I am delighted to welcome so many of you here this evening to the 158th Mark Benevolent Fund Festival being hosted by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Their last festival was in 1990, when the sum raised was £357,143.
I know how much effort goes into the organisation and delivery of a successful Mark Benevolent Fund Festival such as this.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees I thank the Provincial Grand Master and Festival President, R.W.Bro. George Deacon, together with his Festival Committee for their fundraising efforts over several years. The funds you have raised will help the Mark Benevolent Fund to continue to support our Brethren and families in need during these financially challenging times, together with other worthy causes providing support in our communities.
Thank you.
R.W.Bro. Ian Nelson Clark, P.Prov.G.M. (Surrey) President of the Mark Benevolent Fund
The Journey so far ...
The Mark Benevolent Fund (M.B.F.) was founded in 1868 to provide immediate financial aid to eligible Mark Master Masons and their dependents who may be in distress. Significantly, it was to encourage all Brethren to practice the morals of donating freely and without hesitation. The founder of the Fund, Canon George Raymond Portal, Grand Master (1869–1872), considered this code of conduct would provide the Order with a clear and distinctive charitable motive – a noticeable purpose with which Mark Master Masons could readily identify. It was abhorrent to Canon Portal that there should be any delay in supplying aid to those in need, thus the Latin dictum, bis dat qui cito dat (‘He gives twice who gives promptly’ or ‘A gift given without hesitation is as good as two gifts’), became the guiding principle of the Mark Benevolent Fund.
ReveRend Canon GeoRGe R. PoRtal, MA 1866 photo supplied courtesy of the Portal Family
Throughout the last 158 years, Mark Brethren and their families have supported the work of the M.B.F. with ever increasing donations. Their continuing generosity is no more evident than through the M.B.F. Festivals hosted in turn by Mark Provinces in England and Wales. These Festivals, like the one we are celebrating today, mark the culmination of many years of fundraising and provide a valuable source of funding for the M.B.F., enabling it to continue supporting those in need as well as projects with a wider community benefit. From humble beginnings in 1868, the Fund has grown into a significant force for good, rooted in the traditions of Mark Masonry and still true to its motto.
Examples of grants in recent years: in 2018, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Mark Benevolent Fund, we renewed our partnership with St John Ambulance with a grant of £3.4 million for new vehicles; in 2022, the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust received a grant of £100,000 towards the purchase of a new surgical robot helping to transform complex surgeries and improve patient recovery times. Since 2024, as part of our current Major Grant Initiatives, £665,638 has been awarded to 30 Blood Bike groups in England and Wales and, to date, £827,727 awarded to 31 wheelchair rugby clubs under the umbrella of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby organisation.
So far in 2026, grants of over £340,000 have been made to 17 charities across England and Wales. Examples of these worthy causes grants are: £21,533 to Age UK Manchester in the Province of East Lancashire; £25,000 to Ashburton Swimming Pool in the Province of Devonshire; £9,702 to the Kathleen Davis Stage School in the Province of Durham; £3,591 to The Music Space Trust covering the Provinces of Somerset, Gloucestershire & Herefordshire & Bristol; £26,000 to the Castle Point Transport Museum Society in the Province of Essex; and £26,147 to Support Dogs in the Province of West Yorkshire. In addition, twelve of our individual petitioners have also benefitted from the fund with grants of overt £55,000.
In every aspect of its work, the M.B.F. exudes a spirit of enthusiasm and is a clear demonstration of the great personal commitment from the many thousands of Brethren and their families who have helped make the M.B.F. what it is today. In recent years, a key theme of our charitable activity has been to ask what have you done to make yourself feel proud? Your support for the Mark Benevolent Fund and this year’s Festival Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight, in particular, is reason enough to make you feel proud.
From the Festival President
It has been a great honour and privilege for Hampshire and Isle of Wight to lead the 158th Mark Benevolent Fund Festival. We are delighted to welcome you today to Old Thorns Hotel and Resort, nestled in this beautiful part of the Hampshire countryside.
I hope you have been able to enjoy the tours, spa, pool, golf and entertainment arranged for you this weekend. This is a time to celebrate the hard work and dedication you have given over many years, including throughout the challenges of the COVID lockdowns.
Over the years, we have enjoyed a wide variety of fundraising and social events, creating lasting memories and close friendships for all involved. These have included a sponsored cycle ride across Spain; lottery draws; camping weekends; Wardens launching their wife from the Spinnaker Tower or swimming for miles; cream teas; ceremony draws; garden parties and many other memorable occasions.
I would like to thank the members of the Festival Committee, together with their wives, for all their hard work, and all the Lodges and Brethren of the Province for donating so readily to our Festival.
