Provincial Grand Lodge for Shropshire
GRAND
PROMISE
AUCTION
SUPPORTING THE
2019
Festival in aid of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity
At
The Wynnstay Hotel
Oswestry
Friday, 1st July 2016 at 7pm
GRAND CHARITY
AUCTION
Supporting
The 2019 Shropshire Festival in aid of
The Freemasons’ Grand Charity
The Wynnstay Hotel
Friday, 1st July 2016
What’s this evening all about? In the first instance it’s about having fun; about enjoying the company of our friends and families and celebrating what it is to be happy human beings. But to be truly content in this life we as Masons believe we have a requirement to help those less fortunate than ourselves. This is an obligation hard-wired into us from our very first meeting and illustrated by the fact that our organisation grants over £20 million every year to Masonic and non-Masonic charities.
The four central Masonic Charities have recently been rolled up into one administrative organisation under the name of The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF). This charitable foundation will be responsible for looking after Masons and their families who have been left in financial distress or who are in need of emergency medical treatment which they are unable to pay for. It also supports 14 Masonic Care Homes around the country.
In addition to these inward looking charities, the MCF makes annual grants to every Hospice in England and Wales; to every Air Ambulance; to medical research charities, to charities focussed on every human need, social and therapeutic and to disaster relief across the world.
Keeping the engines of such a large charity running year in, year out takes a lot of fuel and Masons are proud to provide that fuel in the form of pounds from their pockets. The Festival System helps us to focus on the importance of our charitable mission and helps to make enjoyable the work of helping others. Shropshire Masons are aiming to raise one million pounds by October 2019 - a big ask from only 1,250 Brethren and their families. But Shropshire Masons have big hearts.
So enjoy the evening; don’t hold back on buying the items you fancy. You can’t spend your money foolishly here – every penny will go to a good cause. Every item in both the main auction and the silent auction has been donated. There are no reserves. Look through the list and decide what takes your eye. Then enjoy the fun of seeing if you can win it.
Good luck and have a great evening.
Roger Pemberton
Chairman of the Festival Appeal 2019 Committee
President of the Shropshire Masonic Charitable Association
Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Shropshire
HOW THE
AUCTION WORKS
There are two auctions this evening. The main auction will begin at 8.30 pm and will be conducted by Mr Mike Tomley FRICS. The silent auction will run throughout the evening but all bids for Silent Auction items must be in by 10.00pm.
Your best bet is to imagine how much you might pay for an item if you were buying it in a shop or on line and then to try and get yourself a bargain. Some items might be very difficult to put a value on but if you want it or you think it would make a great present for a friend or a relative – go on give it a try.
If you are shy about bidding you can make a commission bid on bidding forms provided on your table. These will be collected before the auction begins and the scrutineers will keep the auctioneer informed of the maximum bid on commission before he starts to receive bids from the floor.
Otherwise make your bid in the usual way. If you are successful, a scrutineer will come to your table and take your contact details and give you the full contact details of the person who has donated the lot. It will be up to you to contact the donor to arrange collection of the item or to arrange a date on which you can enjoy the promise you have bought. If you can pay our scrutineers on the evening of the auction that would be much appreciated. If not we will arrange soonest payment with you.
Silent Auction. The items described as being in the Silent Auction will not be sold by the Auctioneer but will be sold to the highest bid handed in to the scrutineers. The bid must be made on the designated bidding slips which will be on every table. Please don’t forget to put your name, address, telephone number and e mail address on the bidding form because we will need to contact you if you have been successful. It is hoped that by closing the Silent Auction at 10.00pm we will be able to announce the successful bidders by 10.30 enabling them to take their winnings away with them.
We will be publishing the total amounts in the local press, on the Shropshire Masonic and Festival Web Sites and on the Shropshire Blue Blog.
There are many people to thank for this evening’s fun and games: The Wynnstay Hotel for their very generous hospitality and for donating the table decorations; to Mike Tomley for being our auctioneer and for paying for the printing of these catalogues and of course to everyone who has contributed to the evening by helping with the organisation, by donating gifts and promises or simply by being here.
Have a good evening
The Festival Committee.
LOTS…
LOT 1 4 Man, 100 Bird Pheasant Flush.
