Four organisations in the Harrogate District have been honoured with New Year grants from the Freemasons totalling £7,300.
A total of 19 organisations, from North, West and South Yorkshire have received donations ranging from £500 and £5,000 via the Province of Yorkshire West Riding’s Provincial Grand Master’s (PGM) Fund.
Every year this fund – which has been supporting community organisations since 1987 – awards grants totalling £200,000. Nominees are selected by individual Masonic Lodges with grants presented four times a year.
Those in the Harrogate District to benefit from the latest round of grant giving are:
- Friends of Bishop Monkton School – a group raising funds for this C of E School, has been given £1,000 towards providing secure fencing around a planned nature area together with a ramp and gate
- Friends of Knaresborough Library, which is run by group of volunteers for the benefit of the whole community, have been given £800 to help better equip a special Autistic area in the library specially for youngsters
- The PPR Foundation in Ripley, which has a base at Leeds University doing research into brain tumours, has been award a grant of £3,000 towards buying a Semidry Blotter and a laptop computer
- Paperworks – which provides educational and vocational training for those with learning/physical disabilities, in Harrogate, has been given £2,500 towards buying a Talking mat and Macbook
David S Pratt, The Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding, said:
As ever it gives me much pride to award these grants to different organisations and charities across our Province.
They say that charity begins at home, and these recipients, who are all based within our region, have been nominated by either a local lodge or chapter.
Thanks to the generosity of individual members, we continue to be able to administer these grants on a quarterly basis, and these 19 different organisations are having an excellent start to 2019.
The Province of Yorkshire West Riding is based on the old West Riding, geographically ranging from Sheffield in the South to Ripon in the North and Goole in the East to Waddington in the West.
Minor Grants Recipients
| Beneficiary | Cause | Grant (£) | Lodge/Chapter |
| Cullingworth Village Hall Management Committee Ltd. | Grant to be used towards fitting out a kitchen in the new village hall. Grant to be used to buy an electric hob (£1451), Commercial dishwasher (£1367) and fridge/freezer (£449). New facilities to benefit whole community
|
3000 | Scientific |
| Performance Drama School a not-for-profit organisation providing lessons in drama, singing and dance for age groups 3 to 18 years. School operates from Community Halls in Menston, Addingham and Burley in Wharfedale one day a week in each venue.
|
Grant required to buy new sound amplification system and body microphones
|
750 | Baildon Chapter |
| Spen Valley District Scouts | To buy two new grass sledges to replace old sledges
|
500 | Friendship |
| Baildon C of E Primary School | To replace current condemned Trim Trail with new. School facilities used by local organisations in community
|
2500 | Lodge of Charity |
| Down Syndrome Training and Support – charity giving training and support to children and adults | Project is to convert lower ground floor into training centre. Grant to cover new carpeting
|
2500 | Shirley |
| The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment Memorial Appeal | Seeking contribution to the target of £225,000 for a permanent memorial to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment to be erected in Halifax
|
1000 | Rugby Football |
| Friends of the Peter Brook Centre Charity, set up by ex-teachers of Colne Valley High School to take over and repair a cottage in North Wales for use by pupils in Colne Valley Area. Used for educational purposes.
|
Grant towards fitting out kitchen | 500 | Colne Valley |
| Thorpe Edge Community Project – charity helping those on low incomes , disabled, elderly
|
To buy a potato oven (£1200) as part of project for young children | 1200 | Savile |
| Calderdale Smartmove – charity finding vulnerable and homeless private rented accommodation in Calderdale
|
To buy starter packs comprising a toaster, kettle, microwave, cutlery and food. Looking to buy 25 at £90 each
|
1000 | Beacon |
| Friends of Bishop Monkton School – a group raising funds for this C of E School
|
Grant towards providing secure fencing around a planned nature area together with a ramp and gate.
|
1000 | De Grey and Ripon |
| Friends of Knaresborough Library run by group of volunteers for benefit of whole community.
|
Wish to better equip a special Autistic area in the library specially for youngsters. Costed list of items provided
|
800 | Knaresborough Priory |
| The PPR Foundation based at Leeds University doing research into brain tumours
|
Grant towards buying a Semidry Blotter @ £2150 and a laptop computer @ £1099
|
3000 | Vale of Nidd |
| Paperworks – provides educational and vocational training for those with learning/physical disabilities
|
Grant towards buying a Talking mat £500 and Macbook £2350
|
2500 | Spa |
| Rotherham Hockey Club an amateur club run by volunteers. Moved to Sheffield in 2013 but now back in Rotherham. Actively promoting hockey in local schools.
|
Grant to buy 2 club packs at £300 each | 600 | Fitzwilliam |
| Mexborough Swinton Astronomical Society – Provide weekly meeting programme and operate JA Hoober Observatory. Also outreach visits to schools and community groups.
|
Grant to buy sky imaging camera | 1400 | Rotherwood |
| Managing Dyslexia – a not for profit community group with help of a specialist dyslexia tutor. They are taught English skills and how to deal with their disability.
|
To purchase writing pads, exercise books, pens, rulers.
|
500 | St Hubertus |
| Farsley Celtic Under 8’s JFC
|
Towards buying training kit for youngsters
|
500 | Thoresby |
| St George’s Crypt – Charity giving care and support for homeless, destitute and disadvantaged in Leeds
|
Towards buying an industrial washer/drier machine at £7000
|
5000 | St Wilfrid |
| Learning Partnerships – charity based in Leeds supporting children, young people and families in deprived areas
|
Grant to upgrade IT suite with a laptop
|
700 | Allerton |