I would also like to thank all the Mark Provinces and Districts throughout the Constitution for their outstanding contributions, together with the Craft, Royal Arch and all the other Companion Orders who have given so generously. My thanks also go to all the Brethren from across the country who have become Stewards of the 158th M.B.F. Festival.
At the time of writing, the grand total remains unknown to me, although I am confident that our gathering will be rewarded with a figure befitting a Mark Festival.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our ladies and partners, who have stood by us while we spent many hours at Lodge meetings, and who have joined in so wholeheartedly with the many fundraising events organised over the years.
Through the involvement of many Provinces and Companion Orders in our events, and through the generous donations made to us over the years, we have developed friendships far and wide. These friendships will help us all work together in support of Right Worshipful Brother Andrew Arbrister and his Province of Warwickshire next year, as they take up the baton and continue the fundraising for our Mark Benevolent Fund. We wish them every success!
R.W.Bro.
George John Deacon
Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Results as at 3 July 2026
Honorary Secretary – Mark Benevolent Fund
1,898,775
PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT
MARK PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT GRAND LODGES
* Provinces merged in November 2021 Mark Provincial and
District Grand Lodges (cont’d)
UNATTACHED MARK AND ROYAL ARK MARINER LODGES
OTHER MASONIC ORDERS
Royal Arch
Knights Templar
Ancient & Accepted Rite (Rose Croix)
Red
of Constantine
Royal and Select Masters
Masonic Degrees
Knight Templar Priests
IN MEMORIAM
FUNDRAISING AND OTHER DONATIONS
With grateful thanks to the following wives, partners and daughters who contributed to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Ladies total:
Mrs Haas Boonstra
Mrs Crompton
Mrs Noreen Cove
Mrs Mandy Dunn
Mrs Dianne Harvey
Mrs Ireland
Mrs Vivienne Kennett
Mrs Patricia Lloyd
Mrs Lucy MacGrain
Mrs Marilyn Markham
Mrs Mihutoiu
Mrs Jyoti Patel
Professor Dr Paula Perlea
Mrs Kay Prizeman
Mrs Linda Read
Mrs Vanessa Ryan
Mrs Penelope Wilkinson
MARK BENEVOLENT FUND AWARD
Hampshire & Isle of Wight
‘As President of the M.B.F., I would like to personally thank the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. George Deacon, for the outstanding contributions he and his Brethren have made in ensuring the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Hampshire & Isle of Wight has qualified for the Grand Patron Gold Award. This is a wonderful achievement.’
R.W.Bro. Ian N. Clark, P.Prov.G.M. (Surrey)
President of the M.B.F.
THE GRAND MASTER’S KEYSTONE FUND
Contributions received from Brethren which have been reported in the Festival Results Summary under the following headings:
Grants to Individual Bursaries since last year’s festival £37,855
THE GRAND MASTER’S KEYSTONE FUND AWARDS
Hampshire & Isle of Wight
‘The Grand Master’s Keystone Fund was launched in June 2023 to celebrate over 40 years service to the Order by our Most Worshipful Grand Master, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO. The fund’s purpose is to grant bursaries to individuals, offering them encouragement and financial support with their educational, vocational and sporting achievements.
‘I would like to send my heartfelt gratitude for the support the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight has given to this fund. I congratulate the Province on achieving both milestones, for which the Brethren of Hampshire and Isle of Wight should be extremely proud.’
R.W.Bro. Ian N. Clark, P.Prov.G.M. (Surrey), President of the M.B.F.
