Page 16 - Essex Mason Spring Special Edition

Charity

Don’t lose the opportunity
to benefit our NHS and the Festival Appeal

Festival Thermometer
£6m t the time of going to press, the Essex Festival 2022 had banked some £3.6 million
Atowards its target of £6 million. It is a fantastic effort with around two years left
£5m before the Appeal comes to an end, but with Britain and Freemasonry in lockdown, it
£5m is now difficult to predict what the final total might be.

£4m As Provincial Charity Steward I am acutely aware of the number of times we have come
£3.6m knocking on your door to ask for your support for yet another worthy cause and I
particularly understand that it is impossible to give to everything.
£3m
So I apologise for once again asking you to dig deep, but I hope you will understand why
and how everyone of us can make a real difference by assisting our NHS and care home
£2m
staff while at the same time actively helping our Province reach its Festival target.
You have all received details of how to support UGLE’s Covid-19 Appeal. I do not have
£1m
to tell you that this initiative is making a real difference and it comes with a real bonus.
When you donate money personally or as a Lodge or Chapter via your Relief Chest or
Benevolent Funds, that money will also be credited as if it had been donated to our
Festival.
It’s a wonderful gesture and an opportunity to use our money where it is needed most without detriment to the Festival
which is vital if future funds are to be available for Essex. It is worth recording that even if we are in Festival or not nearly
£500,000 comes back to Essex every year to destressed brethren and their families – and that is in addition substantial
grants which are made available to local charities.
Our £6 million target is a lot of money and if we reach that amount it will approximately represent a donation of £700
per Essex Mason over a five year period. The Province of Middlesex has just completed its Festival with a total of £4.5
million which represents over £1,000 per member and the Province of Nottinghamshire has recently recorded similar per
capita donations.
It is of course easier for smaller Provinces to be more flexible. Under the same expectations we would have to hit at least
£8.5 million so in that context we really should be able to hit £6 million knowing the legendary generosity of most Essex
Freemasons.
So Brethren, a big thank you for your support so far and with the opportunity to help our frontline NHS and care worker
teams and our Festival – let’s go for it.
W.Bro Colin Felton. ProvGChStwd

Stisted Hall
residents take a canal trip

I am quite sure that all of the Lodges, Chapters and other side
degrees in the Province of Essex have made contributions to
Stisted Hall Masonic Home either as annual donations or one- off
contributions and have supported their annual fund raising Garden
Party and these efforts are applauded. Our Charity Steward had a
“light bulb” moment while listening to a Presentation by a charity
called “Canalability” that raises funds to buy, modify and operate
canal boats to enable wheelchair users and other challenged
people to take trips and group holidays on our canals. His idea
was not only to support the fabric of the Stisted Hall but to treat
the residents to an adventure via a trip on a canal boat.
He persuaded the Walden Chapter No. 1280 to support the idea.

With the help of Dani Lane, the Activities Co-ordinator at Stisted
Hall a date was arranged and a boat booked to take twelve people
on a four hour trip.
The trip was a great success and the attached letter of appreciation
and pictures, illustrate better than any words of mine how much it
was appreciated by Dani and her charges.

16