What are Freemasons? Most people tend to think they're a secretive society who meet behind closed doors.
Yes, there is a secret handshake and they are mostly men but they do much more for local charities than perhaps most people realise.
In the last 12 months, Glossopdale Lodge have donated more than £16,000 to local charities. Their most recent donation was £1,000 to the Hummingbird Hub’s Ukraine Appeal.
In 2020, the Lodge decided to make the Orient Express the theme for one of its fundraising social events. However, because of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, it was postponed until April this year.
It raised £1,000 for the Hummingbirds appeal, while Glossopdale Lodge also made a donation of £500 to the Ukraine Appeal.
The Lodge has also made a donation of £500 to Reuben’s Retreat, £500 to Willow Wood Hospice and £1,500 to the Whitfield Project which feeds local families.
Mervyn Davies (pictured) is the Charity Representative at Glossopdale Lodge.
He told us: "Every few years each Lodge holds a festival. We collect donations and occasionally we ourselves top up the money. Our main objective is to help local charities. We hold various events, including a Ladies Evening and a Christmas function.”
People can suggest good causes for fundraising by contacting the Masonic Lodge directly or members themselves decide where to donate.
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