Athelstan Lodge has been making charitable donations, nationally and locally, since its inception in 1870.
Of the more recent donations, the following are a few examples.
‘Goalden’ opportunity for Lodge to ‘box clever’ at double presentation
Following on from the successful Lodge Cricket Match on 1 August 2021,the proceeds were donated equally to Atherstone Boxing Club and Atherstone Rangers Junior Football Club.
Both clubs provide excellent facilities for a wide age range in Atherstone, with unsung volunteers giving up many hours to enable the youngsters to flourish and develop their confidence and skills.
Two presentations were made at separate locations on the 10 August with the Lodge represented by:
- (Top Picture) – Bro Mejar Singh (SW), W Bro Phil Salmon, Master, W Bro Brian Whitmore (Sec) and Bro Ray Archer (JW).
- (Bottom Picture) – W Bro Phil Salmon, Master, Bro Mejar Singh (SW), Bro Ray Archer (JW), and W Bro Brian Whitmore (Sec).
Guide Dogs for the Blind and local Scout group benefit from Provincial Grand Lodge donations at cricket match
Rain greeted us early on the morning of Sunday, 1 August for the annual cricket match founded in memory of Ade Hadleigh who sadly passed away too young in 2013.
By the afternoon, the sun had come out and over 60 attended the match at Atherstone Cricket Club keenly contested by teams representing Worshipful Master (W Bro Phil Salmon) and Senior Warden (Bro Mejar Singh). A keenly contested match was won by the WM’s team. W Bro Cedric Stiles and Bro Mejar very generously sponsored the delicious Hog Roast and the sum of £565 was raised which will be donated to local organisations nominated by the WM and SW.
The opportunity was also taken to invite representatives from the Guide Dogs for the Blind and Atherstone Scouts Group who were presented with cheques for £1,000 each on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire. Both organisations were overwhelmed by these generous donations and promised they would be put to good use.
Daniel Smith was invited to play and was delighted to receive the trophy for best bowler!
Pictured are:
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Ray Archer (JW), Dianne and Graham Fowler and Frankie (seated!) from the Guide Dogs for the Blind), Phil Salmon (WM) and Mejar Singh (JW)
Atherstone Scouts Group
Mejar Singh (SW), Daniel Smith (Scouts Group), Phil Salmon (WM) , Lynda Smith (Scouts Group), Ray Archer (JW)
Sheepy tale leads to Baa Baa bargain Charity fundraiser
One of our Brethren, Bro Andrew Keeling, who keeps sheep, was dismayed when they escaped and, unfortunately, had a tasty meal from the neighbours flower beds! Anxious to offer compensation he decided to purchase replacement plants, so he approached Bro Ray Archer, our Junior Warden, a keen gardener, to see if he had any spare bedding plants for sale.
On checking his stock Bro Ray found he had quite a lot of surplus stock. So, as well as supplying Bro Andrew, Ray decided to advertise them on our “Athelstan WhatsApp Group” with all proceeds going to Charity. His chosen charity was Parkinsons UK, which he has supported for a number of years and is very close to his heart, as well as to our W Masters.
As a result of the tremendous support from both the Brethren of Athelstan Lodge and Rays neighbours he has been able to donate in excess of £340.00 to Parkinsons UK.
It is characteristic of Bro Ray that when asked if his efforts could be acknowledged he was typically modest, saying, it was very easy when you can make money from something that gives so much pleasure.
Well done Ray and thanks to the all the Brethren for their tremendous support.
£1,000 for Guide Dogs For The Blind
On 4 July 2019, Philip Salmon, Peter Weightman & Tony Pritchard, ably supported by Jenny Pritchard and Olive Whitmore, finally went to present the Athelstan Lodge donation of £500 to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Central Midlands Team, at their Dog Training Centre at Edmonscote Manor, Leamington Spa.
Brethren will remember this was in conjunction with the Atherstone Red Lion who made it possible. We were able to increase the sum handed over to £1,000 thanks to the much-appreciated match-funding donation from the Warwickshire Provincial Charity Office.
The day was made that much more special by it being one of their Open Days where, together with 30 other visitors, we were shown by the volunteers the training work they do, the facilities they have and how they care for the dogs in their charge.
