Organised by members of South Molton’s three masonic Lodges, these monetary awards are worth £500 each and recognise the work done by Charities and local Community Groups in making lives better for groups and individuals in the North Devon Community. Five organisations were represented and each gave a short talk on their work and on the effect that these awards would have on future plans and projects.

Recipients were…

South West Blood Bikes: A group of unpaid volunteer Motorcyclists who deliver vital supplies of Blood, Breast Milk, Tissue Samples and Drugs in support of the NHS across the county. The Blood Bikes’ award was received by Malcolm Huxtable their local organiser.

Brayford Community Playground: A group raising money for the reopening of the Children’s Playground in the village of Brayford which was closed in April 2025 following a safety inspection. Suzie Topping explained the importance of safe play spaces for children.

1st Chulmleigh Girl Guides: Mandy Blacker has been involved in Guiding since she was a Brownie herself. Having returned to Chulmleigh some years ago, she is now the organiser of one of the most successful Girl Guide branches in the county who are raising money to replace their 40 year old tents.

The Masonic Fishing Charity: A group of local Fishermen who take disadvantaged children, their parents and supporters on Fishing days out at venues across Devon. Local Secretary Mike Latham gave a moving account of the ways in which disadvantaged youngsters responded to fun days out in the open air.

Mid Devon Messenger: This is a talking Newspaper for the visually impaired based in Tiverton, which brings News, and Local Information to people who are no longer able to read due to blindness or sight impairment. Helen McIntosh gave a brief history of the Charity from its early beginnings to the vitally important service it now provides.

Following the Awards Ceremony, the recipients and their hosts retired to the Masonic Hall’s Dining Room for a few celebratory drinks and a light supper.

Dr. Peter Kyle, the Administrator of the South Molton Masonic Charity Association said…

We are delighted to support and to celebrate the vital and frankly inspiring work being carried out in our local communities by these wonderful volunteers. Their passion and dedication is clear to see, and their willingness to dedicate their time and energy to helping others is truly humbling. These awards will now made twice a year. We invite other groups and individuals to apply for future awards by visiting our website at https://moltonmasons.org.uk/

The post Community Support Awards first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

Freemasons are well known for Charitable giving, it goes to the very heart of what we do; it’s in our DNA you might say.

Yet many people are unaware of the sheer scale of the impact we are making in Communities across England and Wales.

In 2024/5 alone our central Charity the
Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF)
made grants totalling
£27, 387,558
to Charities, Community Groups and Individuals across England and Wales.

Here in Devonshire £36,517 was given to local Charities including Deaf Choices UK (Devon), Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm and Hospicecare Exeter. In addition 59 Families and Individuals were awarded grants totalling £285,613.

A more detailed breakdown of our local impact is given below..

The post Our impact 2024/5 first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

Lizzie and George finally crossed the famous finishing line hand in hand after a gruelling 7 hours on the road. Their hard earned success was made even better by the knowledge that they had smashed their £2000 fundraising Target bringing home the magnificent sum of

£2738.00

The money raised will be donated to the
Sue Ryder Foundation
in memory of Lizzie’s late uncle Steve, whose picture she carried around the course on her backpack

We were delighted this week to receive the following from Lizzie and George…

We, Lizzie (Ann & Rod’s youngest Granddaughter) & George (Lizzie’s newly titled Fiancé) would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those at South Molton Freemasons for their unwavering support and kind donations to sponsor us to complete the London Marathon 2024.

You’ll be over the moon to know we both crossed the infamous finish line in front of Buckingham Palace, hand in hand, after running for 7 hours whilst taking in the sights of London! We are proud to also announce we surpassed our fundraising goal of £2,000 by raising an incredible £2,181 for Sue Ryder in memory of Lizzie’s Uncle Steve.

Thank you once again for all of your kind words of encouragement, memory sharing and cheers from afar, we certainly felt them all on the big day!

Lizzie & George

The post A Marathon Effort! first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

W.Bro F. Handscombe 1933 – 2023

It is with great sadness that we record the death of our long serving former Secretary

Frank Handscombe BEM

who passed away peacefully on 14th December 2023 after a short illness.

Background

Frank was born in Waltham Forest on 4th January 1933. At some point during the Blitz he was evacuated to Rotherham in Yorkshire. On leaving school he qualified as a Toolmaker before joining the Merchant Navy. A man of considerable ability he continued his studies in Engineering, eventually qualifying as a Chartered Marine Engineer with the rank of Chief Engineer.