Stewardships—Hampshire & Isle of Wight Mark Lodges
Contributions were received from the following Brethren:
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Mark Lodges
Stephen Mark Abraham
Adam Abraham
Paul Adams
James Matthew Adamson
Peter John Alexander
John Derek Allen
Stephen Michael Allum
Keith Paterson Annand
Laurence Peter Marius Armitstead
Robert Charles Ashley
David Ashton
Charles Jonathan Aspinell
Sydney Herbert Aynsworth
Brett Scott Bader
David Charles Baggaley
Simon Ashley Bagshot
Simon Matthew Baigent
Vernon Kenneth Baker
Steve Michael Ball
Martin Harry Banfield
Alan Reginald Barker
Bryan Barnard
Damon Russell Barrow
Alan Roy Bartlett
Christopher Edward Bartlett
Antony Richard Hedley Barton
John Herbert Batting
Ronald Godfrey Baxter
Michael John Baxter
Philip Peter Beeney
Mark Robert Beeney
John Bell
Guy Vernon Bennett
Ronald Ernest Sydney Bentley
John Christopher Benton
Philip Alan Berman
Paul Stephen Berridge
David Alan Betteridge
Robert Thomas Bigland
Robert Blackman
Brian Blackman
Adrian John Bolton
Nigel George Boorn
David Booth
David Michael Farren Botell
Gordon Brakewell
Harmeet Singh Brar
Robin Breach
Paul Anthony Brennan
Christopher Anthony Clive Brier
Nicholas Peter Brier
Robert Paul Bright
Kevin Raymond Bristow
Colin James Brook
Laurence Thomas Brookes
Kevan Charles Brooks
Peter Brown
Robert James Brown
Paul Christopher Brown
Stephen Henry Brown
Kevan James Brown
Malcolm Peter Ramsay Brown
Jason Brown
Terence Sutherland Bruty
Peter Buchanan
Kenneth David Buckley
Raymond Frederick Bulman
David Anthony Bunn
John Burrell
Matthew John Burrell
Patrick Donald Burridge
Derek Roy Burridge
Kenneth William Butcher
George Butler
David John Butler
Ian Martin Campbell
Robert John Castle
John Andrew Cavanagh
John Robert Challis
Nicholas John Chappell
Mark Anthony Charles
Malcolm David Childs
John Roger Childs
Stuart Ian Clarke
Ian Ronald Clarke
Adrian Cleightonhills
John Brittain Clough
David Peter Clough
Ian Michael Cobb
Alan Bernard Cobbold
John Godfrey Cole
Malcolm James Collier
David Richard Colmer
Maurice Edwin Cooke
Keith Terrence Coomber
David Frederick Coombes
Mark Ian Cooper
Paul David Coppin
Matthew James Coumbe
Ronald Leslie Cousins
Richard Jeffery Cox
Brian William Cox
Christopher Paul Crossley-Turner
Richard Lawrence Cullen
Eric William Cundliffe
Richard Daish
David Andrew Dalton
Stephen Charles Davenport
Barry Gwilym Davies
Keith Albert Garvie Davis
Kevin Day
George John Deacon
Alan Vernon Dean
Stuart Deas
Stephen John Denness
Andrew David Dennis
Rodney Keith Dennison
Mark Ian Denton
Anthony John Denton
Colin Roger Des Moulins
William Gardiner Dick
Archibald Dickie
Geoffrey Dobson
Charles William Doe
Maurice Frank Doe
Liberty Doe
Robbie Andrew John Doe
John Donoghue
Michael John Matthew Doran
Timothy David Double
Brian Daniel Dougherty
John Thorrowgood Drake
Richard Anthony Dunleavy
Brian Peter Durrant
Maurice Stanley John Dymott
Gary Adrian Edmunds
Clive Barry Egerton
Gary Eldridge
Gary Leigh Ellis
Derek Caldwell Elphee
Michael Watkins Fahey
Gino Anthony Fanti
Barry James Farrington
Steven Fasey
Paul Thomas Fenwick
Ronald Fidler
Michael John Fisher
John Joseph Fleming
David William Kenneth Ford
David James Forward
Michael John Foster
Richard Maurice Francis
Christopher John Frith
Michael Leslie Fuller
Stephen Alfred Fullwood
Stewardships —Hampshire & Isle of Wight Mark Lodges
Gerald Wilfrid Furniss
Mark Eric Gannaway
James Mann Garner
Thomas Patrick Gaskin
Michael Geddes
David Geddes
Nicholas Henry William George
Vernon Charles Gibbs
Roger Anthony Gilbert
Edward Stephen Giles
Peter Charles Gilham
Frederick John Gillo
Michael Godfrey
Peter John Goodchild
John Charles Gough
Patrick Grayell
Mark Stephen Green
Anthony James Green
David Andrew Green
Donald Frank William Green
Gareth Griffith
Ronald John Griffiths
David Francis Neil Grist
Steven Groeger
Trevor Charles Gulliver
Bryan Ian Gurling
Ian Thomas Haines
David Stanley Hannan
