Bro Carl Freeland, the current Charity Steward of the lodge, was presented with the ESDPEUPOL Afghanistan medal on 5th May 2014.

Bro Freeland was formerly based in Kosovo but is now stationed in Kabul where he is Supply Chain Coordination Officer, European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan

The lodge congratulates Bro Freeland  and is proud to recognise his work in this most difficult scenario.

When the late W.Bro Frank Harris passed the Grand Lodge above it transpired that in his will he had made a bequest to the Lodge of $10,000

Frank enjoyed travel, visiting other countries, meeting fellow travellers, nationals of the country he was visiting and most of all being in the company of other Masonic Brethren.

A committee was set up to determine the use of the fund and the unanimous recommendation was to use the Legacy to assist one Brother, who had been unable to visit the lodge for five years, to attend our Installation Meeting in Manchester (or such other location as may be determined) for as long as the Legacy has sufficient funds to action this recommendation.

Having taken into consideration the distribution across the globe of our Brethren, we came to the conclusion that the opportunity should be open to all Lodge Members wherever they are domiciled; we believe this to be the fairest way to ensure that no one is disadvantaged by the process.

We are delighted that the first winner, selected randomly, was Bro Terry Ryan of New South Wales, Australia and even more delighted at Terry's acceptance of the award and his decision to travel to Manchester in March 2014.

After the installation Bro Terry wrote :-

"I wish to thank Internet lodge for the honour conferred on me, being the first recipient of the Bro Frank Harris legacy.
I had a wonderful time in Manchester, March 2014, and it was an experience I shall not forget.
The highlight for me was, so many Masons took the time to make me welcome, and I met Masons from all over.
Once again, thank you all, and I hope the next person drawn for the Frank Harris legacy, has as much fun warmth as I received
Regards
VW Bro Terry Ryan
NSW Australia "

Frank's Legacy to the Internet Lodge No: 9659

When the late W.Bro Frank Harris passed the Grand Lodge above it transpired that in his will he had made a bequest to the Lodge of $10,000.

Accordingly the then  WM commissioned a small committee of Lodge members charged to make a recommendation as to how we should use the Legacy.

The WM appointed Roy Hodgson to chair the committee.

The Committee did consult with some senior Lodge members and it was clear from comments received that the Legacy ought not to be donated to charities. Frank enjoyed travel, visiting other countries, meeting fellow travellers, nationals of the country he was visiting and most of all being in the company of other Masonic Brethren.

The unanimous recommendation therefore was to use the Legacy to assist one Brother, in each year, to attend our Installation Meeting in Manchester (or such other location as may be determined) for as long as the Legacy has sufficient funds to action this recommendation.

Having taken into consideration the distribution across the globe of our Brethren, we came to the conclusion that the opportunity should be open to all Lodge Members wherever they are domiciled; we believe this to be the fairest way to ensure that no one is disadvantaged by the process.

Currently there are 150 Brethren who have been unable to attend any Internet Lodge Meeting and the hope is that this Legacy may permit some of these Brethren to experience their Lodge Installation Ceremony.

Frank's $10000 has been converted to Sterling and thus the Legacy expressed in Sterling is £6,400. Capping the benefit at a maximum of £600 will enable the fund to assist one Brother each year and should last for up to ten years. The benefit will be paid to the successful brother in Sterling and upon his arrival at the hotel.

We believe that the system will be relatively easy to administer and is a fitting memorial to the late W.Bro Frank Harris.