Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire MBA with Croyland and Admiral Beatty Lodges provide assistance to local Charity

A chance conversation between W.Bro. Barry Weigleb and one of his neighbours has led to the N&H MBA in conjunction with the brethren of Croyland Lodge of MMM and Admiral Beatty Lodge of RAM in providing two much needed industrial sized refrigerators to the Phoenix Resource Centre (Northampton) Ltd, Charity N^o. 1133503, based in Raunds, Wellingborough.

Phoenix Resource Centre, although based in Wellingborough, has branches elsewhere across the country, that collects amongst other things, foodstuffs from various sources and then quickly distributes to the local Day Centre, homeless charities, food parcel organisations, soup kitchens etc.  Staffed totally by volunteers they were desperately in need of finding a replacement to an ageing domestic fridge in which to store perishable foodstuffs received from donor organisations such as Booker Wholesale.  Without this resource they found that they had to refuse much of the donations through fear of perishing.

The two lodges agreed to fund the purchase of one industrial sized fridge between them and approached the MBA for matched funding for a further fridge.  This was very quickly approved by the Trustees of the MBA and within 2 days the fridges were purchased, delivered and immediately put to good use as can be seen in the photograph below.

On the 12^th November the two fridges were “officially” handed to Phoenix Resource Centre when W.Bro. Brian Elliott, Deputy ProvGM and MBA Chairman, accompanied by W.Bro Barry Weigleb, Provincial Grand Almoner and W.Bro. Tony Marshall both of Croyland and Admiral Beatty Lodges accompanied by W.Bro. Jeff Chambers, Provincial Grand Charity Steward attended at the Phoenix Warehouse in Wellingborough to meet with Mr. Andrew Richardson, Trustee and Mr. Sid Norris, Warehouse Manager.

A brief tour and explanation of all the work undertaken by Phoenix by Andrew Richardson followed and everyone left the premises very impressed by what was being achieved by such a small group.  We can be very proud of playing a small part in helping them achieve their stated aims of “Recycle, Reuse, Reduce”

l to r: Mr. Sid Norris, Warehouse Manager-Phoenix Resource Centre, Mr. Andrew Richardson, Trustee-Phoenix Resource Centre, W.Bro. Brian Elliott, DepProvGM, Chairman N&H MBA, W.Bro. Barry Weigleb, Provincial Grand Almoner and W.Bro. Tony Marshall of Croyland Lodge MMM and Admiral Beatty Lodge RAM.

A letter of grateful thanks received by the Provincial Grand Almoner from The Phoenix Resource Centre was accompanied by a photograph showing both fridges fully stocked with perishable foodstuffs ready for quick distribution to the needy.

Team Visit to Powys Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 685 - 31st October 2019

R. W. Bro. Robert Andrew Stokes accompanied by W. Bro. Brian J. Elliott, P.G.S.D., Deputy Provincial Grand Master and 21 members of the Provincial Team together with 10 Grand Officers visited the Lodge to complete the Lodge Centenary Celebration.  

The Assistant Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Stephen Davison, at the request of the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kevin Williams, presented members of the Lodge with a Lodge Centenary Jewel.  

Also visiting the Lodge were R. W. Bro Michael E. Herbert, P.Dep.G.M. , R.W.Bro. Philip J. Mann (Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland), R. W. Bro. A. Morris, Dep.Pres.M.B.F. (these four brethren between them have served our neighbouring Province at the highest level since 1995) together with the immediate Past Provincial Grand Master of our own Province, R. W. Bro. George E. Bonham, G.M.R.A.C.(HC)

Following the presentation Bro. Simon Craggs was advanced by W. Bro. Kevin Williams and the Lodge officers with great sincerity and feeling.  It will be remembered by those present as an outstanding ceremony for many years to come.  After the ceremony the Assistant Grand Master, whilst welcoming Bro. Simon to our Order, presented him with a Lodge Centenary Jewel. The Provincial Grand Master congratulated him on becoming a member of the Lodge and hoped that he would have a long and happy association with the Lodge, he then presented him with a copy of the Province booklet entitled “Notes for the guidance of Newly Advanced Brethren”.

Afterwards, 58 brethren enjoyed the fellowship of the Festive Board which was under the direction of W. Bro. Mark Golding Dep.G.D.C.

Left to right: W.Bro. Balbir Lotay, Lodge DC, R.W.Bro. Phil Mann, Prov.G.M Leics & Rutland, W.Bro. Mark Golding, Dep.G.D.C, R.W.Bro. Stephen Davison, Assistant Grand Master, Bro. Simon Craggs, Advancee, W.Bro. Kevin Williams, WM,  R.W.Bro. Robert Stokes, Prov.G.M,  W.Bro. Brian Elliott, Dep Prov.G.M, R.W.Bro. George Bonham, Past Prov.G.M and W.Bro. David Balmer ,Prov.G.D.C