Taunton Masons Add Extra ‘Sparkle’ To Christmas
On the 11th of November, The Crown Inn, Fivehead, opened for a special occasion when the Crown Fivehead Golf Society (founded in 1985) celebrated their 40th Year and held their annual distribution of monies raised from their annual Charity Golf Day. They have been raising money for Charity for the past 30 years and have raised over £60,000 during that time for local charities and good causes. Being the 40th year they went for something extra special and chose ‘Christmas Sparkle’, a Taunton-based charity who for the last 10 years – with consultation with schools, churches, Local Authorities and other Social services provide Christmas presents for underprivileged children and families in the Taunton & Wellington areas.
On the night, with £2094 raised, the society donated £500 to ‘Fivehead Fixers’ (a group of volunteers in the village who do work around the area to keep the Village safe & tidy) and the main event £1600 to Christmas Sparkle. The Chairman of the Society had an idea to make it extra special and contacted James Holyday (a fellow Mason) and CEO of Summerfield Group of companies who provide free accommodation for the Charity and persuaded him to donate something extra. At the same time, he approached the Charity Stewards of 4 Taunton Lodges for their help.
As a result, on the evening the society presented their cheque for £1600, James then presented a Summerfield Group cheque for £1000; then the Chairman of the Society, was able to announce that the 4 Lodges Unanimity & Sincerity 261, Taunton Deane 5221, Richard Huish 8518 and Emergency Services 9391 had collectively added a further £2400 resulting in a sparkling grand total of £5000.
A great example of how Masonry working in our local communities, with a small group of fundraisers and a local company can make such a big difference to worthy causes.
Report by: Harry Price – Taunton Deane 5221
