News about a wonderful grant from the Mark Benevolent Fund given to the Lighthouse Community Hub at Newsham in Blyth and the impact that it is already having on the local community.
On Thursday 4th September 2025, the Hub was delighted to welcome His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Dr. Caroline Pryer, who was accompanied by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Gillian Courtney, to officially open the Lighthouse Community Hub. She was joined by many people, businesses, organisations and groups that made the vision of a community hub a reality.
Our Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Ray Walton, along with W. Bro. Jeff Ormston, our Provincial Grand Charity Steward and V. W. Bro. David Auld, our Past Provincial Grand Almoner were in attendance representing the Mark Benevolent Fund who have made an extremely generous grant of £30,000 towards the refurbishment of the old caretakers house at Newsham Primary School into a community building.
Due to the efforts of the trustees and volunteers who have worked extremely hard to create a safe welcoming place, the Lighthouse Community Hub has already impacted on the lives of so many people in the local community. This has been through family learning, which has lead to employment for several volunteers, cookery classes, gardening sessions, an eco-unform scheme for schoolchildren, Citizens Advice ‘Frontline Referrals, social connections within the community and increased confidence and friendships for so many individuals who are now part of a thriving and supportive community. Also, three local councilors now hold their surgeries from the Hub.
The day marked the beginning of an exciting journey, and the trustees and volunteers are looking forward to the Hub continuing to grow and evolve, reaching even more families and offering even more opportunities for learning, support and community building.
Wendy Atkinson, a Senior Leader at Newsham Primary School and founder of the Lighthouse Community Hub Charity, attended our Grand Lodge charity celebration event in March along with many other charity beneficiaries. She gave a huge thank you to the Mark Benevolent Fund for its generous grant and said she was amazed to hear about the work of the other charities who benefitted from the Fund.
We express our grateful thanks to the Trustees of the Mark Benevolent Fund for this generous grant which will continue to help improve the lives of so many in the local community for years to come.
BREAKING NEWS
MBF Shines Bright at the Lighthouse Community Hub with a Generous Award of £30,000!
St Cuthbert’s Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners has passed the Travelling Sceptre to Triangle Lodge of Installed Commanders which meets on the 2nd Friday in February, the 1st Tuesday in April (Annual Royal Ark Mariner Assembly – in Ashington Masonic Hall 2026) and holds its Installation Meeting on 2nd Friday on September. All Royal Ark Mariners are welcome to attend the Lodge meetings.
Hexham Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1141 relinquished the unclaimed Travelling Gavel at our Annual Provincial Meeting on 27th September and it was presented to the Worshipful Master of Nepos Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1155, which meets at Newcastle East Masonic Building, Corbridge Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1HY on the third Tuesdays in March (Installation), May, September and November. It’s there to be claimed.
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