At this time Frank met and married his wife Judy and together they spent the next 4 years travelling the world’s oceans and visiting every continent. However the seagoing life was not conducive to raising a family and so they eventually settled in South Molton where Frank was employed as Production Manager at the local Chipboard Factory.

Community Work

Frank was always involved in community work. He ran the South Molton Judo Club for over 40 years, and in 2019 was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Judo and the local Community in South Molton.

On retirement from full time employment, Frank volunteered as a Red Cross driver running people to hospital appointments throughout the local area.

Frank’s other interests included Oil Painting and Gardening.

Freemasonry

Frank became a Freemason at the age of 28 when he joined the Temple Bar Lodge No 5962 in Cheshunt, Herts on 1st March 1961. However on moving to South Molton he became a joining member of the Loyal Lodge of Industry No 421 on 5th September 1978, becoming its Worshipful Master in 1990.

In October 1995 he was appointed as Lodge Secretary, a post he served in continuously for a period of 28 Years until he finally stepped down at the age of 90 in September 2023.

Frank’s first provincial appointment came in 1999 when he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Senior Grand Deacon. Promotion followed in 2005 when he was appointed Provincial Junior Grand Warden. Further honours came in 2009 with appointment to the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. He was further promoted to the rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon in 2021.

Frank was highly respected throughout Devonshire Freemasonry, evidenced by the fact that in March 2022, the then Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Nicholas Ball personally travelled from his home in Plymouth to South Molton to present Frank with his 60 Year service certificate.

Frank did not restrict himself to Craft Freemasonry being an active member of 4 other orders namely Royal Arch, Mark Master Masons, Royal Ark Mariners and the Royal Order of Scotland

Masonic Charity

Frank’s biggest contribution to Freemasonry must be considered to be his long-time association with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Benevolent Fund. Frank had been elected to be a Committee member of the Fund in 2000 and in 2004 was appointed as the Honorary Secretary. Frank remained in this role as Benevolent Fund Secretary until he resigned in October 2023, 19 years of valued service to this Committee. 

In January 2007 the Devonshire Provincial Grand Lodge Festival for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls & Boys (RMTGB) was launched with the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, W Bro. Conrad Donaldson as Festival Secretary and W Bro. Frank Handscombe as Assistant Festival Secretary. Conrad & Frank planned and organised the Appeal, working as a team throughout, talking weekly and sometimes more frequently. The result in 2012 was the magnificent total of £3.8m being raised by Devonshire and the appeal was considered as a model for future delivery of all Masonic Charity Appeals.

…and finally

May his other pilgrimage be aided by those who have gone before and now meet to conduct him to that seat not made by hands, Eternal in the Heavens, to rest in peace.

This article is based on the Eulogy presented in open Lodge by Frank’s great friend WBro. T.B. White PAGDC on 9th January 2024

The post W.Bro. F Handscombe BEM first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

Each year we invite the wife or partner of our worshipful Master to nominate a local Charity to receive the monies raised at the annual Ladies Night. This year Mrs. Helen McIntosh has selected Exmoor’s Calvert Trust to be the very worthy recipient.

Situated at Wistlandpound in the Exmoor National Park, the Calvert Trust is a registered charity providing exciting, fun, and accessible breaks and activities for children, adults, families and groups with disabilities.

Since 1996 they have been welcoming guests with physical, behavioural, sensory, and learning disabilities to their dedicated activity centre, encouraging them to take part in an exclusive range of adventurous activities and push themselves in a positive, safe and challenging way. 

Located in the rolling hills of Exmoor, their fully accessible centre offers high quality facilities and professionally adaptive accommodation all nestled in the tranquil environment of the stunning Devon countryside.   

Calvert Exmoor takes a unique and personal approach, journeying with their guests on a road to self-confidence, empowerment, and inclusivity. Whether guests are visiting by themselves, with family or friends, or as part of a group, they provide breaks and activities for everyone regardless of age or ability; and prove…

“…it’s what you CAN do that counts! “

On 13th April 2023 Helen, along with husband Ray and Peter Kyle our Charity Steward (i.e. Chief Fundraiser) visited the Trust and met with Emily Parkes their Fundraising Officer. They enjoyed a tour of the extensive and impressive facilities, during which they learned more about the Trust and it’s work.

At the end of the visit Helen presented Emily with a cheque for £500 on behalf of South Molton Freemasons. Emily said…

On behalf of the Calvert Trust, I would like to say a huge thank you to South Molton’s Freemasons for this generous and most welcome donation. It means a lot. It is particularly lovely to note that this money was raised here in our local North Devon community

Emily Parkes – Fundraising Officer, Calvert Trust.

