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.

Derek Stansfield now becomes Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master. He is a true stalwart of the Oddfellows at local, regional and national level, first joining in 2009. At Skipton District Lodge, as well as sitting on the executive committee he was Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 2014/2015, then again in 2018/2019, serving as Provincial Grand Master in 2015/2016 and again from 2019 until the recent handover.

He is currently vice president of the Oddfellows Yorkshire and Adjacent Groups Conference 2019/2021, due to become president from September 2021, and a member of the Oddfellows Past Grands Lodge.

Gillian Falshaw has also been a member of Oddfellows for some 15 years, having served on the committee for the past three years. Also co-opted on to the committee are Pam Heseltine and Derek’s wife, Terry Stansfield, herself a staunch servant of Oddfellows and former Provincial Grand Master at Skipton.

All say they are looking forward to the re-opening of The Three Links Club in Rectory Lane on Friday, May 21. As well as being the headquarters of the local Lodge, it is also a highly popular venue for both internal and external functions, unique to Oddfellows with its bar and catering facilities.

Regular social events will resume for members, with the first Saturday Music Night scheduled for June 5, Fish & Chips Tuesday lunches at the beginning of each month, the first on June 8, along with Thursday Quiz Nights.

Further ever-popular events will be added as restrictions continue to ease, with details posted at the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SkiptonLinks. Attendance must be pre-booked and recognised COVID guidelines remain in place. Online events are also available, and can be found at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events

Skipton Oddfellows, a friendship group with members from across the area, meets regularly to socialise, fundraise and to support each other. To receive a copy of their events diary, more information about membership, or to enquire about booking a function, contact Secretary Sarah Butcher on 01756 798022 or email sarah.butcher@oddfellows.co.uk.