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No Trouble at Mill for PGM
Crabble Corn Mill at River near Dover was the fascinating venue for the
Provincial Grand Master's 2008 Charity Awards. The mill, powered by a
water wheel, was built in the early 1800's to produce flour for the
troops garrisoned in Dover. Having fallen into disrepair and nearing
demolition, it was restored with money raised by the local community,
and is now a well established tourist attraction in the area.
The annual Awards day is an important occasion in RWBro Michael Bailey's annual
calendar, and is when charities and good causes within the Province of
East Kent are directly supported with donations from the Provincial
Grand Master's Charity. This year in the presence of Mrs Diane Smallwood, the
Town Mayor of Dover, accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Jean Farrell, and
Councillor Mr Derek Leach, the Chairman of River Parish Council, the
Provincial Grand Master awarded ten successful petitioners who between
them received over thirteen thousand pounds. Details of the recipients
and the value of the grants which they received can be viewed at the end
of this article.
 The morning began with a coffee reception, when members of the Craft
Executive and the entire Chapter Executive with their wives and partners
welcomed the representatives from the recipient organisations, after
which the Provincial Grand Master formally welcomed everyone and gave a
general introduction about his Charity. He made two particular points:
Firstly that the primary purpose of the Charity is to support local
causes, and secondly that all money comes directly from the Freemasons
of East Kent and is not raised through public collections.
As the representatives of the recipient organisations were presented
with their cheques, each taking the opportunity to give a brief
description of their work and the specific use to which the money will
be put, it became very clear that these magnificent people, largely
unpaid volunteers, approach their charitable work with a real passion. A
heart-warming comment by one representative summed-up the message that
was delivered by nearly all the speakers, when he said "Our reward is to
see the absolute joy on the faces of those we help".
Also invited to the event was Ms Jill Playle, Director of Communications
for the Kent Air Ambulance Trust, to whom the Provincial Grand Master presented a
£4,000 cheque on behalf of Freemasons' Grand Charity.
In closing the formalities, the Provincial Grand Master reminded those
present of some additional donations made earlier in the year, such as
£750 to each of the Mayor's charities from Ramsgate, Broadstairs and
Margate, a £5,000 contribution to the Masonic Province of West Kent's
appeal in support of the new Demelza Charity's building in Eltham, and
support of the Province of Middlesex appeal for a special sensory
garden. He expressed his great pleasure in hosting the event, and
thanked the representatives of the various groups for taking the time
and effort to attend the presentation ceremony. He congratulated the
recipients on their selfless hard work, and said that it was an
inspiration to us all.
Afterwards there was a working demonstration of the mill, and the
Provincial Grand Secretary, WBro Roger "Dusty" Odd, tried his hand at
being a miller. As you can see from the photograph, he seemed to get
more flour on himself than in the sack!
Finally, a buffet lunch provided by the Crabble Corn Mill, gave all
present an opportunity to talk informally to one another.
The event was a great success, and again demonstrated the important
support that Freemasons are able to give to our local communities.
Grant Awards 2008
1. The Gurkha Trust.
At the request of the Gurkha regiment based in Maidstone to support the PAHAR
Trust which helps families and communities in the remoter and poorer parts of
Nepal.
2. Canterbury Samaritans.
In continuation of their work in Canterbury.
3. Hands – Rochester Volunteer Bureau.
To support their transport services, a Lunch Club for elderly residents and a
visiting scheme for
housebound people in the Medway area.
4. St. Nicholas Early Years and Childcare Centre.
Towards the provision of two sets of Musical Sensory Instruments to help young
children attending the Centre in New Romney develop their knowledge of musical
instruments at an early age.
5. The Fifth Trust, Canterbury.
Towards the provision of training and employment at its day centres in Barham
and the Elham Valley vineyard for young adults who live in five independent
homes in the Canterbury area. A number of areas of support have been
identified including tools to assist poor co-ordination and a programme of
recreational classes.
6. Beach within Reach.
To purchase storage facilities and build a walkway to assist children and
adults with physical
and mental disabilities to have access to the beach and shallow water at
Ramsgate.
7. Rising Sun Domestic Violence Project.
To support the annual Christmas Party of the Project, which is based in
Canterbury, and is a
specialist service providing temporary accommodation, counselling and
community support for
women and children experiencing the effects of domestic abuse.
8. East Kent Strokes.
Towards the cost of fitting out a vehicle to transport this support group
for Stroke
survivors to meetings in East Kent. The Group, based in Ashford, provides a
forum for informal
gatherings at various venues each month, where survivors and carers can get
together in a
relaxed atmosphere and gain strength from each other.
9. Holidays for Eyeless Children.
To support a local blind and disabled child from Canterbury to have a holiday
in West Sussex.
10. Crabble Corn Mill.
Towards the cost of preservation of this 200 years old Mill on the outskirts
of Dover.
The Kent Air Ambulance.
A special presentation of a cheque for £4,000 was made on behalf of the
Freemasons’ Grand Charity.
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