In reply Peter Kyle said…

South Molton Freemasons are delighted to be able to support the important work being carried out, in our local community, by the wonderful people here at the Calvert Trust. Having seen first hand the difference it can make to the lives of the people who holiday here, we are both humbled and proud to be able to play our small part in making it happen.

Peter Kyle – South Molton Freemasons

Image: Calvert Trust Exmoor

Image: Calvert Trust Exmoor

Image: Calvert Trust Exmoor

Image: Calvert Trust Exmoor

Image: Calvert Trust Exmoor

Image: S. Molton Freemasons

If you would like to know more about the Calvert Trust Exmoor or make your own donation…

The post Calvert Trust first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

Held once again at Bishops Nympton Village Hall, the event featured Comedy from Rose Chanon and Music by The Hummingbirds, (thehummingbirdstrio.co.uk) a close harmony trio who performed classic songs from the 1940’s and 50’s.

Before the entertainment began, everyone sat down to a sumptuous dinner of Canapes, followed by Chicken Supreme in a Cider Apple Sauce and finished off by a delicious trio of desserts; Pavlova, Cheesecake and Lemon Posset.

No Masonic event would be complete without a Raffle in aid of Charity. With prizes donated by the Lodge members, ticket sales amounted to over £285 which will be donated to The Calvert Trust, Helen’s nominated Charity for this year.

A wonderful evening with good food, great entertainment and the company of Friends!
What more could you ask for?

We look forward to doing it all over again in 2024…

The post Ladies Night 2023 first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

John (75) had bravely battled cancer for many years, showing an astonishing level of courage and stoicism, in the face of his illness.  He is perhaps best known to our members as the man who occupied the Master’s Chair in the Lodge for 2 consecutive years during the recent Covid-19 Pandemic. 

With all masonic meetings suspended for the first time in the Order’s history,  John undertook to hold the Lodge together by organising monthly Zoom meetings to keep channels of communication open.  He would create an agenda just as we would for a normal Lodge meeting, and would guide those present through a list of talks, reports and other masonic business; successfully maintaining a sense of normality during one of the most “abnormal” times in our recent history.  So great was his enthusiasm for what was then very new technology, he once chaired a meeting from his hospital bed in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital!

John’s Masonic Career

Hailing originally from the West Midlands, John joined Greville Lodge No 4773 in Warwick on the 18th March 1982 at the age of 35.  He served as that Lodge’s Worshipful Master in 1997/8 and remained a subscribing member until 2012.  As a result of his long service to Warwickshire Freemasonry he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies on the 22nd May 2004

Having moved to the village of Bishop’s Nympton, near South Molton, John became a joining member of the Loyal Lodge of Industry No 421 on 5th June 2007 and was installed into the Master’s Chair on the 2nd October 2018.  As detailed above he held this post until a successor was finally appointed on 5th October 2020.  In recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication, on the 5th April 2022 the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire Right Worshipful Bro. Ian Kingsbury JP was pleased to promote John, by way of a very rare field promotion, to the senior rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

John was also a member of Fortescue Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 9, which he served as Worshipful Master (again for a 2 year period between 2017 and 2019) achieving the Rank of PPrGJD in 2021. He was elevated into Fortescue Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 9 in 2014.

Charity Work

During a visit to North Devon District Hospital at an early stage in his treatment, John received a “Box of Kindness”  from local Charity ChemoHero (https://www.chemohero.org).  This act of generosity, aimed directly at serving the needs of Chemotherapy patients, touched John to the extent that during the remainder of his time as Worshipful Master he set about raising funds to support their work.  

The photo above shows John with the Charity’s Co-founders, the late Lisa Wallis BEM and her husband Rob on a cold and windy Fremington Quay where he presented them (socially distanced of course) with a cheque from the Loyal Lodge of Industry for over £800

In memoriam

John’s quiet and unassuming nature, his warm caring personality, his boundless enthusiasm and his wry sense of humour will be sadly missed by all who knew him; but especially by his masonic Brethren who were privileged to see the best of a very special man.  

Our thoughts go out to John’s wife Pip and the family at this sad time.

Rest in Peace.

The post Obituary: John Robert Finch 1947-2022 first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is Freemasonry’s national grant making Charity.

Supported entirely by donations from Freemasons and their families, it supports a wide range of Charities, Organisations, Individuals and other good causes.

The Charity has just released its 2021/22 impact report detailing it’s work across a wide range of sectors.

To read the report

The graphic below highlights the work undertaken by the MCF in Devonshire.

In total… over half a million pounds
in a single year!

The post Charity Update first appeared on South Molton Freemasons.