SIDMOUTH’S Freemasons Lodge of Perseverance have made three charitable donations to local organisations, totalling in excess of £2,000.

At a special meeting on Tuesday, June 7th the lodge donated £1,000 to the Sidmouth Town Band to hep their appeal to acquire a new headquarters building, as they have outgrown their current one. The 1st Sidmouth Guides were also given £1,000 towards the repair and redecoration of their hall. And finally Frankton +75 were donated £250. Frankton +75 are a team raising money for the Royal Marine Charity, by re-enactment of Operation Frankton, a commando raid on shipping in the German occupied French port of Bordeaux in the Bay of Biscay during the Second World War, the operation is more commonly known as Cockleshell Heroes.

There was also a presentation to Tom Klampfer, who catered at Sidmouth Masonic Hall, and after many years of service has decided to leave to pursue new interests.

Master of the Lodge and Charity Steward, Worshipful Brother Malcolm MacDonald said: “As a token of this service, we and the Masonic Hall Management Committee collaborated to purchase a new lightweight carbon fibre paddle. Tom is a keen Stand Up Paddleboarder.