£1,500 by Essex Freemasons to Team Jak after memorable demonstration

Visit by Scottish demonstration team raises £1,500 in Southend-on-Sea and leaves everyone wanting more

A demonstration team of Freemasons from two Masonic Provinces in Scotland, Moray & Nairn and Banffshire, recently visited the Essex Masters Lodge No.3256 which meets at Saxon Hall in Southend-on-Sea. Organised by Steve Barker of St John Operative Lodge No.193 in Speyside, of world-renowned single malt whisky distillery fame, the team performed a typical Scottish masonic ceremony which was well received by everyone present.

With around 900 members, Essex Masters Lodge is one of the largest in the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and is open to all Essex Freemasons as soon as they become Masters in their own lodges. Freemasonry has a long heritage in charitable giving, so on occasions like this, visiting speakers and demonstration teams are asked by the hosts to nominate a charity to benefit from such ventures.

In appreciation of the first-class demonstration given by the Scottish Freemasons, the Essex Masters presented them with a donation for £1,000. Steve Barker said “We were unanimous in voting for our nominated charity to be ‘Team Jak’, to support the great work they do with young people affected by cancer and related illnesses across Scotland.”

After the meal, an auction of some very special bottles of Scottish malt raised a further £500 which was added to the total to make £1,500. This was presented on 22nd July 2023 to the ‘Team Jak’ Director of Operations, Shelley Bowman, and Volunteer Jessica, towards the work they do locally in Aberdeen.

Graham Felton of Essex Masters Lodge received a letter of appreciation dated 28th July 2023 from Jo McGuinness, the Director of Fundraising and Business Development at Team Jak, who said “We are so grateful to the brethren of Essex Masters for the recent donation of £1,500 raised from the visit to Essex by brethren from North East Scotland. This donation will help us support our inspirational young people on their cancer journey and beyond.”

Photo:

Top: The £1,500 from Essex Freemasons is presented to Team Jak Foundation, Director of Operations, Shelly Bowman (left) and volunteer, Jessica (right), by the members of the Scottish team at Masonic Lodge 1021.