50th and 60th Celebrations - Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire

A page to allow Freemasons around the Province and indeed around the country to share in the achievements of freemasons in the Province of West Lancashire who have achieved a 50th, 60th and even a 70th Anniversaries in Freemasonry.

If you know of a brother who is about to, or has already celebrated such an event, then please let the webmaster know, with a small write up about the brother concerned and if possible a picture.

Please ensure you make the brother aware that the celebration details and the photograph may be put on the internet and ensure you have his permission.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson presented a glowing tribute to Bill Done on his 50th year in Freemasonry and he outlined his special devotion to Emblem Lodge No 6727, which is a member of the Blackpool Group of Lodges.

Terry opened by informing the brethren that Bill was a Blackpool lad, having been born in the town on 18t April, 1932.

Bill’s father, (William), was also a Blackpool Freemason, being a Past Master of Emblem Lodge, a fact, as Terry pointed out would have a significant bearing on Bill’s later life.

As a child, Bill along with his young pals would spend hours playing on what was known as the “Mason’s car park”. Ironically this is the site where the Blackpool Masonic Hall now stands.

Bill served his National Service in the RAF and trained as an engine mechanic specialising on Meteor Jet engines. Also while serving in the RAF Bill attended evening classes at the local art college giving him an interest in fine art which has remained with him all his life. Terry added that Bill will also have completed 50 years membership of the Blackpool Arts Society, another wonderful accomplishment.

During Bill’s working life, he had held many leading positions on various local councils, and at the point of his retirement, Bill held the senior position of, Improvement Grant Officer for the Blackpool Borough Council.

As Terry had pointed out earlier, Bill’s interest in Freemasonry was stimulated by his father, who had proposed him into Emblem Lodge No 6727 in 1960. Following on from this Bill became the Master of the Lodge in 1974, and had the privilege of listening to the Address to the Master, given by his father.

Bill served Emblem Lodge as Chaplain for the grand total of 12 years, and was appointed to the rank of, PPrJGD in I985. Bill again became Master for the second time in 1990, holding the lodge together during a turbulent time. A situation for which the members of Emblem Lodge are forever in his debt.

Terry described Bill as being a dedicated Mason, and one who shows great kindness.

He was of a generous nature with a gentle demeanour, and also, being of wise council, all attributes which have endeared him to all who know him.

His loyalty and commitment to Emblem Lodge and Freemasonry in general was recognised by the Province in 1992 when he was promoted to the high rank of PPrJGW.

Blackpool Group Chairman Ian Robertson read and presented the scroll which had been received from the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, congratulating Bill on his 50 years in Freemasonry.

Terry then concluded by offering Bill his warmest personal congratulations on achieving this wonderful milestone in his Masonic career and went on to say how he felt it was a privilege and a pleasure to be in attendance on the evening and to have taken part in such a happy and rewarding event.

Pictured, left to right, are: Terry Hudson, Peter Smith (WM of Emblem Lodge) and Bill Done.

Bill Done is pictured with Terry Hudson, Peter Smith and Acting Provincial Grand Officers had the special meeting to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a Freemason.

The last meeting of the 2009-10 season of Tudor Lodge No 6477 was a very special occasion for its most senior brother, Neville Gore, who celebrated his 50th year in Freemasonry.

Neville was born in Southport on 21 February 1930 and so also celebrated his 80th birthday this year. He attended Southport College where he gained his school certificate and was a member of the Army Cadets. This experience led him to an interest in and enjoyment of field sports and shooting in which he attained a marksman’s badge. He was also very keen on horse riding which he later encouraged his son, Mike, to take up. He also has been a volunteer at the National Trust Squirrel Reserve in Formby where he has annually taken on the task of Father Christmas for the past 50 years!

Neville started his working life at the age of 17 in Martin’s Bank, Waterloo but one year later saw him returning to join his family’s firm of Gore’s Coaches whilst studying part time at Southport Technical College for a Certificate in Mechanical Engineering. This study postponed his call-up for National Service but at the age of 20 he was finally drafted to Yatesbury, Wiltshire as a radio operator. After a few months stationed in Wiltshire and with the help of a friend he managed to fiddle a posting back to Woodvale, which then enabled him to live at home for about four-and-a-half months. However, when he requested a permanent posting at Woodvale he was promptly sent back to Wiltshire!

After being demobbed Neville returned to the family business to help run it with his cousin and uncle following the retirement of his father after sustaining two strokes.

His contribution to the transport industry was considerable. He became Chairman of the North West Area Passenger Vehicle Operators’ Association in Manchester and vice chairman of the national association in London where he worked closely with the then shadow Transport Minister, Michael Heseltine, in the fight to stop nationalisation of the industry.

In 1974 Neville obtained employment as house and box office manager at the Southport Arts Centre, which post he held for 12 years. He quotes this as being the happiest period of his working life. As a matter of interest, he was interviewed for this job by the Director of Libraries, Museums and Art Galleries, Arthur Hardman, who was the father of Paul Hardman; also a member of Tudor Lodge.

Neville married his first wife, Pam, in All Saints’ Church, Southport in 1962 and they had a son, Michael. Unfortunately the marriage broke down after 16 years but Neville found love again and married Margaret on 13 April, 1982. She was the real love of his life and is still sorely missed as she sadly lost her battle with illness in 2001.

Neville’s Masonic career began on 14 April 1960, when he was initiated into Tudor Lodge No 6477. He became Master of Tudor Lodge for the first time on 9 October 1969 and was installed into the Chair of King Solomon another two times in Tudor Lodge in 1995 and again in 2002.

In 1981 he received preferment in Provincial Grand Lodge with the rank of PPrAGDC. In 1993/4 he was promoted to PPrSGD and in 2004 to the high rank of PPrGSuptWks.

For many years it has become somewhat of a tradition that Neville gives a flawless presentation of the Address to the Worshipful Master on installation night and this he continued to uphold on 8 October 2009. It was given under some physical duress, as he had only just left hospital, where he had been treated for the effects of a serious stroke. The presentation was, as ever, perfect and above all, courageous warranting a spontaneous and hearty round of applause.

Neville has for some years now given excellent service in Tudor Lodge as a mentor supporting the newer members. He has a passion for Freemasonry and Tudor Lodge in particular.

Neville has served his family, his profession, his community and country with great distinction and should be very proud of that. May there also be many more years of devoted service to Freemasonry ahead of him. He is much loved and admired by all who have the privilege to know him.

He was presented with a special commemorative certificate to mark his 50th anniversary by Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Moore.

Pictured, left to right, are John Moore, Neville Gore and WM of Tudor Lodge John Wingfield.

Jack Moorhouse was described as a man who has always “wanted to make a difference” when he celebrated the golden jubilee of his initiation into Freemasonry.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland outlined Jack’s public and Masonic life at a special meeting of Withy Lodge No 7733 at Leyland.

Jack was born in Glossop, Derbyshire and says he was inadequately educated in local schools and against his own inclination, compelled to study music and to have piano lessons from the age of seven. At the age of 14 he won a scholarship to further education in music at the Royal College of Music in Manchester where he says he rebelled and told his father that he wanted to be an electrician!

