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Benevolent Lodge Give Freely

It’s a rare occasion when Benevolent call the lodge off for an outside visitor but that is exactly what happened in Octobers meeting and for very good reason. Claire Sunshine from Crohns and Colitis Uk had come to the lodge to accept a cheque from the lodges past master Ian Odam as a local representative of the his chosen charity. It was a busy year full with social events all with the aim to raise as much money as possible for Crohns and Colitis Uk and it’s fair to say the Lodge did exactly that.

With a second degree ceremony scheduled the lodge was called off to allow our visitor to enter, a new experience for some of the newer members of Benevolent and good to see an outside face in Lodge.

Claire although somewhat nervous was welcomed warmly into Benevelovent where any nerves she did have quickly disappeared as she proceeded to talk about the charity on what they do and how they do it. It was at this point the cheque was brought out and the grand sum revealed to the lodge and rather impressive it was too. All the past years efforts had raised a staggering £3,750 for the charity with Claire saying ‘We are very grateful for this donation from Benevolent Lodge.’ It was followed by a very personal and heartfelt speech from the Past Master on why it was his chosen charity and what it meant to him, especially to have raised such an incredible amount of money. 

Lodge was called back on and an excellent second degree ceremony was performed with what has now become the Benevolent standard. The Lodges retiring Charity Steward John Law gave a speech commenting that in the last 18 years Benevolent Lodge had raised in excess of a £100,000 to various charitable organisations. A worthwhile reminder of the hard work Freemasons and more specifically Benevolent Lodge have done over the years for charity.

The night ended once again at Historic White Hart Inn where the festive board was notably received and the visitors song sang by the benevolent Lodge Choir, If one night could represent the values of Freemasonry then I believe this would be it. 

If you would like to see first hand the Benevolent Lodge choir in action it goes without saying visitors are very welcome. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at the Wells and Mendip Museum. More information available https://www.somersetfreemasons.org/benevolent-lodge-no-446/

Luke Biernat Comms Officer Benevolent Lodge

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