
 
The grant of £2,000 will assist in the provision of further packages; sponsored by Kirklees Lodge No 4710, Mirfield.

​Food4Heroes
 
Food4Heroes, a not-for-profit organisation, was formed at the start of the pandemic, initially bringing together furloughed staff from caterers, pubs and restaurants to cook nutritious meals for NHS staff.
 
Having delivered 240,000 meals to NHS staff at 43 hospitals in England, they were keen to do their bit to further alleviate the pressure on the NHS and started working with foodbanks. Still working with pubs, restaurants and caterers, meals are now distributed directly to foodbanks to supplement the non-perishable goods in food packages; giving service users the opportunity to enjoy a healthy meal that they just need to heat up at home.

​Local foodbanks receiving support, include The Welcome Centre, Huddersfield; Crossroads, Meltham and Noah’s Ark, Halifax and a small team of volunteers help with distribution of the meals.
 
The grant of £2,000 will provide 1,000 meals; sponsored by Brooke Lodge No 3608, Kirkburton.
 
Salterlee Under Fives
 
Based in Salterlee Primary School at the heart of the Shibden Valley, this committee led pre-school and playgroup aims to provide a secure and caring environment which encourages learning and development through play.
 
Play is one of the main ways in which children learn and develop. It helps to build self-worth by giving a child a sense of his or her own abilities and to feel good about themselves. Because it's fun, children often become very absorbed in what they are doing.  
 
One to one support and individual learning and development plans are available for children with special educational needs, together with speech and language development support.
 
The grant, of £1,095 will be used to purchase play resources to enhance the children’s play experience, promoting engagement and focus; sponsored by Beacon Lodge No 4066, Halifax.
 
St Saviours Community Project
 
St Saviours Community Project, provides material support for residents of High Green, Sheffield, facing deprivation; a major part of which is the provision of enough food to feed a family for about three days, from their foodbank. 

​All work is carried out by volunteers and to cope with the ever-increasing workload, they are also providing their services to the community from local schools
 
The grant of £2,000 will enable the purchase of consumables and food to make up essential food parcels; sponsored by Lodge of Industry No 6579, Sheffield.
 
Penney Field Special School
 
Penny Field School, Leeds, caters for children and young people (aged 3-19) with Complex and Multiple Learning Needs. They have specialist staff who are well trained and experienced to support their medical and learning needs; this includes an inclusion nursing team on site full-time and a high level of speech and language and physiotherapist input. They have a hydrotherapy pool and a sunken trampoline for ‘Rebound Therapy’ and exercise, as well as a wheelchair accessible roundabout and swing, sensory garden and greenhouse.
 
The school wish to buy an Acheeva bed which will assist about 35 children with complex disabilities. The bed is a cross between a wheelchair, bed and therapy table. It allows pupils to be positioned more comfortably, enabling them to fully access different lessons. 

The school was awarded a grant of £5,000 to help towards the cost of purchase; sponsored by Loyalty Lodge No 4971.
 
New Rover Cricket Club
 
New Rover Cricket Club, Adel, Leeds, has two Senior sides playing in local leagues, together with a growing and developing junior section, with teams at U9, U11, U13 and U15.  The Club is home to the Yorkshire College who host games for the Yorkshire over 60s.
 
They have a diverse membership, with about 30% of members being BAME.  They also have a growing number of female players, particularly in the junior section. The membership is a great example of ethnic diversity within the community, offering not only a good sports facility but a focal point for all the community to come together as one.
 
The grant of £2,000 will contribute towards funding a new all-weather practice net facility, for the 100 juniors and 40+ adult players.  The current facilities are over 20 years old, very worn and beyond further repair.  Replacement will benefit the development of all players and facilitate better coaching year-round; sponsored by Philanthropic Lodge No 304.
 

​Dear Sirs,
 
We are writing to express our sincere thanks for your generous donation of £2,000. Your financial support will help us continue to assist those in our community who are struggling during lockdown.
 
Although we are now sending vouchers to our pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals, there are numerous families who don’t quite meet the criteria for government support but would greatly benefit from any assistance we can offer them.
 
We currently buy into a food scheme called “The Real Junk Food Company”, which costs £750 per annum. They deliver food every week which is nearing its sell by/use by date and this has enabled us to include these products in our food parcels for our families.
 
Your generous support continues to make it possible for our school to help even more families in crisis and provide them with essential items.
 
Kind regards.
 
Deborah Grange
 
School Business Manager
Longroyde Nursery & Primary School

​Born on 3 December 1947, Stuart, following a short illness, died in hospital on 16 February 2021. 
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Stuart was a self employed Management Consultant until he retired. 

He was Initiated into St Modwen's Lodge No 4850, Burton-on-Trent (Staffs) on 24 April 1979 and became a joining member of Lodge of Friendship No 750, Cleckheaton on 13 January 1982. 

Since that day, he has worked tirelessly for his Lodge, this Province and Freemasonry in general.