He immediately sold the piano and Jack swore that you would never touch another keyboard again. In reality, his father John, was actually very sympathetic and arranged for Jack to be articled to a local firm of electrical engineers as an indentured apprentice. This was where Jack’s bona fide education began; for seven years at various technical colleges and colleges of further education in the Manchester area, three nights a week and one full day a week.

Then, at the age of 21 National Service beckoned, first in the Royal Signals for two weeks and then, because he applied to go to an officer cadet training unit, he was selected and transferred into the Royal Military Police where he spent six months training to be a military policeman and 18 months training regular solders at the RMP Depots in Woking and Aldershot.

After National Service Jack returned to normality and civilian life and completed training and qualified as an electrical engineer working for an international firm of consulting engineers, in its Manchester office. After several years working as a consulting engineer he joined the New Towns Service as the chief electrical engineer to Skelmersdale Development Corporation. In this capacity, he also acted as a consultant to most of the other New Towns, including Central Lancashire and Warrington Development Corporations.

On the winding up of the New Towns Service he decided to retrain and qualify in marketing and public relations. Following this training he then founded a full service agency specialising in corporate marketing communications, with offices at Rainford Hall, Crank, near St.Helens.

Jack’s Masonic career started when he was initiated into Kinder Scout Lodge No 4532 in the province of Derbyshire on 18 May 1960. He was installed as Worshipful Master of Kinder Scout Lodge in 1972 and appointed Provincial Grand Steward in 1980. He was promoted to PPrAGDC in 1981. During this period Jack moved from Derbyshire to live in West Lancashire and joined Upholland Lodge No 7608 in 1982 and served as its WM in 1992. During his membership of Upholland Lodge he served as a director of Pemberton Masonic Properties Limited for nine years and charity steward for three years. In 1998 he became a joining member of Southport Emulation Lodge and in 2007 became a joining member of Withy Lodge No 7733 at Leyland.

Jack was exalted in Harmony Chapter No 178 in the Province of West Lancashire in 1983. He was appointed P PrAGDC West Lancashire in 1991 and became a Joining member of Bridson Chapter No 613 in 1994 at Southport serving as its First Principal in 2004.

In 1998, the Provincial Grand Master initiated a communication structure to promote Freemasonry and to improve its perception by the public at large. The Provincial Grand Master invited Jack, as a professional public relations practitioner, to lead a team of Provincial Communication Officers to encourage this initiative throughout the Province. This role quickly developed into your appointment as the Provincial Director of Communications, a position which he occupied for almost nine years during which time he assumed the responsibility for the following functions:

Presentation of a series of seminars to senior officers throughout the Province on the value of Public Relations and how it could help to change the climate of opinion in favor of Freemasonry.
You advised senior officers how to deal with issues which could involve the media and arranging meetings between such officers and journalists.
Day to day supervision of a team of 17 Provincial Communication Officers and assisting them to write and issue news releases.
The introduction and editing of a Provincial Website.
The introduction, editing and production of a Provincial Newsletter (The West Lancashire Freemason).
Advising the Provincial Grand Secretary on the design and production of promotional literature.
Advising and arranging special events, for example: Celebrating the Province’s 175th anniversary - open days at Masonic Halls - Arranging a major event during Freemasonry in the Community week - Organising a charity walk throughout the Province to raise funds for hospices throughout the Province - Arranging other promotional events, the last one being a presence at the Southport Flower Show to promote Freemasonry in West Lancashire.

In 1990 Jack was appointed a Trustee of Crossroads for Carers in St.Helens. He served this organisation in a voluntary capacity for 10 years during which time he became chairman of its fund-raising committee, a member of its audit group and a member of its personnel sub-committee. During this period he also advised the national organisation of Crossroads on the development of its corporate identity and image.

In February 1994, the Secretary of State for Health, invited Jack to join the board of Salford Royal Teaching Hospital NHS Trust as a Non-Executive Director. In this role, he served as a member of the audit committee, chairman of the public relations and corporate communications committee, chairman of the university advisory board for the appointment of new clinical consultants.

Jack has always been enthusiastically involved in fund-raising both professionally and on a voluntary basis. One of his greatest challenges, some years ago, was acting as fund-raiser for the YMCA, where £300,000 had to be raised within the short period of six months: this target was exceeded by raising a total of almost £450,000. He has also been an active member of Rotary International for about 12 years, during which time he served as secretary to the St Helens club for nine years and president for one year. During the period that he was an active Rotarian, he was appointed the public relations officer for a Rotary District, which covered most of the North West.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland said to Jack: “There is no doubt that throughout your entire life you have wanted to make a difference and better yourself. You have been a good citizen, and in every way, a contributor to society as a whole. It is a tribute to you that among your many guests you have many distinguished Brethren.”

Peter Hadfield, the Chairman of the Leyland and District Masonic Group of Lodges and Chapters, read the special certificate which is an acknowledgement of the Province of West Lancashire’s great appreciation of Jack’s half a century of membership of Freemasonry.

Two former Assistant Provincial Grand Masters joined Howard Jones to pay tribute to William Benjamin Jones who is one of the country’s longest serving Freemasons.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard attended the meeting of the Lodge of Harmony No 220 to lead the celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of Bill’s initiation into the lodge.

A big surprise for 99-year-old Bill was that Cyril McGibbon who lead the tributes to him on the occasion of the golden jubilee of his initiation and David McCormick who officiated at his 65th and 70th anniversary celebrations also travelled to Garston Masonic Hall so that they could be part of the special night.

Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brian Gillbanks lead the celebrations when Bill celebrated his diamond anniversary and Howard Jones said an interesting fact was that he and the other three who had taken the chair to pay tribute to Bill on those special anniversaries are all Liobians having attended Liverpool Institute High School for Boys.

Howard then went on to tell the large gathering of Bill’s public and Masonic careers.

Bill was born in the Toxteth district of Liverpool in January 1911. Bill is the eldest of five children. His father was an engineer; an occupation to which Bill aspired from boyhood.

He went to his local school, Tiber Street, until he left at the age of 14 to take up a position in the jewellery trade. He had a talent for repairing watches and that was probably the ‘engineer’ within him trying to get out. He was determined to become an engineer like his father, so while he was working in the jewellery trade he began going to night school to obtain the necessary qualifications for an apprenticeship.

After two years’ hard work he was successful in securing the position of apprentice mechanical engineer at the Bryant and May Match Works in Speke and he remained there until his retirement many.

As a boy Bill was a chorister at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. He never actually sang in the cathedral because it was still being built and services were carried out in the Lady Chapel but he built up an excellent relationship with the organist, Harry Goss-Custard, getting the music and turning the pages. Harry Goss-Custard was still the organist when Howard Jones joined the choir 30 years later. He finally retired at age 85 in 1955.

Bill took up his engineering apprenticeship at the Match Works and was successful in obtaining his National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and was later admitted as a Member of the Institute of Plant Engineers. Bill very much enjoyed his life at the Match Works and it was there he met the office secretary, Annie Verbena (he called her Vera) who became his wife in July 1938.

Rising rapidly ‘through the ranks’ it was not too long before senior management invited him to rise above the hands-on engineering he loved to more senior managerial work. In the interests of his family, Bill’s engineering took a back seat and he was groomed, more and more, for senior management. His dedication and hard work for Bryant and May was rewarded ultimately with the position of general manager, and he was admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Works Managers shortly afterwards.

