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Peter John Hosker OBE

I am very proud to be able to report that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll has been graciously pleased to approve my appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year 2010 Honours List, and my name appears in the List published in the London Gazette and some national newspapers today. I have been honoured for my services to the community in Preston, where I was born, where I live and where I worked as a Solicitor for just short of 40 years.

I suggest that this is wonderful news not only to me personally but also to Freemasonry. Indeed, I have always looked upon myself as a Freemason working in and for the community. ‘For by the kind of life we live, will Freemasonry be judged’.

I readily acknowledge that, in my life, whatever I have done or achieved, I have only suceeded because of the wonderful help and support of my wife Julie, my family and friends, and by so many ‘good men/women and true’ who have come to my aid. We can do much as individuals, but we can do so much more if we pull together.

I now immediately report that, following her operation, Julie has recently started some further significant treatment. She is bearing up and being very positive, as is her nature. It will not surprise you to learn that the OBE has given us both much joy and pleasure during these challenging times.

During December, in the Province, I attended three important events.

First, on 14 December, the Province welcomed and received the Assistant Grand Master David Kenneth Williamson when he visited the University Lodge of Liverpool No 4274. It was he who introduced the Universities Scheme and the University Lodge of Liverpool is our beacon of light in that Scheme. The Lodge is shining brightly, and, during the past 12 months, it has initiated several undergraduates and graduates, and on the night of the AGM’s visit, two more were initiated. David Williamson greatly enjoyed himself, and he was most impressed with what he saw. Having just visited the University Lodge of Liverpool and, some two years ago, Quingenti Lodge No 8516, he has certainly formed a very favourable impression of West Lancashire – and quite rightly so!
As a footnote to my visit, I must report that I met Matthew Jackson, who is responsible for Matt’s Blog on our Provincial Website. He is studying Astrophysics, which, as you will all know, is a branch of astronomy dealing with the physical nature of astronomical bodies and phenomena; and I thought that the law was quite complicated!

Secondly, the following night, I led the Centenary Celebrations in respect of Prescot Trinity Lodge No 3401. Although the Lodge No 3401 is, in fact, made up of three old and distinguished lodges, namely, St Michael’s Temperance Lodge, Red Triangle Lodge, and Antient Manor Lodge, all the evidence leads me to believe that the three lodges are now well and truly unified as one happy and vibrant lodge of fraternal continuity. We must never forget that in Freemasonry, we all hand on the torch, one to another - from one Provincial Grand Master to another, and from one generation of lodge members to the next generation of lodge members. It was pleasing that the Lodge has kept that torch burning bright for 100 years and all the members can be justly proud of what has been achieved.  

Thirdly, and on a lighter note, I attended ‘Peter Pan’, being this year’s pantomine at the Grand Theatre Blackpool, on 17 December 2009. The 2010 Festival Committee had sold the tickets for this special event and it proved to be a great success. It was a pantomine which was awash with swash and buckle - O yes it was! That said, it is now just over four months before the 2010 Festival and I am so pleased with the way in which Stuart Thornber and his team are continuing the good work right up to the end.

In conclusion, Julie and I send to everyone our very best wishes for a happy and peaceful New Year.
 

Peter Hosker - Provincial Grand Master

Assistant Grand Master David Kenneth Williamson visited University Lodge of Liverpool and he is pictured with WM Jim Alty and Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker.