A newly established Sea Scout group in Tynemouth is ready to set sail, thanks to a generous £4,330 grant from the Freemasons Northumberland Charity. The funding has allowed the group to acquire vital equipment, including Cambridge Kayaks Adventure 350 Touring Kayaks and Riber Deluxe sit-in kayaks – complete with paddles and spraydecks – opening up exciting water-based adventures for local young people.
The initiative is led by Bro. Stephen Frost, a dedicated member of St Alban Lodge No. 5322 and a passionate advocate for youth development. In addition to founding the Sea Scout group, Stephen also designed the Northumberland Light Blues logo.
To celebrate the grant and showcase the new kit, members of the Tynemouth Sea Scouts, along with parents and leaders, were warmly welcomed at a recent meeting of St Alban Lodge in Shiremoor.
W Bro. Ian Campbell, PProvJGW, spoke to the young Scouts about the shared principles of Freemasonry and Scouting, highlighting the values of service, teamwork, and community. W Bro. Paul Winship, PAGStB, PGCS, gave an insightful presentation on the work of the Northumberland Masonic Charities and their ongoing support for local causes.
Speaking at the event, Bro. Stephen Frost said:
“Until now, Tynemouth Sea Scouts haven’t been able to offer the kind of water-based activities you might expect from a group with ‘Sea’ in its name. Thanks to a generous donation from the Freemasons, we’ve now been able to order 10 kayaks – opening up a whole new world of adventurous opportunities for our young people.”
“We also plan to make these available to other Scout groups in our district, helping to encourage collaboration and increase the number of exciting, water-based activities for young people across the area.”
The kayaks were proudly displayed in the Lodge room – two arranged in the shape of a Square and Compasses, each bearing the Freemasons Northumberland logo. The remaining funds will provide eight additional Riber Deluxe kayaks, while the raffle held on the night raised a further £115 toward purchasing buoyancy aids.
This partnership between Freemasonry and Scouting is a shining example of how community-focused support can create lasting impact and new opportunities for the next generation.