Before the outbreak of the Second World War both Bill and Vera were heavily involved in Civil Defence and were trained in air raid precaution roles. Bill was in a reserved occupation and as he also happened to work at a Match Works adjacent to an airport, his training was to be put to good use on many an occasion.

His daughter, Enid, was born in 1943. Enid grew up to become a physiotherapist and Bill’s son, Peter, who was 65 on the day of Bill special Masonic birthday, is a chartered electrical engineer. Bill has three grandsons, all of whom have graduated with degrees in art, archaeology and computer science, respectively.

Vera passed away in 1976 but told him that he should marry again and continue to devote himself to his Freemasonry. Bill did devote himself to his Masonry but he knew he could never replace Vera. Indeed, the only female company he ever entertained outside of his family was Etta, a German lady. Occasionally, he would see her walking her dog in the park when he was exercising his own dog. Etta was training to be a solicitor and her English was not perhaps as good as it might have been. One day, when Bill was out walking with his two sisters in Garston, Etta espied him from over the road and waving to him, exclaimed that she had got a job ‘soliciting’ in Woolton. That took some explaining to his rather straight-laced sisters!

Bill was introduced to Freemasonry at the age of 24 and was proposed and seconded by two of his work colleagues, Bro DJ Patrick and WBro J Case and on 26 June 1935 was initiated into the Lodge of Harmony No 220 in this Temple being passed and raised in the following two months.

Bill was installed as WM of the Lodge of Harmony on 22 October 1952 and in November, the lodge resolved to pay him an allowance of 1 guinea so that he could dine with the Provincial Grand Master at Hope Street.

Bill had a busy year in the chair, but his job was now taking him all over the country and although he continued his membership of the Lodge of Harmony, his frequent absences and demanding work meant it was impossible for him to attend as much as he would have liked. However, when his travelling days were over he very quickly became involved once again occupying most of the positions and he was preceptor for eight years.

His moving recital of the passage from Ecclesiastes is a feature of his lodge’s third degree ceremony.

As major shareholders in the Garston Masonic Hall, the Lodge of Harmony was fortunate to be able to call on Bill’s managerial skills and experience and, for many years, he was to serve on the board as a director and as its chairman. As a trustee of the lodge, he remains an ex-officio member of the board of directors.

Bill has demonstrated a huge commitment to Freemasonry in Garston; not just to his own Lodge but also to all lodges and chapters that meet there. This commitment has been recognised by the Province and Bill was appointed PPrJGD in 1985, promoted to PPrJGW in 1992 and in 2000 to his present rank of PPrSGW, the highest rank the Province can bestow.

Bill has recently celebrated 60 years in Royal Arch Masonry as a member of the Chapter of Harmony No 220 where he holds the high rank of PPrGSN. He was the chairman of the founders of the Garston Lodge of Installed Masters and he only came out of the chair in May 2009. He was also instrumental in drumming up support for the foundation of the South Liverpool Rose Croix Chapter at Garston and was recently honoured to receive the 31st Degree in that Order.

Now in his 100th year Bill is often asked how he keeps himself so young. He believes by walking to and from the hall every day, he keeps himself fit. He decided to do this 25 years ago when he gave his daughter-in-law his cherished Triumph Vitesse and since then, apart from the occasional bike ride, his feet have been his principal mode of transport.

Howard Jones said he would not be at all surprised if the next celebration everyone shared with Bill will have something to do with the receipt of a ‘telegram’ from a young lady, young to Bill that is, who lives in a palace, when he celebrates his 100th birthday.

Howard said: “Worshipful Brother William Benjamin Jones, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden of the Province of West Lancashire we trust you will continue to enjoy your Freemasonry and that we will be able to celebrate with you once again next January.”

The special certificate marking Bill’s 75th anniversary, signed by Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker, praising Bill’s long and dedicated service to Freemasonry was read out by Howard Griffiths, Vice chairman of the Garston Group.

As he presented the certificate to Bill, Howard Jones said it had been an honour and a pleasure to be present and asked Bill for an invitation to attend the special celebration when he achieves 80 years as a Freemason.

After resuming his chair, the Worshipful Master, Ken Wagner, said the lodge had decided to mark the special occasion by making a donation to charity. When he received the cheque Howard said it was quite appropriate as the figures 75 appeared but he was delighted to see that a nought had been added making it £750. He said the money would go to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

At the festive board Garston Group Chairman Syd Ford proposed the toast to the health of Howard Jones and thanked him for his work in making the evening so special. During his speech Syd said he had contacted the Provincial office and they believed that only five certificates had been issued in the last 20 years to brethren achieving the 75-year milestone.

Proposing the toast to Bill’s health group secretary Ken Bradley explained that he was not going to say much about Bill as he was saving the information for when he proposes a similar toast in five years time.

When he stood to respond Bill said he did not really know what to say as he had “never attended a 75th before”. He said: “I have got farm more out of Masonry than I have ever put into it. When my wife died 34 years ago Masonry was a lifebelt. I was like a ship without a rudder.”

He thanked everyone for their “friendship and comradeship” which he said had been wonderful.

Howard Jones presents Bill Jones with his special 75th anniversary certificate watched by, left to right: Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Sam Robinson, Syd Ford, Cyril McGibbon, David McCormick, Howard Griffiths and Provincial Grand Registrar Paul Baines.

Bill Jones with the Howard Jones who led the celebrations on the occasion of his 75th anniversary, Cyril McGibbon who as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented Bill with the certificate to mark the golden jubilee of his initiation and David McCormick who as the Assistant Provincial Grand Master at the time took the chair of the Lodge of Harmony on the special nights when Bill celebrated his 65th and 70th anniversaries.

Bill Jones responds to the toast to his health at the special meeting by announcing that he does not know what to say as he has never attended a 75th anniversary celebration before.

Keith Lyon celebrated the golden jubilee of becoming a Freemason – exactly 50 years to the day since his initiation.

He was initiated into Antient Briton Lodge No 1675 by his father on 24 May 1960 , between 1976 when he joined Lodge of Integrity No 4151 and 1989 when he joined Lodge of Loyalty No 86 he was a member of no less than five lodges. He is also active in Royal Arch Masonry being Exalted into Ionic Chapter No 2405 in 1977 and became a became a Mark Master Mason in 1981 in Prescot Mark Lodge No 903.

In 1992 he was appointed Provincial Senior Grand Deacon followed by promotion to PPrJGW in 1997. In the Royal Arch he became Provincial Grand Steward in 1994 with promotion to PPrGSN in1997.

Grand Lodge’s recognition for his work came in 1998 when he was appointed PAGDC and PGStdB in the Royal Arch.

Keith has also active in several other Masonic degrees. He has also been secretary, vice chairman and chairman of the St Helens and Prescot Group. Prior to that Keith served on the board of directors of St Helens Masonic Hall Ltd.

Recently difficulty with night time driving forced Keith to give up all but the most local of lodges, but he is still a familiar figure at lodges and social events both within St Helens and Prescot and in other groups.

