DONATIONS were handed out to six community groups to celebrate the 150th year of a masonic lodge in Barrow.

Since its inception in 2004, the George Wood Memorial Benevolent Fund, which is administered by the Hindpool Freemasons’ Lodge, has donated £229,328 to good causes.

To mark the milestone occasion, Tony Harrison, head of the Freemasons in West Lancashire, attended with Assistant Provincial Grand Masters David Grainger and Kevin Poynton as well as the Furness group chair Peter Schofield.

Installed as the new master was Paul Musgrave, a successful graphic designer.

Mr Musgrave presented Mr Harrison with a cheque for £1,800 for distribution by the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

And donations of £1,000 have been made to six organisations in the Hindpool area.

These are Furness Homeless Support Group, the Salvation Army, Hindpool Tigers Junior rugby league club, Furness Gymnastics, Brisbane Park School and St James School.

Over the years youth, community and sporting associations have all benefitted including scouts, guides, and air and sea cadets.

Chair of the trustees for the fund, Keran Stalker, explained how the fund was established.

“George Wood became a member of Hindpool Lodge in 1929 and served as the Worshipful Master in 1940," he said.

"He was a well-respected Mason and gentleman who was an engineer and senior draughtsman in the local shipyard. On his death in 1956 his estate was inherited by his daughter Dorothy Bird Wood a well-known local school teacher. Dorothy, who was a spinster, died in 2004 and she bequeathed her entire estate to Hindpool Lodge so that a charitable trust fund could be established in the name of her father."

The bequest has been invested and only the interest gained on the invested money is used to support good causes.

Mr Musgrave said: “I am proud to be the latest leader of Hindpool Lodge and follow in the footsteps of many distinguished predecessors.

"As part of my role I will be involved with the George Wood Fund and that is something I feel I will find very rewarding.

"We act very much under the radar but having exceeded the £200,000 in donations we feel now is the time to let the public know about the generous bequest which has helped so many.

"No doubt both George and Dorothy would be proud to see what has been achieved with their wonderful legacy.”

Following the formalities of the meeting 112 members and their guests enjoyed a celebratory four course meal in the Fairfield Suite.