The Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds have secured a grant of £20,000 from West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd on behalf of St Chad’s Broomfield Cricket Club, in Headingley, North Leeds. The Club comprises of 20 senior and junior teams, including a new women and girl’s section.
The £20,000 grant will go towards the building of a new pavillion, part of a five year development plan for the club. It is hoped that the pavilion will improve the lives of local people and bring them together, by providing a community space which they can use for social and community activities. Specifically the grant will purchase furniture, fixtures and fittings as well as contributing to the cost of mechanical, electrical and plumbing works for the pavilion.
Paul Berry, Chairman at St Chads said, “The many senior and junior members of St Chad’s Broomfield Cricket Club are delighted to have been awarded such a substantial grant from the Freemasons towards our new pavilion project. Not only will this benefit our members, both now and for many years, but also the wider community who we serve. We look forward to completing the project in time for the start of the 2023 cricket season“.
The Lodge of Dawn Worshipful Master said, “we are absolutely delighted to be able to support such a fantastic project of inclusivity, that will make a positive difference to so many girls, boys and young men and women (2 of which play for the 1st XI!!), especially from the Inner City areas of Leeds, who simply love playing cricket. Two of the key tenets of Freemasonry are charitable giving, and supporting the community. Many of our members are cricket lovers and we are very excited to support grass roots cricket right on our doorstep here in Headingley, the home of Yorkshire cricket, where The Lodge of Dawn is based.”
The club was formed as a merger between St Chad’s Cricket Club, who’s history goes back to the early 1800s, and Headingley Broomfield Cricket Club in 1979, this inner-city club is run by local community volunteers, serving the residents of Headingley and beyond. With a total of 30 trophies in the last 20 seasons, the club are currently having the most successful period in their 140 year history.
The £20,000 grant was announced simultaneously with another grant also sponsored by The Lodge of Dawn, of £28,000, for the John Jamieson Special School in Oakwood, which will go towards an ‘Employment Park’ to give their students the opportunity to learn real skills in a safe environment.
You can find out more about St Chads here.
These two major grants follow the £24,800 last year to the Chapeltown Youth Development Centre for a new all-weather 5 a side pitch.
Charitable giving is a key part of masonic life. You can read more about The Lodge of Dawn’s charitable activity here.
If you are a Leeds-based charity and are interested in applying for a grant, please see our simple guide here.
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