Keith was instrumental in kick-starting an appeal in 2004 which raised more than £10,000 for a baby scanner at Whiston Hospital in just one year. He was also involved in organising a charity walk across the Province which terminated at Willowbrook Hospice in St Helens, which was the beneficiary of the money raised.

He received his special commemorative certificate from Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield who gave the brethren a most comprehensive and interesting account of Keith’s Masonic and public life.

To mark this milestone in Arnold’s Masonic career, spanning 50 years as a Freemason in Victoria Lodge No 4629, making him somewhat of a celebrity, a meeting was arranged to celebrate this grand achievement. Arnold and Victoria Lodge were very pleased and honoured to have Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Dennis Rudd present at this meeting to convey the Province’s official recognition of Arnold’s service. Accompanying Dennis was Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Paul Hesketh. Also present for the meeting was Widnes Group Chairman, David Redhead and more than 50 members of Victoria Lodge and friends from other lodges.

Arnold was born on 8 November 1927 in Hough Green, Widnes, which then was a small village. He attended a local junior school before moving to Farnworth. His secondary education was at Liverpool Institute until 1945 where he enjoyed the Junior Training Corps; a similar training unit as today’s Army Cadet Corps, physical training and football. The school week for Arnold was five and a half days, which included Saturday mornings and for his half day off on Wednesdays he was expected to take part in games. His school was evacuated to Bangor in North Wales at the outbreak of the war in 1939. He returned home in the early part of 1940. Arnold recalls that while waiting for a train to school during the Blitz he saw German reconnaissance planes being shot at.

After volunteering to join the army in May 1945, Arnold completed his initial training at Deepcut before being assigned to a battalion based in Elgin. From Elgin he was sent to Edinburgh and then on to Germany where, after a short period, he was posted to a unit on the outskirts of Paris. He was demobilised after three years service in May 1948.

By attending night school, Arnold qualified for a national Certificate in Commerce. This was followed by a day release from work and night school course to be qualified for the Chartered Institute of Secretaries.

Arnold’s first civilian job was as a clerk in the foreman’s office of a large wire works in Warrington were he found the range of items manufactured quite fascinating, ranging from fine wire mesh sieves to large wedge wire floors for whisky stills. After 12 months he moved to a job in the National Health Service as an accounts clerk at Warrington General Hospital where he stayed for seven years. While working at Warrington General Hospital Arnold was re-called for a fortnight military training during the ‘Cold War’.

His next job was at the Atomic Energy Authority at Risley where he spent the first half of his career in the contracts department placing contracts for a wide variety of items such as machine tools and specialized engineering products to civil engineering work. The second half of his career at Risley was spent on the ‘opposite side of the fence’, this involved negotiating and administering contracts for the sale of Atomic Energy Authority services and the use of their facilities such as test rigs for testing fuel for nuclear reactors. Arnold retired from the Atomic Energy Authority after 36 years of service.

In 1956 Arnold married Edith and during their many happy years together they have been blessed with two children, Karen and Stuart. They are now proud grandparents of Rebecca and Danielle. Over the years Arnold has taken his family caravanning all over the UK and Europe. Walking and skiing are other activities he and Edith enjoyed with family and friends.

Outside of work and family life, Arnold has many varied interests which include being a lifelong member of the Methodist Church following his father as a trustee, secretary and treasurer at Hough Green. He is now a Steward and property Steward at Cronton. Farming, table tennis and competing in motor bike cross country trials are a few other of his interests.

WBro FA Clark, a founder member of Victoria Lodge No.4629 and Arnold’s father, initiated Arnold into Victoria Lodge on 19 May 1960. Arnold was elected treasurer on 17 October 1968 and then appointed Assistant Secretary on 15 October 1970. He was installed as WM of Victoria Lodge on 17 October 1974 and appointed secretary of the lodge on 21 October 1976, a position which he held for 10 years. Arnold was honoured with the Provincial Rank of PPrSDG in 1986. He is a long standing member of Widnes Chapter No 2819 and has been a member of Mark.

Following on from the meeting the festive board was enjoyed by all and during the presentation of gifts to Arnold, he made a generous gesture of donating £50 to the Help the Hero’s Charity which the Victoria Lodge Social Fund doubled to make £100 for the charity.

Pictured, left to right are; David Redhead, Dennis Rudd, Arnold Clark, Steve Nash (WM Victoria Lodge) and Paul Hesketh.

Arnold, left, is pictured being presented with a gift from Victoria Lodge by Tony Tallon, who was present at Arnold’s initiation. In the foreground is Steve Nas.

Frederick William Smith has been described as “a man of great humility and dedication” by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham.

Thursday 6 May 2010, was not only Polling Day, but the 50th anniversary, as a member of Architect Lodge No 1375, of Fredrick William Smith.

The occasion was marked by the attendance of Jon Clipsham, Eccles Group Chairman Stuart Shea, Paul Hesketh (Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies) together with David Johnson (PrAGDC) and Barry Hanson (PrGStwd) who have been almost ever presents at Installations and other celebrations throughout their year in office.

Fred was born in Holly Street, Salford, in 1918. He attended Victoria Avenue Elementary School in Blackley, Manchester Grammar School and finally the University in Manchester to read law, and qualified as a Solicitor in 1940, but as the country was again at war, he joined the Royal Air Force, serving as part of the Coastal Command. It was this group of diligent airmen who are credited with sinking more than half of the U-boats, as well as locating the Bismarck as she was preparing to escape to the Atlantic. During this time Fred mainly flew Wellingtons and Whitleys, but also Liberators and Fortresses, working out of many bases around England, Scotland, and Ireland, finishing his service with a two-year stint at Masirah, off the coast of Oman. He was discharged in 1946, having attained the rank of Squadron Leader and his final post was with the Judge Advocate General’s Department.

He returned to work as a solicitor in his own partnership, pecialising in civil injuries cases. In 1973 he was appointed County Court Registrar, retiring in 1990, but continued to serve the justice system as a part time Deputy District Judge until 1993. Jon mentioned that another retired District Judge, whose name is familiar to all of us, had also just celebrated his 50th anniversary and that is our Deputy Provincial Grand Master – Very Worshipful Brother Brian Gillbanks.

In 1941, without doubt a very important year in his life, Fred married Ailsa on 16 August, in the beautiful setting of St Ann’s Church, Manchester and has been blessed with three children and six grandchildren.

Fred’s interests include gardening and golf, and he still plays nine holes twice a week at Bramhall Golf Club.

Jon went on to say to Fred that “there is, however, a very important part of your life which we have not yet touched on this evening, which is, of course, the reason for our celebration this evening, and that is your passion for Freemasonry”.

Fred was proposed into Architect Lodge by his late brother Derek, and initiated him on 6 May 1960 – exactly 50 years to the day.

Progress was slow and steady, by virtue of the lodge’s strong membership at the time and it was two years before his name appeared on the list of stewards. Fred was Junior Deacon in 1967, Junior Warden in 1968 and Master in 1969. He served a second year in 1975. He also served the lodge as Assistant Director of Ceremonies.

His contribution to the well-being and life of the lodge was in due course recognised in 1982, when he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

When asked what the highlight of his life had been so far, his immediate response was “my marriage”, and when asked what advice he would give to a new Freemason, the reply was “that they are entering a lifetime of pleasure – keep your nose clean, obey the tenets of the order, and you will be a happy man”.

