Ceremony at Benevolent 446

£1500 to local charity AND Provincial Team perform 1° Ceremony at Benevolent 446

The Provincial Team on their visit to Benevolent Lodge at Wells
(Front Row Standing – first light blue collar on L – R): John Law – ChtyStwd; Barry McCormack – APGM; Mike Nicholson – WM; Nigel Dovell – IPM; Martin Slocombe – APGM; David Maddern ProGChtyStwd
(Seated – from Heads Up): Claire Hak – Fundraising Officer; Bridget Harvey – Director


WM Michael Nicholson and the brethren of Benevolent Lodge 446 meeting at Wells were in for a treat at their October meeting. They were able to sit back and relax while 28 members of the Provincial Team accompanied by not one but TWO Provincial Assistant Grand Masters performed the Ceremony of Initiation for Candidate Sean Sloan. Barry McCormack took the Chair while Martin Slocombe acted as IPM. Prior to the ceremony the Lodge was called off and Provincial Charity Steward David Maddern joined with Lodge Charity Steward John Law to present Bridget Harvey and Claire Hak from the local Charity Heads Up with a cheque for £1500. The Lodge had raised £1000 during IPM Nigel Dovel’s Mastership with an additional £500 match funded by the Province.  

Heads Up is based at Wells working with individuals across the Mendip area of Somerset who are affected by mental health issues and other difficulties. 

During the Tercentenary Celebrations in 2017, for the first time in the history of the masonic charities, the general public were asked how they would like the masonic community to support people in need and vote on a number of registered charities approved by the Province and Heads Up received the highest number of votes and a grant of £25,000. Some of this was used to create a ’Community Shed’ – a place where both men and women can feel at home and pursue practical interests at their own pace in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue. John Law told Compass “This is a very deserving charity and we as a Lodge are pleased to be able to continue to support them in the excellent work that they do”. 

Further information can be found at www.headsupsomerset.org

Barry Davies 
Compass MR