Freemasons grant for church

FREEMASONS have made a special grant to a Stockton Heath Church to help pay for urgently needed electrical work.
In addition to more than £1,250,000 being needed for restoration work at St Thomas’s Church,, it was also found electrical work needed to be carried out urgently.
The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity heard about the situation and although the church is not situated within the Province decided to make a £1,200 grant. The cheque was presented by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd to the vicar, the Rev Michael Ridley.
Dennis said: “Although St Thomas’s Church technically comes under the area covered by the Province of Cheshire the Warrington Group of Lodges has held its Christmas Carol Service at the Church for many years so when we heard that there was an urgent need to carry out electrical repairs it was decided to help with a grant of £1,200.”
The Rev Ridley said: “The Friends of St Thomas are working hard to raise money towards the £1,250,000 needed for essential restoration to the church, including a dry rot problem with the roof. Then came the news that we also needed urgent work on the electrical system. We are delighted with this help from Freemasons who have assisted the church before.”
More details about work needing to be done at the church can be found at www.stthomasandstmarymagdalene.org.uk.
Pictured is Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd presenting the cheque from the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity to the Rev Michael Ridley.