West Lancashire Mark Charities hold their annual meeting
 
West Lancashire Mark Charities held their Annual General Meeting at Leyland to discuss the up-to-the-minute affairs of three principal funds which are administered by the executive committee and the West Lancashire Mark Charity Groups on behalf of the Province.
Chairman Michael Clarke welcomes the charity delegates to the AGM
APGM Michael Clarke as Chairman of the Mark Charities welcomed PGM Keith Beardmore, his predecessor Peter Connolly, fellow APGM Iain Nairn, Provincial Grand Secretary John Bicknell, Provincial Grand Almoner David Fairclough, Treasurer Frank Cooke, Provincial Grand Charity Steward John Sarti, Secretary Cliff Jones and Team Leaders of the five Mark Charity Groups and their deputies as well as Special Representatives of the PGM.
 
Michael welcomed all of the members representing the various facets of Mark charities to their annual meeting and in his opening remarks said that the past year had been an extremely busy one as each of the keynote speakers would, in turn, attest.
 
He praised the fund raising efforts of Mark lodges in the Province towards charity over the year which he said had exceeded expectations.
 
He spoke about one of the major items for which Mark charities had been responsible, the provision of defibrillators in 2014/15 for every Masonic hall in the Province which previously did not have one, and reminded brethren that halls were responsible for the upkeep of these vital machines.
Mike Casey presents his slide show to the conference.
He said that as certain elements of the defibrillators such as pads and batteries had a two year life span, replacements had been ordered and a programme of fitting them was underway, the costs for which would be borne by each individual hall. He urged Mark brethren to be alert that halls were attending to regular maintenance checks.
 
Treasurer Frank Cooke next advised the meeting that investments made by the Mark Degree continued to be successfully managed and had grown in value.
 
Providing the delegates with the balance sheets for the year ending September 2015, he said that the lesser amount given in grants over the previous year was due to the major expenditure on defibrillators and a grant towards a bus for the Friends of Ecclesholme but that every outstanding request for funds had been met.
 
Over £29,000 had been made in grants and donations during the year to a whole host of non-Masonic good causes and organisations. Frank underlined the importance of the Gift Aid scheme which boosts every £1 donated, provided the donor is a tax payer and completes the appropriate simple declaration on the Gift Aid envelopes, by 25p.
Members of the West Lancashire Mark Charities from every part of the Province
hear Mike Casey’s presentation
David Berkley the Provincial Grand Almoner gave a presentation on the support which the Mark Charity Committee gives to Mark Masons and their dependants. He cited examples of how the Charity could assist petitioners in accessing ‘first step’ help in urgent medical emergencies. He spoke also about how the Charities Act had brought about welcome and enhanced changes both in Mark and the Craft.
 
Michael Clarke and John Sarti the Provincial Grand Charity Steward gave a presentation on the 21st Century Club which is ostensibly a 100 Club and is a major source of income in the Province and was the brain child of Frank (“better odds than the lottery”) Thomas.
 
The Club raises around £4,000 each year, half of which goes to chosen charities and the other half in prize money, the first prize being £750. For a £5 entry brethren can join the scheme at any time and there are several multi purchase bonuses. The draw takes place annually at Provincial Grand Mark Lodge.
 
Michael urged the Charity Groups to spread the news about the Club, soon to become computerised as C21C on the Mark website, as, taking into account the numbers of Mark Masons in the Province, only a comparatively small percentage have taken up the chance to participate. Brethren will soon be able to download the forms to enable them to take part from the Mark website
John Sarti gives his report
Michael introduced Mike Casey who is the team leader of the Mark Corinthian Group who has produced a very comprehensive slide show presentation aimed at raising awareness amongst Mark Masons about the various aspects of the charitable work of the Province. Mike is currently rolling out the presentation to his group in the northern part of the Province which covers the area from Barrow to Blackpool. It is intended to roll out the presentation throughout the Province following its launch at the AGM.
 
Following Mike’s unveiling of the presentation John Forster the PGM’s Special Representative for Blackpool and the Fylde commended the effectiveness of it to the committee and the delegates.
 
Michael Clarke summed up several key aspects of the conference. He underlined the necessity of the Charity Group leaders and their teams of getting to know the individual lodge charity stewards and raising the profile of the valuable work the stewards do and of Mark charities generally. He emphasised the tools which were available to supplement and enhance charitable giving such as Gift Aid, and the 21st Century Club – and the aim to double or treble membership of it.
 
He also underlined the help which was available to Mark Masons and their families, widows, sisters and dependants, such as referrals for medical assistance under the consultation fund for those who urgently needed it.
Some of the charities which the Mark has helped
It was then the opportunity of the team leaders of the five West Lancashire Mark Charity Groups, Ionic, Doric, Corinthian, Tuscan and Composite, which together cover the entire Province, to give their reports and present applications for specific projects for which they required funding to the executive committee.
 
These were many and varied and requests ranged over a wide spectrum.  Among others, such items as help in replacing tents for a struggling scout troop, equipment for soup kitchens, essential new items for toy libraries, and providing suitable clothing for disadvantaged youngsters involved in the Prince’s Trust attending job interviews were considered.  Some applications received outright approval by the committee though further information was requested on others
 
The PGM Keith Beardmore spoke of his pride in the Mark Degree being able to lead the way in providing financial support for areas affected by flooding in Cumbria and North Lancashire in the earlier part of the year which had been a lesson in communication. He told of how the rescue teams had been helped in replacing equipment which they had used assisting flood victims.
John Forster addresses the AGM
Keith also commended ‘Teddies with Loving Care’ which is a Masonic scheme with which the Mark Degree is involved, to help children suffering trauma and severe distress in hospital A&E units by providing teddy bears which the children get to keep and take home.
 
On closing the AGM, Michael Clarke thanked everyone who had attended and who had had contributed to the meeting.
Report and Photographs Courtesy of Bob Boal