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.
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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.