Belfast Masonic Charity Fund September 2014

ISSUE 1

NEWSLETTER

115 THE MOUNT, BELFAST. BT5 4ND. | Telephone 028 9045 1020 | email bmcharities@btconnect.com

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2013.

MEETINGS

During the course of 2013 the General Committee held

eight Stated Monthly meetings with the April meeting being

followed by our Annual General Meeting.

We had a very busy schedule throughout the year

convening eight Board Meetings, seven Management

meetings, ten Emergency Relief Meetings and two

Annuitants Review Meetings.

In addition to which the business of the Trustees was

conducted through a series of ten meetings and I would

wish to express my sincere thanks to all of the Brethren of

the various Committee’s for the attentions and

contributions of their offices.

EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

The function of our Emergency Committee (E.C.) is to

consider and respond to pressing cases requiring urgent

assistance. In 2013 the E.C. dealt with ten such applications

(six during the summer recess) all of which were deserving

of support subsequently distributed within a 48 hour

window from receipt of the applications.

As a result of the extreme weather conditions of March

2013 (the worst for 50 years) our E.C. was convened to

assess the vulnerability of the Funds annuitants in

consequence of the effects and necessity for additional

heating, clothing and food requirements.

In acknowledgment of these supplementary costs

especially those pertinent to home heating we identified a

mounting anxiety with regards to the difficulties of our

annuitants in settling these accrued bills. In order to

alleviate the concerns attributable to extra energy usage

our E.C. decided to award (with immediate effect) a Special

Energy Payment of £100 to each of the Funds annuitants.

I would like to express my appreciation to the Brethren and

Lodges who recorded their approval in support of our

actions.

While our records determine a substantial 36% increase of

annuitants during the past four years with an improved

increase of 29% in Lodge donations for 2013 unfortunately

we were encumbered with an accumulated shortfall of

£40,000 being the variance of donations received against

Grants awarded during the last two years.

We noted that of the eight District Charity Committees

within the operational jurisdiction of the Fund only three

Districts Committees provide sufficient funding

apportioned to the duty of care provided by the Fund in

their respective areas. Of the remaining Districts we were

saddened to discover significant elements of

disproportionate allocations to the B.M.C.F. in relation to

the benevolent attentions we continue to provide within

those areas.

One District in which we have supported annuitants during

the past four years to the value of approx. £17,000 failed to

contribute any monies to our Fund, while during the same

period the District Committee disbursed substantial

donations in favour of ‘non Masonic Charities’.

On behalf of the Funds annuitants I would wish to express

our sincere appreciation to those Brethren and Lodges who

have so steadfastly supported the B.M.C.F. during 2013 and

beyond. We remain faithfully committed to serving the

compassions of your benevolence in an evolving

environment of escalating competitiveness with ‘non

Masonic Charities’.

The B.M.C.F. relies on your support – ‘in affording relief to

deserving destitute, indigent Brother Freemasons or their

families to include the dependents of deceased Brother

Freemasons’.

Sincerely & fraternally,

Brother Tony Blair - Chairman B.M.C.F.

PERFORMANCE

2010 2013 Variance

Annuitants 61 83 +36%

Grants Paid £42,571 £75,140 +76%

Year Donations

Received

Grants

Paid Shortfall Variance

2012 £42,709 £62,450 £ (19,741) - 46%

2013 £55,174 £75,140 £ (19,966) - 36%

Total £97,883 £137,590 £ (39,707) - 40%

2013 Annuitant Age Analysis < 40 40-60 60-80 80+

Percentage 3% 33% 31% 33%

Tony Blair Chairman B.M.C.F.

115 THE MOUNT, BELFAST. BT5 4ND. | Telephone 028 9045 1020 | email bmcharities@btconnect.com

B.M.C.F. Belfast Masonic Charity Fund

September 2014

ISSUE 1

In recognition of the attentions that Brother Ernie has given

to Masonic Charities with particular emphasis of his

benevolent labours and distinguished service to both the

Lodge and the B.M.C.F.

The Brethren of Harmony 645 nominated Bro Ernie for

honorary ‘Vice Chair’ and ‘Life Member’ of the Fund. Bro

Ernie as a Past Chairman of the B.M.C.F. and continues to

serve as a stalwart member on our Management and

Emergency Committees.

