Next Lodge meeting
Saturday, 17th January
Next Chapter meeting
Craiova, Romania
Saturday, 31st January
2025
White Table meeting
- Saturday 18th January
Roger Northwood (Charity Steward) - Graeme and Gary
At our White table meeting held on Saturday, 18th January the Festive Board included several presentations to charities the Lodge has supported during the year 2024.
Firstly, our Past Master, Graeme McCormack presented Gary Hayes co-founder and CEO of the Charity PTSD 999, a cheque for £3,000. PTSD 999 was Graeme's chosen charity for his year in office which offers help and support to members of the emergency services who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as a result of their duties serving the public and dealing with difficult and sometimes heart-breaking situations. Being an ex-squaddie himself, the charity is close to his heart.
Gary was blown away with the amount of the donation which he said would fund three training courses in raising awareness of the impact PTSD has on a persons life.
Also present was Tony Roche from St Vincent Depaul Food Bank, on Canvey island who received a cheque from our Charity Steward, Roger Northwood, for £250. In thanking the Lodge, Tony gave a heartfelt address on the work his charity performs.
Roger & Tony
Finally, our last special guest was James Palmer representing the Southend Branch of East of England Ambulance Service who was presented an Air Fryer by our Lodge Almoner, Paul Marshall. James thanked the Lodge and said the Fryer would certainly get good service from the ambulance crews who can prepare hot food during their shift break, at their Aviation Way base, next door to Saxon Hall.
Roger, Paul & James
St Georges' Day Lunch
The now regular St Georges Day lunch went ahead again on Sunday 27th April and organised this year by Charity Steward, Roger Northwood.
It was yet another great joining together of brethren, wives, partners and friends and by popular demand the 'Pop Bingo' with our new DJ Roger.
The afternoon raised £426 for our masters charity 'London Taxi Drivers Charity for Children'.
Ladies Night
- Saturday 20th September
Iain MacMillan our Master having incurred some medical difficulties during the year it was touch and go whether his Ladies Evening would take place. But, things came together and with a tremendous deal of help from Josh and his good lady Charlie, a Spanish themed event took place.
Iain was equally pleased as in attendance was a table of his friends representing the 'The London taxi drivers charity for Children', Iain's selected charity for his year in office.
Iain and Maria
Iain presenting certificate to Antony
Great buddies Josh and Iain
Including the money raised at this evenings event, Iain with our Lodge members raised throughout the year a total of £3,000 for this deserving charity and Iain had the pleasure of presenting the Chairman of the Charity, Antony Moore a certificate declaring the donation.
Pie & Mash Evening
- Thursday 25th September
Our Charity Steward, Roger Northwood changed track and lead many members down the route of indulging in a Pie & Mash evening.
Held at the 'Grind & Grape' Leigh-on-Sea (opposite The Elms pub in which many started the evening) where Pie & Mash with liquor was served together with an element of hearty banter and camaraderie.
Obviously, being the Charity Steward Roger didn't miss out on selling a few raffle tickets and raised a magnificent £438 towards our master, Iain MacMillan's charity.
One of the many guests was Malcolm Bligh, a Pathway candidate scheduled to join the Lodge during November, and who won the top prize of a litre bottle of Scotch!
One strange note to add, the Grind & Grape closed for good at the end of that week; reasons unknown but, we're confident (we think) nothing to do with our evening.
Fire Station Presentation
- Thursday 6th November
Our Almoner Paul Marshall, Charity Steward Roger Northwood and our new reigning master Joshua Vaughan had a very pleasant duty to present an 'Air Fryer' to Green Watch at Southend Fire Station. The item included a mounted plaque marking the event produced by Josh.
The crew were extremely grateful and assured our team that it will be well used by all the Watches that operate out of the station.
During the meeting Paul didn't miss the opportunity to promote Freemasonry and our Lodge in particular, describing some of the local Charities we support and how we achieve and connect to these with our many social events.
With a presentation to the Ambulance services (see top of page article) and now the Fire services we are justly proud to provide a little something in return to these all important emergency services.