Nicholas Matthew Ray
Hannigan
David James Harfield
Mervyn Peter Harkness
Nigel Angrave Harris
Gary Colin Harrison
John William Arthur Harvey
Derek James Hatt
Michael James Hawker
Graham Hawkes
Arthur Hawthorne
Anthony George Haynes
David John Heather
David Francis Henwood
David Ronald Hessom
Peter Richard Hewison
Barrie Conrad John Hewitt
Anthony David Hewitt
Peter Higgins
Douglas Allan Higginson
Richard William Higginson
Graham David Hill
Colin Charles Hill
Robin Paul Hill
Paul Ramsay Hill
Paul Hillyard
Phillip Jeffrey Hobson
Ian Courtney Hockney
Stephen John Holden
Paul Stephen Hollebone
Martin Andrew George Hollis
Barrie John Holmes
Peter Charles Holt
Alexander Honeyman
Roger Allen Hopgood
Frank Albert Hoskins
Kenneth George Howard
Martin John Howe
John Edward Hughes
Stephen Wayne Humby
Stephen Thomas Hurrell
Kevin Terence Hutchins
Nigel John Hutchins
Stephen John Hutchins
John Kenneth Hutton
Nicholas Isaac
Christopher Matthew Jackson
Roger Hugh Jago
Peter Kenneth James
Richard Michael James
Richard William Jenkins
Donald Victor Jennings
Robert Roy Jennings
Adrian Richard Jessop
David Ralph Johnson
Arthur Thomas Jones
John George Jones
Mark John Jones
Wayne Antony Jones
Sean Michael Jordan
James Alex Jury
Patrick Francis Kearon
Mario Dominic Kempton
Neil King
Dennis William Kinnersley
Colin Leslie Kitcher
James Joseph Kneller
Matthew Ian Knight
Michael Yosef Kopko
Alan John Krzysica
Karl Andrew Kurn
John William Lamb
Graham Ronald Lant
Anthony William Latter
Matthew Peter Lawes
Darren William Lawrence
Brian Michael Lawrence
Jodi Che Le Breton
Timothy Charles Leather
Mark James Legg
Michael Lewis
William Peter Lewis
Brian Lintern
Paul O’Neill Dickson Litster
Richard Duncan Little
Malcolm Reston Melbourne
Lloyd
Malcolm Timothy Long
Alistair John Longworth
Anthony Joseph David Lowdon
Ross Martin Lucas-Young
Brian Rex Lyde
Ronald Keith Mabey
Ian Peter MacGrain
Danny Craig Mackay
William Neville Mansfield
Edward Jack Manton
Timothy John Marshall
Stephen Paul Marsh-Collis
David Ernest Martin
John David Martin
Kenneth Henry Martin
Wayne McCarty
David Alexander McNee
John William Meaden
Richard Francis Micklefield
Lee John Middlebrook
Nicholas Henry James Milburn
Ronald James Miles
David Edward Miles
Clive Reginald Milford
Colin William Miller
Graham Andrew Mills
Ralph Francis Mitchell
Julian Mitchell
Michael John Moon
David John Morey
Adrian Charles Mori
William Andrew Morris
William Michael Gibson
Morris
Ovidiu-Andrei Movila
Michael Paul Mulvaney
Leslie John Munday
Edward David Murphy
Peter John Anthony Murray
Colin Charles Victor Mussell
Robin Louis Nash
Ali Nazaripour
Anthony William Neil
Richard John Newman
Anthony John Newnham
Brian John Newson
Stuart Patrick Niland
Stewardships —Hampshire & Isle of Wight Mark Lodges
William Edwin Nunn
Terence Raymond Nye
Terence Anthony O’Brien
Michael Olden
Colin David Oliphant
Martin Peter Oliver
Geoffrey Charles Oliver
Robert Adam Oliver
Keith John Ollerhead
John Glynn Ostacchini
David Palmer
Alan John Parker
Stephen Roy Parker-Phipps
Stephen John Parkes
Ivan Edward Parkin
James Miles Benjamin Parkin
Paul John Parry
Ernest James Parsonage
Kevin Parsons
Alwyn Robinson Parsons
Derek William Pearce
John Kenneth Pereira
David George Perkis
John Stewart Peterkin
Roy Pether
John Allan Petrie
Ian Thomas Pett
Leslie Georges Phillips
James Arthur Phillips
Paul Michael Philp
Robin Adrian Philp
Edward James Piggin
Harry Nicholas Plowright
Howard John Pollard
Murry Christopher Port
Trevor John Port
David John Poulton
Roger William Poynter
Douglas Raymond Preston
John Herbert Prizeman
Robert John Frederick Prowting
Michael Peter Puddicombe
Brian Pulley
Phillip Reginald Robert Purdy
David Alan Purnell
Alistair John Race
Neil Ratcliffe
Colin Victor Rattley
Derek Edward Reed
David John Rees
Anthony Leonard Restorick-Banks
Geoffrey William Reynolds
Gary Richards
Roger Francis Richardson
David George Richardson
Stanley Scott Rickeard
Brian Ridler
