Worksop College once again welcomed over 200 Nottinghamshire Freemasons and their companions to their grounds on Sunday July 4th for the annual Rose Croix church service, followed by the ever popular Cheese and Wine event hosted by Rt.WBro Robin Wilson, PGM, in a marquee on the lawns. The beaming sun, accompanied by a welcome breeze made for a perfect summer’s afternoon in the College’s beautiful surroundings.

Inside the marquee, the fayre on offer included a wide variety of cheeses, bread and fruit which as ever were all in plentiful supply, complimented by red, white or rose wines as well as soft drinks and beverages. A complimentary quiz, devised by WBro Cantrell, was the subject of much discussion and deliberation during the meal and between the speeches, which in themselves were kept short and succinct.

Rt.WBro Wilson PGM opened by thanking the organisers for their hard work and introduced the beneficiaries of this year’s Provincial Charity, namely the Nottinghamshire Outward Bound Trust and the Girlguiding Association, both of whom were in attendance to promote their activities. The PGM said that he hoped that the value of this year’s donation would continue the increase realised over recent years which saw Skillforce and the Notts Lincs Airambulance each receive £25,000 in 2009. He then presented a cheque for £1,500 to the Headmaster of Worksop College, Mr R A Collard MA, who advised that last year’s recipient of the Nottinghamshire mason’s benevolence had had a very successful year having achieved recognition for his efforts at their recent Speech Day. Rt.WBro Wilson also presented a book entitled 'Night Fighter Navigator - Beaufighters and Mosquitos in World War Two' by Dennis Gosling DFC, a Nottinghamshire Mason, to the college library which was on sale at the event with partial profits being donated to the Provincial Charity. Further information on this book may be found at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

WBro Michael Page BEM likewise presented a cheque for £400 to Mr Collard which represented the Offertory taken in the Chapel at the Rose Croix service held earlier that morning.

The afternoon culminated in an auction which once again boasted items of a very high quality including holidays, golfing days, vintage vehicle excursions and private flights to name but a few, all of which generated the very healthy sum of £3,408.

A raffle, operated by Freemasons of Retford, raised £1,400 which would be spent on further improvements to the Masonic Hall following the last year’s heavy expense of a new roof and boiler.