On a Thursday evening in May at a regular meeting of the lodge there was a reason for celebration on more than one level.
Firstly V. W. Bro. Richard Ebury The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was in attendance to present W. Bro. David Froud with a certificate to represent his 50 Years of dedicated service to the Craft. Richard spoke in a generous fashion about David and his dedicated service to Courtland Lodge as well as the other degrees in which he is a member, David then replied and thanked Richard and the members of Courtland Lodge for the friendship he had always received since becoming a member.
Following on W. Bro. David Watson presented a cheque for £2,500 to Richard in memory of W. Bro. Graham Lees Colling who passed to the Grand Lodge above on 11th July 2023 this was part of a legacy left by Graham for the Provincial Benevolent Fund together with £1000 for Rowcroft Hospice and £500 for Children’s Hospice Southwest both of which were presented earlier in the year.
The Third presentation was a combined fundraising effort between Torbay Lodge and Courtland in aid of Little Lola Wearne, who is only 8 years old, she has over a long period had to attend the Moorfields eye hospital in London. Where she has undergone 3 major operations to save the eyesight in both her eyes due to a diagnosis of bilateral congenital Glaucoma. Amazingly Lola is now learning to play the piano & attends lessons with Marlene Hine a local Piano teacher who is also teaching Courtland Masonic Lodges very own Derek Burtenshaw. Derek heard Lola’s story & brough it to the attention of Mike Locke, Charity Steward for the lodge. The Brethren of Courtland Lodge agreed to support Lola & her family by paying for 10 lessons alongside securing a large Teddies for Loving care bear. From this donation appeal the brethren of Courtland Lodge doubled the number of lessons through private gifts also gathered from their members. On hearing Lola’s story at a meeting the Worshipful master of Torbay Lodge 1358 approached his members, who all agreed to support Lola & her family with a cheque for £150 in support of their next visit to Moorfields.
This was an evening that showed the true meaning of Freemasonry and a night to be remembered.