AN ILMINSTER group has donated charity cheques totalling £1,200 to Somerset groups recently.

Nyanza Masonic Lodge of Freemasons in Ilminster presented two cheques to local charities at their recent meeting.

The first cheque for £600 was presented to Graham Rowbottom of the 1st Ilton and Broadway Scout Group.

The second cheque also for £600 was presented to Barrie Palmer from SURE, a cancer charity at the Beacon Centre in Taunton.

Mr Rowbottom thanked the Lodge, and it's master Steve Albon for their generosity, which would enable the Scout Group to purchase new tents.

Barrie Palmer, who is the founder of Somerset unit for radiotherapy equipment, gave some background to what they have achieved over the last seventeen years since he founded it in 2000. The donation would go towards purchasing new equipment.

Roger Allen, secretary of the lodge, said : "The money was raised from a charity lunch held in the summer at Buckland St Mary Village Hall, where members, families and friends were invited.

"The two Charities were selected by our worshipful master Steve Albon.

"The WM at the start of each year selects the local charities he would like the fundraising in his year  to go to.

"This year he chose the money to go to the 1st Ilton, and Broadway Scout Group, and SURE.

"The donations had been increased by a donation of £600 from the Somerset Masonic Charities Lodge Match Funding Scheme. 

"Over the years we have supported Ilminster Youth Football Club, the Ilminster Brownies, Sunny Ile Pre School, the Senior Citizens lunch, and Horseshoes & Handprints to name but a few."

The Nyanza Lodge, which is celebrating it's 150th anniversary this year, will be holding an Open Day on Saturday June 10th 2017, where members of the Public are welcome to visit the Lodge in Berrymans Lane, Ilminster TA19 0DY.

The Lodge is also sponsoring one of the performances of the Ilminster Literary Festival on Saturday 3rd June 2017