Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire

Famous Five Initiative - aiming for our target

Famous Five

The ‘’Famous Five’’ has been incredibly well supported by the majority of Warwickshire Lodges since it was launched in 2013. The announcement has now been made that the 2023 Masonic Charitable Foundation Festival will be launched on 15th January 2018. The Famous Five will therefore conclude at the end of 2017, so that the emphasis from then on will be firmly focussed on the Festival. It is my hope that by its conclusion at the end of 2017, the target of £150,000 for the Famous Five Charities will have been achieved.

Donations made at present total as follows:

This means that in the remaining period, I am looking to achieve just under £12,000, which I know is a lot to expect, but I am hoping that our £150,000 target will be achieved with the help of every Lodge. I would ask that every Lodge makes a donation during that period, of at least one charity collection, or a donation from Lodge funds if preferred. I am sure we can rely on the generosity of all Warwickshire Lodges to help us meet this target.

John Hayward
Provincial Charity Steward
September 2017

Single & Double Flats available at Reading Court

Reading Court is a Sheltered Housing Scheme run by the Masonic Housing Association and is situated a short distance from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. The scheme has 32 single and 13 double flats, each with a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom; there is a resident Warden and all the flats are fitted with an emergency pull cord.

Single and Double flats will soon be coming available in this beautiful location, with lounge, kitchen and bathroom with shower in Sheltered Accommodation.

Reading Court, Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7SA

Single and Double flats will soon be coming available in this beautiful location near to Stratford. With lounge, kitchen and bathroom with shower in Sheltered Accommodation.

Resident manager, central heating, communal lounge, laundry and social club, shared maintained garden, lift. Car Parking and Mobility Scooter Garaging

Minimum age 60. Weekly rent £144.91 single and £155.56 double (this includes £10.65 and £11.15 supplement respectively per week for some staff and services which is not eligible for Housing Benefit). 

Landlords: Masonic Housing Association.

Contact the Scheme Manager, Pam Jowers for further details and application form – 01789 297301 or David J Bateman on 01386 792856

What a Difference a Grant Makes!!

Each year, the Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association donates sums to a variety of charities – some large, and some very small.  With some, our donations go into general funds, but others tell us exactly how we have helped the organisation.  Here is a small sample of a few of those where we have received very positive feedback:

1st Hartshill Scout Group (Nuneaton)

We have recently been reviewing and replacing our Group’s equipment and our latest request was for some new tents. With your very generous donation we have been able to negotiate an excellent price, and purchase from a local supplier seven new tents. This has come at a very opportune moment as the scout section are intending to camp on July 15th, and they will be the first to use them. Our heartfelt thanks for your continuing support.

Northleigh House School, Warwick

Thank you for the very lovely cheque that has just arrived. It could not be more appreciated. We are saving to build another outside wooden classroom and we will use the money towards this project, which when complete will mean we can take more children.  Thank you for your kindness.

British Lung Foundation

Your donation will help support one of our 230 Breathe Easy groups for a whole year, offering people with lung disease the chance to build friendships with others who understand what they’re going through. You help us to fund research and find new ways to prevent, cure and treat lung disease, and campaign for a positive change in the nation’s lung health.

Douglas Bader Foundation

Thank you so much for your generous donation to the Douglas Bader Foundation, in particular for our Bader Braves Project for amputee and disabled children in Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Your generosity means we are able to continue offering amazing experiences like the Young Aviator days, Activity Weekend, Go-Karting experiences and Sailing.

Priestley Smith School, Great Barr Birmingham
(For Blind & Partially Sighted Pupils)

We have put your very generous donation towards the purchase of a Braille Note – this enables our blind pupils not only to have parity with sighted pupils in the use of information technology, but also gives them access to the internet. We are very pleased that you consider our school to be a deserving cause.

BID Services
Birmingham Institute for the Deaf

We have split your kind donation between two worthwhile projects that we feel meets the charitable objectives of the Freemasons. These are our Summer holiday scheme for deaf children and young people, and our weekly Life Skills group for deaf adults with additional learning difficulties. Your donation enables us to do so much more for to support our deaf people.

Riding for the Disabled, Lowlands Farm, Warwick

What a lovely surprise when I opened your letter yesterday. Lowlands Farm riders really appreciate such generosity, as we can offer them the pleasure and therapeutic value that riding a horse or pony gives them at a greatly reduced cost. (Horses and ponies are not the cheapest animals to keep). Our sincere thanks for enabling us to benefit from your charity.

Springfield Mind, Stratford on Avon

We are extremely grateful for your very kind donation. All the donations we receive are a key part in keeping our services running consistently and to a high standard as well as enabling us to work towards our vision of a society where people with mental health distress can live free of stigma, discrimination and achieve their own personal wellbeing. Thanks again for your support.

Stratford upon Avon Stroke Support Group

You may recall that your last donation was used to purchase an IPad and software programs suggested by the Stroke Association. It is our intention this year to obtain a projector and associated items for use when we have visiting health care specialists and speakers, and also exercise mirrors to enable our survivors to measure their development effectively with visual aids.   Once again, thank you for your generosity.

Carers Trust Heart of England, Coventry

Your donation will be used to support our free core service to support carers throughout Warwickshire. This service is to directly support carers by giving them a well-earned break from their caring responsibilities for a few hours. Your donation will provide 63 hours of support. Our carers tell us that our service is a “godsend” and your generous donation is very much appreciated.

Caudwell Children

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to confirm receipt of your donation towards Therapy Cycles for disabled children living in Warwickshire. You are bringing real change not only to the life of a disabled child but also to the lives of their whole family.   Caudwell Children relies totally on voluntary income and without your support we would be unable to continue to provide essential services to those that really need them.

222nd Birmingham (Wilson Stuart) Disabled Scout Group

Your donation will again be put to good use for the ongoing requirements of the group to acquire all that is required to enable children to have all their uniforms provided and all equipment in order that they are able to carry out their badge work. It also means the funds are available to take an increased number of children both in the disabled group, and a larger number able to camp.

This small sample gives an idea of the help we are providing in our local community.  The full summary of our donations this year can be viewed here , totalling almost £150,000.  Many of our donations have also featured on individual websites, facebook pages & twitter comments, giving Freemasonry in general and this Province in particular some good publicity.

Many of the donations we make are as a result of recommendations from Lodges and individual members, as well as direct requests.   Any Lodge or member wishing to nominate a registered charity operating within Warwickshire is welcome to contact John Hayward, Provincial Charity Steward, for consideration in the 2018 allocation from the Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association.  

JBH

MCF Community Award Vote is closing - don't miss your chance

 Voting closes on Monday 31st July - have your say before it is too late

Six local charities in Warwickshire have been nominated to receive an MCF Community Award Find out more about the charities nominated in Warwickshire and vote for your favourite >>
Edward's Trust	The Stonehouse Gang
FastAid Birmingham and Solihull	Tiny Tim's Childrens Centre
Birmingham Crisis Centre	Birmingham Settlement
MCF COMMUNITY AWARDS – TERCENTENARY FUND To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons have nominated 300 local charities across England and Wales to receive a grant from the Foundation. Depending on the size of each regional area across England and Wales, four, six or eight charities operating locally have been nominated and have a chance to receive a grant between £4,000 and £25,000. Every nominated charity will receive a grant, but it's up to you to decide how much each charity gets! The public vote is open from Monday 12 June until 31 July. The results of the vote will be announced in August.