Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons East Lancashire

The Provincial Almoner



What is an Almoner, what do they do?

"The dictionary describes an Almoner as someone who distributes alms or funds."

Our Provincial Grand Almoner is VWBro Keith W. Clayton who has held this office since June 2004.
His responsibilities include; making applications to The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Fund of Benevolence, on behalf of all applicants, whether they are Mark Master Masons, their dependants who may have fallen on difficult times or those who may be experiencing short term problems. He is also able to assist in general terms, to advise where necessary and also administer the disbursement of grants. He has a contingency fund for emergencies which can also be used to assist with obtaining consultations if the NHS cannot react quickly enough, this is funded by the ELMBF


An idea of the work he does

In the year to June 2010 he received a total of £164,000 from the Mark Fund of Benevolence for the benefit of our Mark Brethren their Widows and dependents.
With particular respect to widows or dependants each and every member would wish to be reassured that a responsible organisation such as ours is here to help in any way possible. Financial assistance is not just intended to enable our widows to exist, it is to put the icing on the cake, the cream on the dessert, to help enhance their remaining years with dignity and without financial worries.
Recently Keith compiled a list of Widows and Partners of deceased Mark Brethren of this Province.   
This has enabled him to write to over 250 ladies who in many instances are left alone, perhaps feeling vulnerable and insecure, and for all we know, unable or unwilling to turn to relatives or even close friends for comfort and support.   
The many written and verbal responses he received, have expressed their gratitude, and in most cases have said that whilst they do not require help, advice or financial support at the moment they feel reassured knowing that if they ever do, they know precisely where to turn with total confidence and of course confidentiality and some already have.

But the Provincial Almoner can only act on information received and we should all be aware of a change of circumstance in a member of the Lodge, and take the responsibility to help by informing the lodge almoner or directly to the Provincial Almoner.