East Lancashire
Mark Benevolent Fund
ELMBF Report 2009
East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund Ltd.
Financial Review and Results for the Year 2010 - 2011

I have pleasure to present the Forty Forth Annual Report of the East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund for the year ending 5th April 2011.

Covenanted and Gift Aided Donations along with Donations from the Lodges & Brethren totalled £22,004, a decrease of £8,820 on last year. Included in this figure were the proceeds of £1,216 from the Charity Night held under the Banner of Roberts Mark Lodge, organised by the Provincial Charity Steward of the year, W.Bro.Nigel Love. Also included is £700 received in memory of our P.Prov.G.M., RW.Bro.Fred Kemp and £750 donated by Phyllis Bell, a resident of Canons Close, who requested donations to ELMBF in lieu of presents on the occasion of her 100th Birthday.  The figure also includes £500 from the L.F.Hiles Golf  Day, which is to be used at the discretion of the Provincial Grand Master.

Bank Interest from All Accounts and Dividends totalled £9,467 an increase £1,730 compared to last year.
The rental income from the Bolton and Blackburn properties was £87,190 compared to £78,423 last year.  Expenditure on Maintenance and Insurance was £53,582.

During the year Centenary year Grants totalling £204,649 were made to the following recipients. The first seven of these were special Centenary awards and were presented by the Provincial Grand Master at the family Fun Day held at Middleton Masonic Hall on Sunday 29th August 2010:-

£
Marie Curie Cancer Care 50,000
Bolton Mountain Rescue 40,000
Oldham Mountain Rescue 40,000
Rossendale & Pendle M.R. 40,000
North Wales Mark 2011 Festival 10,000
East Lancs County Scouts Jamboree Fund 5,825
Lewis Anthony Trust* 4,172
2015 Craft Festival 5,000
Provincial Almoners Fund 5,000
Canons Close Careline Assistance 1,052
East Manchester Community Boat Project 1,000
Salford Disability Forum 1.000
Priors Close Welfare Fund 550
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research + 500
Bury Samaritans 250
Juvenile Diabetic Research Association + 150
Multiple Sclerosis Society + 150

* To assist in the purchase of Equipment for the Emergency Maternity Dept. at Blackburn Royal Infirmary
+ Provincial Grand Masters Discretionary Fund (£500 L F Hiles Golf Day Donation & £300 Temperance RAM Donation)  

Expenditure for the year exceeded Income by £140,961

Spending intentions for the immediate future include support of the annual Mark Festival with a Grant of £6,000, which next year will be held in Middlesex and a further Grant of £5,000 to the 2015 Craft Festival. The East Manchester Community Boat Project will receive a further £1,000 grant following agreement to sponsor a seat on their canal boat and assist with their British Waterways licence fee.
Relief will continue to be given, through the Provincial Almoner, to deserving cases, as required.

John Crawford

Treasurer