Calling all keen sportsmen, this is the opportunity for an exciting clay day at the Haimwood Shooting School, Llandrinio. Donated by Mr and Mrs Mark Nixon. Credit to Fitz Alan Lodge, No 1432 (4 persons)
LOT 2 “Gently down the river…..”
Hop on, hop off sight-seeing cruise on the River Thames in Central London together with an opportunity to see where you’ve been from the top of the Shard, Britain’s tallest building at 309.6 metres above the river.
Donated by M. Griffiths. Credit to Salopian Lodge, No 262 (2 persons)
LOT 3 “Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines……”
A thirty minute flight from Sleap Airfield, near Wem courtesy of David
Knight. Time and date to be agreed but must be before December 31st 2016.
Credit to Pengwerne Lodge, No 3229. (3 persons)
LOT 4 You’re never too old to discover your latent talent!
Well-known Percussionist, Ian Warren, will give you a drumming lesson in your own home. He’ll bring the kit, you provide the noise. Something for a grandson or granddaughter perhaps? Credit to Teme Lodge, No 4267. (1 person)
LOT 5 Go Greek…..
A week in Allan and Maggie Hollick’s beautiful Greek holiday home on the fabulous island of Trikeri on the Pagasitic Gulf and a second week at half their normal letting price. Definitely out of the way, this is an island on which cars are banned. It’s a paradise. See www.villaalkesamos.co.uk. Air fares not included. Credit to Pengwerne Lodge, No 3229. (Four adults or two adults)
LOT 6 John Silver is an award winning artist…..
famous for his portraits of people and animals. He has kindly agreed to paint a picture, oil on canvas, of your faithful friend from a photograph that he will take or you can provide. See web site: www.etsy.com>shop>JohnSilver
Credit to Vale of Uscon Lodge, No 8935. (1 subject)
LOT 7 Steamin’ along….
A trip back in time; a day out on the Severn Valley Railway including lunch. Bridgnorth to Bewdley. Credit to Teme Lodge, No 4267. (2 persons)
LOT 8 If steam trains are too fast for you, how about a day on a narrow boat?
The best way to see the Shropshire countryside say John and Kay Weaver who will be your hosts. All food and drink provided. Credit to Salopian Lodge of Charity, No 117. (2 persons)
LOT 9 Something a little bit faster?
How about cruising the Shropshire lanes in a bright red E Type Jaguar. Surely the most beautiful car ever made. 50 miles out and 50 miles back courtesy of Pat Caine, the owner/driver. Credit to Teme Lodge, No 4267. (Only room for 1 person I’m afraid).
LOT 10 If you bought LOT 2, then you might like to add this…..
Off Peak rail travel to London and a weekend in a luxury apartment only twenty minutes walk from Covent Garden. Book a show (not included) and have a great weekend. Donated by Roger and Monica Pemberton. Credit to Roden Lodge, No 6243. (2 persons)
LOT 11 100 Bird Pheasant Day on the Holloway Shoot.
A great day out in North Shropshire followed by an evening meal at The Stanton Arms. Your hosts will be Jim Tucker & Peter Robinson. (Some experience required!) Credit to Roden Lodge, No 6243. (1 person)
LOT 12 Shackleton’s Whisky.
Follow in the footsteps of legendary explorer and Freemason, Ernest Shackleton. This Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt is a meticulous re-creation of the original malt whisky shipped to Antarctica in 1907 and re-discovered, still in perfect condition many years later. Made from Malts from Glen Mhor and Dalmore distilleries combined with others from Speyside, this whisky has a strength of 47.3% alc/vol. The barley was malted in Orkney peat and the whisky matured in American white oak sherry casks. It comes in a replica of the original wooden case with a certificate of authenticity. Credit to the SMCA. (Just one person, obviously!)
LOT 13 Golf at Cleobury.
A day of golf for two at Cleobury Golf Club in the beautiful South Shropshire Hills. Includes lunch at the Club House. Donated by the proprietors of the Cleobury Golf Club. Credit to Cleobury Lodge, No 6972. (2 persons)
LOT 14 Moggies at Malvern…
A tour of the Morgan Car factory and museum at Malvern. See how these beautiful hand made cars are put together by skilled craftsmen in the same place and using the same methods as their predecessors of 100 years ago.