The Officers and General Committee of the Fund would

wish to congratulate Bro Ernie and express our sincere

gratitude to the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren

of Harmony 645 in appreciation of their continued generous

support.

Nomination of Vice Chairs and Life Membership is a facility

for Lodges to express their appreciation to their Almoners

and Stewards of Charities for their tireless efforts.

Chairman of the B.M.C.F. Brother Tony Blair Presenting

Certificate of ‘Life Membership’ to Brother Ernie Flack,

Almoner of Harmony Masonic Lodge 645.

Thankful Service – Rosemary.

Mrs Rosemary Black our esteemed Office Secretary and

Administrator for the past 18 years has recently been

seconded full time from the B.M.C.F. to the Boys and Girls

Funds to assist with the accumulation of home visitations

throughout the Northern Provinces.

Rosemary initially began working with the Belfast Funds in

November 1996 and developed her resourceful skills in

providing additional local assistance to our sister Charities,

the Victoria Jubilee Fund and the Masonic Welfare Fund.

Her administrative talents in coordinating the interests of

both the Belfast and Dublin based Charities have proved

invaluable to all of the Funds. With her welcoming and

friendly demeanour Rosemary has personified the

attributes of Masonic compassion in all facets of our

charitable benevolence.

Rosemary’s competent knowledge was always at hand to

give guidance to Lodge Sect’s, Almoners & SOC’s but more

than often she has been the welcoming voice in attending

to the direct inquiries from our annuitants. Her proficient

and understanding manner has often soothed the concerns

of our beneficiaries which is evident from the expressions

of gratitude in their correspondence.

Our late President and Hon Secretary Bro Norman Campbell

who sadly passed away in Dec 2012 often described

Rosemary as our ‘Rosetta Stone’ the hidden asset that

rarely received the deserving recognition.

In admiration and appreciation of her exceptional

attentions combined with the personal loyalty given to the

Belfast Charities we thank Rosemary for her dedication to

the administrative responsibilities in advancing the

objectives of the Funds and wish her every success in her

new role with the Boys and Girls Fund.

As an expression of our most sincere gratitude for

Rosemary’s valuable contributions to the Belfast Charity

Funds during the past 18 years, we presented Rosemary

with a Mobile Phone and Kindle at a recent luncheon held

in her honour. (as below)

L – R BMCF Chairman Bro Tony Blair, President Bro Mervyn

Cleland, PG Assist. Sect Down Bro Andy Magill, Hon Treasurer Bro

Harry Bottomley, Lorraine Butler Down Office, (Star Guest)

Rosemary Black, Hon Secretary Bro Billy Beattie.

Endowed Chair Bro Ernie Flack Harmony Masonic Lodge 645

Patron Jewels – are presently available at a cost of £30

each and can be obtained from the Office at 115 The Mount

Belfast.

Craft – Blue Ribbon

Chapter – Red Ribbon

115 THE MOUNT, BELFAST. BT5 4ND. | Telephone 028 9045 1020 | email bmcharities@btconnect.com

B.M.C.F. Belfast Masonic Charity Fund

September 2014

ISSUE 1

Eddie fought from 1940 to the end of the War, he served in

both the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards and 1st Battalion of

the Royal Irish Regiment during which time he was captured

twice and escaped twice from the Germans.

He fought in North Africa, Italy and France and was

mentioned twice in dispatches for his bravery with a

notable description in his 1956 demob papers as

‘indispensable’.

Brother Eddie is survived by his Son Edward and Daughter

Catherine, five grandchildren, one great granddaughter and

one great, great granddaughter.

Eddie’s wife of 69 years Marie, passed away in November

2013.

A truly remarkable man, great friend, mentor and

honourable Mason.

Brother Mervyn Cleland

President - Belfast Masonic Charity Fund

A Remarkable & Gentle Man

A Tribute to,

The Worshipful Brother Edward (Eddie) Donnan.

Past Chairman, Past Honorary Secretary of the Belfast

Masonic Charity Fund and the Belfast Masonic Widows

Fund also Patron and Past Chairman of the Masonic

Orphans Welfare Fund, died suddenly on 5th June 2014.

Brother Eddie gave 35 years of exemplary service in a

variety of Offices pertaining to both the Belfast Masonic

Charity Funds and the Masonic Orphans Welfare Fund.

