BRISTOL MASONIC CHARITABLE TRUST (BMCT)

The Trust was established in September 1988 with the main object of providing and maintaining a Masonic Home in the Bristol area for elderly and/or infirm Masons of the Province of Bristol and their dependants. The Trust also has the subsidiary object of contributing to such Non-Masonic Charities within the Province as the Trustees may from time to time approve.

The fund has been accumulating slowly and exhaustive attempts have been made to acquire either a suitable site for development or an existing vacant building for adaptation. None has to date proved commercially viable or satisfactory for our purposes.

Early in 2002, expert advice was received that, as a result of new legislation, a decline in the number of care homes nationally would continue and future emphasis would be on Very-Sheltered Housing Accommodation (V.S.H.). Such accommodation would require not only day-to-day management but also the provision of on-site medical care. It became clear to the Trustees at that time that the cost implications of such a project would be considerable and that for the B.M.C.T. to carry out an independent development was no longer a practical proposition. Property values were also continuing to rise.

Discussions were held throughout 2002 with a major Bristol charity (“the Charity”) which was interested in acquiring a site for redevelopment as V.S.H. flats in South Bristol. The Trustees of the B.M.C.T. visited the proposed site and were impressed with its potential. It was envisaged that the eventual development would be owned and managed by “the Charity” but that, in return for a substantial grant, the B.M.C.T. would obtain nomination rights in respect of the occupancy of an agreed number of flats. Following legal advice, the Trustees decided to enter into partnership with “the Charity” which then applied to the City Council in May 2003 for planning permission.

Early in 2004, information was received that the owners of the South Bristol site had sold it to a firm of Property Developers who acknowledged “the Charity’s” planning application as a favourable factor. Then, in May 2004, “the Charity’ informed the B.M.C.T. with regret that the owners of the site had decided to sell it to St. Monica’s Trust. This decision had been taken without prior consultation and came as a total surprise to “the Charity” as well as a great disappointment to the Trustees.

The B.M.C.T. funds, as at 30th June, 2005, stand at £679,715 and, as anticipated, contributions have slowed since the imposition of the Bristol 2008 RMBI Festival.

Most of the funding allocated by the various Masonic Charities is paid directly to the school, hospital, home or organisation providing the support however a certain amount is paid via myself. To facilitate this I have set up a bank account called “The Provincial Almoner’s Account” and although, for reasons of confidentiality this account is managed solely by myself, I have taken the precaution of having another Brother named as a signatory, so that in the event of anything happening to me the funds can be easily transferred to my successor.

In addition to the link with the Bristol charity, the Trustees have considered other possible avenues to explore but, at the moment, I regret that there is no positive news to impart. Rest assured, however, that our efforts to achieve the objectives of the Trust will continue.

Michael J. Flynn, J.P.
Provincial Grand Master for Bristol