The Freemasons of Weardale and Stanhope were asked for help and they came up trumps in the most difficult times. 

Around early April 2020 Bro Alan Anderson of Stanhope lodge 3520 enquired if the Freemasons could help in anyway to aid in the fight against Covid-19 or help anyone affected by it. Bill Hobson took on the challenge and stated he would think about what could be done. Just a few hours later Bill saw a request from Gaz Lee, who is not a Freemason, asking for financial assistance in purchasing material to enable him to make visors which he was giving to local hospitals. After doing a few checks Bill got in touch and the Freemasons of Weardale have enabled him to purchase sufficient material to produce over 2000 of the visors, of which some have been delivered to the Stanhope Community Hospital and others have been delivered to Darlington Memorial and Durham UHND hospitals by the Freemasons of Weardale Bro Alan Anderson took it upon himself to deliver them.

Happy to receive the Visors at Stanhope Community Hospital were Jackie Hunter, Tina Marshall, Andrea Barbour, Julie Hodgson & Julie Richardson from Alan Anderson.

WALK ALONG THE TRACKS – ALDEN GRANGE TO BLACKHILL

All ages and levels of fitness/ability are welcome take part. Open to Durham Freemasons and their families.

Our aim is to have wonderful family day out whilst raising funds for the MCF, just like last years’ successful Coastal Path walk. Friends, family and dogs are very welcome to accompany our participants along the clearly marked route. Our marshals will indicate direction and provide refreshments at several points along the way.

This 12-mile linear walk is fairly flat. There are several steep slopes where bridges once stood but only those which are particularly steep have been marked on the map. Path surfaces vary and small sections of the path suffer from erosion and may have ruts and large stones in them. The path width is a minimum of 1.2 metres. There are a number of seats along the route.

Please visit https://www.thisisdurham.com/things-to-do/lanchester-valley-railway-path-walking-and-cycling-route-p666841 a printable map and further route information.

Proposed Itinerary

Sunday 26^th April 2020

7:30am Meet at Aldin Grange Fishing Lakes Bearpark Durham DH7 7AR. Ample free car parking is available.

7:45am Briefing from the Festival team

8:00am Start Walking along the Lanchester Valley Railway Path towards Consett

11:30 – 14:00 Arrive at Blackhill Masonic Hall for refreshments.

Lifts back to Aldin Grange car park will be provided by our marshals

Terms and Conditions (Read Carefully before Applying)

• I would like to sign up to be a participant in the above event.
• I understand that entry is on a first come first served basis.
• The cost of the event is £15. This is payable via this link.
• This Event is subsidised by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham/Durham 2021 on behalf of the MCF. All sponsorship raised must therefore be for the Durham 2021 Festival in aid of the MCF. By signing up to this event I am committing to raise money in sponsorship for the Durham 2021 Festival/MCF
• I understand and agree that I participate in this event entirely at my own risk, that I must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards and that I must walk in a manner which is safe to myself and others. I am aware that when walking on a public highway the function of marshals is only to indicate direction and that I must decide whether it is safe.
• I agree that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Organisers and/or The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham in respect of any injury, loss or damage suffered by me in or by reason of the event however caused.
• I have no objection to photographic/video imagery being taken and used for promotional purposes.
• I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes of this Event. Personal Data will only be used for the purposes of this Event and shared with the Event Organisers & Participants.
• I hereby agree to delete all participant personal data after the event is complete.

To buy tickets for this Event – Click Here

The Yorkshire Three Peaks route is 24 miles (38.6km) and includes 1585m (5200ft) of ascent.

SUNDAY 14th JUNE 2020

This event has been organised for the more experienced hiker and is very much a difficult challenge that will require some training to take part. You will require some kit (listed below) and to be fit and healthy enough to take part.

The cost of taking part in this event is £30, this fee is to cover costs for an MCF branded Technical T-shirt, administration, first-aid and refreshments.

We are meeting in the car park at Horton-in-Ribblesdale car park BD24 0HE at 6:30am. No group transport is arranged for this event, but lifts may be available if you contact the event organiser – Ivan Lowther on 07714288084 to let him know if you would need or could provide transport for others.

Mandatory

• Walking boots (with ankle support, not trail shoes or trainers)
• Head torch
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Hiking socks
• Backpack (approx. 20-30 litre size)
• Water container (bottle or Camelback-style, 1-2 litres)
• Food & hill snacks (pasta, cereal bars, dried fruit, nuts)
• Gloves
• Hat (covering ears)

Recommended clothing

• Walking trousers (lightweight hiking trousers, not jeans or tracksuit trousers)
• Sports top (not cotton)
• Warm outer layer
• Changes of clothes

Recommended, optional

• Sunglasses & suncream
• Walking poles
• Light shoes / sandals
• Thermal underwear
• Backpack raincover

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, usually in this order, and in under 12 hours. These peaks form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge includes:

• Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres)
• Whernside (736 metres)
• Ingleborough (723 metres)

For more information please follow this link:-https://www.threepeakschallenge.uk/yorkshire-three-peaks-challenge/

Our marshals will indicate direction and provide refreshments at several points along the way. They will also be there to provide basic first aid and help at ground level, where access permits.

