BERKSHIRE hosted the an annual bowls competition for the first time as part of a charity drive by Freemasons.
Members of 21 Masonic Provinces gathered in the county to compete in the Masonic Annual Charity Event (MACE) in aid of charity.
Twenty-four teams competed for the trophy at Desborough Bowling Club, Maidenhead– the first time the event has been held in the borough.
They were welcomed by MACE organiser Ian Keech along with Berkshire leader Anthony Howlett-Bolton, Berkshire Masonic Bowling Association (BMBA) president Peter Woods, and BMBA secretary Frank Overton.
Four trophies were up for grabs, with the Berkshire teams taking first place, Wiltshire taking second, Essex taking third, and Bedfordshire ranking fourth.
They were joined by teams from Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, London, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwickshire, and Northamptonshire, as well as the Desborough Bowling Club Team.
The event raised funds for two chosen charities, which the Freemasons have been supporting throughout 2024.
These were Action for Children, which supports vulnerable children and young people through practical and emotional care as well as advocacy, and The Berkshire Panto project, which helps children in Berkshire access arts events.
More than £70,000 has been raised by the annual event since it began in 2011.
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Anthony Howlett-Bolton OBE said, “The Panto Project is a very special event arranged annually in Berkshire.
“The hard work of the organisers all come together to bring a joyous experience to children who otherwise would miss out of the magic of pantomime.”
Laura English Rose, Senior Fundraising Manager at Action for Children, said, “Thanks for all your generous support.
“The contribution you are making to Action for Children will help us provide vital funds to services working hard to help children have the safe and happy childhoods they deserve.”
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