L to R: Alfie Buckland, Warren Gell, The Mayor, Keith Gregory and Lou Apcevski.
Middlesex Freemasons were proud to support the Mayor’s annual “Picnic in the Park,” an open air celebration of local voluntary work and charitable endeavour. From mid-morning until late afternoon our gazebo, managed by Marcin Rozanski (lead), Warren Gell and Lou Apcevski, offered a welcoming point for visitors curious about Freemasonry and the community spirit. They arrived early to set up by 10.30, ready for the opening at 12.00.
TLC balloons, and a giant connect game kept younger guests happily occupied, and neatly presented literature, complete with QR contact cards, invited more thoughtful conversations.
Early in the day we enjoyed a warm call from Alfie Buckland, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, who praised the clarity of our displays and thanked the team for promoting provincial initiatives.
Shortly afterwards Marcin’s wife arrived with their son, and around lunchtime also Keith Gregory visited with his wife. They congratulated the team on the stand’s professional appearance and shared a few suggestions for next year.
Mid-afternoon brought the Mayor, accompanied by representatives of the two beneficiary charities. Under a brief patch of sunshine, the Team presented two ceremonial cheques of £250 each one for the Send Family Support and the other for the Hillingdon Stroke Support Group. Professional photographers captured the moment for the local press before the clouds closed in again.
The SEND Family Support was originally a local support group for dads caring for children with special educational support and disabilities. They are currently running regular face to face annual clubs, workshops and events, as well as continuing to run the virtual ones too. Their clubs, workshops & events are inclusive and aim to let SEND Families have fun, relax meet other families and find information on what other support is available for their families and other organisations.
The Hillingdon Stroke Support Group are a social support group of around 20 members in two venues, Uxbridge and Eastcote. They aim to support their members through weekly quizzes, art activities, social outings and talks from health professionals. They provide a space of respite for families, and 1:1 support for speech and language (non-intensive) complete with refreshments at their meetings, and a space to talk and share experiences between one another. They aim is to increase their reach all over the Hillingdon Borough to support as many stroke survivors as they can.
The weather set a lively pace for the day, frequent drizzle, occasional bright spells and, finally, a determined downpour. Yet the changeable skies did little to dampen interest. Two gentlemen completed membership enquiry forms, three further visitors asked in depth questions about joining Middlesex lodges, and an equal number of women requested guidance on female Freemasonry, including one lady whose father had been a Mason.
As showers intensified toward closing time, we packed away, satisfied that the event had strengthened our recruitment pipeline, raised public awareness of Masonic charity and showcased a friendly, family centred image.