Group participation included a few of those present being blindfolded and led by a ‘dog’ (actually one of the handlers!) to understand a little of how helpless one felt being led around by someone in the dark. Little did they know that the three Freemasons were no strangers to that experience!
The photo features the volunteer recipient with her dog, together with Peter, Phil and Tony. A case of representing the immediate Past, Present & Future of the Lodge.
2023 Festival
Every few years, each Province within UGLE stages a festival to raise money for charity.
You can see details about the 2023 Festival being held in Warwickshire here
Members of Warwickshire Lodges can complete a Direct Debit form here
Posted 10 May 2019
Defibrillator Donated by Atherstone Freemasons
Bob Powell and Patricia Harris Powell were regular diners at the Blue Boar, Mancetter, several times a week. It was a place they both enjoyed going as the staff knew them both very well, and they felt it was a second home.
Late in 2018, Bob and Patricia visited the blue boar, had their food, and as was the norm, Bob went to the toilet whilst Patricia went to pay the bill. Unfortunately, Bob never came back from the toilet as he had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Staff called for an ambulance and carried out CPR. Despite the best efforts of the staff and the ambulance crews, Bob passed away.
Janine and Donna, who are staff members at the Blue Boar, felt that the best way to remember Bob was to do something positive. They embarked on a journey to get a Defibrillator installed on the outside of the pub for the use of the community. They felt this would be a fitting tribute to a valued and well-loved customer, and that this vital piece of equipment, when installed, could possibly save a life.
Fund raising was started, and North Warwickshire First Responders were contacted for advice on what was best to purchase. On hearing their story, the team were more than happy to help and spread the word.
A few weeks after funding had started, Councillor Mejar Singh Gill contacted North Warwickshire First Responders to offer a donation towards the project from the Athelstan Lodge 1333, which was gratefully received. A few days later, Mejar contacted the team again to offer a fully-funded Defibrillator from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire. With the money already donated, including a further £300 from Athelstan Lodge, and the defibrillator funded by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire, all that was left was to cover the shortfall for the cabinet to house the defibrillator, which the North Warwickshire First Responders were happy to do.
Bob and Patricia were together for over 40 years; he was a loving husband, father and grandfather and is greatly missed by everyone. Patricia has said how wonderful all the staff have been since Bob passed away, and she is forever grateful for all their support,
On 28th March 2018, the following people attended an unveiling of the new cabinet and defibrillator at the Blue Boar, in loving memory of Bob Powell and Craig Sperrin. Craig was the owner of the Blue Boar, and sadly passed away in 2016 from a heart condition.
Patricia Harris Powell
Janine Cassidy and Donna Davis – Staff members and the driving force behind the project at the Blue Boar
Samantha Hall – Coordinator, North Warwickshire First Responders
Eddie Stephenson – North Warwickshire Community Responder, based in Atherstone
Bobby Qayum – Community Response Manager, West Midlands Ambulance Service
Councillor Mejar Singh Gill – Member, Athelstan Lodge 1333
Brain Whitmore – Secretary, Athelstan Lodge 1333, a Past Provincial Officer
Peter Weightman – Immediate Past Master, Athelstan Lodge 1333
Tony Pritchard, Master Athelstan Lodge 1333
Posted 29 March 2019
Austrey and Warton Scouts
Athelstan Lodge No 1333 received a request from Warton and Austrey Scout Group for help in raising £500.00 to enable them to purchase 4-man tents, this to enable them to go camping during the Easter holidays.
As a Lodge, we are committed to try and help local charities and organisations. To this end our Worshipful Master, W Brother Gerard Somers, arranged for the whole amount to be donated to them.
The attached photograph shows our W Master presenting the cheque to two of the Scout Leaders.
To quote the recipients of the cheque, “This will enable our group to camp over the Easter weekend and whenever in the future due the money being available so quickly, we would have needed over 2 years of events to raise this money. Many thanks”.
£6241 For Charity
On December 1st 2016 W Bro David Evans completed his year as Worshipful Master of Athelstan Lodge. During his year, ably abetted by his wife Karen and with the support of the Brethren and their partners, he raised the magnificent sum of £6,241.00 for Charity.
A Burns night, Sunday Lunch, Week-end away, Garden Party and culminating with his Ladies Festival, all helped to raise the money.
