| Charity Work Introduction |
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Traditionally, entry to the Crafts of Irvine was by demonstrating that the members skills met the standards expected (an original "Trading Standards" of the time) and along with the membership brought benefits in the form of charitable aspects which were a form of insurance against poverty and burial expenses. With trade union reform and loss of political influence, the Trades survived as "purely social and charitable bodies". And this is how most Crafts now exist in Irvine with open membership, dividing efforts towards fellowship events and raising funds for local charities and worthwhile causes. The Wrights & Squares are the exception where membership is still only open to time served craftsmen but they still enjoy the social and charitable efforts. In the 1960s the Master Court rarely met more than once per year and discussions on our charitable donations lasted all of two minutes as the 'usual' six beneficiaries, who tended to be large national organisations, received their annual " guineas on the nod. Each year sees events organised by individual Crafts such as race nights, literary evenings, bottle stalls, BBQ's or golf away-days. The Incorporation raises more significant funds by holding an annual Cabaret and an annual Charity Golf AM/AM which raises several thousand pounds.
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Charity Work