Page 16 - EssexMason (Issue 89)online_version

Charity
Charity
Charity
Saffron Walden Freemasons

give boost to Foodbank

rgently needed funding
Uto support Uttlesford
Foodbank, which has seen a
200% increase in demand from
people in crisis since the start
of the Covid-19 Pandemic, has
been given by Freemasons in
Saffron Walden.

Members of Audley Lodge, which meets at the Masonic Centre in Church Street, have donated £1,000 to the Food Bank, which has
helped to feed more than 1,500 people in an area of North Essex taking in Stansted, Dunmow, Thaxted, Saffron Walden and all of the
surrounding villages since it first began operating some eight years ago.
The £1,000 grant will allow Uttlesford Foodbank to meet an ever growing demand for its services.
These are likely to increase still further in the next few months according to Sophie Durlacher, Manager at Uttlesford Foodbank, who
believes that even more people will be facing hardship when the Government furlough support declines and then stops altogether.
“The £1,000 is very welcome,” said Sophie, ”and it will go a long way towards buying many essential food items. We rely very
much on the support of the local community and I cannot thank the members of Audley Lodge enough for their help.”

As an independent charity Uttlesford Food Bank is run very much on a major scale operating from a commercial unit on the industrial
estate at Shire Hill in Saffron Walden where it coordinates deliveries across its part of North Essex.
People in crisis are referred to the charity via a number of different agencies with some such as the short-term unemployed requiring
temporary help while others may need ongoing assistance depending on their situation.
“Audley Lodge is very much part of the local Saffron Walden Community and this is the kind of charity that makes a real
difference,” said Peter Thomas, Lodge Treasurer. “We have been aware for some time of the work of Uttlesford Foodbank and
were pleased to be able to help.”
The Essex Freemasons Community Fund which match funded the
£500 donation from Audley Lodge was set up to support projects
such as the Foodbank. Paul Reeves, Deputy Provincial Grand
Master for Essex Freemasons, explained: “There are hundreds of
small charities like this in every part of the County. They are vital
to the needs of the local community and this is where we are trying
to aim our support.
“The work of Uttlesford Foodbank cannot be underestimated,
particularly in these difficult times and I am pleased it has the
support of our members.”
The Essex Freemasons Community Fund is expecting to make donations of
nearly £90,000 to local charities in 2020 in addition to nearly £1 million which will be given separately by more than 300 Lodges across the county.
If you, or anyone else you know is in need of help from the Foodbank please call the Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 01799 618840 and they will be able
to help you get referred.

t the Villerica Lodge 4053 meeting on Saturday 21st
ADecember 2019, W.Bro. Chris Haynes had the honor
of Initiating his son Alex into Freemasonry in general and
this Lodge in particular.
He was ably assisted by both Alex’s Grandfathers W.Bro.
Michael Haynes and W.Bro. Geoff Burnell who delivered the
Charge and Toast to the Initiate.

Bro. Alex is the fourth generation of the Haynes family to be
initiated Into the Lodge and was 51 years to the date that
his grandfather Michael was initiated by his own father. All
marking a memorable day for the Haynes and Burnell family.
At the same meeting W.Bro. Peter Hollingsworth presented
the Lodge with a Grand Patron Certificate for the Essex
2022 Festival and the Worshipful Master W.Bro. Bill Moon
presented the APGM with a further £10,000 donation to the
Villerica Lodge 4053 Festival, taking the Lodge closer to double Patron status.
Initiates a Fourth Generation

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