Grand Stewards Annual Dinner

The Grand Stewards held their annual dinner with their ladies at the Pickering’s Country House Restaurant at Garstang.

16 Grand Stewards and their Ladies attended accompanying the President of the Mess Rt W. Bro Peter Connolly and his wife Lynne.

W. Bro Eric Drinkwater arranged the dinner which had a splendid choice of menu and accompanying wines.
The evening started with a bucks fizz reception on a very pleasant summers evening, Saturday 16th July, the location in rural Lancashire adding to the ambiance of the occasion.
 

W. Bro Eric has been the driving force behind the Grand Stewards Mess which brings together as many members of Grand Stewards Lodge from West Lancashire as possible in our home Province on two occasions during the year.

The other dinner being Stewards only and both dinners are held at varying locations, last year’s being hosted by V. W Bro Danny Jones at the Highmoor Restaurant.

V. W Bro Jack Forsyth the senior Grand Steward in the Province and a Past Master of Grand Stewards Lodge was in attendance along with V. W. Bro Gordon Greenhalgh another long serving Grand Steward.

Report and photographs submitted

by V.W.Bro Keith Beardmore

Friday 15th. April 2011 Presentation to KIND

Close to Liverpool city centre in a tiny back street off Hope Street, less than a minute away from and in sight of the Cathedral is an unexpected oasis. It is the home of KIND (Kids in need and distress). (www.kind.org.uk)

This quiet and peaceful location consisting of several buildings and beautiful gardens was established to assist children requiring special needs. It is an extension of regular schooling where the children are given more personal attention. The results are heart
warming to behold.

First impression of KIND on entering

On Friday 15th. April, a warm and sunny day, a group of Mark Masons and their wives from the Garston and Liverpool area accompanied the Rt.W. Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Peter Connolly to an official presentation ceremony when a cheque for £ 3582 was handed to Mr Steven Yip, in the name of The West Lancs Mark Charities. This funded the the recently installed White
Board, projector and computer system to aid in the teaching department.

The equipment was demonstrated by members of staff followed by a general tour of the teaching, dining, recreational facilities and the beautifully kept gardens.

The children were a delight to meet.

The donation was provided from the proceeds of the annual well known and successful Mark Social Weekends, which took place last February in Llandudno,

Thanks once again are due to the organising committee led by W.Bro's. Colin Svenson and Tom McLaughlin.

Colin Svenson received an acknowledgement letter and a Certificate from Kind as shown below.

The PGM presents the cheque to Steven Yip, the Principal of KIND

Mark Masons of Garston & Liverpool with their wives

The group watches as the PGM makes the presentation

The equipment is explained and demonstrated

KIND and the gardens

Meeting the children

Report and photographs submitted by V.W.Bro Barry Elman