Donated by Richard and Mary McPherson). Credit to Salopian Lodge, No 262. (2 persons)
LOT 15 Diamonds are a girl’s Best Friend…
Andrew Gordon of Forester Lodge and Proprietor of Allum’s Jewellers has made this ring especially for this evening. It is a diamond solitaire with a platinum band and a 0.29 carat diamond, round, brilliant cut. The ring is currently Size P but will be adjusted to suit the buyer. It has a high re-sale value as one would expect and can be viewed with the items for the Silent Auction. Credit to Forester Lodge, No 7221. (1 very special person)
LOT 16 Flying again…
A 40 minute flight over Shropshire and Mid Wales in a light aircraft from Sleap airfield, near Wem. Date and time to be decided by mutual agreement with the pilot, David Bramwell. Credit to Cae Glas Lodge, No 8572. (2 persons)
LOT 17 Concert Night….
Two tickets to a concert of your choice from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra programme 2016/2017. The programme is available tonight for you to make a choice of concert. Premium seats, centre circle and a glass of wine before the concert and in the interval. Credit to Roden Lodge, No 6243. (2 persons)
LOT 18 Going Fishing…FLY
A day fly fishing on a private trout lake in North Shropshire including full instruction if required. All equipment will be provided and bacon sandwiches prepared. Donated by Peter and Petrina Robinson. Credit to St Alkmund Lodge, No 2311. (2 persons)
LOT 19 Posh Porsche….
A Fast, but SAFE ride is promised in Mike Heywood’s bright yellow Porsche 968. 50 miles out and 50 miles back. Credit to The Longmynd Lodge No 4877. (Only room for one passenger unfortunately)
LOT 20 Steam Traction Bliss….
Ever fancied being Fred Dibnah for the day? Not steeplejacking but driving an 8 ton vintage steam traction engine. Play all day if you like; you can drive it and so can your children or grandchildren. What a brilliant present. Bring old clothes. Credit to St Alkmund Lodge No 2311. (One big kid and a couple of smaller ones)
LOT 21 Going Fishing…COARSE
A day coarse fishing for SIX rods on a private carp lake at Longville in the Dale in the beautiful Shropshire Hills. Donated by Mel and Jeanette McFarland. Credit to Caer Caradoc Lodge, No 6346. (Up to six persons)
LOT 22 Calling all musicians….
Do you know someone who would like the use of a recording studio for 8 hours? Ray Dickson is offering this opportunity for a budding musician or two to make their own demo disc. Credit to The Iron Bridge Lodge, No 9897. (Maximum 2 musicians)
LOT 23 Fine Wine…
A Jeroboam (that’s six bottles in one, to you and me) of Chateau Rothschild, Mouton Cadet, Bordeaux, Edition Vintage, 2012. Just right for that special party or wedding event. 4.5 litres. This will be on display with the items of the Silent Auction. Credit to The Iron Bridge Lodge No 9897. (One very happy person or a great party)
LOT 24 Haven’t made a Will?
Now is your chance. Clarke’s Solicitors have donated a will writing session to help you ensure the Chancellor doesn’t claim too much and that your dependants are properly catered for. Paul Harrison, partner in Clarke’s is making this donation. Could be a bargain. Credit to Vale of Uscon Lodge No 8935. (Single or Mirror Will for a Couple)
LOT 25 Fly from Cosford…
A chance for three people to fly from Cosford Airfield for a one hour flight. This could just be a joy ride or instruction whichever you choose. Date and time to be agreed with the pilot Mike Robinson. Credit to Albric Festival Lodge, No 9576 (Up to three persons)
LOT 26 How much is that worth?
Gemmologist Richard Taylor has offered to value up to 5 items of jewellery for Insurance purposes. Credit to Salopian Lodge, No 262. (Five Gold Rings?)
LOT 27 Drive with the hood down…
A ride out in a bright red 1960 MGA open sports car, lovingly restored by Nigel Pocock. 50 miles out and 50 back. Credit St Mary’s Lodge, No 8373. (Once again, it’s just for one)
LOT 28 Tiny Japanese Trees…