Down Masonic Widows Fund
Chairman's Annual Report
th
26 February 2024

Down Masonic Widows, Fund
18tered with Chari
CommSsslon f
orthem lrnland Number NIC 100079
Chairnian's Re
ort
ear
ndin
31 Janua
for the
2024
Brelhren,
At our last Annual General Meeting we were delighted to have in attendance two of
our Patrons the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Down, Right Worshipful
Brolher Brian Gardner and the Most Excellent District Grand King of Down, Most
Excellent Companion Neil Coey. I was also delighted to welcome over one hundred
brethren to our Annual General Meeting. Brethren, your presence, and participation
helped make our Annual General Meeting a resounding success and we truly
appreciate your continued interest and support.
Brethren since our last Annual General Meeting..
1) The war in Ukraine is still ongoing with a terrible loss of life with sadly no end
in sight.
2) Another war in the middle east between Israel and Hamas which is having a
devastating humanitarian impact on that region.
3) The major economies of world are still struggling to recover from the
Pandemic, higher cost of fuel and the impact of the Ukrainian war. The UK
economy has also been struggling due to these factors along with labour
shortages, Brexit barriers and supply chain issues resulting in higher prices,
high inflation, high interest rates and taxes which has had a dramatic effect on
our standard of living but more so on the most vulnerable members of our
society
As a ￿SuIt, there have been on-going strikes of NHS staff, doctors, and
transport workers for higher wages and better working conditions.
Unfortunately, these strikes have and are causing impacts on hospital waiting
lists and travel chaos across the country.
However, there may be light at the 8nd of the tunnel with a reduction in the
cost of fuel and the rate of inflation which hopefully will aid the reduction of
interest rates.
4) The coronation of Charles 111 and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the
United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, took pla￿ on
Saturday, 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, In recent days we heard the
news that the King has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving
treatment. We wish him a speedy recovery.
5) Devolved government in Northern Ireland has been restored after 24-months.
How long it will continue and how effective it will be we will have to wait and
see! There is certainly plenty of work for our MLAS to do but in saying that
they are well ￿sted1!
Page lof5

In the year ending 31 January 2024, the Fund ￿ceiVed donations of £69,562
compared to (2023 - £50,600), an increase of 37.47Vo from our 5 District Masonic
Charity Committees and collection at our AGM, plus tax relief on gift aid donations of
£16,467 compared to {2023 - £11,159), an increase of 47.570/0. Gift Aid is a vital and
continuing source of revenue, and I would appeal to you all to use the gift aid
schemes including the small donations scheme operated by our 5 District Masonic
Charity Committees.
In addition to these donations there We￿ donations received from other masonic
bodies and individuals of £10.245 (2023 - £7,724), an increase of 32.64%. The
performance of our District Charity Committees has been outstanding, and I would
like to thank them for their wonderful efforts during difficult times and a continuing
reduction in our membership.
These donations including gift aid from our 5 District Masonic Charity Committees
did not fully finan￿ the annuities and grants paid to our widows. This left a deficit of
£48,797 compared to a deficit in 2023 of £58,907.
However, the surplus income from the Fund's portfolio of property investments met
the deficit of donations received and created a surplus of £148,685 compared to a
surplus in 2023 of £88,812.
In view of this the fund continued to meet its objective by providing assistance to our
widows by paying the following 8nnuitieslgrants'.
117 Widows received annuities of £130,870 (2023
£123,980>
26 Wdows received bereavement grants of £10,420 (2023 - 42 widows received
£16,800).
121 widows received
We are extremely well aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our own
lives. However, this cost￿f-11vtng crisis has had a more profound impact on our
widows, star)dard of living. The Trustees have been very conscious of this and
proposed an exceptional hardship payment of £150.00 which was approved at our
last Annual General Meeting. This was paid to 67 of our most needy widows on the
1st March and from feedback it was very well received by our widows. This evening,
we will be recommending to the Annual General Meeting increases in the annuity
payments for approval.
The administration of the Fund continues to operate at minimal cost as well as
providing an excellent and efficient response to bereavement and annuity daims.
This is due entirely to our hard-working officers.
IT Infrastructure
During the year we upgraded our IT infrastructure and purchased new equipment
which has improved not only the data security but also the efficiency of our
administration systems. We are also looking at the purchase of a data protection
safe for archive documents.
Page 2of5

