The SKIPTON branch of the Oddfellows, based on Rectory Lane, has appointed new chief officers for the coming year. Ann Holmes is Provincial Grand Master, succeeding Derek Stansfield, with Gillian Falshaw becoming Deputy Provincial Grand Master. All three live in Skipton and took up their new roles mid-April. Ann joined Skipton Branch over 15 years ago and, before being appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master, her first official position, she worked as a volunteer at many social and fund-raising functions at The Three Links Club, long-time home of the Oddfellows, and will continue to assist in the future. Ann’s chosen charities during her year in office are The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Parkinson’s Skipton Branch. She also remains chairman of Skipton Allotment Association.
Boost - Paul Reeves hands a cheque for £20,000 to Emmaus chief executive Denise King A LEADING homeless charity is celebrating after being handed a £20,000 lifeline following pandemic hardship. Emmaus, which is based in Colchester, is a charity dedicated to helping the homeless back into the community through giving them work and support. It has been helping the homeless across north Essex for more than 20 years but faced an uncertain future. The charity has had it hard since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. It has been hit by a triple whammy of events over the past nine months including seeing funding dry up, borrowings increase and reserves seriously diminished.