Axminster Freemasons turn up trumps with generous donations to local charities - 😊

Report by Duncan Williams @PulmansWeekly

The members of Lodge Virtue & Honor, founded in 1844, demonstrated their commitment to the local community by raising £1,250 for four charities based in Axminster. The recipients were presented with cheques at a celebration dinner hosted by the Lodge at The Masonic Hall on South Street.

Donna Squire, wife of Simon Squire, Worshipful Master of Lodge Virtue & Honor 2019-2023, presented the cheques to representatives from Nourish, Flamingo Pool, Axminster Carnival, and Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

Nourish, an organisation that teaches cooking skills to people in need and supports local food banks, was represented by Karen Taylor and Mary Darlow. Flamingo Pool, which aims to be carbon neutral within the next three years, was represented by Karen Armstrong. Axminster Carnival, a local tradition for over 100 years, was represented by Bryan Ball, John Jeffery, and Ron Jones. Ferne Animal Sanctuary, founded during the Second World War to care for pets whose owners were away, was represented by Emma Green.

Axminster Foodbank was also a recipient of a charitable donation of £250, but could not attend the occasion.

The Lodge Charity Steward, Worshipful Brother Philip Male, was responsible for the collection and distribution of the charitable donations.

The charity delegates were treated to a dinner, known as a Festive Board in Freemasonry, which included a toast to the King, a short speech by the current Worshipful Master, John Bellamy, and the presentation of the cheques. Each representative thanked the members for their donations and gave short presentations about their respective charities. The guests were then briefed about Freemasonry and given a guided tour of the Lodge by Lodge Secretary Andrew Moulding.

John Jeffery, on behalf of Axminster Carnival, expressed gratitude to the Lodge for its contribution to the forthcoming event in September.

The members and guests then concluded the evening with drinks in the bar.

Fundraising is a central part of the Masonic ethos, which also emphasises Friendship, Integrity, and Respect. Lodge Virtue & Honor will continue to make donations to other local causes later this year.

Many local historians will know, George Philip Rigney Pulman, our very own news group founder, was himself a powerful force for good within the Freemasons during the Victorian era. Pulman even composed significant Masonic hymns and involved himself keenly in several local betterment initiatives connected to the Minster church, and the wider community and environment. A man of whom Axminster should be most proud.

As editor, it is my sincere hope that the Brotherhood of Freemasons might consider a small fundraiser to help restore the standard and quality expected of George Pulman's gravestone in Axminster. It has, after many years, become in need of some urgent TLC and, dare I suggest, the skills of a gifted stone mason to restore it to its former glory.

To learn more about Freemasonry, visit their website or email axminsterfreemasons@aol.com

Tories and Lib Dems defend local press mimicry after editor’s ‘dirty tricks’ jibe

Report by David Sharman for HTFP

The Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats have defended their mimicry of local newspapers following a publisher’s fresh criticism of the practice.

Duncan Williams has hit out at what he called “dirty tricks” after discovering the Tories are running a pamphlet called the Tiverton and Honiton Telegraph, while the Liberal Democrats are also posting a title called the Devon News Courier through doors.

Duncan’s criticism has prompted the Tories to defend the tactic nationally, claiming readers will not “be under any illusions that it’s from a political party.”

Duncan owns historic South-East Devon title Pulman’s Weekly News, which he is currently running as an online news aggregation service.

He said: “The recent dirty tricks used by some political parties, who print and publish one-off, pseudo local newspapers, filled with biased coverage in favour of their own candidates, is unacceptable and deceptive.

“Be wary of these fake papers, if they are ever pushed through your letterbox, I suggest you bin them.

“They are particularly galling to those of us working in the genuine news industry, who know too well the struggles involved in keeping a real newspaper brand alive and kicking.”

In response, a spokesman for the Conservatives said: “Any literature from the party has to clearly state that it is from the party.

“I don’t think people who read them will be under any illusions that it’s from a political party.”

A Lib Dem spokesperson added: “All our campaigning literature in Devon makes clear they are from the Liberal Democrats on the front page.

“Having a strong local media plays a critical role in holding those in power to account and we will continue to work closely with local newspapers.”

HTFP reported last month how Hereford Times editor John Wilson had succeeded in getting local Tories on his patch to pledge to discontinue the practice after criticised the North Herefordshire Conservative Association for publishing a pamphlet under the name ‘Herefordshire Champion’.

John’s criticism prompted a U-turn by the Association, which had initially defended the practice on the grounds that CCHQ had offered local branches predetermined templates for pamphlets ahead of May’s elections.

https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2023/news/editor-hits-out-at-tory-and-lib-dem-dirty-tricks-amid-fresh-local-press-mimicry/