The Hexenhaus Frauenhaus Espelnkamp (women & childrens refuge) has been a long-term charity which The Rose of Minden has been happy to support for many many years. Keeping with that tradition the Lodge organised a day trip to the popular Potts Park theme park on the outskirts of Minden Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Brethren, friends and families of The Rose of Minden Lodge met up as a group with all staff and residents of the Hexenhaus on Saturday 10th August 2024 at 10:00 in the morning where, after confirming attendee numbers and tickets, 54 of us were let into the park via the group gate to start, what turned out to be, a fantastic day.
After welcome speeches were given by WM WBro Roy Crockford & Hexenhaus Team Leader Jacqueline Lederer, the brethren of The Rose of Minden made an individual donation of €200 to a mother of 4 of the Hexenhaus which was topped up to €300 by Master Elect Bro Stefan Cink. This was to go towards her driving licence so that she may have the freedom to take & visit her 2 eldest children, who suffer from chronic illnesses to and from hospital. The appreciation in her face can not be described in words.
To the delight of the children Bro Björn Groos’s very talented wife Brigitte generously donated 20 cuddly toys. These affectionately named “Freds” she, painstakingly handmade for every child on the trip.
The whole group were then left to go and enjoy their time at the park. Most met up at lunchtime and swapped stories and tails of getting soaked on the water rides or of the park’s plentiful attractions on offer. The weather remained perfect throughout the whole day and everyone left when the park closed in the evening with big smiles and the odd tear from the little-uns who just didn’t want to leave at all.
A massive thank you has to be said to all the brethren and their friends and families that supported and helped to make the whole day a huge success and even though we don’t officially recognise Women’s Freemasonry I am pleased to say that as a result of our actions and showing what Freemasonry is all about, Symbola Womens Lodge Herford has had serious inquiries by potential new members.