This is my first “Letter from Watamu” since the passing of my beloved wife Lee. As I said in my tribute to her at her funeral you find more about a person in a eulogy than in many years of knowing them in life and friendship.
It has been over four months since her passing. Nobody can imagine what such a loss can mean unless you have experienced it personally. Some of her parting words to me were “Jacko you have a life to lead” and I want to continue at least for the time being doing what we started together some 34 years ago.
On Thursday 10th July 2025 at Chobham Golf Club I am holding our 4th Watamu Project golf day, it will be a Memorial Day to her for the dedication in helping those some five thousand miles away. I am hoping to raise between £8,500.00 and £9,500.00 or 1,500,000 million shillings. Which will make £45,000.00 in total since I began my sponsored diet at Prince Michael of Kent Mark Lodge some six years ago.
The money will be made up from donations received at her funeral and the golf day. Again, every penny or Shilling donated so far has been recorded on a spreadsheet. I will not put any individual names down as those individuals know exactly what they have contributed and donated but a huge thank-you to Powercor, Spectrum Printers, Garry Foley at Chobham Golf Club and all those golfers and individuals for their amazing and continued support.
Whilst on about support, many know about my involvement as an Almoner in various Orders and Lodges within Freemasonry in Middlesex. Losing a loved one impacts on how and what we as Freemasons can continue to do.
Lee was an inspiration to me during Covid 19 which lasted for almost two years. For seven hundred days I made five calls every day so in total some three thousand five hundred calls; many were to those who lived on their own. You can be in a crowded room and still feel very lonely. If you reverse the rolls, behind every good Freemason is a wife or partner who support their respective man, in other words it will be for life. Lee made sure I didn’t forget anyone and even took calls herself.
I now stay very much in touch with those widows who have lost their husbands or partners, they enjoy and appreciate being kept connected and knowing they are not forgotten. Unfortunately, many of our members seem to suffer from amnesia and forgetfulness after a few weeks; saying ‘I forgot’ is not the answer they want to here.
We do have some exceptional Almoners. I believe that due to our age profile and demographics an Almoners role has become as important in a Lodge as the Secretary and Treasurer.
Although not exactly related it is my intention to arrange a meeting with our Provincial Almoner where we can both exchange ideas and develop the communication side which I know can be improved.
On the 10th July at Chobham everyone is invited, you can just come for the meal if you don’t play golf! With the help of my children and grandchildren there will be a pictorial slide show to show everyone how the money raised goes to helping so many in Watamu and the surrounding area. You do not have to arrive until about 13.00 hours for the meal which is £25.00 per head.
Lastly, I am sending some funds to Kenya in the next week or so to help some of the charities, I will update everyone in early July before the golf day.
Kindest regards
Asante Sana Bwana Jacko
