Our Friendly Mark Degree Giving Help to Local Communities.
 
Delamere Toy Library. Flixton. July 2016
 
A wonderful few hours were spent at the Delamere Toy Library in Trafford , Greater Manchester on Wednesday last 13th July, several Mark Masons were invited along to accompany our Asst Prov GM VW Bro Michael Clarke, to have a look round this very, very special children’s facility.
It offers an inclusive play environment where parents or carers can relax while their children play with a wide selection of toys many of which are purchased specifically to meet the needs of disabled visitors and as you can imagine are very expensive.
Peter Harding FSE Mark
Food
Michael & Jennifer
Delamere not only provides Toys, they also work closely with professionals, parents and  carers of disabled children and are always ready to give a supportive listening ear to all families in the local area.
Group outside
Michael, Mike Graham & Wives
Above and Below Mike at play
The majority of the workforce is a team of enthusiastic volunteers who work alongside part-time employees and range both in age and ability to keep the Library running smoothly.
Child at play
Jennifer Marsland, Rebeccas Mum & Rebecca.
Asst PGM, Mike Tonge & Lights
Asst PGM presenting Mirror Lights
As a registered charity formed in 1981 the Library relies solely on donations and fund raising events to keep alive this unique operation. In this present climate with so many demands being made on everyone’s finances it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain the past levels of income.
Group shot of Presentation
Brian Hayes. WM FSE Mark Lodge & Graham Bailey Special Rep
Local Lodges from Urmston Masonic Hall have given support when possible over the past few years and the Library were highly delighted recently to receive a donation from the West Lancs Mark Degree Charities of £2500 which enabled them to purchase a couple of much needed specialised items for the two Sensory Rooms where the children are able to use and develop all areas of sight, sound and touch.
AsstPGM, Mike Tonge Chorlton Mark & Volunteer.
Rainbow Sensory Room
One of the options given to parents is that just as in a Book Library some of the 4000 Toys collected can be loaned out for a nominal Fee of 50p and toy boxes which contain several toys themed together for £1 per week, there is also a Rainbow Band specifically for disabled children and their families, no music ability necessary, just a desire to enjoy themselves in a warm friendly environment.   
Special Lights
All the members from the Mark Degree were warmly welcomed, given a guided tour of the facility, and treated to a fine buffet put together by the volunteers, we did lose our AsstPGM Michael for some time and as can be seen from the photographs we found him, right at home joining in with some of the children at play.
Nice & Bright Toy Area
Rebecca McGommell
Many Thanks to the staff at Delamere Toy Library to mention but a few, Margaret Bamber, Lisa Atkinson, Jan Horan, Chloe Davis, Pat Smith, Chrissie David and Jennifer Marsland. 
Toys a plenty
This great Friendly Degree of ours does support local communities wherever it can and visits like this certainly highlight the plight of others, long may it be so.
Delamere Toy Library, The Toy House, 91 Irlam Rd, Flixton. M41 6AP. toylibrary.org.uk
Mark Well.
Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mar. No. 1173.