West Lancashire Freemasons proudly supported The Not Forgotten at a special Garden Party held in the historic grounds of Meols Hall in Churchtown, Southport.
The hall has stood since the early reign of King John and has passed through twenty-seven generations to its present owner; before the Norman Conquest, the Manor of North Meols was held by five Thanes, thought to be descendants of Odda, the original Norse settler of the ‘mels’, or sandhills, of the Lancashire coast.
During the First World War the house served as a hospital for wounded Belgian soldiers, a fitting backdrop, then, for an afternoon dedicated to those who have served their country more recently.
The Not Forgotten was established in 1920 by the American soprano Marta Cunningham. It is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting wounded, injured and sick veterans and serving personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, Royal Air Force and Merchant Navy.
The charity combats loneliness and isolation among the Armed Forces community through a wide range of activities, from concerts, sporting outings and skiing trips to respite breaks and festive lunches, and today supports more than 10,000 beneficiaries each year, helping to restore confidence, dignity and a sense of belonging to those who have served.
This year’s event brought together veterans, serving personnel and their partners for an afternoon of companionship, music and laughter, and, as it turned out, one or two surprises along the way.
As guests began to arrive, the weather had other ideas; wind and rain swept across the grounds. But Martin Clements, West Lancashire’s Armed Forces Covenant Officer, was on hand to greet veterans and their partners with a smile warm enough to make up for the lack of sunshine. Indoors, the lounge soon filled with happy, smiling faces, and it was clear the weather wasn’t going to spoil the day. Staff at Meols Hall moved among the guests with trays of canapés and welcome drinks as old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships made
The guest list read like a who’s who of the region: Richard Walker, Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten; Peter Oliver, Lord Lieutenant OBE; High Sheriff Hazel Snell DL; Jennifer Corcoran, Mayor of Sefton; and Mark Matthews, Provincial Grand Master of the Province of West Lancashire. None stood on ceremony; the VIPs spent a good deal of the afternoon simply mixing with guests, laughing and chatting with veterans and their partners.
Among those conversations was one with Major Keith James and his daughter Lillia, who had travelled from North Wales. Keith, who has attended several Not Forgotten events over the years, spoke warmly of the support the charity offers veterans. He is also a Freemason himself, though duty has called him away too often of late, and he is currently unattached to a lodge. He said he was pleased to see Freemasonry taking such an active role in supporting veterans who have given so much.
Guests then moved through to the main hall, where Mark Matthews addressed the assembled company, speaking of the deep connection between military service and Masonic values.
“The values that define military service- integrity, courage, camaraderie, discipline, loyalty and caring for one another- are values that resonate deeply within Freemasonry. A key principle of Freemasonry is to care for one another and to care for our communities. That is why our partnership with The Not Forgotten Charity is so relevant and meaningful.”
Turning to the veterans in the room, he added:
“Today’s Garden Party is not only about an afternoon tea set in fantastic surroundings, it is about companionship, it is about creating memories, and it is about reminding every veteran here that their service is recognised, valued and appreciated.”
Mark closed by thanking the planners, organisers and volunteers who had made the day possible, before inviting guests to enjoy their afternoon. (Link to Mark’s full address)
Peter Oliver, the Lord Lieutenant, spoke next, thanking everyone for coming. Though he doesn’t come from a military background himself, he told guests he was proud to wear the Lord Lieutenant’s uniform on their behalf, and that he knew an afternoon built on friendship and camaraderie was going to be a great one.
Colonel (Retd) Richard Walker OBE, Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten, followed, also thanking everyone for attending, and with a surprise of his own to share. Veteran Tony Yarwood had generously donated one of his paintings to be auctioned in aid of the charity. Richard then handed over to compère and entertainer Annie Riley to get the afternoon properly under way.
The fun began with a rousing game of heads and tails, guests on their feet with hands on heads or the seat of their trousers, until only one was left standing. Martin Clements took the honours as the winner. Between the games and a traditional afternoon tea, Tony Yarwood’s painting went under the hammer for £310, and the raffle that followed raised a further £713 for the charity.
But the story of the afternoon belonged to Rosie Thompson MBE, head of events, marking twenty-four years of service to The Not Forgotten with her retirement. To mark the occasion, she had set herself the challenge of walking twenty-four miles a week for twenty-four weeks, aiming to raise £24,000 for the charity. She arrived at the Garden Party £4,000 short of that target, until a guest who asked to remain anonymous quietly made up the difference on the day. Rosie’s magnificent effort raised the full £24,000 for The Not Forgotten, and there can’t have been a dry eye in the house.
Freemasonry’s own connection to the Armed Forces community was on full display. Jimmy Williams, a veteran and Covenant Officer for the Mersey Valley Group of Lodges, said it had been a fantastic day, and that he was proud to stand as both a veteran and a Freemason, describing the support Freemasonry gives him and his fellow veterans as outstanding. Jimmy had come not only as a veteran but as a representative of Dominion Lodge, presenting the charity with a cheque for £1,000 raised by his lodge.
The event closed on the highest of notes, with guests forming a conga line around the room, led, fittingly, by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, and just as fittingly followed by his Assistant Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, David Boyes, to applause and laughter from everyone watching.
More than eighty veterans and guests came together at Meols Hall for an afternoon that, despite the weather, delivered warmth, friendship and generosity in equal measure. Congratulations are due to the hard-working, dedicated team at The Not Forgotten, ably supported throughout by West Lancashire Freemasons.
West Lancashire’s partnership with The Not Forgotten now stretches back three years, with the Province offering venues, volunteer stewards and support in identifying and inviting veterans to events such as this. Afternoons like the one at Meols Hall are a reminder that Freemasonry’s values, Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service, extend well beyond the lodge room and into the communities its members call home.
For anyone reading this who was moved by the afternoon and would like to find out more about Freemasonry, what it does locally, and how to get involved, West Lancashire Freemasons would be glad to hear from you.
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