A brief history:
The East Lancashire Mark
Benevolent Fund is our own Provincial Mark Charity and is responsible for
the administration of the two groups of flats and bungalows in tranquil and
peaceful surroundings in East Lancashire. The one in Bolton is called
Canon's Close and the one in Blackburn is named Prior's Close.
For many years R.W. Brother
Canon Taylor had been conscious of the burden of upkeep of large old houses
on elderly Masons, their widows and dependants, and he cherished a dream of
providing rented accommodation for them at a reasonable cost. He discussed
it with Thomas Sharples Barlow and George Farnworth Nuttall, both of whom
became Provincial Grand Masters in East Lancashire.
Canon Taylor died in 1961
but the other two nurtured his dream and with the help of many other
brethren and the gift of land from R.W. Brother T.S. Barlow, eight flats
were built at Canon's Close in 1963/64 and work was started on a further
eight bungalows.
The fund today: The East Lancashire Mark
Benevolent Fund Limited was incorporated in 1966 and shortly afterwards
Mrs Whittaker, widow of the late W.Bro. Henry Whittaker who had been a
close friend of R.W. Bro. Barlow conveyed land and property in Preston
New Road Blackburn to the Fund. The property was demolished and sixteen
flats were built in the grounds and so Prior's Close was born.In 1984 the property
adjoining Canon's Close came on the market and was purchased by the
Fund. The property was demolished and a block of eight apartments,
appropriately named Barlow House, was erected and was opened by the
Grand Master, His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent in December
1987. Over the years Lodges have been most generous and members have
given and covenanted gifts. The London based Mark Fund of Benevolence
has also made grants so that the Fund has increased the number of units
of accommodation which are available to elderly Mark Master Masons,
their widows and dependants.
The accommodation: Canon's Close is
situated in the Smithills district of Bolton about 2 miles from the town
centre. The accommodation is comprised of nine bungalows, eight flats
and eight apartments with pleasant well maintained gardens, a service
road and car parking facilities. Each unit is self-contained, has gas
central heating and is double-glazed. A Careline Emergency Service run
by Bolton Corporation to assist tenants to maintain their independence
is available. Priors Close is situated in the Preston New Road area of
Blackburn about 1 1/2miles from the town centre. The accommodation is
comprised of six two bedroom flats, ten single bedroom flats and two
cottages situated in pleasant well-maintained gardens. Each unit is
self-contained, has gas central heating and is double-glazed.
A Careline Emergency
Service is also available to tenants at Priors Close.
The ELMBF is
administered by a Committee of Management of whom the Provincial Grand
Master, the Deputy, Assistants, and the Provincial Grand Secretary are
ex officio. The elected members retire every three years and are
eligible for re-election. The Committee of Management formulate policy
and direct the affairs of the Fund. The day-to-day management of Canon's
Close and Prior's Close is carried out on behalf of the Committee of
Management by local House Committees. It is due to the conscientious and
enthusiastic way in which their duties are performed, strongly supported
by local Lodges that the quality of life at both Canon's Close and
Prior's Close distinguishes them from other schemes. This then is the
ELMBF which came into being almost thirty years ago, and is fully
supported by the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner brethren of East Lancashire. What can you do to further its good work?
If you know any elderly
Mark Master Masons - or their widows or dependants - you can suggest that
they may wish to consider taking up residence in either the Bolton or
Blackburn group of homes. If they would like to know more, they should
contact the local committee who will try to place them, or at least make a
note of their name so that they can be offered accommodation as and when it
becomes available.
Additionally you can
support your Lodge when it proposes to make a donation to the Fund, and of
course, in your own right you can make a gift (covenanted if possible)
towards the costs of administration. A covenant form can be obtained from
the Mark Provincial Secretary or from the Treasurer whose name and address
is shown in the Provincial Year Book. Or click here to
download form.
The Committee of Management
of the Fund hope that this leaflet will fully inform you of the work done on
your behalf by the ELMBF and that it will stimulate your interest in what is,
after all, our own Charity. The local House Committee secretaries' names and
addresses are shown in the Provincial Year Book or can be obtained from the Mark Provincial Grand Secretary at Freemasons' Hall, 36 Bridge
Street, Manchester M3 3BT.