Steven Ridley
Denys John Riley
Derek John Roberts
David Alexander Robertson
Carl Patrick John Robins
John Alan Ross
Steven Michael Ross-Girard
David Russell
David Leslie Ryan
Stuart Robert Sale
Michael John Sanderman
Simon Sandham
John Riohard Saulet
Stephen Brian Michael Saunders
Colin Victor Scott
Marc Richard Scott
Martin Jeffrey Seville
Philip Gordon Seymour
Terence Patrick Seymour
Neil Stephen Sharkey
Ronald Maxwell Shipp
Neil Jeremy Simpson
Paul Bryon Skelton
Stephen Harry Slade
Malcolm Ernest Slater
Ian James Small
David Smith
Kevin Christopher Smith
Royston Smith
Victor Gordon Smith
Anton Ashley Smith
Michael Alan Smith
Scott Adrian Spafford
Brian Ernest Spanswick
Andrew John Spencer
James William Spencer
Robert John Spilsbury
Paul St John Jacobs
Nigel Brian Staff
Jonathan David Stainton-Ellis
Geoffrey David Standring
Jonathan Edward Staples
Malcolm Ernest William Stevens
Terence Roy Stevens
Peter Still
David George Stock
David Robert Stockdale
Colin Ernest William Swain
John William Switzer
Scott Arean Tallack
Mark Brian Taylor
Norman Edwin Brian Taylor
James William Taylor
Thomas Patrick John Terry
Philip Julian Thorne
Malcolm John Thornton
Barry Stuart Thornton
Neil Douglas Tiffin
Frederick David Tilling
Owen David Toms
Keith Leonard Toomey
Robert David Towns
Michael John Turner
Anthony Tykocki
Ian Stuart Mackay Urquhart
Ian Peter Vincent
Martin Vines
Peter Gordon Vosser
Jon Stuart Wallsgrove
Lez Ward
Benjamin Nigel Waring
Adrian Martin Warr
Phillip Brian Wedgbrow
Dennis James Weeks
Kevin David Wheeler
Sean Gerrard Whelan
Jonathan Charles Whitaker
Michael Ascroft Whittaker
Les Anthony Whittington
Charles Richard Whybrow
Trevor James Whyte
Colin Michael Wicks
John Wildish
Nigel Wilkinson
Barry Wilkinson
Gregory Jeffery Williams
Robert Huw Williams
Graham Williams
Leslie Edward Willmott
Brian Edward Wisbey
Stephen James Withey
Keith John Wood
David Robert Wood
Colin George Woodnutt
David William Workman
Terrence Colin Worrall
Christopher George Hider Wotton
Mark Mortimer Wright
Kenneth Charles Young
Robert Foster Young
Total £57,400
Stewardships
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Royal Ark Mariner Lodges
Daniel Jason O’Brien
Total
Christopher Norman Wallis
£250
Mark Unattached Lodges
Raymond Stanley Henry Hussey
Peter John Sanders
Skubincan Jan Antony John Smithson
Christoph-Philipp Pelanek
Total £575
Other Orders
KT Hertfordshire
Michael Andrew Stanforth
SC France
Dominique René Auguste Paquet
Total £225
Other Mark Provinces and Districts
Bahamas and Turks (Inspectorate)
Lamar Wilfred Pinder
Belgium
William Raymond Barr
Christophe Julien Albert Beruck
Francis Clarembaux
Didier Hannaert
Michael Patrick Kavanagh
Georgios Kritikos
Berkshire
Kevin Dodd
John Keith Palmer
Graham David Seeman
Brazil
Detlev Fenselau
Bristol
Stephen Rawlings
Buckinghamshire
Keith David Bristow
Peter Robert Cole
Channel Islands
Michael Bryan Le Conte
Derek Arthur Upton
Cheshire
Sebastian Jeremy Dunsandle Daly
Philip John Greenwood
John David Miller
Ian James Muirhead
Richard Anthony Slater
Derek Joseph Walsh
Cornwall
Jonathan Peter Bray
Kevin Andrew James Dower
Peter John Furness
Kevin John Hicks
Geoffrey Francis Warwick Isaac
Mark Sean Moyse
Ian Paul Phipps
Jeremy Mark Squibb
Cumberland & Westmorland
Martyn William Greene
Barry Kirkbride
Alan Mossop
Douglas Graham Sanderson
Derbyshire
Antony Allwright
Antony David George Harvey
Graeme Hutchinson
Stewardships—Other Mark Provinces and Districts
Devonshire
Nicholas John Clemens
Peter Hawken
David Charles Purdie
Cyprus
Raymond Hynes
Dorset
Trevor Melvern Barrett
Trevor Anthony Bond
Philip Robert George Bond
Christopher John Bugler
Matthew Redgwell Burt
Derek Bidkar Frank Burt
David Frederick Eaton
William Benjamin Harper
Duncan Gary McGhee
Colin Sam Osment
Robert Wilfred Parkes
Victor Harold Pomeroy
Frank Jeremy Shaw
Michael James Leslie Whelan
Durham
Stuart Joseph Major
East Anglia
David John Boswell
