The South Fylde Group once again were able to invite their widows to an afternoon out. Organised by South Fylde Group Care Officer Graham Smith, who circulated the details of two afternoon tea events to all the lodge and chapter almoners, asking them to contact their widows, in order to invite them along to ‘afternoon tea at Booth’s Café.’
South Fylde Group have been arranging afternoon teas for its widows over the last four years and these events have become extremely popular with the ladies. This is reflected in the magnificent response of 44 widows attending over the two days. The events took place at the Booth’s stores in Poulton and St. Annes-on-Sea on two sunny afternoons in the summer.
During the afternoon tea, each widow receives a selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones with jam and cream and either tea or coffee. This is really appreciated by the ladies and is reflected in some of the very positive comments made during the afternoon, such as: “Oh I do hope you can do this again!” and “It’s so nice of the Masons to think of us!” As they leave for home and say their goodbyes, each widow is presented with a box of chocolates.
Graham Smith said: “It’s a real pleasure to organise the afternoon teas and to see the satisfaction it gives to each widow. It is also an opportunity to display to our local community what Freemasons do to help other people. We were particularly pleased to be joined at Poulton by Graham Dowling, Group Almoner of the Lancaster Group, who was on a fact-finding mission to see how South Fylde Group organises these successful events; so that they might arrange similar afternoon teas for their own widows.”
Both events were supported by South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry, strategic publicity officer John Topping, group charity steward David Jenkinson, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Robbie Porter and a number of lodge and chapter almoners. Graham Smith and John Robbie Porter were kindly supported during both afternoon teas by their wives Denise and Sue respectively who assisted with the organising of a register of attendance.
