The Festival Newsletter

August 2008

We've made it but there's still a long way to go

There was great jubilation on 12 May this year when we reached the magic figure of £1,000,000 towards our overall target of £3,500,000. The Provincial Grand Master is delighted with this progress. David Macey, the Festival Director, says: "Although this figure of £1 million is gratifying and is ahead of target it is a reminder that we still have a long way to go and 2012 is not that far away. We must not allow ourselves to become complacent but to regard this landmark as an encouragement to greater efforts." A generous donation of £1,000 from the Warwickshire Royal Air Force Lodge pushed the total just over the £1m mark.

Festival Stewards

All Lodges should by now have responded to the Provincial Grand Master's request to appoint a Festival Steward and to have forwarded his name and contact details to David Macey at david.macey@virgin.net or on 01562 884538. Each Lodge summons should have as an item of labour "To receive a report on the 2102 Festival by the Festival Steward" thus ensuring that all Brethren are aware of the latest figure for the MSF and of events and other matters of importance connected with the Festival. The Festival Steward is not a role that has to be fulfilled necessarily by the Lodge Charity Steward.

The Masonic Samaritan Fund

The Masonic Samaritan Fund's administration is now undertaken from Freemasons' Hall at 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ where its staff has joined those of the other three national Masonic Charities. Contact details are 0207 404 1550, fax: 0207 404 1544 or email: mail@msfund.org.uk

Standing Orders and Gift Aid

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has extended the gift aid relief for a further three years rather than reducing it this year to 25%. This means that for every ten pounds that you donate, and gift aid the donation, the Festival Fund receives another £2.80. So if you have not already committed yourself to this method of giving, now is the opportunity to do so. All the forms are available from your Lodge Charity Steward or your Festival Steward or can be downloaded from the forms page.

Frequently asked questions about the Festival

If you have not yet caught up with the purpose of the Festival and want to know more about it there are a number of FAQs on this site which should provide you with all the answers.

A wing walk

The anticipated wing walk by Hannah Pitham has not taken place since Hannah decided that she had a different priority for 2008. She is now the very proud mother of William Jacob. Hannah hopes that she might undertake her ambition at a later date.

Musicals for the Festival

Enjoy yourself and contribute to the Masonic Samaritan Fund Festival 2012 at the same time. That is the message of Gordon Scott of St Barbara Lodge who is promoting 'Phantom and the Musicals' at the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa on Sunday 28 September 2008 at 7.30pm with performances by Europe's No 1 Showgroup, 'Smackee'. This is the West End brought to a theatre near you and is a night of musical splendour not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now and they are going fast. Book yours immediately on 01926 334418. Prices are £15, £20 and £25.

Super salesman does it again

We offer our congratulations to W Bro Harry Owen who has once again justified his reputation as the super salesman of the Province since the profits from his sales of articles in connection with the Festival have realised more than £10,000 for the Fund.

The Festival Jewel

Have you ordered your Festival Jewel yet? To qualify for the Jewel all you need to have done is to have pledged at least £100 towards the Festival Fund and paid the sum of £15 for the Jewel itself (£15.50 if it is to be posted). Your Lodge Festival Steward will have the application form or you can download one from here. The RW Provincial Grand Master has given permission for the Jewel to be worn at all Lodge meetings and the ME Grand Superintendent has consented to it being worn at all Royal Arch Convocations. The Jewel must not be worn at any Festive Board nor can it be worn outside the Province of Warwickshire.

Lodge targets exceeded and acknowledged

At the Regular Meeting of the Warwickshire Installed Masters Lodge No 4538 to be held on Tuesday 30 September 2008 the RW Provincial Grand Master will present suitably inscribed heavy mauls to those Lodges who have already exceeded their targets for the Festival. The Masters, Wardens, Charity Stewards and Festival Stewards of those Lodges will be especially invited to attend the meeting to receive this tangible acknowledgement of their achievements.

2012 for 2012

At a recent dance to a Glam Rock band (and Elvis is reported to have been seen performing!) the members of the Lodge of Impartiality and their guests raised the magnificent sum of £2012 for the 2012 Festival.

MSF Newsletter

The latest edition of the Masonic Samaritan Fund Newsletter (not to be confused with this one) is available at www.nmsf.org/latest_newsletter.asp if you do not receive your personal copy. Almoners and Visiting Brothers will also find helpful advice on the objectives of and assistance from the MSF at www.nmsf.org/almoners.asp

Sponsored walk

The Festival Director and his support team are in the process of preparing a sponsored walk for the Festival which will take place at Easter in 2010 and will follow the towpaths of canals which meander across the Province. Watch this space for further details which are likely to be released in 2009. David Macey has already indicated that he will undertake the whole distance.

Promises auction

We are also considering holding a Promises Auction in 2011. Anyone who has experience of running one or who would like to donate a promise (such as a fortnight in your villa in warmer climes!) should get in touch with David Macey.

Rodney Pitham
Provincial Information Officer
infoman@warwickshirepgl.org.uk
0121 744 1328