He was a very talented and skilled administrator excelling in

a variety of roles within Masonic Charities. Eddie was the

epitome of a true gentleman who was most certainly fit for

purpose in pursuit of his many charitable offices.

As a mentor his quite temperament and humble

demeanour coupled with his tireless compassion for

Masonic Charities personified the virtues of benevolence.

For one so determined, working silently in the background

never seeking or expecting recognition of his many talents

Eddie never sought to ingratiate himself for favour or

recognition, his reward was in the satisfaction that

assistance had been aptly provided when required.

That his efforts to expedite benevolence to those need at

whatever time of the day or night was an example of his

exceptional qualities and service to the Masonic Order.

It was a fitting farewell for one of Northern Ireland’s longest

surviving Second World War heroes to have had a Guard of

Honour from the Irish Guards and 1st Battalion Royal Irish

Regiment as a tribute at former Sergeant Donnan’s funeral.

Eight serving soldiers wearing the regiment’s distinctive red

uniform saluted while a regimental piper played a lament

as our 92 year old Brother and war veteran entered St

Donard’s Parish Church.

IRISH GUARD & SECOND WORLD WAR VETERAN

115 THE MOUNT, BELFAST. BT5 4ND. | Telephone 028 9045 1020 | email bmcharities@btconnect.com

B.M.C.F. Belfast Masonic Charity Fund

September 2014

ISSUE 1

Refurbishment of Masonic Graves at

Belfast City Cemetery.

In May 1876 a joint initiative was unveiled between the

Belfast Masonic Charity Fund and the Belfast Masonic

Widows Fund with the purchase of three graves in Belfast

City Cemetery to provide a dignified resting place for

Brethren and avoid those deserving from being interned in

a pauper’s grave. In 1879 a very impressive memorial

obelisk of ‘Goragh Wood’ granite complete with Granite

Kerbs and carved Masonic symbols was erected on the

combined plot.

With the passing of time that section of the cemetery had

been left to the whims of nature and was very much

overgrown with the spreading of deep routed shrubbery

winding and clinging its ways as if auditioning for a horror

movie. The scene was only to be experienced by the bravest

in day time only.

In 2013 a fearless team of B.M.C.F. volunteers equipped

with machetes and dirt-busters completed an inverted

frontal assault on nature not knowing what unknowns we

might encounter. The imposing monument had been badly

discoloured by staining with the kerbs and corner postings

having suffered from what looked like wilful ground decay.

With a little bit of patience and TLC (tender loving care) the

stone was slowly restored to a degree of modest

respectability as not to attract obvious attention from any

visiting or inquisitive dissenters who socially frequent the

area at weekends.

During our ‘reformation’ exercise we stumbled upon a

number of Masonic graves throughout the cemetery which

were in similar conditions and appropriately marked with

equally impressive tombstones complete with Masonic

symbols. With an enthused degree for tidiness our team

performed sufficient housekeeping (to our additional finds)

as not to invite unwelcome interest to these fine landmarks.

You can find more information on our discoveries on our

new website soon to be advised.

The Belfast Masonic Charity Fund

In Consultation with

Age NI.

Age NI is here to help with the challenges we face in later

life

Age NI Advice Line – 0808 808 7575

www.ageuk.org.uk

Key topics

• Benefits and entitlements - find out what benefits you can claim,

including Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance.

• Pensions – State retirement pensions help make our future

better. Find out the facts and the extra benefits that might be

owed to you.

• Providing Care – Expert advice on how to get the care and

support you need.

• Loneliness – Advice on activities and Day Centre Services.

• Health Issues – advice on the cost of health issues.

• Home Protection - advice on personal and home protection.

• Income & Tax – Get help understanding your tax issues.

• Debt and Savings – How to save money on your energy bills, deal

with debt.

• Legal Issues – Get information about legal issues, such as

planning a will or finding a solicitor.

Age N.I. offer advice on a wide range of Products and

Services for the over 50’s to assist in planning and improving

for later life.

The Belfast Masonic Charity Fund consults with a number of

Local Charities to explore compatible interests and

exchange research for the benefit of our annuitants.

Regular issues of this Newsletter will detail updates on

other charitable benefits and services which we hope will

be helpful to Lodge Almoners and S.O.C’s.