Page 7 - EM-Issue-90

Provincial

Essex Provincial Grand Stewards, still finding a

way during lockdown.

Covid-19 and the subsequent protective measures have not deterred
our 2020 Provincial Grand Stewards from continuing with various
charitable initiatives across the province, initiatives that have so far
seen over £6,000 generated for the 2022 Festival and Provincial
Almoners Fund.

The Stewards started their year with a simple product offering that was
expected to be a winner across our Masonic fraternity, the Jewel Holder in
Embossed Case got off to a great start in February and was expected to do
really well, along with the usual events across the Essex Masonic calendar, but
Covid-19 set to completely derail their plans.
Undeterred they continued to look for ways to make a difference, and in
anticipation of the likely additional demand upon the Provincial Almoners
funds, a number of the Stewards led by W.Bro’s Jeff Palmer and Christian Webb,
combined forces with W.Bro’s Dave Hawtin and Chris Lee to develop and launch
the Forget-Me-Not Initiative. Another simple idea, they offered packs of forget
me not seeds at £2 per pack by post to Masons across the province. A small
production team was established by Stewards Daniel Gearing, Darren Elsey,
Mark Jones, Gary Soars and Dan Broyd, supported by their families to fill and
post the orders. This was supported by brethren across the Province, who really
got behind this as way to celebrate and remember absent Brethren, an initiative
made even more poignant following the sad loss of our PGM. This raised £1,400
for the Almoners fund.

It is intended to relaunch the Forget-Me-Not initiative in the spring of 2021
alongside what they hope will be a popular photographic tribute feature
on the Essex Provincial Grand Stewards website, where those supporters of
the initiative earlier this year, can post pictures of their new forget me not
blooms in remembrance of another.
No Masonic calendar would have been complete without a Provincial Golf
Day, but this was going to have to be very different to ensure the safety of
all and adherence to the Covid safety measures in place at the time. Weeks
of planning and rewrites of that plan later, in conjunction with the amazing
folk at the South Essex Golf Club, plus an excellent response from many
of our Golf playing membership, led to this event being a sell out. Along
with the usual raffle and a Memorabilia Auction, the event raised close To
£3,000 for the 2022 festival.

The current Initiative from our Stewards ‘Help in the Province’ is directed
more at helping a Brother in real need, connecting those brethren with
one of the Stewards local to their area, helping with things like odd jobs,
general maintenance or just a bit of shopping or telephone contact, for
those brothers in real need. Darren Elsey is the point of contact for this,
and can be reached on 07729 688513. If this initiative sees the uptake
expected, the Stewards will be looking for additional volunteers to join
their effort.

Please keep an eye out for the Masonic design face masks coming
soon. Currently in production complete with Essex Provincial Grand
Lodge Crest, W.Bro Paul Bates and his fellow Stewards will be making
these available for purchase, and look forward to these proving really
popular upon resumption of meetings, or before.
Anyone interested or wanting to further support any of the 2020
Stewards Initiatives, can email Christian Webb or Jeff Palmer
on info@essexpgs.co.uk, or reach them through their website
Jewel Case holders are also available online through the Essex
Mason shop at https://www.essexmason.co.uk
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