The lucky recipients were The Mary Ann Evans Hospice and the St Giles Hospice, the nearest Hospices to Atherstone, they received £3120.50 each.
The cheques were presented at Athelstan Lodge Rooms to a delighted Janet Kavamagh, Mary Ann Evans Hospice and Mr Richard Phillips, St Giles Hospice who thanked both W Bro David and all the Members of Athelstan Lodge for the generosity.
Atherstone Boxing Club Fighting Back
Atherstone Boxing Club have received £200 from Atherstone Lodge 1333 to help it bounce back from the ropes. The club has said they will be putting this donation towards new equipment. This will allow them to provide an improved training environment with all round better facilities for the people of Atherstone and surrounding areas.
Posted March 12 2012
1st Atherstone Scouts Receive a Boost From Athelstan Lodge
1st Atherstone Scout Group has received a donation of £600 from Athelstan Lodge 1333 to help fund a camping holiday planned for Summer 2012. The Assistant County Commissioner Kim Marston and the Scout group’s children were delighted to receive this donation from Athelstan Lodge.
Kim said “Thank you all so much for your wonderful donation tonight for the youngsters at 1st Atherstone. This will make the trip a lot more achievable to some of those less fortunate, and mean a difference between more kids going and not.” Kim then went on to say “You are all truly wonderful, and once again thank you all from all the kids in the Group.”
Athelstan Lodge recently forged links with 1st Atherstone Scout group following a donation from the United Grand Lodge of England.
Photo: WM, Rob Evans (left), Kim Marston, members and a helper of Atherstone Scouts, and Senior Warden, Richard Smith (right).
A further donation of £600 was also made to Mancetter Scouts on the same evening.
Posted 11 March 2012
Atherstone Motor Show
In the summer of 2010, Athelstan Lodge members were delighted to make the 1333 Trust’s first gift of £250 to the organisers of the yearly Atherstone Motor show, for onward donation to local charities.
The donation was accepted by Gerard Somers (of Athelstan Lodge) on behalf of the Motor Show and distributed later that year as part of £2,000 raised by the Motor Show organisers.
1st Atherstone Scouts – £100
The Freemason’s Grand Charity is supporting The Scout Association with a donation of £500,000 over 5 years, ‘to encourage and expand Scouting across the country’, through a variety of ways including support to resources and Start up Grants.
The 1st Atherstone Scout group have been given money from Grand Lodge to help start a new Cub Scout pack named the Lockley Pack.
The Atherstone Scouts were asked to contact their local Lodge with a view to setting up a link between the two organisations.
Following the donation to the Scouts and a visit to the Scout HQ by members of the Lodge, members and leaders of 1st Atherstone Scouts visited the Lodge rooms.
DebRA – £200
Second Hartshill Guides – £200
Bracebridge Court – £200
Atherstone Disabled / Blind Social Club – £260
Local Fire Victim – £100
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal – £970.50
As a member of the Royal British Legion, W Bro Phillip Benson, Master during 2010, decided to dedicate the charitable collections during his year to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
The Atherstone Branch Poppy Appeal is organised by Mrs Carol Housden, Mrs Susan Benson, and Mrs Linda Evans.
Carol is the daughter of an Athelstan Member, W Bro Frank Salt; Susan is Phil’s wife; Linda is one of Phil’s in-laws. (I wonder why he chose the Poppy Appeal?)
Air Ambulance – £1,003
During his year as Master of Athelstan Lodge 1333 (2008), W Bro Kevin Garner raised money for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. The proceeds from a Garden Party, Ladies Night and raffles contributed to the total.
W Bro Malcolm Owen and W Bro Frank Salt (pictured left) presented a cheque for £1,003 to the WNAA at their base at Coventry Airport.
The helicopter can be airborne in 45 seconds and can reach anywhere in Warwickshire within 9 minutes, and Northamptonshire in 15 minutes. It is the fastest and busiest helicopter in the country and responds to around 110 emergency calls every month.
The Air Ambulance is supported entirely through voluntary donations and costs £1.5 million a year to operate.
TomCat SNI Ltd (Cramer House) – £1,300
British Heart Foundation – £800
Phoenix Trust – £755