He became Master of Lodge of Friendship in 2002 and then held the office of Secretary for five years and Treasurer for six years. 

He was Exalted into Lightcliffe Chapter No 3332, Hipperholme in October 2000, becoming First Principal in February 2009 and then Treasurer in 2011, an office he held until last year.

Stuart was a joining member of the West Riding Acting Officers Lodge No 9645, holding office in both 2011 and 2013. 

Always active, always involved, he was a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm. 

He found his true vocation when he joined the board of West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd in 2012.  Holding a variety of roles on both the Finance Committee and Liaison Committee and ensuring that the Provincial Beneficiaries were being properly supported, he also did an enormous amount of the planning and groundwork to get the CHOICES scheme up and running successfully.  His leadership over this last twelve months has been an invaluable benefit to the Charity and those we have endeavoured to help. 

In recognition of his work for the Province and its Charity, Stuart was appointed acting Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2016 and served on the PGM’s Installation Panel for a further 3 years. 

In 2018 he was appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in United Grand Lodge. 

In 2019 Stuart was re-elected to the Board of WRMCL for a second term and in the same year was appointed Chairman, taking the Charity forward, positively and successfully.  He planned to step down in 2023, when his present term expired. 

Sadly, that was not to be.  A Mason through and through, he will be missed by all who knew him.

His family are in our thoughts at this sad time.
 

​This latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during February, 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, totalling over £26,500, to ten community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit:
 
Bradford Central Foodbank
 
Every day, people in the UK go hungry, for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income or a benefit stopping. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.

The Bradford Central Foodbank collects food from supermarkets, markets and shops to prepare emergency food parcels for families who would go hungry without their help and support.
 
Last year they fed just over 14,200 people, compared to 5,666 the previous year. On average they have fed 263 people and given away 4 tons of food every week.
 
Sixty volunteer drivers deliver the parcels to those who are unable to collect them, for medical, mobility or disability reasons or those self-isolating. In addition to the volunteer drivers, there are 130 other people volunteering throughout the year. 
 
The grant of £1,250 will pay the cost of transport to pick up food and to deliver the emergency food parcels; sponsored by Acacia Lodge No 2321, Baildon.

​The Howarth Foundation
 
The Howarth Foundation’s initiative, ‘Business Building Futures – Street 2 Feet’ supports the homeless or recently re-housed jobless back into full or part time employment or training.
The Foundation is a charity for the prevention or relief of poverty in respect of individuals who are, or who have recently been, homeless in the districts of Leeds and Kirklees 

​They plan to set-up a social enterprise, in the form of a retail outlet, that not only offers for sale, preloved, high end, good quality items, but also provides training and work experience opportunities to their clients. They have premises in Armley, which they are currently renovating and plan to open the doors in April.
 
The grant of £3,000 will help towards the cost of fitting out the premises; sponsored by Lodge of Friendship No 750, Cleckheaton. 

​Barnsley Foodbank Partnership
 
Barnsley Foodbank Partnership are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust and have, for many years, served those in the community in crisis and need of assistance. They distribute food parcels, providing nutritious supplies for a three-day period, to an average of ninety-five clients a week. 

​​The grant, of £2,000 will be used to buy food and to assist with running costs for their van, used to collect food from donors and deliver to drop off points at one of eleven community-based centres; sponsored by Kirklees Lodge No 4710, Mirfield.
 
Slaithwaite Playgroup and Toddlers
 
Slaithwaite Playgroup and Toddlers (SPlaT!) has been running for almost 40 years. Their vision is to enable children to have quality play time, through which they will develop independence and learn. This is done with other children; with qualified staff; with committee members; with parent involvement; with local schools and local community.

​​The grant of £1,160 will enable the purchase of a replacement laptop, to manage the affairs of the Charity and assist with the day-to-day administration, together with four replacement Tablets for use by Playgroup staff; sponsored by Colne Valley Lodge No 1645.
 
Longroyde Nursery & Primary School Foodbank.
 
The Foodbank at Longroyd Primary School, Rastrick provides food parcels and clothing to vulnerable and disadvantaged families in the community; funded by donations from parents and staff. 

​​Providing forty to fifty a week, each food parcel is valued around £15. They also supply clothing as and when items become available for distribution.   
 
The school was awarded a grant of £2,000 to help them in this very worthwhile venture.
In addition, members of Rastrick Lodge No 4885 donated £200 and a further £100 was donated by Brighouse Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 753.
 
 
Resurrected Bites
 
Having closed its ‘Pay As You Feel’ cafes at St Mark’s Church, Harrogate and Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the team of volunteers are instead redistributing food as food parcels and hot meals to people in need, who are unable to afford a normal home delivery service.

​​160 households are currently supported with food packages; including freshly prepared meals, as well as store cupboard items, toiletries and household goods.
 
The grant of £4,231 will cover a month’s running costs; sponsored by Harlow Lodge No 4404, Harrogate.
 
Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society (PBDS)
 
The PBDS is a small amateur company based in The Playhouse, a building which began life as a Primitive Methodist Chapel in 1859.
 
 The Playhouse is staffed entirely by volunteers. It is well-used and a highly valued local resource, providing access to high quality performing arts in an area of rural isolation.

​The in-house dramatic society operates at the high end of amateur theatre and have been semi-finalists in the All-England Theatre Festival in each of the last three years.
 
PBDS provide opportunities for young people, in liaison with local schools, to develop skills in the performing arts. The Playhouse also hosts community arts activities. 

Work is underway to make The Playhouse accessible to the disabled, by installing a lift and disabled toilet. Funds for the building alterations have been secured and various fund-raising initiatives, together with a contribution from the local Council have gone a long way towards the £20k cost of the lift.  The grant of £2,000 will assist in meeting their target and hopefully, completion of the work in March; sponsored by Vale of Nidd Lodge No 4984.

​The Buddy Bag Foundation
 
The Foundation supplies ‘Buddy Bags’ to children who find themselves in emergency care after a traumatic incident. 

​​Domestic violence has increased during the current pandemic and there are even more children who find themselves in a desperate situation and in need of help. Around 48,000 children require emergency accommodation in the UK each year. Children fleeing violent situations often leave home quickly, without the chance to collect basic items and arrive in emergency accommodation, typically women’s refuges, with just the clothes they are wearing.  
 
A ‘Buddy Bag’ is a backpack, that contains all the essential items a child needs. They include toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear. They also include comfort items such as a book, photo frame and a teddy bear. 

​The bag is something a child can call their own and is a tangible sign that someone cares about them at a time of trauma. This has a positive impact in helping the child adjust to their new surroundings and start to feel more settled. The grant of £5,000 will be spent on buying items for 200 ‘Buddy Bags’, to share between the five areas of the Province; sponsored by Knaresborough Priory Lodge No 4171.
 
In addition to the grant from the PGM’s Fund, it is hoped that teddies from the Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) scheme may be included in future ‘Buddy Bags’.
 
 
Firefly - Cancer Awareness and Support Foundation
 
Firefly Cancer Awareness and Support Foundation is a voluntary organisation providing free transport to local cancer patients and their families, taking them to and from regional treatment hospitals.
 
The service is funded entirely by donations and fundraising in the local community.  
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​​Running costs for the Firefly Express vehicles are in excess of £1,200 per week.  The PGM’s Fund has made a grant of £3,000 towards these and a further £2,000 has been donated from the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund; sponsored by West Riding Fairways Lodge No 9664, Mexborough.
 
Allerton Bywater Miners Scout Group
 
Allerton Bywater Miners Scout Group cater for all age groups; Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.  They actively engage and support young people in their personal development, to make a positive contribution to society.  Acting with integrity; honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty, to respect and support others and the world in which we live.

​All their camping equipment, particularly their tents are old and on their last camp were damaged in severe weather.
 
The grant of £1,000 will go a long way to replacing these; sponsored by Legiolium Lodge No 1542, Castleford.

The grant of £2,500 from the Provincial Grand Master's Fund has been recognised in the latest Newsletter of the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team.

The team, on page 14, also acknowledge donations from Studley, Facula and De Warren Lodges.

Follow the link below:

​​https://www.cvsrt.org.uk/downloads/newsletters/CVSRT-Newsletter-Jan-2021.pdf

Amy was just 17 when, as she struggled with her own anger issues, she left her home following a series of increasingly noisy arguments with her parents and siblings.

"I had nowhere to go and I ended up in a doorway in the middle of town." she recalls. "It was horrible - cold all the time and frightening too, but it was at least one of the cleanest doors because it was cleared up every day by the owners, so I'd come back as soon as the shops shut and settle in again for another night, because that's all you can do, just put your head down and get on with it. I was out shoplifting every day because I didn't have any money and I had to live. But the worst thing was the way people looked at you as they passed you and they'd make comments too, say really nasty things; you don't feel you are anyone any more."

Amy ended up in a squat, before hearing about local youth housing charity 'Roundabout' and being introduced to Paul, her key worker whose first role was to help find safe accommodation for her. He spoke with her regularly and saw her at least four times a week; attending appointments with her and and making sure she had essentials, such as food and toiletries.

Amy says, "Roundabout were more supportive than my family ever were. I'd probably still be in that squat if it hadn't been for Roundabout, because they've helped me with so many things, which has really helped with my mental health issues. The best thing is that I'm getting the key to my own flat soon, some where that will be all mine."

Amy has been supported on this journey by Roundabout's rapid Rehousing team, which is made up of dedicated workers who actively go out into the community, identify homeless young people who need intensive support and help them to access accommodation and develop their long term living skills, until they are confident to take that next step to live independently.

Helen, Fundraising and Communications Manager wrote to say that the grant of £5,000, made from the Provincial Grand Master's Fund last month, will assist in the ongoing work of Roundabout, meaning the charity can be there for young people like Amy in the future.