Pro
P rtfollo
Pleased to report our propety Portfolio has stabilised and is Ferforming well. The
Trustees continue to look for potential properties to add to the portfolio.
Unfortunately, the property market has become difficult with properties in good areas
becoming overvalued. The performance of the retail and hospitality sectors 16 a160
concerning. Despite our best efforts we have been unable to find a suitable
investment property with a tenant operating a sustainable business to add to our
portfolio however we continue our search.
Regarding the management of our existing properties, I would like to thank our
Managing agents Fraser Kidd and our solicitors Carson McDowell, with whom we
have excellent working relationships, for their assistance regarding the Fund's
property portfolio.
We are also indebted to Right Worshipful Brother lan Kirkpatrick who looks after the
maintenance and development work on the properties. I would like to thank him for
his time and dedication, as well as his invaluable professional advi￿ and expertise.
Inv
tments
Over the last few years, I have continually emphasised the importance of cashflow
for our fund, l am pleased to report our cashflow position continues to improve. This
18 something we will strive to continue to improve further going forward.
As well as investing in property we also invest in the stock market using Quilter
Cheviot's specialised Charity Investment Fund Account which a8 we can see from
the accounts has performed well. In view of this the Trustees decided to invest a
further £100,000 into this fund. As part of our Investment strategy the Trustees also
decided to invest £100,000 in the Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for
Charites.
The objective of these investments is to build up a cash fund, that should a suitable
property be identified. we will be in the strong position to purchase it with no or
minimal financial assistance from our bankers.
The overall financial position of the fund has also improved, and l am pleased to
report the balance 6h8et of the fund shows a strong POBition of £2,181,248
compared to £2,032,563 last year.
Examina
n of Accoun
The accounts of the fund are independently examined by R. Savage and Company
Limited, Certrfied Public Accountants based in Saintfield with whom we have a long
standing and excellent working relationship. I would like to thank the Managing
Director Noel Gibson and Tracy Kearney Director and Senior Tax Consultsnt for their
assistance with the examination of the accounts and for their on-going advice. I
would also like to thank our Treasurer Right Worshipful Brother David Woodrow for
the superb job he does in looking after our accounts.
Pa8e3of5

Afternoon teas for Widows
Pleased to report that all District Charity Committees within the Fund's area of
operation held afternoon teas for their widows. From all reports it appears that the
widows were delighted and thoroughly enjoyed these afternoon teas. Going forward
it is important that the District Charity Committees keep an eye on the costs and the
quality of the food which sadly was lacking in some aftemoon teas last year. It is
important that District Charity Committees source good venues which can provide
good quality food at a sensible cost.
Tesco Mobile Comm
During the year, the fund was nominated by Worshipful Brother Nigel Mfilliamson an
employee of Tesco in a competition run by Tesco Mobile Community Fund. After the
submission of the application by our secretary, we received £1,000.00. Only 20
Charities from across the UK benefited from Ihis competition. I would like to thank
Worshipful Brother Nigel Ihfilliamson for nominating us and our secretary for
submitting our successful application.
I would like to thank our three Patrons of the Fund, the Most V*lorshipful the Grand
Master, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Down and the Most
EX￿lIent District Grand King of D¢M for their continued support and
encouragement, for raising awa￿neSS and emphasising the importance of our Fund
to the brethren of the Province and District of Down.
Thanks to the Down Charity Executive for inviting the Fund to make presentations at
Charity Seminars held in various masonic halls prior to Christmas. These seminars
were well attended and give our representatives an opportunity to promote our Fund
and to explain and answer questions on the operations of the Fund. I would
particularly like to thank our Right Worshipful Brothers Noel Sufferin, Eric Wlliamson
and David Woodrow for their excellent presentations.
l am very conscious and indeed humbled of the wonderful work that goes on in our
Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Preceptories, Prince Masons and District Masonic
Charity Committees in promoting and raising money for our Fund as well as the
important work of visiting our widows.
As we move forward with confidence and optimism, I would ask for your continued
support to maintsin and where possible increase your financial support to the Fund.
Your financial support is vital to ensure the Fund can meet its financial obligations for
the near future and beyond.
In addition to financial support, I would also ask for your continuing work in
identifying widows and ensuring that the information and details recorded on
application forms is accurate, so that we can provide assistance quickly where it is
needed. Sadly, I feel that in some instances Lodge Almoners could be more
proactive in these areas.
On behalf of the Trustees and Officers of the fund I would like to convey our sincere
thanks to the following for their wonderful generosity and hard work.
Page4ofS

District Masonic Charity Committee representatives and officers.
Representatives to our Fund.
> Lodge Almoners, Stewarts of Charities, Secretaries and Treasurers.
All the brethren in this part of our Province.
Your hard work and efforts are deeply appreciated not only by the Trustees of the
Fund but more importantly by our widows.
Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, President Right Worshipful Brother
Des Smith, Right Worshipful Sam Snodden, Right Worshipful Brother lan Kirkpatrick,
Worshipful Brother Gerry Anketell and our exceptionally hard working officers,
treasurer Right Worshipful Brother David Woodrow, secretary Right Worshipful
Brother Noel Sufferin, and assistant secretary Right Worshipful Brother Eric
Williamson and for their support, enthusiasm, dedication and for all their hard work
and efforts during the year to ensure the Fund continues to meet its obligations and
objectives.
Brethren you will be pleased to know that concludes my report. If I have achieved
anything this evening at least I have shortened the winter for you!
W,G, lan Ri
hie PPAGM
Chairman and Trustee
26th February 2024
Pa8e5of5