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Last updated
19 July 2008

At the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Grand Charity held at Burton-on-Trent on 8th October 2003 the following grants were approved :-

The Annual General Meeting of the Provincial Grand Charity was also held on the 8^th October, and was preceded by the half-yearly meeting of the Advisory Committee of Lodge Charity Stewards and Almoners, which on this occasion was poorly attended, only 16 Lodges being represented. 

The Annual Report of the Chairman of the Provincial Grand Charity Standing Committee, W. Bro. Brian Quartermain, was distributed to brethren present, and copies are to be circulated to all Lodges not represented, together with copies of the annual accounts. A copy of the Annual Report is attached.

The Provincial Treasurer, W. Bro. Eric Mitchell, presented final draft accounts for the year ended 30^th June 2003, which showed an annual deficit of around £60,000. He reported that the loss was the result of a number of factors, the most significant of which were a one-off contribution of £26,000 to the RMTGB Festival, to top up the donation made from the Albert Wilson Fund, together with a loss on the sale of investments and a fall in interest receipts.

Accumulated funds stood at around £1.062M, while the market value of investments shown in the Balance Sheet had fallen from a high of £900,000 to £732,000. However, he felt that the Provincial Charity was still in a sound position financially.

A discussion took place on future activities of the Provincial Grand Charity following the successful conclusion of the RMTGB Festival in June of this year. It was suggested that Lodges should make some contributions to the Province on a continuing basis, and W. Bro. John Renshaw, the Provincial Charity Steward and Chairman of the Appeals Sub-Committee, reminded brethren that an annual contribution of only £500 per Lodge would produce an income of £40,000 p.a. to be distributed by the Provincial Charity, particularly on major projects.

He advised that a further £1,000 had yet to be paid in to him by brethren for the sale of Festival ties and lapel pins, and this would now be passed to the Provincial Treasurer, as the Festival funds had now been closed. A further surplus 300 ties which had been provided in excess of the original order would now be distributed to Masonic Halls for sale and retention of the proceeds.

W. Bro. Renshaw thanked all Charity Stewards throughout the Province for their wonderful efforts during the period leading up to the Festival and for the success to which they had all contributed.

The President, R.W. Bro. David Law announced that the Festival breast jewel could now be worn permanently, by agreement with the RMTGB.

The Chairman of the Petitions Sub-Committee, W. Bro. Eric Brookes, reminded those present that immediate assistance was available at all times for brethren and dependants, and that applications for financial support to worthy causes were always welcomed and supported on their merits.

The Chairman of the Masonic Music Foundation, W. Bro. Quartermain, also welcomed applications from around the Province for awards to organisations providing musical education and advice. He reported that over £20,000 had been awarded since July 2002 to a variety of organisations and individuals.

The Secretary, W. Bro. Graham Sisson, reported that it had become necessary to review the Constitution of the Provincial Grand Charity as the membership no longer complied fully with the present Constitution. Brethren would be advised of the changes at a future meeting of the Advisory Committee.

Pending the necessary changes the President reappointed members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Grand Charity.

The present auditors were also reappointed for the ensuing year.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master gave an explanation of the possible creation of a Provincial Building Fund, to assist Masonic Halls with necessary repairs and improvements. A letter setting out questions and answers on the operation of such a Fund is to be distributed to all Lodge Secretaries in the near future.

The President closed the Annual meeting by thanking all the officers of the Provincial Grand Charity for their efforts during the past year.

Graham M. Sisson
Secretary