Harte Lodge does it again !

The now famous Harte Lodge Christmas meeting and raffle just keeps getting better and better. Only 12 months ago the Lodge was pleased to announce they had raised £1100 in one night with over 70 prizes adoring the prize table.  This year Charity Steward John Thompson and Benevolent Rep Duncan Maw planned a bigger and better event, using the power of visiting and with the help of Face book and social media they promoted this year's raffle as the best yet, with a promise of 100 prizes.

The meeting this year coincided with a formal visit to Harte Lodge from APGM Stephen Walker, this was to be his first taste of a true Harte Charity night. The meeting was quick business meeting electing Officers for the ensuing year and the welcome of a Fraternal visit from St Oswald Master Andy Thomas with 15 Brethren in attendance fantastic support from the Darlington Lodge. Followed by the Stephen Walker and his DC with an escort of Provincial Officers. The lodge room was packed with 110 masons attendance. It was very reminiscent of a Provincial meeting in the way all the seats had been covered with gift aid envelopes.

WM Phil Chaffer presented the APGM with a cheque for £300 for the RMTGB.

The third rising ended with Charity Steward John Thompson explaining the night and gave a comprehensive list of about 15 projects that had benefitted from over £3,600 that had been donated by the Lodge in the last 12 month alone. John asked if the brethren would mind using the gift aid envelopes on this occasion as a trail instead of the standard collection. This proved a tremendous success with the collection taking £300 in the envelopes which was increased by a further £50 in gift aid, a fantastic donation to our forthcoming Festival. WBro Walker commented on what a magnificent night he had and a tremendous effort from all to raise such a fantastic sum. WBro Chaffer presented the APGM with a personalised wooden wine box complete with a nice bottle of Red from the Brethren of Harte Lodge; WBro Walker suitably thanked the Lodge for the kind and thoughtful gift.

But this was to be just the start, the generosity of the visitors knew no bounds as the night moved to the Festive board where a raffle of over 120 prizes, an auction of donated prizes along with the "key to the box" draw ensured the final total for the evening was £2003 raised for charities.