In closing Jon said: “Brother Fred, in your family life, your friendships, your service to the country, your career, and your Freemasonry, you have proved to be man of great humility and dedication; quiet and unassuming, yet incredibly capable. I mentioned earlier that you share your birthday with that incredible man, Nelson Mandela. One of his sayings was: ‘A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.’ You have without doubt been richly blessed with both a good head and a good heart, and I’m sure every one of us here this evening would agree, that you are a formidable man. We congratulate you.”

At the social board Fred thanked Jon for his kind words along with everyone present for supporting him. He said that this was the first celebration of 50 years service he had attended, so it was all new to him and, not knowing what to expect, was a little overcome.

The toast to Fred’s health was proposed by Brian Pearson who presented Fred with a decanter, along with a bouquet for Ailsa. All present were given a small tankard, suitably engraved to mark the occasion.

Pictured with Fred Smith are Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham and group chairman Stuart Shea.

Edward William (Ted) Smith whose father and grandfather were Freemasons has celebrated the 50th anniversary of his initiation.

Ted also had two uncles who were Freemasons so it was inevitable that he would follow the family path into the Craft..

His grandfather and uncles were members of Toxteth Lodge No 1356 but his father had become a joining member of Liberty Lodge No 3888 and it was here that Ted was initiated on 26 March 1960 – a ceremony witnessed by his father.

That evening saw two candidates initiated and two Entered Apprentices passed to the second degree. They also read the bye-laws in a meeting which lasted just two-and-a-half hours – starting at 5.00pm and finishing at 7.30pm.

At that time there were 14 stewards in the lodge and progression up the ladder was very slow so it was 19 years before Ted was installed as Master in 1979 – his father being present at the ceremony despite being very ill at the time.

He became DC of Liberty Lodge in 1983 but unfortunately was only able to serve for two years before ill health forced him to step down.

He was appointed PPrJGD in May 1989 but, finding attendance at a Saturday evening lodge very difficult was forced to look elsewhere. He was proposed as a joining member of the Lodge of Loyalty No 86 in 1999 – resigning from Liberty in December 2001.

He was appointed ADC of Loyalty in a “holding capacity” in November 2004 and remained in office until becoming Junior Warden in November 2008 and is all set to become WM in November this year.

He is also a Royal Arch Mason having been exalted into Equity Chapter No 1384 in April 1975 where he became MEZ in 1992 being appointed PPrGStdB in 1999 and regularly attends meetings.

Ted Smith was presented with his special commemorative certificate to mark his golden jubilee by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield.

Ted Smith is pictured with members and guests at the meeting of the Lodge of Loyalty in Prescot Masonic Hall.

Liverpool Wellington Group Chairman John Roberts, together with Joseph Brine, Ellis Bridgeman and Geoffrey Campbell who are Past Masters of Hamer Lodge No 1393 visited Bro Warren Fisher at his home in Penwortham, Lancashire to present him with a certificate celebrating a remarkable 50 years membership in Freemasonry.

Warren was initiated into Hamer Lodge No 1393 on 26 February 1960, passed on the 22 April 1960 and raised on 23 September 1960.

His professional career, firstly in the Merchant Navy world-wide and finally as a commercial traveller throughout the UK, precluded him from attending many subsequent lodge meetings.

Remarkably, throughout his 50 years membership, Warren remained faithful to Hamer Lodge, paid his dues and still looks forward to receiving his monthly communications from the lodge, which keep him up to date with lodge and Provincial activities.

Warren expressed pleasure, surprise and gratitude at being presented with the special commemorative certificate by John Roberts and his visitors from Hamer Lodge.

Warren Fisher is presented with his certificate by John Roberts watched by members of Hamer Lodge.

Harold Ford has enjoyed Freemasonry not only in this country but also in Kuwait and America.

Harold Ford, PPrSGW in the Craft and PPrGSN in the Royal Arch, was initiated into Neptune Lodge No 1264 in 1960 and the brethren of that lodge were pleased and proud to host the 50th anniversary of him becoming a Freemason.

He was presented with a framed certificate to mark the occasion by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield, who was supported by Wellington Group Chairman John Roberts and vice chairman Roy Ashley.

During the ceremony, which took place at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Stanley Oldfield gave a light-hearted account of the interesting and very full life which Harold has enjoyed and paid tribute to his work in Freemasonry.

At a young age Harold developed an interest in music and was a member of the Boys’ Brigade as well as an athlete and swimmer. On leaving school he obtained an apprenticeship with J. Bibby and Sons and later qualified in Mechanical Engineering at HNC level. Always an engineer by profession, Harold travelled the world in the Merchant Navy after the War and met and married Mrs Ford, the daughter of a sea captain. Deciding that the maritime existence was not conducive to married life, Harold took employment ashore in the chemical industry locally. He later took up an offer of employment in the oil industry in Kuwait, where, having been joined by his wife and first daughter, he spent most of his professional life, rising to the post of chief engineer with the responsibility for the fleet of ships owned by the Kuwaiti Oil Company. He also sailed as chief engineer on the Kuwaiti Royal Yacht.

In Kuwait, Harold was not only very busy professionally but also found time to engage musical theatre, an interest he has held since a boy, becoming the president of the Ahmadi Musical Society and a member of the Kuwait Little Theatre. He was also Commodore of the Small Boat Owners' Club and Chairman of the Kuwait Open Golf Competition.

Harold was also a member of Kuwait Lodge No 6810, of which he became Master in 1971. He continued his Masonic career in Kuwait Caledonia Lodge and Kuwait Royal Arch Chapter.

Harold and his family returned to England in 1984. Now 85, he enjoys seeing his five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and continues to be active in Freemasonry. He was Master of Neptune Lodge in 1992 and First Principal of Neptune Chapter in 1998.

Harold is a founding member of Garston Lodge of Installed Masters and was Master of that Lodge in 2001. He is an active member in Mark Masonry, as well as other side degrees, both here and in Florida. Stanley Oldfield concluded the ceremony by reading the Certificate to Harold who was congratulated by all present.

Harold Ford receives his 50th certificate from
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield

A Freemason who flew 32 operations in Bomber Command has celebrated the 60th anniversary of his initiation.

Henry Lonney was presented with a special certificate to mark his diamond jubilee by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd.

Henry was born in Wavertree on 27 January 1921 and his early education was at an infant and junior school in that area of Liverpool. At the age of 11 he continued his formal education at Roscoe Senior School in West Derby. After leaving school at the age of 15 he obtained employment in the office of James Walker, a shipping supply company in Liverpool but after a short time moved to a job with a construction company.

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 at the age of 18 he immediately volunteered for service in the RAF and was selected for air crew training. At that early stage of the war there was a lack of training facilities for air crew and he had a long wait before being conscripted and eventually trained as a flight engineer. On completion of his training he flew 32 operations in Bomber Command with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

During what was called a rest period of six months he was trained as a lecturer for training new air crews and at the end of that period he volunteered for a second tour of operations before joining “Tiger Force” in Japan. However, peace was declared before this but training continued.

