The Provincial Grand Lodge of MMM of East Lancashire have published the results of their Festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund. Find the report here: {phocadownload view=file|id=77|target=s}

Dear Brethren All,

Hello to you all on a Saturday when many of us had been booked in for the 153rd Benevolent Fund Festival in Manchester to assist East Lancs celebrate their efforts. That is not to be, we await the announcement of the final total of their Fund Raising, which must have been curtailed due to the pandemic.

Brethren,

There has been a terrific fundraising event from the members of New Forest Mark Lodge No 611. Bro Lee Marsh completed 24 hours of golf, completing his challenge and raising nearly ¬£3,000 for the mental health charity MIND.

Dear Brethren All, 

A good morning to you all and I hope that you are all as well as can be expected. It was not unexpected that the roadmap should be looked at and the relaxation of restrictions delayed for a while. The rate at which the virus is spreading is frightening but hopefully the vaccinations will be beneficial to all. I am sorry that some have had planned meetings cancelled but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Dear Brethren All,

It has been really nice this week to catch up with some of the family and give them a hug. I have had this pleasure with all three of my daughters and it was great. I hope that some of you have had the opportunity similar pleasure.

Dear Brethren All,

This has been a different week in a number of ways. I did manage to attend the funeral of W. Bro. Stan Brooker on Monday at Basingstoke Crematorium. The limit of those attending these premises is now 60, it is well organised and appears safe, with social distancing very easy to observe. W. Bro Stan was a proud man and one that we can be proud of, there was a good masonic presence with some travelling down from Beaconsfield.

Dear Brethren All,     

This has been a good week with being able, once again, to meet up with the family and friends and to actually hug one another. It is still necessary to be cautious but what a nice experience it has been. I am sure that some of you have taken advantage of being able to go out socially, have a beer or a meal together. Some, like me though, will take steady steps before we venture out for a meal.

Dear Brethren All,

I trust that you are all as well as can be expected, and safe. We were heading to an easier path for the roadmap to take its’ course but, yesterday, due to spiking of the Virus, the Prime Minister made an announcement of caution regarding outbreaks in certain parts of the country. We will have to keep our fingers crossed that all can go ahead smoothly.

Dear Brethren All,   

This week has again been a mixed bags of tricks when it comes to the weather. Some have experienced sudden heavy showers, hailstorms and even a smattering of snow I believe. The poor plants do not really know how to react. In the main though it has not been too bad for us and we have been able to get out in the garden for a while. I have managed to construct a trellis for the blackberry plant and it looks a lot tidier. Pat has tidied up the loganberry canes so we hope that we will be rewarded with some delicious fruit later in the year.

Dear Brethren All,   

Here we are into May already. I wish to share with you some good news that I received in the week, and I hope that some of you are aware of this already. I received a letter, dated 26^th April 2021, from the Grand Secretary of Mark Master Masons‚Äô, and I quote, ‚ÄúMark Benevolent Fund, Major Capital to support Hospices in England and Wales. In recognition of a lifetime and dedication to the Crown, and the nation, by His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Trustees of the Mark Benevolent Fund (M.B.F.) have approved a Major Capital Grant of ¬£1.25 million to support hospices in England and Wales.