Northumberland Freemasons have donated £8,000 to help restore the sound of church bells to an Alnwick church.
St. Michael’s Church, Alnwick is a Grade One listed building described as an ‘architectural gem’ and apart from being a living centre of worship, it is in constant use for those marking important milestones in their lives. Sadly, the ancient Parish Church does not currently have a ring of bells and the Vicar; the Reverend Canon Paul Scott is leading a campaign to get 10 bells ringing across the town again.
One of the 10 bells will bear the inscription ‘Ring out for Alnwick’ and local organisations and individual townspeople have been invited to make a contribution towards the cost of the bells. With a lodge building in Alnwick, Northumberland Freemasons decided to help.
“We are delighted that Northumberland Freemasons have donated £8000 which will pay for one of the bells,” said Rev Canon Scott.” We are so looking forward to hearing the bells ring out across the town.”
The £8000 is the latest in a series of donations given in 2020 totalling more than £160,000 as Dr Greg Smith representing Northumberland Freemasons explained.
“The Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland through the Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund donates around £80,000 twice each year to local charities and good causes to boost worthwhile and deserving projects throughout Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.
“`The St Michael’s Church Tower project is a fantastic community project that will bring living history into Alnwick. Our donation will be an investment in the town’s heritage for centuries to come,” he said.
Freemasons buildings in the Province of Northumberland can be found in:
Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington, Bellingham, Berwick, Blyth, Byker, Cramlington, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Mickley, Morpeth, Newbiggin, Jesmond, Newcastle, North Shields, Seahouses, Seaton Delaval, Shiremoor, Throckley, Wallsend, Whitley Bay and Wylam.