Towards the end of 1945 the RAF formed three ferry pools consisting of approximately 90 pilots and 20 Flight Engineers whose task it was to fly all unwanted aircraft from airfields all over the country for scrapping. This amounted to thousands of aircraft and so it took several years to achieve

This appeared to be a never ending task because factories were still producing new aircraft in order to keep them employed until peace time production could be restarted.

Henry left the RAF in 1952 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant having been commissioned in June 1944. Back in Civvy Street he was offered an opportunity of two years at college and a further two years at university on a grant of £6 per week. Because by this time he was a married man and even in 1952 £6 per week was not a very large amount he decided to reject the offer and instead obtained employment at Walker Brothers Dairies in Liverpool. That company had set up a commercial refrigeration division supplying American Refrigeration equipment to the food trade.

This proved to be a very successful venture because supermarkets were just beginning to boom. After Walkers he worked for two other commercial refrigeration companies until his retirement at the age of 75

He married Dorothy in 1946 but after 58 happy years she sadly died in 2004 but leaving him with daughter Susan and two grand-daughters.

During the whole of his time living at Epsom Gardens until very recently he has been chairman of the residents’ association.

At various times Henry has been a member of the old Lyceum Club and the Athenaeum Club in Liverpool. His sporting activities have been restricted to being a very keen golfer as a former member of the Woolton Club but now of Childwall Club. He still plays as often as the weather permits and can regularly be found at Antrobus Driving Range. More recently he has proved a dab hand at indoor bowls.

At this stage of his address to Henry, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd said: “I have little doubt WM and brethren, that you are wondering when I shall refer to Bro Harry’s Masonic career. Well, apart from the fact that he supported his mother lodge, Otterspool No 6605 until its amalgamation with this lodge in 2003 and his support of this lodge since then for a total of 60 years there is not a great deal I can say. We know that he was initiated into Freemasonry in 1950 and progressed up the ladder through the various offices until being installed in the chair of King Solomon in 1960. I would like, therefore, to refer to Bro Harry as a passive Freemason, a brother who may not have accepted any of the administrative offices in his lodge but who nevertheless supported his lodge and enjoyed his Freemasonry just as much as any of us.

“More importantly, he is a Freemason who has never forgotten that peculiar moment he was received into Masonry when he stood at the north east corner of the Lodge or of the charge after his initiation when he was urged to pay due obedience to the sovereign of his native land, his duties to his God and his neighbour and he was recommended to be respectable in life, useful to mankind and an ornament to the society of which he has been a member for 60 years. Despite his being what I have just referred to as being a passive Mason he was honored by his Provincial Grand Master of the day with his appointment as a Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

“Our present Provincial Grand Master, Bro Peter Hosker has shown his appreciation, Bro Harry, of your service to Freemasonry, to your country and to the community at large by causing to be produced a certificate and instructed me to present it to you on his behalf.”

Henry Lonney (centre) is pictured with, left to right: Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd, Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes, Sam Robinson (Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies) and Philip Gambrill (WM of Yachtsman's).

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd headed the celebrations when Sidney Donald Charles Godwin reached the golden anniversary of his initiation into Freemasonry.

Having an Assistant Provincial Grand Master present for a special day in his Masonic career was nothing new for Sid as Andrew McKie-Reid was present at his initiation.

Sid was born on 24 November 1920 in Wavertree, Liverpool. He attended St Bridget's C of E. Junior School before moving on to Morrison's semi-private school and at the age of 13 moved to Skerrys Commercial College to study book-keeping. At the age of 15 he went to live in Walton where he became a member of St Aidan's Church. Having played football at St Bridget's and Morrisons, he got into the St Aidan's Boys' Club football team which played in the Young Men's Federation.

At the age of 18 he joined the TA. His first commanding officer was Colonel Andrew McKie-Reid who was an Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the predecessor of Cyril McGibbon as an honorary member of the lodge. Andrew McKie-Reid attended Sid's Initiation.

In 1940 Sid found himself with an expeditionary force in Norway only to be chased out of there by the Germans. Sid's biggest contribution to the war effort, during the Second World War, was as nursing orderly in the Royal Army Medical Corp. Although he had a great admiration for the Queen Alexandra Nurses in the hospital he was attached to, he thought he would be better placed in a field ambulance unit and applied for a transfer. This was granted and he was transferred to a unit in North Africa, in the desert. This was at the time of the Tobruk / el Alamein activities. His time there was not particularly successful either. They got chased by Rommel and ended up in Damascus, in Syria.

Whilst in the desert and attached to the Scots Guards, he progressed to Lance Corporal and then to Corporal in charge of the stretcher-bearers. His work earned him recognition, being mentioned in dispatches and given the oak-leaves cluster.

After the African Campaign, Sid was sent to Italy at the time of the Salarno invasion. There, he and his driver, as Sid described him as "a wild Irishman", got captured. They managed to escape after his driver rendered the guard unconscious and made it back to their own lines.

In 1943 while in Italy and after the battle of Casino, Sid was promoted to Sergeant. He received further honours for rescuing wounded Canadians, receiving the Maple Leaf award. Later he received The Territorial Decoration.

In 1945 after demob, he returned to his former employment in Arthur Maidens, the outdoor advertising contractor. He progressed to officer manager, sales manager and finally sales director. During this time he became a member of Liverpool Publicity Association, becoming chairman and ultimately life president.

On the 15 March 1960 he joined the Craft, becoming a member of the Lodge of St Margaret No 4619. In 1975 whilst IPM he moved to London to continue his work in advertising, and became a dormant member of the lodge. While there he became a council member of the London Publicity Association.

In 1985 he returned to Liverpool and resumed his lodge activities, alternating between almoner and charity steward, until quite recently. He was also the lodge group representative between 2005 and 2009.

On his return from London he became independent and set up his own advertising consultancy business with his wife Win. He eventually retired from this in 1990. With respect to his private life, Sid married Win on 2 September 1947. He was married for 55 years when Win died quite suddenly whilst on holiday.

Sid has two sons, Donald who is 63 years and Colin who is 58. Donald is a stockbroker and lives in Manchester. Colin owns his own hair-dressing salon in California and has one daughter, Christina aged 23. He also has two step daughters, Eliza (16) and Cassandra (11).

Sid was promoted to PPrAGDC in October 1990 and in October 1999 to PPrJGW. Sid's father Sidney Ernest Godwin was a Past Master of Pembroke Lodge 1299. His step-brother, Leslie Kaneen, was a Past Master in a London Lodge.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd presents Sid Godwin with the special certificate to commemorative the 50th anniversary of his initiation watched by Woolton Group Vice Chairman David Hilliard and Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Higham.

The Lodge of Concord No 343 hosted a very special meeting at which Alexander Green celebrated 60 years of being a Freemason.

The Lodge was opened in the third degree, and then Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax, entered and immediately took the chair to address Alexander and later surprising him by bringing forward his promotion in Provincial Grand rank.

Alex Green was born on 24 November 1931 in Dalmuir, Scotland, the first and only child to Alexander and Helen Green. The family moved to Bowling when Alex was three and he attended Gavinburn Primary School. Due to the school being severely damaged by bombing during the blitz he was evacuated to Pollock Academy which he left in 1944.

His qualifications enabled him to graduate to Dumbarton Academy where he studied until 1947 - moving on to Clydebank High School to complete his education – leaving in 1950 with a Scottish Higher Certificate. It was in this year that he began his National Service, joining the Army Pay Corps, and serving in Singapore before his demob in 1953. Anxious to obtain work he was able to secure a four-year student apprenticeship with Babcocks and Wilcox who were boilermakers. He then moved on to Albion Motors. However, by this time Leyland Motors had taken over the company. Alex then moved on again to work at Barr and Stroud. They were making range finders, periscopes and guidance systems and Alex went to work in the gear-cutting department.

During his career he moved on many times working for very many light engineering companies before finishing his working life with British Leyland, retiring in 1992. Whilst at Leyland he demonstrated his deep love of sport, and ran the Leyland Motors Athletic Football Club for many years.

In 1953 he began courting Jean Stewart, who worked in the local sweet shop and café, and four years later on 3 April they were married. They have three children, Susan, Julie and Alexander James nicknamed Sandy by his parents. Alex and Jean are proud and doting grandparents to three grandchildren. It was in 1982 that the Greens bought and moved into their present home at Garsdale Close, Walton Le Dale.

Alex’s Masonic career began when at the age of 18, he was initiated into Lodge St Patrick No 1309 on 17 April 1950. His proposer was his father Alexander Green and his seconder was his uncle, James Watson. He was one of five initiates on that night, demonstrating the strength of Scottish Freemasonry - which is further illustrated by the fact that the lodge met twice per month and only missed July and the first half of August. The date of his raising was bought forward as Alex was called up and joined the Army in September 1950. He was advanced into Mark Masonry in 1954 and exalted into the Royal Arch in Dalmuir Chapter No 317 in 1955.

He was installed as Right Worshipful Master of his lodge in 1964, and served as Master for two years. It was on 17 November 1988 that Alex joined the Lodge of Concord, and he was installed as Worshipful Master on 18 January 2007. He then joined Concord Chapter No 343 and Progress Mark Lodge No 898.

In Scotland he was the Acting Provincial Grand Almoner for three years from 1967 to 1969 but it was when he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Freemason in April 2000 that it pleased the Provincial Grand Master to appoint him a Provincial Officer in West Lancashire as PPrAGSupWks.

At the end of the meeting after presenting him with his commemorative certificate, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax surprised Alex by announcing that the Provincial Grand Master had agreed to bring forward his forthcoming promotion in Provincial Grand Lodge, and after Ian Greenwood, the Preston Group Chairman, had read out the Patent of Appointment, he invested him with his new rank of PPrJGD.

Pictured are Ian Greenwood, Alex Green, Ted Fry (Worshipful Master), Leon Tax and Paul Hesketh (Provincial Deputy Director of Ceremonies).

Brian Gillbanks has been described as “a leader of men, a friend to all, and a major voice in Freemasonry and elsewhere” by Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker.

Peter was speaking at a special meeting of Liverpool Mercantile Lodge to celebrate the golden jubilee of Brian’s initiation into Freemasonry.

Peter said that Brian had the approbation of four Provincial Grand Masters during his Masonic career.

The meeting was attended by 140 brethren including eight Assistant Provincial Grand Masters – Eddie Caulfield, John Moore, Leon Tax, Michael Hill, Terry Hudson, Stanley Oldfield, Howard Jones and Jon Clipsham – Past Provincial Grand Master Colin Penty Wright, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Tom Blackburn, several former Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Officers from all parts of the Province.

After taking the chair of the lodge, Peter said: “One of my great pleasures and privileges in Freemasonry, following my appointment as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 2003, has been to lead the celebrations for brethren who are celebrating 50 years, 60 years or even 70 years of service in and to Freemasonry. As Provincial Grand Master, I had thought that my involvement in such celebrations would, sadly, be very few and far between. Not so, during my first two years of office, I have been privileged to lead the celebrations for Past Provincial Grand Master Colin Wright, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Tom Blackburn, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Teddy Dickson and Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Brian Wright.

“Tonight, I have the pleasure and privilege of leading the celebrations for a celebrant, whom I suggest can best be described as a quiet, unassuming and self-effacing ‘man and a Mason’. Indeed, he didn’t really want a 50th celebration and when he was gently persuaded to allow us to celebrate the occasion, he agreed, but only on condition that it was a simple and low key event.

“Looking around at the quantity and quality of those attending, I am pleased that we have been able to keep the celebration simple and low key. The celebrant this evening is, of course, our good friend VWBro Brian Gillbanks PGSwdB, a much loved and respected Deputy Provincial Grand Master. I hope that he will forgive us for crashing in on his party, but all of us would have been saddened if we had missed this special night, which gives us the opportunity to salute and congratulate him on his 50 years of service in and to Freemasonry.”

Brian, was born on the 7 July 1934 to Joe and Dot Gillbanks, living in West Derby. He attended Ranworth Square Primary School and then won a scholarship to the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, a school founded in 1825 and situated opposite the Anglican Cathedral.

Peter said: “I think I can safely say that it was the finest school on Merseyside, but history reminds us that it was savaged and closed during the Hatton era. As most of you will know, the building was saved largely by the money of Sir Paul McCartney, a former pupil and it is now the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.”

Brian, it has been suggested, had little interest in the academic side of school life, preferring the challenge of the sports field. He played most sports. The story goes that it was Brian’s PE master, an alumni of Loughborough College of Physical Education, who changed his early aspirations for a sporting career and his desire to go to Loughborough College. This resulted in a change of direction and subsequent admission to Liverpool University to read Law.

Peter said: “Brian, it is quite remarkable how many similarites there are between your own schooling and subsequent career path and mine, save that I always wanted to read law at university but then proceed down the thin blue line and become a policeman. However, when Gilbert and Sullivan suggested to me that a policeman’s lot is not a happy one, I, like you, became a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature. Sadly, the Supreme Court of Judicature has now gone, and the office has been dumbed down to ‘Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.”

After qualifying with an LLB (Hons) 2(1) Brian went into articles in Liverpool, now called a training contract. In those days an articled clerk was not paid during his articles, indeed he must have only just escaped from paying a hefty premium for his articles. Brian’s National Service was initially deferred but in due course he was called on for National Service. After taking a three-year commission, Brian soon became an Officer and a Gentleman in the RAF. He spent his time “abroad” in IOM and South Wales.

He was married to Margaret half way through his Commission. Peter said: “What a wonderful marriage that has turned out to be, a marriage between a Lady and an Officer and a Gentleman. The marriage has been blessed with two children Debra and Jeff, and then by six grandchildren, three to each of your own children. And throughout, I am well aware that Margaret has always given you unstinting and complete support in your practice of Freemasonry, and to whom you owe an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Even in those days big bonuses were paid on completing a Commission, and in Brian’s case it was £300, being a terminal bonus. This was soon converted into a deposit on a house in Formby. Although they have since moved from that house Formby has been their home ever since.

In 1962, Brian returned to the law, and joined the legal firm of Lamb Goldsmith and Howard, becoming the fourth partner after only six months. He stayed with the firm for 28 years before retiring in 2000 as senior partner and also served as a Deputy District Judge for some 20 years.

