Meeting Dates of
Mercury Lodge No.4581

I am sure you do not need to be reminded that although Freemasonry is not an association primarily set up to aid charity, it is by far one of the most satisfying things that we do in our lodges.  I am sure that you are also well aware that apart from the government and money making schemes set up to benefit charities such as the Lotto, Freemasonry is one of the largest independent benefactors to charity within the United Kingdom.

At Mercury Lodge No.4581, we are proud, in our small way, to be able to support both Masonic and Non-Masonic charities. With a lodge of around 20 active members we are extremely proud of our fund raising activities that our members, regular guests and attendees at our numerous social events have achieved.

Proceeds from our After Proceedings, coupled with those raised at our various social events throughout the year which included events such as a Race Night, Skittles and Quiz Night, Summer Dance and of course our Ladies Festival have been combined with personal donations to generate a Master’s Charitable Chest for 2003/04 of over £3,600. Monies raised benefited both Masonic and Non-Masonic charities.

St. Michael’s Hospice, which serves the North Hampshire area and provides Nursing Care for Inpatients, Community Nursing Services, Family Support Services, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy all of which contribute towards the day-to-day running costs in excess of £1.4 Million a year.

The inset photograph show Mrs Lynn Dack (right), wife of the Past Master of Mercury Lodge handing over a cheque to the value of £1,646:70 to Zoe Mawle of the St. Michael’s Hospice at Basingstoke.

Mercury Lodge is also proud of its support for Masonic Charities. The opposite photograph taken at Mercury’s April 2004 Meeting shows W.Bro. Peter Vosser receiving the Gold Award Certificate for Mercury Lodge’s contribution to the 2005 Festival from W.Bro. George Lloyd the then Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Mercury Lodge went on to achieve Festival Lodge status, which meant it had achieved twice its target for the 2005 Festival.

More recently Mercury Lodge obtained a grant from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Grand Charity, know as the Tom Langton Fund, to support a local Scout Group, by supplying much needed replacement furniture and support towards the refrbishment of the Scout Hut. The photograph opposite shows W.Bro. Andy Duff, Secretary Mercury Lodge presenting a cheque for £500 to Mrs Joan Porter, Treasurer of the 4th Aldershot WEBS Scout Group.