The venue was Manchester United’s prestigious Manchester Suite and on Friday 20th May 2016 the Province of Cheshire celebrated the conclusion of their 2016 Festival in aid of the Masonic Samaritan Fund (MSF). Nearly 600 Cheshire Freemasons and their wives / partners enjoyed a wonderful Banquet and awaited with baited breath, to hear how much money had been raised, since the launch of the Festival in October 2010.
left to right: Martin R. Barlow, AProvGM Area 3, Paul A Massie, AProvGM Area 1, David V. Dyson, AProvGM Area 4, Stephen M. Blank, ProvGM, Alan Glazier, DProvGM, Adrian Davies, AProvGM Area 2 and George W Mann, AProvGM Area 5
The Leaders of the Province wearing their chains of Office were the hosts to some very important visitors from the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) , the Masonic Samaritan Fund (MSF), which is based in London) and the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, MBE, KStJ.
left to right: Mark Jeremy Patrick Horlock, DGDC, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, ProGM, Stephen Martin Blank, ProvGM, Dr. David R Staples, AGDC.
Stephen Martin Blank, Provincial Grand Master is photographed with Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, Pro Grand Master, Mark Jeremy Patrick Horlock, Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies and Dr. David R. Staples, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
left to right: Brigadier William E. Shackell, President of MSF, Stephen M. Blank ProvGM and President of the Festival and Richard Douglas, CEO MSF.
Stephen Martin Blank is President of the 2016 Festival and greeted the representatives of The Masonic Samaritan Fund (MSF), Brigadier William E. Shackell, CBE, President of the MSF who is, on 8th June, to take up the appointment of Grand Secretary of UGLE and Richard Douglas, CEO of the MSF who had the pleasure of revealing the remarkable sum of money raised by the Cheshire Festival at the end of the Banquet.
left to right: Paul Stephan Richards, PAGDC, Chaiman of the Festival and Richard Douglas, CEO of the MSF
Paul Stephan Richards, Chairman of the 2016 Festival shared a glass of Champagne with Richard Douglas, CEO of the MSF. Paul and his Executive Committee have worked tirelessly since October 2010 to achieve the wonderful sum of money which is to be given to the Masonic Samaritan Fund.
The 2016 Festival Executive Committee together with their wives/ partners
The hard working 2016 Festival Executive Committee have encouraged individual Cheshire Masons to become Stewards and help to raise money for the Festival preparing to celebrate.
Lodges and Chapters worked hard and some achieved remarkable results as follows:- Presidential Grand Patrons 25 , Grand Patrons 27, Patrons 79
left to right : Stephen Martin Blank, ProvGM and Gary R. Horstman, PAGDC, Festival Banquet Chairman
Over the past two Years Gary Horstman and his Banquet Committee had worked very hard to make this particular event very special indeed, Stephen Martin Blank congratulated Gary on a job well done.
Banquet Committee plus Harry Wright together with their Wives
The hard working Banquet Committee enjoyed the fruits of their labours, miles of smiles all around the Manchester Suite
nearly 600 guests thoroughly enjoying the evening
we even had Peter Kay’s younger brother waiting on tables
60 Tables plus the Top Table full of happy people enjoyed an excellent meal and good company whilst they waited for the result which was announced by Richard Douglas
A rather large cheque for £3,010,793 was presented to Willi Shackell President of the MSF by Stephen Martin Blank President of the 2016 Festival
A very big cheque in more ways than one was presented to Brigadier William E. Shackell, CBE, President of the MSF by Stephen Martin Blank Provincial Grand Master and President of the 2016 Festival.