On the 22nd June 2021 Freemasons and their invited guests from the Provinces of Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire North & East Ridings, and Yorkshire West Riding assembled at Thimbleby Shooting Ground to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service by shooting clay pigeons. Ruth Davey a representative of GNAAS was in attendance and gracefully accepted a donation of £3,600.

As a venue Thimbleby is an idyllic location on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and has recently undergone a significant investment making it one of England’s premier clay pigeon shooting grounds. The shoot, although fully compliant with all safety regulations and the firearms act was a fun event, open to shotgun licence holders and non-licence holders who wanted to try shooting for the very first time. The non-licence holders were ” Buddied-up” on a one to one pairing arrangement with a licence holder that was prepared to share a gun and give basic tuition.

After the shoot a raffle was held for generous prizes donated by Thimbleby Shooting Ground, Watpho Aromatherapy Treatments and Kelly Chemists etc. The raffle raised the princely sum of £600 An auction was then held for 3 very special lots Lot 1 ” A flight in a glider from Sutton Bank, this sold for £1000 Lot 2 A Couplands Leather hand crafted wallet, this sold for £200 Lot 3 A magnificant shooting themed gift hamper, donated by Zaynah Hanif went for £100 Lot 4 was a beautiful ukulele donated by Mrs W Dines.

The event proved that charity is at the heart of Freemasonry, everyone gave freely and all enjoyed the evening and asking to hold another shoot in the near future. Once the arrangements can be made the money raised will be donated to the St. John’s Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.

Narrative by W. Bro. Allan Stoko.  Photos: John Rees