Edmund Tony Moore
Dyfed
Martin James Lowe
Richard Francis Phillips
Stephen Alfred Thurgood
East Lancashire
Garry John Errock
Simon Andrew Game
Andrew John Hickson
Paul Brian Lillington
Essex
Martin Terence Bullard
James Richard Drury
John Finlay
Daniel Mark Heath
Michael Brian Howarth
Geoffrey Declan Kavanagh
Laurence Richard Kavanagh
Nigel Robert Owen
Gloucestershire & Herefordshire
Brian Percival Gargett
David John Hedley
Michael Charles Parkin
Hertfordshire
Geoffrey George Cheshire
Joel Benjamin Forbes
James Dominic Harrison
David Patrick Horne
Graham Alan Kolthammer
Richard Michael O’Keefe
Isle of Man
Kenneth Martin Blackburn
Martyn John Killey
Charlton Lee John Krentz
Italy
Duncan Richard Heritage
Kent
Philip Charles Clare
David John Green
Thomas Quinn
David William Walter Stiff
Martyn Brian Summers
Archibald Iain Torrance
Ian Wilson Tough
Roland John Wade
Peter David Williams
Leicestershire & Rutland
Ian Richards Johnson
Phillip John Mann
Roger Andrew Edward Whale
Lincolnshire
Stephen Michael Hyland
Philip William Spicksley
London
Levon Haig Agulian
Peter David Alder
Ian Douglas Gavin Alexander
Robert Michael Anderson
Antonios Georgiou Antoniou
David Frederick Ashbolt
Jeremy Trevor Beech
Simon William Bennett
Davide Bernardini
Anthony Roy Bleakley
Dennis Bradley
Colin Stewart Brookman
Alan Robert Brumwell
Robert William Bull
Paul Roy Burgess
Mark Butcher
Neil Iain Campbell
Scott Andrew James Cargill
Gary Charles Carter
Stewardships—Other Mark Provinces and Districts
Michael Charles Alexander Caseman-Jones
Clint William Childs
Shane Aubrey Duff Clapham
Christopher Ernest Clark
Christopher John Clark
Anthony Miles Clarkson
Oliver James Coddington
Bradley Adam Collings
Ronald Alexander Cruickshank
Carl David Cupper
Stewart Martin Curtis
Paul Brian Cutts
Christopher John Damp
Peter Davies
Nicholas Andrew Davies
Ian Malcolm Dent
William Arthur Divall
Simon Geoffrey Dodd
Christopher Michael Johnstone Dodd
Julian Charles Donnelly
Pierre Doumit
William Charles Henry Dowley
Ian Charles Drury
Scott James Dunn
Mark Durrant
John Henry William Ellis
John Flain
George Michael Forbes
Liam Dominic Furr
Jeremiah Daniel Gangadeen
David Clive Gavin
Michael George German
Matthew Carl Gibbs
Ronald Stephen Goddard
Perry James Charles Godwin
Mark William Goodwin
Mark Greatorex
Andrew Green
Oktay Murat Gulbakan
Martyn Ronald Hale
Oswald Terence Hall
Matthew Damian Hampson
Eric Hampson
Robert William Hancock
Stacy Harman
Christopher Michael Hayward
John Simon Helfgott
Kevin Peter Charles Hendle
John Keith Hicks
David Sean Hitchcock
Wesley Val Hollands
Erol Mark Houssein
Robert James Ingham Clark
Stephen Mynott James
Leslie Eric Winston Jardine
Allen Niall Johnston
Keith Bernard Jones
Michael Kemsley
Mahir Kilic
Peter Paul Klein
Polycarpos Kyriacou
Peter John Lambert
Wayne Christopher Larman
Peter David Lawrence
Ruel Lawrence
Barry Fredrick Laws
Oliver Richard Laws
Jon Richard Leech
Christos Andreas Liondaris
David Arthur Lucas
Timothy John Joseph MacAndrews
Satyanarayana Madhav
Garry Philip Mancini
Lorenzo Mannelli
Howard Saul Markham
Stanley Joseph Marut
Thomas Frederick Brian McCormack
Peter Mearns
Derek Mersh
Cristian Mihutoiu
Brian Miles
Richard Charles Morgan
Paul MacDonald Muir
Mark Stephen Neale
Charles Patrick Newman
Mark Rodney Newton
Torquil
John Alexander Nicolson
Philip Francis Norman
David Nunn
Razvan Sorin Ocos
Gavin Thomas O’Sullivan
Sotiris Papathomas
Shirish Pranlal Patel
Ravindra Vithalbhai Patel
Hitesh Dhanji Patel
Tony Robert Pattison
Martin William Payne
Andrew Pearce
Dudley Charles Price
Thomas Quinn
Jeffrey Marc Reese
Graham William Ringshall
Nicholas Ridley Robinson
David Stewart Rose
Christopher John Rose
Andrew David Rowley
Stewardships—Other Mark Provinces and Districts
Richard James Sams
Stavros Andros Savvas
Stephen Robert Schofield
Michael Leslie Scotchmer
Nigel Francis John Scott-Moncrieff
Dhiraj Fulchand Shah
Leonard Smith
John David Smith
Alan South
