Kelsterton Lodge donates £2,000 to Nanny Biscuit
With the assistance of match funding from North Wales Freemasons Charity.
North Wales Rose Croix donates £7000 to Blood Bikes Wales.
Cedewain Lodge presented a cheque for £500 to N-Able.
Installation 2024
On Saturday 10th February, Kelsterton Lodge held their installation.
WM Cefyn Hughes was installed into the chair for a second time, having previously been WM in 2001.
He was honoured to present a cheque to our Rep W Bro Richard Davies Jones for £5,000 for the 2028 Festival.
WM-Cefyn Hughes
JW-John Myles Cooper SW-Barry Griffiths
DC-Graham Roberts ADC-Graham Devenport
£840 donation to Nanny Biscuit
The March social evening raised a grand total of £840 which was donated to Nanny Biscuit.
Further details on the work done by Nanny Biscuit in North East Wales can be found on their website.
Nanny Biscuit
Flintshire Scouts
Kelsterton Lodge 7681 have donated £250 which was match funded by the North Wales Freemasons Charity making a total donation of £500 to Flintshire Scouts. The money has been used to replace the zip line equipment so that the adventure course is ready for Gladstonbury - a summer camp for 450 Explorer Scouts being held in June.
Seen here are Mark Rothero from Kelsterton Lodge along with a number of Explorer Scouts who are looking forward to the Gladstonbury event in June.
Blood Bikes Wales
After a presentation of the work done by Blood Bikes Wales at Kelsterton’s December Lodge meeting, WM Kingsley Bagnall handed over a cheque for £250 to Neville Owens from Blood Bikes Wales.
West Highland Way
Charity Walk in Aid of Prostate Cancer Research
In August, WBro David Kinnair and WBro Dave Thomas, started and completed the West Highland Way Long Distance Walk. This is a total of 96 miles plus a few extra to get to accommodation in the evening.
The WHW starts in Milngavie (Glasgow) and winds itself towards Loch Lomond and then into the Highlands via Drymen, Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Kingshouse, Kinlochleven and into Fort William.
Through very generous donations from members, family, friends and even strangers they raised a total of £1,171.25
On top of this they received a very generous match from the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Wales to the tune of £500
This amassed a lovely amount of £1,671.25 to Prostate Cancer Research.
£2,000 donation to NEWSAR
Plas Teg Lodge No 6898 based in Caergwrle have donated £2,000 to North-East Wales Search & Rescue - NEWSAR. During his time as Master of the Lodge Robert Beck raised £1,750 by organising various social events. He donated this money together with a match funding donation of £250 from the North Wales Freemasons Charity.
This donation will greatly assist with the latest campaign to raise £10,000 to upgrade the communication network and will help NEWSAR to purchase new digital radios.
North Wales Freemasons donate £4,000 to The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree provides bespoke programmes of support to improve the emotional wellbeing and mental health of all immediate and extended family members who are affected by childhood cancers. Rich Driffield, CEO, delivered an interesting presentation, providing insight into their current activities and sharing exciting plans to develop the level of support provided in North Wales.
Rich said, “I first met members of North Wales Freemasons in August 2022, when they visited to present a cheque for £5,000. More recently, I was delighted to accept an invitation to address members and take the opportunity to highlight the support we offer within our community. To receive a further £4,000 donation shows their generosity and on behalf of everyone at The Joshua Tree, I would like to sincerely thank the members for their kind support. This will make a positive difference to families who are affected by childhood cancers.”
Group 6 Bavarian night at Farfield Hall, raised £400 for Blood Bikes Wales.
St Melyd’s Lodge 3840 donated £1,000 to the North Wales Pulmonary Fibrosis support group. The donation consisted of a £200 donation from the Lodge along with £800 match funding from the North Wales Freemasons Charity.
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Rather than working on buildings like the masons of old, today’s Freemasons focus on building themselves as people of integrity, and membership provides the structure to help achieve that goal.
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One of the oldest social organisations in the world, Freemasonry is not defined by an ideology. It is open to people from all religions and political persuasions and provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last for life.
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With a membership of more than 200,000 from across the UK, Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion or any other perceived differences that can divide us as a society.
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Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry. The organisation provides a support structure that helps members make positive contributions to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising events or volunteer work.
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Pennant Lodge No.3874 presented Mrs Janet Jones on behalf Guide Dogs for the Blind with a cheque for £1,500.
Cedewain Lodge 1594 presented a cheque of £500 to the manager of the Severn Hospice shop.
A Night of Celebration, Generosity, and Community Support at Kelsterton Lodge
Yesterday, Tuesday 11th March, marked a truly memorable evening for Kelsterton Lodge, as we were privileged to receive a visit from the esteemed Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM), Worshipful Brother Philip A. James, PSGD. His presence lent a special significance to the occasion, as he was here to personally present two well-deserved Long Service Certificates.