Proposed Itinerary

Sunday 14^th June 2020

6:30am Meet at Horton-in-Ribblesdale car park BD24 0HE

6:45am Briefing from the Festival team

7:00am Start Walking the designated Yorkshire 3 Peaks Route – clockwise

7:00pm onwards Hopefully Everyone will have completed the challenge

Terms and Conditions (Read Carefully before Applying)

• I would like to sign up to be a participant in the above event.
• I understand that entry is on a first come first served basis.
• The cost of the event is £30. This is payable via this link.
• This Event is subsidised by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham/Durham 2021 on behalf of the MCF. All sponsorship raised must therefore be for the Durham 2021 Festival in aid of the MCF. By signing up to this event I am committing to raise money in sponsorship for the Durham 2021 Festival/MCF
• I understand and agree that I participate in this event entirely at my own risk, that I must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards and that I must walk in a manner which is safe to myself and others. I am aware that when walking on a public highway the function of marshals is only to indicate direction and that I must decide whether it is safe.
• I agree that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Organisers and/or The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham in respect of any injury, loss or damage suffered by me in or by reason of the event however caused.
• I have no objection to photographic/video imagery being taken and used for promotional purposes.
• I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes of this Event. Personal Data will only be used for the purposes of this Event and shared with the Event Organisers & Participants.
• I hereby agree to delete all participant personal data after the event is complete.

To buy tickets and book the Event please Click Here

Hard Copy of Itinerary & Terms and Conditions

The Provincial Grand Master, John Arthur, accompanied by John Thompson, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, attended the Ernest Dixon Installation meeting at Burdon Road in Sunderland this week.

After being warmly welcomed into the lodge by the master, Bob Littlechild, they witnessed an excellent Installation ceremony of the new Master, Anthony Benson. On the second rising John Arthur rose to present the lodge’s Charity Steward, Tony Conlon, with his platinum pin badge. After this, the newly Installed masters first pleasing duty was to present John Arthur with three cheques, £100 for the Durham 2021 Festival, £100 for Durham Benevolence and £50 for TLC.

At the festive board, the evening’s high standards continued with a sturdy four course meal served by waitresses.

Replying to his own toast, John Arthur firstly thanked the members of Ernest Dixon for their hospitality before asking John Thompson, in his capacity of Festival Director to present the new Master Anthony Benson with the lodge’s Platinum certificate. John Arthur then resumed the proceedings by then handing over the Provincial Grand Master award to the Lodge.

Further toast and responses followed throughout the evening by Mike Cockerton, George Stephenson, Tony Conlon, Joe Laidler and even John Thompson got into the act by proposing the toast to the Master,  who has been a great supporter of both the cycle ride events and the Great North Run in aid of the 2021 festival.

A brilliant evening was had by all, well organised and planned to the finest detail.

Link to Provincial website

“Cowman Triathlon & ChillSwim Challenge”

JOHN RIPPON

This year John is doing two fantastic events. The ‘Cowman’, a half distance triathlon in Northampton, and a ChillSwim, swimming the length of Coniston water, 5.25miles.
A half distance Triathlon is a 1.9km swim, then a 90km cycle ride, and then (as if that wasn’t enough), run 21km. John hope’s for a three hour time. The ChillSwim is an organised swim, swimming the length of Coniston water, 5.25miles, again, John hope’s for a three hour time. You’ll see him swimming hundreds of lengths in the local baths and sea swimming getting some practice in.
John has created a “Everyday Hero”page because he wants to make a difference. John stated that he is inspired by the work of The Relief Chest Scheme and wanted to support them by raising money as part of my participation in E0124 – The Province of Durham RMTGB 2021 Festival. Please help John to help them by giving whatever you can using the ‘Give Now’ button. The more people that know about The Relief Chest Scheme, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot! John 🙂

To Sponsor John Rippon in his x2 Challenges Click here

SUNDERLAND HALF MARATHON

in aid of the Durham 2021 Festival Appeal

SUNDAY 27th September 2020

This will be Stuart Major’s third half marathon, only his second in the north east and the first one which starts and finishes with in the bounds of the Province. Stuart started running in 2018 with a 5k and have progressed to completing both the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon and the Great North Run in 2019, both for the Durham 2021 Festival. This year Stuart will be running both the Sunderland Half Marathon as well as the Great North Run for the Durham 2021 Festival. Outside of masonry, Stuart is a rugby Union referee for the Durham County Rugby Referees Society.

To sponsor Stuart use his “Everyday Hero” page online at: https://donate.everydayhero.com/d/9VnBsuI1XS-WWF3kq-XurA/amount

Simplyhealth 40th Great North Run is to take place on Sunday 13th September 2020, places will be going fast book your place once open and when you have been allocated a place let the Durham 2021 Festival Secretary know paul.quinn@durham2021.org Do not worry if you are unsuccessful once the ballot has been drawn we may have a few spaces left.

Butterwick Hospice has again kindly agreed for us to use their GNR Marquee as on previous years many services available within the Marquee.

Click on the link to register for the reminder service.

www.greatrun.org/great-north-run

DURHAM 2021 FESTIVAL AUCTION

Congratulations to all those who bid on the items and won, apologies to those who were unsuccessful. The Auction was a one off way of trying to raise funds for the 2021 Festival and we managed to raise the tremendous sum of £9,300 towards our target. It generated quite a bit of interest from members and some very late last minute bidding up to 11:59pm on the night of the auction. Click on the link below to open the list of successful winners.

If you have been successful you will have received an automated email from the site asking you to pay, however we have had a few issues with this and we have now sent personal emails to those members, with bank details for those to now pay.