£2000 donation for Peasedown St. John Soft Play Area

The Hive Community Centre at Peasedown St. John near Radstock have a brand new Soft play Area – thanks to Somerset Freemasons.  The Centre had managed to raise £10,000 toward the cost of the project but were £2000 short.  Alan Dolman, who is on the management committee and a member of the Royal Albert Edward Lodge in Bath approached the Somerset Masonic Charity who agreed to donate the £2000 needed to complete the project.

On Saturday November 11^th the new Play Area was officially opened by Oscar when he piloted his electric wheelchair through a giant crepe paper ribbon to the applause of a delighted audience. Oscar, who suffers from Arthrogryposis – a condition that causes curved joints at birth wasted no time in joining his sister Evie and other children in the fun. Graham Puddy, representing the Somerset Freemasons said “We are pleased to be able to assist such a good cause and help young people. We have recently donated £30,000 to The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to provide bursaries for disadvantaged young people in Somerset to take part in the scheme. The Prince Phillip was himself a Freemasons for nearly 70 years.”

Jill Souter from the Centre said “We are most grateful to the Freemasons for this generous gift. We are located next to the local primary school and parents can pop in and have a coffee while their children enjoy the play area.

Barry Davies

Somerset Freemasons

Communications Officer