It may look like a rather ordinary chair – but it isn’t! James, showing his delight with Fred and David looking equally pleased with what the “new” Lodge has done!

There was once an advert that used the phrase “it’s good to talk”.

It was just such a “talk” between friends that lead to the presentation of a special “therapy chair” to the Oncology Ward at Scarborough hospital.

The Provincial Grand Master’s wife, Maureen, is currently the chairman of the local “Cancer Fund” that runs events several times each year to raise funds to purchase equipment to help in cancer treatment.

It came to light that the ward in Scarborough would benefit considerably from a “Boston Waterfall Reclining Chair” but, at a cost of around £2,250, it was beyond the local fund.

This is where the “casual chat” came in as Maureen happened to mention this to a friend.

About that time, the merger of Royal and Portus Felix Lodges in Filey was reaching its climax and, what a better way to celebrate than by providing this much needed chair.

The respective Masters, Fred Harrison and David Walton, did not need asking twice and, ably assisted by Mike Wingrove, the Royal Lodge Charity Steward, £1,500 was approved and a successful application to F C Y N E R produced the balance.

The chair is now in place and there was a “handover” on 25th July.

Fred and David met Maya Liversidge, the head of the joint hospital’s charity fund raising team and James, the nurse who is the principal operator.

To say that he is delighted is an understatement and, it is very gratifying to hear him say that using the chair eases the distress and pain and helps with administering of drips etc. to patients when they desperately need them.