From left to right: Mike Eckley(APGM), Vivien Morgan-Bowen, Kaz Jefferies, John Duggan (WM), Paul Saunders (Chairman), Beryl Jones (Vice Chair), Keith Eckley (Charity Steward)

On Thursday, 27th January 2022, following the regular meeting of St Teilo Lodge No. 4755 in Llanelli, a cheque presentation was made to representatives of the Llanelli Centre for the Deaf.  W.Bro. Mike Eckley the Assistant PGM presented a cheque from the province of £5,000 which had been passed at the last Provincial Charity Steward’s meeting, following an application from the St Teilo Lodge charity steward.

At the same presentation the Worshipful Master of St Teilo W.Bro. John Duggan also presented a cheque for £250 which, was the Lodge donation to the appeal process.

Kaz Jefferies a trustee and Fund raiser for the centre  said that the money would be used to improve access to a sensory garden and play area at the back of the centre.  The total cost is expected to be around £15,000 with the balance being given by National Lottery Funding. Kaz said that the cheque from the West Wales Freemasons would open the door to the Lottery Funding as they had to prove that they could fund a third of the project themselves.

Kaz pointed out that often deafness is only one of the obstacles that members have, and many have physical disabilities which, meant that access to the play area and garden was impossible.  The project involves putting down a graduated tarmac ramp to allow wheelchair access to the top of the garden.

It is hoped that the work will be finished in time to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in June when the Centre is hoping to host a celebration for the deaf and hearing communities of West Wales, everybody is welcome.

W.Bro. Mike Eckley congratulated the Committee members present and wished them every success in their current venture and all future endeavours to improve understanding of the troubles faced by the deaf community in day-to-day life.