In August 2022, our Charity Steward opened a letter addressed to “Ramsgate Masonic Centre”. This letter was from Sarah Kircaldy – better known as “Brown Owl” at the newly formed 8th Ramsgate Brownies, who had taken a chance and asked for some financial support in getting her new Brownie Troop off to a flying start.
Rather than simply adopting this appeal solely under the Royal Navy Lodge banner, we asked whether the other Ramsgate Craft Lodges would like to get involved (given that the original letter was not addressed to any one particular Lodge)? The members of Lewises 1209, St Lawrence 3350, and Porta Sapientiae 9429 gladly accepted the invitation and we were delighted to collectively present a cheque to Sarah and her team for £700 at our 2022 Christmas party. This donation provided skill builder sets, badge books, activity cards and even a new Banner so that the girls could take pride in their new Troop.
8th Ramsgate Brownies are situated in a low income area of Ramsgate, and a number of the families would find it financially challenging to allow their children to join in all of the activities that the Troop and Brownies in general, have to offer. Even buying basic uniform or affording the weekly subscription can present difficulties.
Sarah and her team are very conscious of these financial concerns and do their utmost to ensure that every girl is treated equally. In the two years since 8th Ramsgate has been under Sarah’s governance the girls have scaled the walls at Clip & Climb, held a Coronation Party, been away on Camp, held a Teddy-Bears Picnic, and completed their Dancing, and Archaeology Interest Badges (to name just a few of the topics that the girls have enjoyed).
We clearly stated to Sarah that our door (and cheque book) would always be open, and should the Troop ever have need of our assistance again – not to hesitate in making an approach.
We know that these two years have been demanding on Sarah and her team, not just in regard to the time that they donate to making young lives a little better, but likewise from the financial support that they themselves provide to assist the girls.
Eyes down for the quiz
Confused of Ramsgate?
Quizmaster James Ross
This year, the same Ramsgate Lodges got together and once more pooled their resources. We also held a quiz night with all monies raised going to support 8th Ramsgate. With over 50 in attendance, including Brown Owl, Snowy, Hedgehog and Fox, eight teams battled it out over seven fiendishly difficult rounds of questions to see who would take the title of Champion Quizzers for 2024?
Team “Wishful Thinking” took the honours under the leadership of WBro Bill Richer of Royal Navy Lodge. We thank all of the other teams for participating, and we will of course do it all again next year.
Before the evening ended we were able to present Sarah and her team, a cheque for £1,200 which we know will enrich the lives of the current Brownies at 8th Ramsgate and will also provide for a warm welcome to those who will undoubtedly join the ranks over the next couple of years.
Huge thanks must go to WBro James Ross (our quizmaster & host) and to all of the members of the Ramsgate Lodges for donating to such a worthy cause.
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