The Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Robin Wilson, represented the Province at the Castle Lodge installation. His attendance and address had the effect of generating more focus on raising funds, principally for charitable distribution, and availability to the lodge Almoner.

W Bro Ron Nuttall has a long history of what he calls “looking after his brass”, this must be in his family genes as his Grandfather was a brother in the Lodge of Prudence, Number 2069 in Leeds, in the years after the First World War.

The active membership of Castle Lodge has been modest for quite a period of time. Careful Treasurers, Secretaries and Charity Stewards have over the years accumulated rainy day funds in the Relief Chest managed by Grand Lodge. Currently this money is not working very hard as interest rates are low.

Having a preference to be a “big chunker”, rather having their efforts diluted by too many small and often unacknowledged smaller gifts. The members of Castle Lodge elected to donate £1000 to the PGM’s Charity.

The PGM’s Charity was particularly successful last year in supporting recipients and raising the profile of masonry in the Province. The brethren were keen to support him in making sure that this year would be equally productive.

Newly elected Lodge Charity Steward, Kevin Hyland, noted the lack of understanding of the structure and responsibilities of the Grand Lodge Charities. It was suggested that the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Bill Stansby, be invited to the lodge business meeting and give a presentation prior to receiving the cheque on behalf of the PGM’s Charity.

Bro Bill’s personality and humour set a seal on wonderful meetings both in the Temple and Festive Board. The photograph shows him receiving the cheque from the W.M. Bro Ron Nuttall and Charity Steward Kevin Hyland.