Community engagement is one of the key pillars in Freemasonry and it is a really important commitment by the Preston Group. A simple objective to reintegrate Preston Masons with their wider community. The process in Preston is led by group vice chairman David Parker, who is always on the lookout for opportunities to place Freemasons at the heart of Preston and its diverse communities.
Over the years, more and more activities have been identified to prove to the people of Preston that their Masons are a force for good. A simple starting point was working with every lodge and chapter to ensure that the charitable giving is publicised. This has the double benefit of showing our charitable core but also giving publicity to those small volunteer led charities.
The genesis of this was a policy adopted by David’s own lodge, Preston Guild No 4408, to make an annual donation to one of the Mayor of Preston’s charities. This brought Freemasonry to the attention of civic dignitaries at the council. As one mayor put it two or three years ago: “Your work is not going unnoticed.”
Through a commitment to support local foodbanks and local volunteer charities, the work is indeed being noticed. On one foodbank delivery, a local councillor called in with the MP for Preston and sang our praises to him. Allied to that David works closely with Preston Masonic Hall to provide no or low-cost facilities for those local volunteer charities. This has involved a wide and diverse range of charities. Many of these charities are supported by local councillors.
The group also have a policy of supporting local events which brings Freemasonry to the public eye such as the Lancashire Festival, The Preston City Mela and other local festivals. Earlier in the year, the Preston Group was shortlisted for one of the Proud Preston Awards. The Council Chief Executive commented at that event that it was refreshing to see that Masons were finally being recognised for their hard and selfless work in the Preston community.
The retiring Mayor of Preston, Councillor Sue Whittam was so impressed after learning of the wide and varied work that Preston Masons do, that she has awarded one of the Mayoral Plaques to the Preston Group. She commented on the support and donations Freemasons have made in Preston. Group officers were invited to the Mayor’s Parlour for tea and biscuits to receive the honour. This was presented in the magnificent Council Chamber at the Town Hall.