Garston Mark Masons pay a visit to Blesma Blackpool
   
Mark Masons and their ladies from the Garston Group enjoyed a trip to Blackpool and, though a visit to the seaside, particularly to the country’s premier resort always makes for a pleasant outing, the representatives of the group were in town for another pleasant task; that of renewing old acquaintances at Blesma and the Elizabeth Frankland Moore Home for Limbless Veterans.
The Elizabeth Frankland Moore Blesma Home situated near Blackpool’s Promenade.
At the Blesma Home the Garston Masons met up with PrGM Keith Beardmore and Fylde Mark Masons, John Forster, Mike Casey, Bill Ainsworth and Bob Boal, who welcomed Derek Horrocks, Graham Sinden, Colin Swensen and Jack Parker and their ladies to Blackpool.
Blesma Blackpool is home for 20 ex-servicemen and women.
Jacqui Longden, the manager of the home which is situated in a pleasant suburb of South Blackpool, just a stone’s throw from the Promenade, was on hand to greet her visitors.
Jacquie Longden receives a cheque from Derek Horrocks
as Graham Sinden and Colin Swensen enjoy the moment.
First time visitors to the home heard that Blesma, formerly known as The British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association has existed in one form or another since the First World War and has continued to support veterans since then.
Keith Beardmore, Graham Sinden, Colin Svensen, Jacqui Longden and Derek Horrocks.
Blesma exists to empower and promote the welfare of all serving and ex-service men and women who have lost limbs and the use of limbs or the loss of eyesight in the honourable service of our country.
 
Blesma Blackpool has been a home-from-home for its members since it first opened its doors in 1949. The home is comfortable and spacious with 24 hour nursing and residential expert care given for its 20 residents and space for another 20 visitors on themed weeks. The home also provides adventure breaks, quiet holidays and first class residential care.
Garston Special representative Derek Horrocks meets his opposite number John Forster from Fylde Group....
.....note the sign behind these two!
Keith Beardmore said that he and his colleagues were delighted to be back at Blesma and that Mark Masons were pleased that they had been able to have given their support over the years.
A plethora of publicity officers - Jack Parker (left) from Garston Group and Bob Boal from Fylde Group.
He told Jacqui that following Remembrance Sunday, Mark Masons meeting at Garston Masonic Hall had organised a fund raiser, which Mark charities had match funded, so that £250 had been raised for Blesma Blackpool.
 
Thanking special representative Derek Horrocks and his Garston colleagues for their gift on behalf of the residents Jacqui said that it would be put to very good use in buying fitted sheets which would compliment special mattresses which the Mark degree has previously gifted to Blesma Blackpool.
 
Article and Photgraphs Courtesy of Bob Boal