How to find us

The month began with Duncan Barkes interviewing me on City Talk (Liverpool) Radio 105.9 on 3 December. This gave me a wonderful opportunity to share our beliefs and good works with a wide audience, although I recognise that there are always risks when talking to the media.

The interview was actually recorded on 1 December and, pleasingly, it was not edited at all. Judging by the generous words of praise that I have since received from so many friends and colleagues, it would seem that the exercise has been most succesful.

For those of you who have listened to the interview, either on the day or from our website, I think you will agree that the inteview was most comprehensive and that Duncan certainly gave me time to answer each question without interruption. Interestingly, afterwards, Duncan said that he had been most impressed with the interview and that I had answered all his questions fully and openly (without evasion or equivocation!).

My closing words in the interview were, to the effect, that it is up to us, as Freemasons, to show to the world that we are a force for good in our communities. I now make no excuse for repeating my abiding belief that ‘By the way we live, will freemasonry be judged’.   Finally, I have to say that I prepared well for the interview, and in this respect I am indebted to Derek Hunt, editor of the ‘West Lancashire Freemason’, who helped me.

On 10 December, I attended the quarterly communication of Grand Lodge at Great Queen Street London. It was a moving occasion because Lord Northampton, the Pro Grand Master, was presiding for the very last time. He has been a High Ruler for some 14 years and his leadership and enthusiasm for the Craft will be greatly missed. As always, he gave an inspirational address at the meeting and, quite rightly, on this occasion, he received a standing ovation.

The full text of his address is to be found on the Grand Lodge website and I recommend all Brethren to take the time and trouble to read it. I agree with Lord Northampton when he said in his address that Freemasonry has adapted to fit the society of the day from which it draws its members, and that, to ensure its future, we will have to continue to do so.

He then added that this shows the resilience of the Craft and the strength of its ethos, so that, in so short a time, it has been able to adjust itself to a new openness without in any way compromising its basic tenets. With respect, I have to say that the delay in promoting a policy of openness has been very damaging to the Craft and indeed we have still much to do, but we are getting there.

Further, Lord Northampton commented upon his firm belief in the importance of the decentralisation of Freemasonry, and he felt sure that his new structures had done much to improve communications and relations between London and the Provinces. I agree that this has been an important step in the right direction.

Recruitment and retention were also mentioned by him, including the fact that he considers that the Grand Lodge website is the single most important public face of English Freemasonry. Here in the Province of West Lancashire, our own website also continues to play an ever increasing part in promoting our own public face. That is why we are currently looking at ways of continuing to improve our website in an effort to make it even more user friendly to both Masons and non-Masons. 

On 11 March 2009, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, the Deputy Grand Master, will be installed as the new Pro Grand Master. This promises to be a splendid occasion and I am delighted to say that I have been invited to be one of the new Pro Grand Master’s escorts at his Installation. I am, of course, pleased and proud to undertake this important role, not only for myself, but, more importantly, because of the honour that it brings to the Province of West Lancashire.

On 15 December, my wife Julie and I attended at the Hindley Masonic Hall in the Wigan Group. On that occcasion, I formally ‘opened’ the new extension and refurbishment to the Masonic Hall. I was most impressed with the hall and I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to produce such a warm and friendly masonic meeting place and environment. This is another example of how the closure of a masonic hall in an area (Wigan Masonic Hall), however much heartache that may cause, can bring so many benefits to neighbouring masonic halls, not only because of the number of lodges and members transferring, but also because of the additional capital and income that become available.

Furthermore, it was a nostalgic visit for Julie and me for two reasons. First, Julie was working at Westminster Bank, Hindley in 1960 when we first met – happy days - and we were subsequently married in 1965. Secondly, in 1988, during my memorable year as the Provincial Junior Grand Warden, which I greatly enjoyed, I went to Hindley Masonic Hall to attend the installation of Corinthian Lodge. I was accompanying the then Provincial Grand Master, Alan Fletcher Ferris, and at that time, the hall had just completed its first extension and refurbishment.

I have always believed that to be successful in life, it is important to surround oneself with good men and true (and a good wife!). At our Craft Cabinet Meeeting in December, I was most impressed with the detailed reports of my Deputies and Assistants, clearly indicating the way in which they have set about helping and supporting me in the Province, by willingly sharing the heavy burden of the Provincial workload. In this respect, the Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee continues to be a tower of strength, and he and his Provincial team have worked very hard to ensure that the Province runs as smoothly and efficiently as it does. I thank them all most sincerely.

I conclude by wishing you all a very happy and peaceful New Year. I have been well pleased with the first five months of my term of office, due in no small measure to the warm friendship and generous support that I have received from all parts of the Province.

Peter Hosker