Introduction

The United Grand Lodge of England has a system whereby each of the four national masonic charities (see Introduction) has an annual festival where they are supported, on a rotational basis, by one of the masonic provinces. Each province supports a festival once in every ten or twelve years.

It is for each province to decide when the work of fund raising will commence. Typically, this will be five or six years before the festival date. The festival culminates in a Festival Dinner at which the total amount raised is announced.

The next festival in the Province of East Kent will be in June 2014. It was launched on 26 September 2008 at a Launch Dinner at the Winter Gardens, Margate. The President of the Festival is the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Michael Robin Bailey, who announced that the target will be £3,000,000 in support of  The Grand Charity.

The success of the 2014 Festival is heavily dependent upon the commitment of each lodge and its Charity Steward. Each lodge has a target determined by its members. The use of Gift Aid is particularly encouraged.

During the Festival period it is expected that the Freemasons of East Kent will focus their charitable activities, with their customary enthusiasm and generosity, on raising funds in support of this very worthy cause.

Contributions to the Festival must now be made directly to the Grand Charity. Cash payments may be made by using an official envelope and also downloading and completing an 'Envelope/Donor Verification Schedule'.

'Envelope Scheme Guidance Notes' and advice upon 'Dealing with the Gift Aid Envelope Scheme' are available.

Single cheques can be sent to the Grand Charity and one or more payments made by direct debit, by downloading and completing 'Instructions to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit'.

For members and their Lodges and Chapters there is an Honours/Awards system. See Honorifics. A list of awards to date is available at Awards.

For the general assistance of members see FAQs
 

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