Charles Anthony Southwell
Daniel Michael Gerald Sproat-Clements
Samuel Philip Steinbock
Norman Strong
Marios Phillip Stylianides
Frederick David Thomson
Constantine Spiridon Trizis
Ronald Francis Venn
Martin David Vidler
Hemant Harshadray Vyas
John Leonard Waggott
Jonathan Peter Wallis
Alan John White
Thomas Bentley White
Robert George Williams
Mark Antony Winterflood
Jason Martin Winton
Gary Woods
Mark Anthony Woolcott
Ian Watson Wright
Middlesex
David Burton
Peter Robert Dack
Allan Nicol Dishington
Andrew Paul Elliott
Stephen Edward Heynes
Michael Lally
Johannes Marcus Padman
Alun Thomas-Evans
Steven Matthew Vanhinsbergh
David Christopher White
Monmouthshire
Alan Martin Breward
Benjamin William Dykes
New Zealand
Anthony Bruce Mansfield
Northampton, Huntingdon & Bedford
George Edward Bonham
John David Sowerby
Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire
William Edward Desmond Hinshelwood
North & East Yorkshire
David Robert Clancey
John Stephen Priestley
Ian Wolstencroft
Ling Faang Yu
Northumberland
Jonathan Charles Conner
North Wales
Andrew Christian Chape
Martin Wynne Jones
Colin Anthony Lemin
Alun Rowland Williams
Nottinghamshire
Christopher Colin Adkin
Philip Graham Marshall
Nigel James Parry
Andrew Christopher Rainbow
Oliver John Rainbow
Oxfordshire
Adrian Hedley Barlow
David Andrew Cumming
James Robert Guy Hilditch
Grahame Frederick Lee
Brian David Page
Barry Alistair Prior
Stephen Peter Quant
Ian Watson Wright
River Plate
Ioannis Benetatos
Romania (Inspectorate)
Mihai Tudor Baltac
Luigi Cozma
Dan Dobrovolschi
Ion Pop
Sorin Nicolae Popa
Mohammad Ghasem Rostamizadeh
Andrei Stoian
Singapore
Rong Sheng Lim
Somerset
Richard John Francis Conneely
Craig Stuart Philip Harding
John Anthony Nicholson
Robert O’Malley-White
Thomas Bentley White
Henri Ernest Christopher White
South Wales
Philip William Davies
David Neil Morgan
Andrew Thomas
Stewardships—Other
Mark Provinces and Districts
Spain
William Dick
Staffordshire & Shropshire
Andrew John Delamere
Peter James Everall
Joseph Raymond Edward Forrest
David John Griffiths
Dennis John Hill
Harjinder Singh Sagoo
Kevin John Spencer
Christopher James Wanley
John Raymond Weaver
Surrey
James Agnew
Martin George Baker
Andrew Douglas Banks
Michael Frederick Barnes
Alan John Brockwell
Steven Christopher Cann
Ian Nelson Clark
David Thomas Clark
Na’el Abdulhakim Clarke
Brian Albert Clutterbuck
William Dyer
Michael John Fisher
John Vaughan Christopher French
Christopher Francis George
Richard John Knox
John Raymond Massey
Paul Michael Seldon
Richard John Wileman
Sussex
Ivor Michael Henry Bennett
Stephen Rae Campbell
Glen Coneley
Andrew Barrington Ford
Mark Vincent Hoare
Aleksandar Muncan
Paul Ewart James Norman
Roger Francis Richardson
Cullen David Sage
Philip Andrew Sturton
Warwickshire
Andrew Rowland Armbrister
Ian David Belsham
Robert Nigel Clemson
William Edward Davies
Richard Stephen Gale
Derek John Griffin
Roger Stuart Mac
Roger Millwater
Mark James Rea
Ravinder Ranvir Singh
West Lancashire
John Duncan Askew
Keith Alan Beardmore
Giles Frederick Berkley
Geoffrey Michael Bury
Kevin Thomas Chicken
Philip Paul Kavanagh
Ian Douglas Nairn
Terence Pearson
Michael Jeremy Pinckard
James Francis Rogers
Eric John Sarti
West Yorkshire
John Trevor Bolton
Richard Gordon Brown
Jason John Cunningham
Philip John Drury
Philip Oldfield
Richard Boswell Puttrell
James Bennett Truswell
John Edward Vause
David Robert Wight
James David Williams
Wiltshire
David Andrew William Bayne
Andrew Philip Beaumont
Frederick Peter Philip Beavers
Jonothan Peter Carver
Nigel Anthony Dalby
Ian David Gibson
Gerald Brandon Harman
Mervyn James Johns
Paul Vincent Lane
Stephen Lee
Bryan Desmond Little
Raymond Peter Pipe
Stephen Edward Richards
Worcestershire
David Charles Boorn
Stuart James Cameron
Derek Wyn Owen
Total £50,070
1868 The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons Fund of Benevolence is established by Revd George Raymond Portal.
