The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - Masonic Province of ...

Plans are revealed for
new housing complex
Some of the audience at the new annual meeting venue
WRMC beneficiaries speak of good work
DETAILS of a proposed Assisted Housing
complex at Connaught Court residential
home at Fulford, York and progress
reports from two organisations who
benefited from major grants in 2011 were
features at the annual meeting of West
Riding Masonic Charities Ltd.
Some 350 members and friends,
including ladies for the first time, attended
the meeting at Leeds Grammar School,
Alwoodley, on 31 March.
Bruce Fowler, general manager of the
Nell Bank Activity Centre, Ilkley, which
received £20,000 from the PGM’s Fund
to provide further outdoor adventure
equipment at its “village” base near
Ilkley, spoke of the many hundreds of
young people, some with difficult family
relationships, who visit the centre each
year and develop individual and team
building skills in a fun environment
The recently opened Forget Me Not
Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield
benefited from a £20,000 grant given to
children’s technology charity Lifelites.
The money was used to purchase
interactive computer equipment to
promote education and leisure pursuits
and Peter Branson, chief executive
officer, spoke with compassion and
understanding of the work undertaken
both at the hospice and in out-reach
care which extends beyond patients to
supporting parents and families.
Tony Nicholson, the architect retained
to develop the assisted housing scheme
for WRMC at Connaught Court, gave a
full picture of the development which is
aimed at assisting those with Masonic
connections in order to retain their
independence through the provision of
quality service and security.
WRMCL president John Clayton with speakers Bruce Fowler,
Peter Branson and Tony Nicholson and chairman Barry L Hartley
WRMCL chairman Barry L Hartley
spoke of the changes during the year,
including the introduction of control
budgets to safeguard funds during the
forthcoming RMBI Festival period when
income to the Charity is expected to be
lower.
He confirmed that WRMCL would
continue to receive all Masonic charitable
donations and honour the request of
Brethren to forward monies, including
appropriate Gift Aid recovered, to their
chosen charity, including WRMCL.
During the year some £250,000 had
supported beneficiaries and Masonic
causes and a further £267,000 was
distributed to 139 community projects
through the PGM’s ring fenced charitable
monies.
Alan Oldfield was welcomed as
company secretary in succession to Ian
Underwood; Howard Richardson is the
new treasurer and Roger Newhouse,
Stuart Cadman and Gerry Barker were
appointed directors.
WRMCL chairman Barry L Hartley
recently was presented to the
HRH The Princess Royal to mark
the contribution West Riding
Freemasons made to a new riding
school for the disabled in Bradford.
Barry said: “It was very humbling
to feel our support was so helpful
to others less fortunate, possibly
compounded by seeing so many
able bodied people of all ages giving
their time to help others.”
Special Tribute was paid to Nevil H
Parkinson, who retired from the board
having served 20 years plus 10 years on
the Grand Charity Petitions Committee
and to Peter Brindley, who stepped down
after 12 years. Both Brethren will continue
to focus on the intended Assisted Housing
Scheme
The proposed assisted housing
development at Connaught Court will
be set in mature landscaped parkland
grounds and it is envisaged will consist
of 35 two-bedroomed flats, each with
private balcony area.
IAN R UNDERWOOD has retired as
company secretary of WRMCL on his
being appointed a full time District Judge,
sitting at Cambridge County Court. The
work involves all aspects of civil law and
family law, or as Ian puts it “No crime, so I
shall not be sending people to prison!”
W Bro Underwood intends to live in
Cambridge during the week, returning to
the family home at Ilkley at weekends.
“This will, unfortunately, restrict my
Masonic activities though I shall retain
my membership at Lodge of Peace No
3988 and the Leeds Lodge No 9867, of
which I am a Founder, and also at Baildon
Chapter No 1545.
Ian has retired from his law firm Last
Cawthra Feather LLP, where he was a
partner and head of family law.
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