Forces charity The Not Forgotten ends nationwide tour with Lincolnshire Freemasons

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Forces veterans, Lincolnshire Freemasons, friends, and families gathered at Grimsthorpe Castle near Bourne for the finale of a nationwide tour of The Not Forgotten Charity to highlight the sacrifices made by UK servicemen and women.

The Lincolnshire date was the fifth in a week-long schedule supported by Freemasons’ Provinces, and was blessed with the week’s best weather, as seen in the pictures with this post. Thanks to Wayne Lagden, Ryan Dolby, Chris Jones, Stuart Pearcey, Bob Chalklin, and Dave Wheeler for supplying the pictures.

Leader of Lincolnshire’s Freemasons Dave Wheeler said: “Well, what a week! Following the fantastic festival result/finale on Saturday, this Grimsthorpe Castle event was a resounding success, with stunning weather, a great venue and top class entertainment. What a brilliant, happy atmosphere!”

He thanked members Bob Chalklin and Chris Jones for their work in leading the team who’d put on what he called a wonderful afternoon. “The stewarding was first class and you and your team could not have been more caring to the veterans and guests who attended. From the second we arrived the arrangements were spot on and it continued all afternoon. The drinks flowed continuously, the food was served with good humour and everyone who was there cannot have helped but enjoy themselves. The raffle, I understand, raised almost £850 for the charity; more than twice as much as any of the other events.”

The day was born after Lincolnshire’s Freemasons were contacted by colleagues in Suffolk to ask if Lincolnshire would host and support a garden party for the Not Forgotten Charity. The answer was a resounding ‘YES’ and a chain of events was set in motion. Jez Hyland took the lead for Lincolnshire and quickly established a small team to help plan the event in conjunction with the charity. In May, Dave and Jez, accompanied by their wives, were guests at a garden party at Buckingham Palace, right, hosted by the charity and attended by The Duchess of Gloucester. Said Dave: “This was a resounding success and gave a flavour of what was planned for Grimsthorpe Castle.”

The Not Forgotten Charity transforms the lives of veterans and serving military personnel struggling with injury, illness or isolation by bringing people together, lifting spirits, and restoring dignity and confidence. They run a varied year-round programme of social events, day outings, respite and challenge breaks all around the UK and aboard, and prestige royal events at Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace. These events improve physical and mental health, reduce isolation and loneliness, build self-esteem, re-establish the camaraderie, and peer support for those who desperately miss that sense of belonging. Enabling beneficiaries and their families to live a happier, more sociable and more confident life.

Chris Jones holding Mayor Andrea Jenkyns’ handbag (Well, he said it was hers…)

Give him a big hand!

Lorraine Pearcey won the heads and tails game

Masonic dignitaries including Dave Wheeler, with Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkyns and Trevor Mitchell.

The newest Chelsea pensioner is Lincolnshire Freemason Trevor Mitchell, a member of St Clement Lodge in Skegness, who was wearing his scarlet tunic (always scarlet, never simply ‘red’) at an event for the first time.