Down Masonic Widows. Fund
istered wllh Charit Commission for North8rn Ireland Number NIC 100079
Chairman's Re
ear endin
318t Janua
for the
2025
Brethren,
At our last Annual General Meeting we were delighted to have in
attendance our Patrons the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Most
Worshipful Brother Rodney Mccurley, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand
Master of Down, Right Worshipful Brother Brian Gardner and the Most
Excellent District Grand King of Down, Most Excellent Companion Roy
Humphries. I was also delighted to welcome over one hundred brethren
to our Annual General Meeting. Brethren, your presence, and
participation help make our Annual General Meeting a resounding
success and we deeply appreciate your continued interest and support.
Thank you all.
Sadly, since writing my report, one of our patrons The Most Worshipful
the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Rodney Mccurley died on
the 18th February 2025 following a short illness. He was laid to rest on
the 26th February. The size of his funeral reflected the respect and high
esteem members of our order held him. We have lost an exceptional
mason and human being and on behalf of the Trustees and all present I
would like to convey our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences
to his wife Mary. daughter Nicola and son David and his family on their
sad loss.
In the year ending 31 January 2025, the Fund received donations of
£69,259 (2024
£69,562), from our 5 District Masonic Charity
Committees and collection at our AGM, plus additional tax relief on gift
aid donations of £18,320 (2024 £16,467), 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. 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.
In addition to these donations there were donations received from other
masonic bodies and individuals of £9,900 (2024 £10,245). These
donations including gift aid from our 5 District Masonic Charity
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Committees did not fully finance the annuities and grants paid to our
widows. This left a deficit of £37,622 compared to a deficit in 2024 of
£48.797.
However, the surplus income from the Fund's portfolios of propety and
investments met the deficit of donations received and created a surplus
of £158,390 compared to a surplus in 2024 of £148,685.
In view of this the fund continued to meet its objective by helping our
widows by paying the following annuitieslgrants..
110 Widows received annuities of £113,280 (2024
received £130,870).
35 Widows received bereavement grants of £17,500 (2024 - 26 widows
received £10,420).
117 widows
The administration of the Fund continues to operate at minimal cost as
well as providing an excellent and efficient response to bereavement
and annuity claims. This is due entirely to our diligent officers.
Pro
Portfolio
The Trustees continue to look for potential properties to add to the
portfolio. Unfortunately, the retail propety market has become extremely
difficult with properties in good areas becoming overvalued. During the
year, a property was offered to the Trustees and after conducting
extensive due diligence and suNeys we decided not to proceed with the
purchase of it.
Regarding the management of our existing properties, I would like again
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.
Invostment8
As well as investing in property we also invest in the stock market using
Quilter Cheviot's specialised Charity Investment Fund Account and the
Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charites which as we can
see from the accounts have performed very well. In view of this the
Trustees decided to invest a further £100,000 into Quilter Cheviot's
specialised Charity Investment Fund in January 2025.
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The Trustees, objective of building up these investment portfolios is,
should a suitable property be found, 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 strengthened, and l am
pleased to report the balance sheet shows a strong position of
£2,339,638 compared to £2,181.248 last year.
Examination of Accounts
The accounts of the fund are independently examined by R. Savage and
Company Limited, Certified 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 Consultant and their team for their
assistance with the examination of the accounts and for their on-going
advice.
Afternoon T8aslLunches for Widows
l am pleased to report that all District Charity Committees within the
Fund's area of operation held afternoon teas or lunches for their widows.
From feedback the widows have and continue to thoroughly enjoy these
afternoon teas. It is important that District Charity Committees source
good venues which can provide good quality food at a sensible cost.
Thank8
I would like to thank our three Patrons of the Fund, the late Most
Worshipful the Grand Master, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand
Master of Down and the Most Excellent District Grand King of Down for
their continued support and encouragement, for raising awareness and
emphasising the importance of our Fund to the brethren of the Province
and District of Down.
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 maintain and where possible increase your
financial support to the Fund. Your financial support is vital to ensure the
Fund Gan meet its financial obligations for the near future and beyond.
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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 help quickly
where assistance 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.
District Charity Committee representatives and officers.
Rèpresentatives to our Fund.
Lodge Almoners, Stewarts of Charities, Secretaries and
Treasurers.
All the brethren in this part of our Province.
Brethren, the Trustees and more importantly our widows deeply
appreciate your hard work and efforts.
Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, President Right
Worshipful Brother Des Smith, Right Worshipful Brother Sam Snodden,
Worshipful Brother Gerry Anketell, Right Worshipful Brother lan
Kirkpatrick who looks after the maintenance on our properties, and our
exceptionally hard working officers, treasurer Right Vvorshipful Brother
David Woodrow, secretary Right Worshipful Brother Noel Sufferin, and
assistant secretary Right Worshipful Brother Eric Williamson, for their
support, dedication, enthusiasm, and their hard work and efforts during
the year to ensure the Fund continues to meet its obligations and
objectives.
This year our President Right Worshipful Brother Des Smyth celebrates
40 years+ and our Secretary Right Worshipful Brother Noel Sufferin
celebrates 20 years+ of devoted and loyal service to the Fund. This is an
outstanding achievement by both these brethren who have contributed
so much to the SUGGess of the Fund. In reGognition of theii service an¢
contribution I would be most grateful if we could show our appreciation
to them with a well-earned round of applause.
W.G. lan Ri
hie PPAGM
Chairman and Trustee
24th February 2025
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