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22nd January 2023. In 2007, a close friend of Bro Howard Desmond, Frank Allen, lost his mother to Huntingdons Disease. On realising it was hereditary, Frank and his 3 siblings decided to test for the disease to see if they caried the gene. Frank was informed that both he and 2 of his siblings had tetsed positive. Frank has 2 daughters, Rosie and Olivia, meaning they have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. Following this discovery, Frank and his family have taken part in various medical research trials to help find a cure for the disease.
On discovering he carried the gene, Frank decided to do everything in his power to raise awareness and funding for the Huntingdons Charity. He has been supported by his family who have organised and participated in different fundraising events including skydives, bake sales, auction nights, long distance bike rides, charity balls and raffles.
Having previously raised a substantial amount, the family in 2021 decided to set a 2 year target to raise an additional £10;000 for the charity. This was quickly achieved following a successful 3rd Charity Ball and the introduction of a quiz night. realising their success,they decided to set the bar even higher to £15;000 and organised a sponsored hike to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The event set up by Rosie and Olivia was self funded to ensure that every penny raised went directly to the charity.
Following a 6 day hike, Rosie and Olivia, along with their friends Eleanor Bullen-Bell, Toby Giuy and Connor Blake finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 06:29 on the 29th August 2022. The success of their hike took the total amount raised to £17;070.
On hearing of the family' achievements, the Old Chelmsfordian Lodge decided to donate £500 to HDA from their Charity Accountnot only to raise awareness of the disease but to recognise the tireless work the Allen family have undertaken over the past 6 years to help others.
On the 22nd January 2023, W. Bro Rob Bates and Bro. Howard Desmond visted the Allen family at their home and presented them with a cheque made out to HDA on behalf of the Lodge. Rosie Allen said "I would like to thank the Old Chelmsfordian Lodge for their extremely generous donation, and to everybody who has supported our family's fundraising activities over the past 6 years. We have now raised over £40;000 and will continue to find different ways to raise the awareness of the disease.
10th December 2022 The Lodge was due to conduct the ceremony of Passing. Due to illness, the ceremony had to be cancelled and a demonstration of the ceremony was organised at very short notice. One of our visitors, Bro Adil Khan, who had only just been passed to the Second Degree, very kindly stepped in and volunteered to be the candidate. Our Worshipful Master duely Obligated the candidate in a sincere manner before handing over to W. Bro James Gillett, who completed the remainder of the ceremony including the Working Tools in a very able manner. At the meeting the Lodge voted to donate £500 each to the Tree of Hope, The Mersea Island Festival Trust, Huntingdons Society, and Grapevine Essex. At the Festive Board, the raffle raised £130, which was donated to Farleighs Hospice, after 2 of our brethren, W. Bro. Brian Smith and Bro. Lawrence Gill, took part in the Santa Fun Run on Sunday 4th december at Hylands Park.
2nd December 2022. Our Lodge Charity Steward, W. Bro. Kevin Thompson, organised a charity Greek Night which raised £105 for the Tree of Hope and Farleigh Hospice. W. Bro Kevin is looking to organise another charity event in January 2023.
8th October 2022 Bro. Paul O'Hare was Installed into the Chair of King Solomon this afternoon. He was Installed by his proposer, W. Bro. Steve Parsons, and very abily assisted by W. Bros. Brian Gilbertson, Brian Simpson, James Gillett & Jeremy Thompson. The Working tools of the degrees were presented by Bros. Duncan Robertson, Paul Blackmore and Jake Popely. Our outgoing Master, W. Bro. Jeremy Thompson was presented with a breast jewel and a cheuque for £100 made out to the Tree of Hope in support of our new Master, W. Bro. Paul O'Hare's chosen charity, The Tree of Hope. At the festive board, the raffle and auction raised £155 and was donated to the Tree of Hope, making the final donation £255.
Congratulations Paul on becoming our new Master. Keep studying as we have plenty of work to keep you occupied during your year in office!
8th July 2022. Our Mentor, W. Bro. Andy Cook arranged a charity curry evening to raise funds for the Bowelbabe Fund, set up by Dame Deorah James to raise awareness about bowel cancer. The evening was attended by 16 members of the Lodge.. W. Bro. Andy also organised a raffle and was able to persuade other diners in the restauruant to take part. As a result, the event raised £318, which has been paid into the Bowelbabe Fund via their Just Giving page. Well done Andy for organising a great event that was enjoyed by all present.
14th May 2022. We were delighted to welcome our new APGM, W. Bro. Rob Eels on his first official visit to the Lodge, where Bro. Paul Blackmore was passed to the Second Degree. The ceremony of Passing was conducted by in a very able manner by W. Bro. Steve French, who deputised for our WM at very short notice. During the course of the meeting, Bro. Paul O'Hare was declared Master Elect and will be Installed into the Chair of King Solomon at our next regular meeting on the 8th October. Following the meeting, the members and guests enjoyed a lively Festive Board where the raffle raised £200 for charity.
21st April 2022. Contgratulations to our Worshipful Master Jeremy Thompson and his wife Avril who are pleased to announce the arrival of their second child Sebastian who was born on the 20th April. Hopefully, we have a potential Lewis in a few years time.
2nd April 2022. The Old Chelmsfordian Lodge have donated £2500 to the MCF initiative to support the victims and refugees of Ukraine, who have suffered as a result of the ongoing conlict against Russia. The Relief Chest Appeal set up by the Grand Lodge of England has currently raised £524K with the total rising on a daily basis. Five selected charities will each receive £100,00 towards their work.
They are: UK for UNHCR the Un Refugee agency whose key focus is Ukraine Shelter and Protection.
UNICEF: Key focus Ukraine Health and Emergency Supplies
Plan International UK Key foucus: Border Countries Child Protection and Education
British Red Cross Key Focus: UK Refugee Support and Resettlement
The refugee Council Key Focus: UK Refugee Support and Advice.
Saturday 12th March 2022. The Chelmsfordian Lodge were delighted to welcome and Initiate Dr Chuckwhemeka Chuku, a medical doctor, currently working at Broomfield Hospital in the Accident & Emergency Department.
Dr Chuku is the first member of the Lodge to be introduced via the Provincial Pathway Initative. Our Pathway representative, W. Bro. Christian Webb was also in attendance to support Dr Chuku as he took his first regular step in freemasonry.
The ceremony of Initiation was conducted in a very able manner by W. Bro. Steve Parsons, who was ably assisted by Bro. Lawrence Gill who presented the Working Tools and W. Bro. Andy Cook, who delivered the Charge to the Initiate.
At the Festive Board, the raffle and auction for a hamper of Easter eggs raised £310. This was donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital for sick Children in support of Elizabteh Churches, wife of our ADC Jamie Churches, who swam 10 kilometers in a swim challenge over the course of March as part of a fund raisng initative by GOSH.
Pictured are W. Bro Christian Webb, W. Bro. Steve Parsons, (DC), W. Bro. Jeremy Thompson, (WM), Bro. Chuku, W. Bro. Roy Shirley, (JW), & Bro. Paul O'Hare, (SW).