1869 The first festival is held at the Mitre Hotel on Hampton Court Road, and raises the sum of £97.
1869 The first grant of £5 is made in November to Brother George Morris, a Ship’s Steward of Whitechapel in East London, having lost virtually all his possessions in a shipwreck earlier that year.
1879 The first festival sponsored by a Province is hosted by Sussex and raises £537.
1888 13 boys and 13 girls are beneficiaries of the Education Fund. The Annuitant Fund is supporting four people.
1918 The first time a five figure sum is raised at a festival: £10,000 in the Province of East Anglia.
1927 The first use of the term ‘Mark Benevolent Fund’.
A Snapshot of the Mark Benevolent
1968 Centenary
By May 1967 a total of £745,736 has been disbursed.
To mark the centenary of the Fund, £500,000 is pledged to Lord Harris Court, a residential care home run by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company.
1971 £500,000 donated to the Royal Masonic Hospital Modernisation Fund.
1994 £1.5 million is donated to the Hospice Movement.
2009 £1.6 million is donated to the RNLI in Wales for a new Tamarclass lifeboat named The Mark Mason.
2017 Teams from the Provinces took part in the M.B.F. Charity Walk raising £437,934 for Blood Bike groups across England and Wales. The official handover took place in August 2018 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.
2017 St John Ambulance receive a grant of £3.4 million for the provision of 53 new vehicles.
Since the establishment of the Fund the
Grants to Individual Petitioners: Grants to Worthy Causes:
Benevolent Fund—1868 to 2026
2018 Sesquicentenary
Since 1868 the M.B.F. has disbursed over £7 million in grants to individual petitioners.
Donations to charities and worthy causes total over £25 million.
The Trustees of the Mark Benevolent Fund donate £2,080,000 to the Hope for Tomorrow charity for the purchase of eight mobile chemotherapy units for the use of the NHS in rural locations throughout the UK.
2021 £1.3m disbursed to Hospices throughout England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, in tribute to the tireless work and contribution of His Late Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
2024 Blood Bike Groups in England and Wales shared a grant of £665,638 in this initiative reflecting the M.B.F.’s continued partnership and commitment to support the volunteers in their vital lifesaving work. Grants were used for motorbikes, other vehicles, equipment and facility improvements.
2025 Scarborough & Rydale Mountain Rescue Team were awarded £63,550 to replace an aging vehicle with a new fully adapted 4x4 Toyota Hilux pick-up for use in the North Yorkshire Moors.
2024 Wheelchair Rugby Clubs
£1.7m is available for grants during this four-year initiative to support the work of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby in improving access to the sport and preparing athletes for the 2028 Paralympics. Funding can be used for capital expenditure such as facility improvements, wheelchairs, kit, and vehicles.
2025 Kent Neuro Therapy Centre offers first class facilities to support people affected by MS, Parkinson’s and stroke, alongside their families, friends and those who care for them. A grant of £18,159 paid for urgent repairs to tiles in their hydrotherapy pool.
2026 The Veterans Hub –
Weymouth and Portland C.I.C. provides veterans, serving personnel, and their families, with assistance for the transition to civilian life, support for mental and physical health, employment, housing and financial affairs. Funds of £8,944 will buy a computerised data recording system to store service users’ details, actions and activities taken to assist them, referrals to other agencies and the outcomes of interactions.
the following grants have been distributed:
£ 7,487,217
£ 35,097,792 TOTAL: £ 42,585,009
Festival President
R.W.Bro. George John Deacon Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Committee
W.Bro. Ian Small, PGJD, Dep.Prov.G.M............. Festival Committee Chairman
W.Bro. Richard Cox, PGJD ........... Fundraising Manager/Events Co-ordinator
W.Bro. Ian MacGrain, PGJD .................................. Festival Weekend Manager
W.Bro. Alan Dean, PGSD Festival Secretary
Bro. David Hewitt, Prov.G.Treas. ......................................... Festival Treasurer
W.Bro. Robert Brown, PGSD ............................... Merchandise & Procurement
W.Bro. Mike Lewis, PGSD .................................... Merchandise & Distribution
W.Bro. Ian Glister, PProvGSO ....................................... Preloved Regalia Sales
W.Bro. Peter Martin, PProvGInspWks Festival Communications Officer
