A weekend of celebrations marking the finale of the West Lancashire 2010 Provincial Festival began in Blackpool and moved on to Preston with glorious sunshine throughout. The festivities concluded with a special meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at the Guild Hall Preston attended by nearly 2,000 including the Pro Grand Master, Peter Lowndes, and Freemasons from across the Province and their wives, partners and other nonmasonic guests. Festival President and Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, presented a cheque for £5,418,004 to Hugh Stubbs, MSF President.

The Masonic Samaritan Fund (MSF) has recently assumed responsibility for funding the provision of mobility aids and equipment, as well as home adaptations required for medical reasons. Many masons and their dependants have benefited from this valuable support since it was first introduced by the Grand Charity in 2000. Given the focus of the Masonic Samaritan Fund on helping those with a medical need, its assumption of responsibility for mobility equipment complements the range of support it provides.
     Enquiries are welcome from potential applicants or Almoners direct to the Fund. Publicity material detailing the work of the MSF is available on request. Speakers are available to attend local functions to talk about the available support and to answer questions.

The recent maiden voyage of the P&O cruise ship Azura continued the generous tradition of “Freemasons Afloat”. During the voyage a masonic meeting was held where 25 masons attended with wives and partners and seven masonic widows.
     Peter Smith, Assistant PGM for Oxfordshire, was appointed president.
     With able assistance from other volunteers, including Alan Woods (Sussex) as secretary and Peter Philips (Monmouthshire) as treasurer, the lunchtime meeting raised £600 for charity. Deputy Captain Ingerd Klein Olsen accepted a cheque for £300 for the Captain’s chosen charity – MacMillan Nurses. A further £300 was sent to the Masonic Samaritan Fund as part of the Oxfordshire 2011 Provincial Festival appeal.

CONTACT DETAILS Masonic Samaritan Fund 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Tel: 020 7404 1550 Fax: 020 7404 1544 mail@msfund.org.uk www.msfund.org.uk