On Friday, 29th April 2016 Wheatsheaf Lodge No 9170 held a ‘White Table’ event to promote the links between Freemasonry and Scouting in Cheshire. Forty Freemasons, their partners, guests and visitors were honoured to have Graham Phillips DL, County Commissioner for Cheshire Scouts attend along with WBro Iain McIntyre Deputy District Commissioner Chester Scouts and W. Bro. Colin Ross ProvGChStwd. Whilst the Freemasons held a regular meeting their partners, guests and other non-masons received a talk from WBro. Colin Ross on Masonic Charities / Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity / Community Grants and particularly the support given to Scouting from the Grand Charity, Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity and Chester Masonic Lodges to the World Scout Jamboree 2015 held in Japan. Following the regular Lodge meeting non-masons were invited into the Lodge Room and received a brief from the Worshipful Master, WBro. Edward Appleton PJGD, on the Lodge Officers roles, the Lodge furniture and masonic regalia.
After a sumptuous Festive Board a presentation was given by WBro Iain McIntyre on the selection process for Scouts to attend the World Scout Jamboree 2015 in Japan and the considerable efforts those chosen had to put in place to fund raise the necessary monies required for them to attend (£3,500 each in less than 2 years). As a part of the fundraising activities the Scouts wrote to all of the Freemason Lodges in Chester asking for support and three Lodges provided donations. A video blog was shown where all of the selected Scouts gave an account of their efforts, their experiences of living for a short period of time with a Japanese family, the Jamboree itself and then their return to Cheshire via a short stay in Tokyo before flying home.
Graham Philips talked about Scouting providing an overview of the size of Scouting in Cheshire, the number of volunteers, the number of Scouts and the fact that numbers have increased continuously for the last 13 years in a row. Graham also gave an explanation on what each organisation has to offer each other which doesn’t just mean volunteering but could also mean providing specialist skills for short periods of time.
The evening culminated in some Campfire songs led by Susan Appleton.
A raffle was held during the evening and raised the grand sum of £160 which was duly presented to Graham Phillips DL to be spent as required on Scouting in Cheshire.
Graham Phillips DL, County Commissioner Cheshire Scouts with WBro Edward Appleton PJGD Worshipful Master
Left to Right:- WBro. Colin Ross ProvGChStwd, Graham Phillips DL County Commissioner for Cheshire Scouts, WBro Iain McIntyre Deputy District Commissioner Chester Scouts, W. Bro. Edward Appleton PJGD Worshipful Master, Mrs Susan Appleton, Mrs Robyn Pearson.