ACROSS the Christmas season, Essex Freemasons from the Cross Keys Community Fund (CKCF) and the Orsett Masonic Community Fund, together with their associated centres, delivered a coordinated programme of community- and member-focused activity across Thurrock.
This reflected a shared commitment to collaboration, responsiveness to local need and sustained engagement, rather than isolated or one-off initiatives.
As part of this work, both funds organised brass band concerts and Christmas parties at Bennett Lodge and Whitecroft, two residential dementia care homes operated by Runwood Homes. Runwood Homes provides residential and dementia care using a person-centred approach, with a strong focus on resident wellbeing and the recognition of individual life experiences. Activities were delivered within familiar settings and supported by care staff to ensure residents could participate safely and comfortably.
Beyond the care homes, both centres delivered a wider range of events across the season. These included Christmas parties for vulnerable children and women’s refuges, as well as seasonal events for members, their friends and families. This ensured that community support, fundraising and member engagement ran alongside one another, reinforcing continuity and shared purpose across the borough.
At the annual Christmas party for vulnerable children held at the Cross Keys, one moment illustrated the impact of this work more clearly than any report or statistic. David Barton, Chairman of the Cross Keys Community Fund, reflected on the experience:
“There was a non-verbal child there, around three or four years old. One of his carers explained to me that he has experienced significant distress, to the point where he rarely communicates. Throughout the day, despite the party, the magician and the balloon modelling, he was particularly focused on a set of sleigh bells hanging on one of our Christmas trees.
When he was leaving, I went outside and gave the bells to him. He gave me the biggest smile and mouthed ‘thank you’. His carer saw it too, turned to me and smiled, and said, ‘He feels comfortable.’
I had tears in my eyes, and that moment will always stay with me.”
David’s leadership has been central to shaping a joined-up approach to community engagement across Thurrock, ensuring that individual activities sit within a wider, year-round framework. His emphasis on coordination, partnership working and clear communication has enabled both centres to respond consistently and effectively to local need.
Events delivered through the Orsett Masonic Community Fund were organised under the leadership of Steve Bruyel. Under his guidance, Orsett’s seasonal programme aligned closely with that of the Cross Keys, reinforcing a cooperative and consistent approach to delivery, fundraising and community engagement.
All initiatives across the season were supported by members and volunteers from both funds, alongside many lodge members drawn from across the two Thurrock centres. Their collective involvement provided the capacity to deliver multiple events while strengthening connections between lodges, centres and the wider community.
By coordinating activity across the season and reinvesting funds raised, the Cross Keys Community Fund and the Orsett Masonic Community Fund have ensured continuity of delivery and are well positioned to continue supporting Thurrock communities into 2026.
