The West Lancashire Freemasons Charities has, via Neptune Lodge No 1264 of Liverpool, supported an initiative at Altcar Training Camp for wounded, sick and injured veterans in the provision of PODS, or temporary accommodation, rather like ‘glamping’, on their site. The Altcar Training Camp near Formby on Merseyside has long been a place where members of the regular Armed Forces, Reservists and Cadets have trained in various fields (literally!) to prepare them for their duties. But very soon, there will be a place for those that are now civilians, to spend some time back on a base and to some extent immerse themselves in the culture that they may be missing.
Employees of Spotmix pour concrete for a POD base.
Have you ever thought though as to what happens to service personnel when they have been forced to leave their career through being wounded, injured or sick? Sadly, some veterans find it difficult to adapt to life ‘outside’ either because of their injuries or wounds, or simply because service life is all they have ever known since leaving school.
Now, thanks to Neptune Lodge and the WLFC four plots are under construction at Altcar, with the concrete bases provided free by Spotmix, to which a ‘POD’ will be fitted to each one. Ex-service personnel will be able to do a spot of ‘glamping’ in a beautiful section amid the flora and fauna of the camp, but still quite close to where exercises are held, so that they will be able to observe their brothers in arms. The PODS are disabled friendly and are capable of accommodating one or two occupants. Other facilities on the camp such as the gym will be available to them.
When the facility is up and running, any ex-service personnel can apply to use the PODS free of charge, simply by contacting the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. Of course, all this comes at a cost and as no public money is being made available this is where Freemasonry has been more than able to help out
The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity has donated £2,000 to the project thanks to the intervention of Ron Basnett, currently senior warden of Neptune Lodge. Ron’s friend, Major (Retd) Roy Bevan, is involved with the project and approached Ron with a view to obtaining financial assistance, after which Ron immediately approached the Neptune Lodge almoner Harold Ford, who forwarded an application to the WLFC and lo and behold, a cheque for £2,000 was duly issued.
Several members of Neptune Lodge, along with Les Moore, a member of the applications panel, visited the site for a progress report and to present the cheque to the Commandant of the Camp, Colonel Gordon Black.
If anyone reading this would like to make a donation, whether big or small, as an individual or as a lodge, then please contact Colonel Gordon Black at Altcar Training Camp, Hightown, Merseyside L38 7JE. Please make cheques payable to NW RFCA. (North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.)
Pictured from left to right, are: Tony Christy, Ron Bates, Harold Ford, (all members of Neptune Lodge), Colonel Gordon Black and Les Moore.