Freemasonry in Dorset: 2014 Festival

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Festival 2014

very Masonic Province hosts a Festival once every eleven years for one of the four main Masonic Charities. Dorset's turn comes in 2014 when we aim to present a cheque for at least one million pounds to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI). Progress of the fund to date is shown on the Target Pyramid where green illustrates 'money in the bank' . To meet our target every Brother needs to be contributing so if you haven't yet decided how, see below for ways in which you can push the green section higher.

RMBI
The RMBI provides care and support for elderly Freemasons and their dependants. Last year it granted in excess of £4 million to those who could not afford the services they needed. That's where our help is essential. In Dorset, Zetland Court provides residential care, nursing care and sheltered accommodation to those in need. Over 40% of the 1000 residents that live in RMBI homes need assistance from us to remain in what has become their home. In 2014 they will rely on Dorset for the help needed.

2014 Festival progress chart (amounts represented by area)

Progress to 23rd January 2012
We need your help to meet our
one million pound target.

For more information, see the Association of Friends of Zetland Court.

How to make your contribution
The most popular method is to use a Regular Payment Gift Aided Direct Debit Form. A contribution each month (typically ranging from £5 to £10), each quarter or each year, will secure a very valuable addition to the fund. If your contribution qualifies you, then as soon as you sign the Direct Debit form you will be eligible to wear the Festival Jewel to visibly demonstrate your support of the RMBI and to help promote the Festival throughout the Province. (£4 per month for 5 years, Gift Aided, will qualify for Steward and £8 per month for 5 years, Gift Aided, will qualify for Patron.)

If a Direct Debit payment is not convenient then contributions can be made as a single payment, again using a Gift Aid form to claim the extra 25%. Some may prefer to make their contributions in several smaller amounts using this system over the five year period. Although interest payments are not great, every little helps, so the earlier you make your contribution the more interest it will accrue.

Gift Aid Envelopes are available from EVERY Lodge Charity Steward at every meeting - ask yours for one and get involved now. Use them as Donation envelopes at the Festive Board.

Gift Aid
The Gift Aid Scheme currently adds 25% to the contribution made if the individual is a UK Tax Payer who pays an amount of Tax at least as much as that being claimed. This Tax can be Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Tax paid on interest earned on investments in the UK or Tax on UK dividends. Lodges, use Gift Aid Envelopes for all Lodge collections in aid of the Festival Fund and claim the extra 25% wherever possible.

Festival Jewel

The Festival Jewel is now available to all Brethren who have contributed £300 or more. It shows the Province of Dorset (not the County) with a clear indication that we are supporting the RMBI. This temporary jewel can be worn now and until the end of our period of Festival; that is until another Province hosts the Festival for the RMBI that follows ours. Jewels can be ordered from your Lodge Charity Steward.

Lodges can now qualify to wear the Silver or Gold lapel Badges. This is a Lodge qualification and all members are eligible to wear the lapel badge when the Lodge achieves the necessary level of contributions. These levels are different for each Lodge depending on the number of members. Ask your Charity Steward how far your Lodge has to go to qualify.

Thanks in return

The following letter is a typical example of 'thank-you' letters received by the RMBI about help given at Zetland Court.

“Dear RMBI,
Thank you for your condolences on the death of my mother who has lived in Zetland Court for the last four years. I would like to pass on my thanks for the SUPERB care my mother received there. Everyone from Tina to Nick the gardener has been so kind and professional. Their care extended to us as a family as well which, especially recently, was truly valued. Please pass on this praise.”

Events for 2011

Province-wide Raffle: Tickets available from every Lodge Charity Steward for big prizes worth hundreds of pounds. Thanks to St Aldhelm's Lodge No. 2559 for the organisation. The draw took place at Zetland Court Fete on 4th June. Your sales go to credit your Lodge.

Fun Quiz: Thanks to members of Beaminster Manor Lodge No. 1367 who ran a competition to identify the 'Beasts and Birds' for a prize of £50.

April 15th: Karl Hopton (pictured above) of Broadstone Lodge No. 8641 ran 34.5 miles around our Lodges (Branksome, Poole, Wareham, Blandford) sponsored for the 2014 Festival.

June 18th: The WM of Llewellin Lodge No. 7907, Adrian Hand, the WM for the Lodge of Amity No. 137, Simon Nethercott, and others jumped for joy (and a bit of fear) to raise money for the 2014 Festival. They undertook a sponsored parachute jump.

July 15th: Par 3 Golf Tournament at Port Regis School, Shaftesbury organised by Blackmore Vale Lodge No. 3625. All proceeds to the 2014 Festival.

August 13th:

A sponsored tandem ride organised by WBro Peter Boyd, Worshipful Master of the Ashley Lodge No. 6525, raised nearly £300 for the Fesival. More information here.

Rock to the UK: WBro John Donoghue of St Aldhelm's Lodge No. 2559 has completed his epic 28-day 1,522 mile cycle ride from the Rock of Gibraltar to Branksome Masonic Hall to raise funds for the 2014 Festival. It is hoped that every Lodge will make a donation to recognise this incredible feat! Read the full story here.

Sept 10th: WBro Brad Turner of Chesil Lodge No. 8649 organised this year's instalment of 'Ride my Bike around the Lodges' starting and finishing at Sherborne Masonic Hall. Once again a good number of riders took part to raise thousands of pounds for the 2014 Fetsival. Contact Brad for your entry form for next year!

Oct 30th: WBro Karl Hopton used the 'extra hour' when the clocks went back to do a sponsored run from Wimborne Masonic Centre to the Poole Masonic Centre to hand deliver the Travelling Gavel.

If you haven't heard about the above in your Lodge ask your Charity Steward - don't miss out on your opportunities to add to your Lodge's total contribution. If your Lodge is not mentioned above, why not? This is your space to use to advertise what you are doing for the 2014 Festival. Keep me informed and thanks for what you are all doing.

For more information contact
WBro David Dunford, PGStB
Provincial Grand Charity Steward
Tel: 01305 833718

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