Page 39 - Phonebox Magazine January 2013

What the Dickens are the Masons doing in Olney ?
The annual “Dickens of a Christmas” was held in Olney on Sunday 9th of December and once again saw the town come to life with a street market, food, entertainers and lots of seasonal Dickensi- an atmosphere, including some Dickensian Masons. The Freemasons of Olney assist- ed by their partners, friends and donations from the Olney Co-op set up their stall to sell mulled wine and hot chestnuts to help keep the thousands of visitors warm and happy and raised £3,500 for local good causes in the process.
Freemasons have been meeting in Olney since 1888 with the the Olney Masonic Club (OMC) being established in 1998. In the six years that the OMC has been sup- porting “Dickens of a Christmas” they have raised over £13,000. The Club believe that all the money raised should go to support local causes and are keen to learn about deserving cases, particularly those not supported by national charities. In the past they have made donations to the Bells ap- peal for the St Peter and St Paul’s church, the local school, other churches, the Cow- per and Newton Museum, St Johns Am- bulance cadets, Willen Hospice and many more. For more information about Freema- sonry in Olney call 01908 611274.
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