Continuous Charities 

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care:

Birth of modern hospice care:

Dame Cicely Saunders is credited as the pioneer of modern hospice care.  From a wealthy and religious background, she trained as a doctor, nurse and medical social worker.  Cicely was inspired by her involvement in the care of soldiers after WW2 whilst working in a hospital as a volunteer.  During her time there, she provided care for David Tasma, a 40-year-old Polish-Jewish refugee.  David had terminal cancer and was suffering from what Cicely would later describe as ‘total pain’ which included psychological, social, emotional and spiritual distress as well as the physical sensations of illness.  

History of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice 

Fast forward to the 1980s saw little change by the medical profession in the care and treatment of the dying. They were still being treated in busy impersonal wards and staff were not given training to fulfil the needs of the terminally ill and dying. The 80s was a time for change and growth in hospice care because the provision in hospitals was inadequate.

This common need led to the establishment of three local hospices in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire in the mid to late 1980s; Grove House, Ian Rennie Hospice at Home and Peace Hospice.

Prebendal Housing Association:

Our History

The Masonic Housing Association (MHA) was formed in 1975 as an exempt charity to take advantage of the financial provisions made available to Housing Associations under the Housing Act of 1974.

Our objective is to build and manage housing schemes for the elderly who can generally lead an independent existence but would benefit for having community services. MHA currently has 189 flats spread across five Houses in various parts of the country. The first House opened was Prebendal Close in Buckinghamshire which opened its doors in 1980 followed by Hamilton Court in Essex in 1983. Palmer Court in Northants was opened in 1984 and further enlarged in the early 2000.

Reading Court in Warwickshire was built in the late 1980’s and opened in 1987 followed by Wilson Keyes Court in Staffordshire in 1994.

As a consequence of receiving Government grants some lettings must be offered to nominees of the Local Authority and therefore MHA cannot restrict occupancy solely to those with Masonic connections. However, offering such residence the MHA is visibly demonstrating that Masonry in the Community is very much part of its ethos.

Strong support for each House has and is given by the various Lodges and other Masonic Orders within each Province. Such support provides additional amenities and social activities for our residents.

Today, the MHA is a vibrant forward thinking organisation which fully fulfils its mission of providing quality rented accommodation of a high standard to elderly people. 

Thames Valley Air Ambulance:

Thames Valley Air Ambulance is the charity that gives everybody in our community the best chance of surviving and recovering from an emergency.

We’re here for you and your loved ones. Whoever you are. Wherever and whenever you need us. In Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Bringing hospital-level care to you by land and air. Medicine and equipment. Paramedics and doctors. Our team are highly trained and ready for any eventuality. Giving you the best chance when the worst happens.

Together, we do everything in our power to protect, save and revive lives with the best critical care at the scene and beyond.

We are not government or lottery funded, so we rely on the generosity of our community – and people like you