Craig Johnson Principal Instructor, Bury Lake Young Mariners

Alan Russell PM & Charity Steward, Fortitude Lodge

MIDDLESEX FREEMASONS PRESENT BOAT TO YOUNG MARINERS

An £8,000 sailing dinghy was presented by Fortitude Lodge No. 6503 and the Freemasons of Middlesex to Bury Lake Young Mariners, a voluntary youth sailing charity that takes over 3,500 young people onto the water each year. The boat is an RS200 class racing dinghy that will enable talented young people to compete at national and international level.
Named “The Barque of Life”, a Masonic allusion to maintaining high personal values in the face of sometimes choppy conditions in life, the boat will enable a hopeful young crew to sail at the National Schools Sailing Association Regatta. This takes place at the end of July at Carsington, Derbyshire, and is one of the largest youth sailing events in Europe.
Members of Fortitude Lodge and other Freemasons in Middlesex raised the money for the boat as one of many projects to support local charities. Alan Russell, a Past Master of Fortitude Lodge said: “We are delighted to support such a worthwhile charity, run entirely by volunteers, that provides a unique facility of enormous benefit to young people.”
The boat was named and presented by the Pro Provinical Grand Master for Middlesex, David Cons, who said: “This is another example of the hard work and generosity of Freemasons in Middlesex, who do so much for the local community.”
Receiving the boat for Bury Lake Young Mariners, Principal Instructor Craig Johnson said: “Bury Lake Young Mariners aims to provide an affordable and accessible facility for young people to engage in a healthy and challenging activity. We cater for all ages and all abilities, including over 200 people with disabilities who sail regularly at our club. As well as being a sport and a skill, sailing provides an excellent medium for the personal development of young people.”
The presentation took place at a well attended open day at Harrow Masonic Centre in Northwick Circle, Kenton. This was an opportunity for members of the public to see the Masonic temples and to learn more about the substantial charitable achievements of Freemasons in Middlesex, and nationally.