The Province of Hertfordshire rose to the challenge of the financial crisis at the end of our six year effort, and raised the sum of £3,130,000 for the 2009 Festival in aid of the Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The final figure was announced at the annual meeting in Freemasons’ Hall in September.
Earlier in the summer at a banquet marking the official end of the Festival, there was praise – and thanks – for the 6,200 members of craft lodges in the province, and for other orders, who contributed to the Provisional final total – from the President of the Grand Charity, Grahame Elliott and the Pro Grand Master, M W Bro Peter Lowndes.
More than 500 people attended the banquet which for many years seemed a goal in the distant future.
Just a few short weeks earlier it seemed possible that the economic downturn with its subsequent slashing of interest rates could scupper our £3 million target, but a flurry of activity and cheques arriving up the last minute meant that those worries were unfounded.
At the end of the day there were 83 Grand Patrons (lodges donating over £15,000), 41 patrons (donating between £10,000 and £15,000) and 57 vice patrons who donated between £5,000 and £10,000.
The accounts also show that £165,000 came from Royal Arch Chapters and £28,000 from Mark Master Masons. £31,000 came from Knights Templar, Royal and Select Masters, Operatives and other orders, and from LoIs and luncheon clubs. And £83,000 was donated from outside Hertfordshire.
Our Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro Colin Harris, expressed his gratitude to the brethren and lodges which had either directly or in various and ingenious ways raised money for the cause and he said he was particularly in awe of those lodges and their charity stewards whose overall contribution had been in a real sense outstanding.