The first certificate was bestowed upon Worshipful Brother Dr. Arthur F. Jordan, PPSGW, in recognition of an extraordinary 60 years of dedicated service to Freemasonry. This remarkable milestone speaks volumes of his unwavering commitment and enduring passion. Following this, Worshipful Brother James M. Johnson, PPGSuptWks, was honoured with a certificate marking his impressive 50 years of service, a testament to his steadfast dedication and valuable contributions.
In a heartfelt display of appreciation, Kelsterton Lodge presented both Worshipful Brothers with a donation of £500 each, to be directed towards a charity of their choosing. Worshipful Brother Dr. Arthur F. Jordan generously chose to support Claire House Hospice, a charity providing vital care and support for seriously and terminally ill children and their families. Worshipful Brother James M. Johnson elected to contribute his donation to the 2028 Festival, a significant fundraising initiative within the Masonic community.
Further demonstrating the Lodge's commitment to community support, it was passed that Kelsterton Lodge would donate £250 to Connah’s Quay Bowling Club, recognising their excellent work and positive impact within the local area.
Adding to the evening's significance, we were delighted to welcome Brother Mario LE Toone into our ranks through a moving initiation ceremony. This momentous occasion marked the beginning of Brother Toone's Masonic journey within Kelsterton Lodge.
Following the formal proceedings, sixty brethren gathered to enjoy a sumptuous Festive Board, a time for camaraderie and fellowship. The evening's spirit of generosity continued as a raffle was held, raising a commendable £360. This contribution will undoubtedly support the Lodge's charitable endeavours and further our commitment to giving back to the community.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate our next meeting on Tuesday, April 8th, where we will have the pleasure of welcoming our third initiate of 2025 into Kelsterton Lodge.
Supporting the local community
Connah's Quay Bowling Club, a vital community asset in Flintshire, has recently taken on full responsibility for its bowling green, now operating independently of Flintshire County Council funding. Recognising the club's significant role in the community, Kelsterton Lodge generously donated £250 to support their ongoing activities. This contribution was then match-funded by the North Wales Freemasons' Charity, enabling a total donation of £500 to the Bowling Club.
The Worshipful Master of Kelsterton Lodge, Barry Griffiths, presented the £500 cheque to Ken Bloxham, Captain of Connah’s Quay Bowling Club. The presentation was witnessed by Mike Commins, Chairman of Connah’s Quay Bowling Club, and members of Kelsterton Lodge.
This bowling green serves as an invaluable community asset, crucial for the health and well-being of local residents. In an era where inactivity poses a significant risk to physical and mental health, contributing to conditions such as diabetes, the importance of accessible, low-impact activities cannot be overstated.
Simon Walker, WCGBA – Development Officer, highlighted the benefits of the sport: "Bowling is the world's oldest non-contact sport, offering substantial health benefits without strenuous workouts. From Italian 'bocce' to French 'boules,' and our unique crown green bowls played on the undulating greens of North Wales, this sport enjoys global popularity."
Beyond its physical advantages, bowling cultivates strong social connections, fostering new friendships and strengthening existing ones. Key benefits include:
Lifelong Participation: Bowling uniquely accommodates all ages, allowing individuals from nine to ninety to compete together regularly.
Enhanced Life Expectancy: As an anaerobic exercise, similar to walking with weights, bowling burns calories and engages underutilised muscle groups, promoting weight loss and improving joint flexibility, making it suitable for all ages, including seniors.
Bowling greens are significant community assets, providing:
Social Interaction and Cohesion: They act as hubs for social interaction, combating isolation, particularly among older adults, and fostering a strong sense of community.
Health and Well-being: Bowling offers gentle physical activity that benefits both physical and mental health.
Recreational Amenity: They provide valuable recreational opportunities, enhancing the local quality of life.
In conclusion, Connah's Quay Bowling Club delivers a valuable social, recreational, and health-promoting space, making a significant contribution to the overall well-being of their community.
A Remarkable Fundraiser for an Incredible Charity: 2Wish Cymru
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Bro. Stephen Coughlin in his incredible fundraising challenge! Stephen bravely walked over hot coals, raising a fantastic £555 from generous donations from Lodge members and their families.
The money was presented to Laura from the 2Wish Cymru, a truly inspiring organisation.
Founded in 2012 by Rhian Mannings, 2Wish was born from unimaginable tragedy after she lost her one year old son and husband in the space of just five days. With little to no support available, Rhian was driven to ensure that no other family would feel that same sense of helplessness and abandonment. Today, 2Wish Cymru provides immediate, professional bereavement support for anyone in Wales affected by the sudden death of a child or young person. It is a privilege for Kelsterton Lodge 7681 to contribute to their life-changing work.
Charitable Presentation to Queen Elizabeth Court
Kelsterton Lodge 7681 proudly presented a cheque for £250 to Queen Elizabeth Court Masonic Care Home. The funds were raised through generous donations from Lodge members in support of an impressive 84-mile trek along the Great Glen Way, from Inverness to Fort William, undertaken by our Lodge Secretary, W. Bro. David Kinnair. The cheque was formally presented by W. Bro. David Kinnair and W. Bro. Geoff Bull, our Lodge Charity Steward, on behalf of all our members.
