The
Provincial Festival System is a major means by which the Main
Masonic Charities associated with the United Grand Lodge of England
derive their income. Each year, one or two Provinces (there are 47
in the British Isles with between 14 and 500 Lodges in each) raise
funds for a specific Masonic Charity.
The
fundraising is not, however, confined to the year itself.
Fundraising efforts for most Festivals is spread over the preceding
seven or so years. Donations from individual members used to be made
over that period by Deed of Covenant. Nowadays their donations are
made by Gift Aid.
Our
current Festival is for The Freemasons' Grand Charity and reaches
maturity in 2010 (hence Twenty Ten). Usually, the end of the
Festival is marked with a celebratory Banquet, attended by Masons
and their partners, at which the final figure is announced and the
Presentation is made to the receiving Charity.