At the age of 26, Brian came into Freemasonry, being initiated into Compass Lodge No 7052 in 1960 and becoming Master of the Lodge in 1975. He then became a joining member of Liverpool Mercantile Lodge No 4319 in 1980 and took the Chair in 1986.

He was exalted into Empire Chapter in 1967 and became its First Principal in 1979. In the Royal Arch, Brian was first appointed in Provincial Grand Chapter to the acting rank of PrGReg in 1982. He received yhis first rank in Supreme Grand Chapter in 1986 when he was appointed to the rank of PGStB. A further promotion to PAGSoj followed in 1996.

In the same year that he was appointed to the acting rank of PrGReg in Provincial Grand Chapter, namely 1982, he was also appointed by the then PrGM Alan Fletcher Ferris to be his Provincial Senior Warden in the Craft. In 1986, he received his first first Grand Rank, PAGReg, often referred to as the lawyers rank. In 1993, he was appointed and invested as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master by the then PrGM Kenneth Edward Moxley, and the following year he received a promotion to the rank of PSGD, the appropriate rank for a Craft Assistant. He served as a Craft Assistant for 13 years before he was appointed in 2006 by the then PrGM Colin Penty Wright as his Deputy Provincial Grand Master. He was duly promoted to the rank of PGSwdB in 2007.

Peter said: “What is significant is that your talents have been recognised by four PrGMs, the three that I have just mentined and by me in 2008, when I re-appointed you as my Deputy. I well remember being asked to allow my name to go forward as PrGM in 2007, and one of the first things that I did before accepting was to make sure that you would agree to become my Deputy.

“To have received the approbation of four PrGMs speaks volumes for Brian Gillbanks as a man and a Mason. That testament to someone who wins friends and infuences people, as a way of life, is clearly confirmed by the quantity and quality of the brethren who are assembled here this evening. Brian you are leader of men, a friend to all, and a major voice in Freemasonry and elsewhere. That voice has also been heard and listened to in the Grand Charity, where you served as a Council Member for many years before becoming its Vice-President. You have since retired from the Grand Charity.

“I can speak with personal knowledge of your work as a High Ruler. You chair the Ranks Committee, where it is sometimes very difficult to win too many friends; you chair the Finance and Administration Committee; you are a member of my Planning and Development Committee. and you have, of course, been a member of my Craft Cabinet.
“Brian, you have been an outstanding Freemason and I salute you and congratulate you for all that you have done in serving Freemasonry. I am now going to invite the group chairman to read out the official Congratulatory Certificate, which somehow seems somewhat inadequate in all the circumstances, but it is a very sincere certificate of congratulations and thanks.”

“Brian, you and I have been good friends for many years and it gives me the greatest possible pleasure to shake your hand, congratulate you, and present you with your certificate. Your service in and to Freemasonry in West Lancashire has been quite outstanding, and I know that all your friends gathered her tonight will join me in saluting you as a man and a Mason. May the GAOTU spare you for many years to come so that you may continue to do what you have always done, namely winning friends and influencing people.”

Paul Shepherd, Chairman of the Gladstone Group of Lodges, read out the special commemorative certificate before it was presented to Brian by Peter.

Brian thanked the Provincial Grand Master for leading the celebration and for his “kind and generous words”.

Brian Gillbanks is pictured with Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker and just a few of the guests the special meeting to celebrate the golden jubilee of his initiation into Freemasonry.

Originally there were two names listed for a joint celebration at St David’s Lodge No 2950 - Bro Robert Thornton Jones and Bro Reece Evans. Five years ago, together, they celebrated their 65th and 60th anniversaries of initiation into Freemasonry. Unfortunately Robert passed to the Grand Lodge above last July. Now Reece was celebrating 70 years in Freemasonry.

The first World War was drawing to its close when on 23 August 1918 Thomas and Violet Evans were safely delivered of their second son, Reece, at his grandmother’s house in Toxteth. His father, Thomas Evans, was an officer in the Merchant Navy.

Reece grew up in Bootle and attended Bootle Grammar School where he matriculated and obtained his higher school certificate, leaving school in 1936. Reece started work with the Ministry of Labour. He started at the Employment Exchange in St Helens.

War was imminent and on 15 July 1939 Reece was called up and posted to Lancaster for his basic training and then to the King’s Own Royal Regiment. Although he was now away from his Bootle home he was proposed and seconded into St David’s Lodge by Bros HJ Williams, his uncle, and Thomas Evans, his father, in January 1940. An emergency meeting of the lodge was arranged for 23 March 1940 especially to initiate him whilst he was home on leave. He was not passed to the second degree until January 1941 but he was otherwise occupied in the intervening period as he went with the British Expeditionary Force to France. It was not a success and Reece was one of the last to be taken off from Dunkirk by the Walton-on-Naze and Frinton lifeboat who delivered him safely to Ramsgate.

Reece wanted to undertake an external degree but the army decided that he was officer material and promoted him. He was now in the Royal Artillery operating Light Ack Ack Bofors guns and their field regiment consisted of Black Watch, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

In North Africa Reece, now an officer was made aware that another brother from the lodge, a private, was stationed nearby. Appropriate transport was arranged; they met up and shared some local Algerian wine before Private Brindley Lettsome had to return to his camp. He was eventually promoted to Captain, mentioned in dispatches and saw service in Sicily, France and Germany. It was the tracer ammunition fired from his guns that assisted the Black Watch when they crossed the Rhine. His military service ended on 15 July 1946.

Shortly before he was discharged Reece married Betty Brooks on 21 January 1946. It could be said he had kept her waiting a long time as whilst they were mere babes they had shared the same pram whilst their respective parents were working in Belgium. They have now been married for 64 years and have had three children and four grandchildren.

After his war service Reece returned to the Ministry of Labour and immediately became involved in the training of officers who were being demobbed. His career progressed and by the time he left the Department of Employment in 1970 he was the conciliation officer and personnel management advisor for Kent and the greater part of London.

In 1970 the brewers Bass and Charrington were about to merge and he joined them as industrial relations advisor, a position he retained for 10 years until his retirement in 1980.

However, life didn’t stop on retirement as he was asked to go to Jamaica on behalf of British Export Services Overseas and whilst there he was asked to be part of their equivalent of a Royal Commission utilising his expertise in industrial relations which was also of benefit as a member of the Social Services appeals tribunal. Additionally he has lectured at many polytechnics and universities on personnel management and industrial relations.

Throughout his life he has been an active member of his church. He was a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s council as well as other committees within the church. When he moved to Derbyshire he became chairman of the Board of Mission and Unity committee for the diocese of Derby and is still involved today as he takes communion to the sick and the elderly.

He has been involved with the Council for the Protection of Rural England first as chairman of the Derbyshire region and then for the whole of the East Midlands region

Since 1940 Reece Evans has lived in the south east and Derbyshire, but despite his inability to attend his lodge on a regular basis he has retained his membership for 70 years. A tremendous commitment and for a period longer than a number at the celebration meeting have been alive.

Reece Evans, with the special certificate to commemorate his 70 years as a Freemason, is pictured with left to right, the Worshipful Master David Jones, Howard Griffiths and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones.

WBro Frank Monaghan Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden has not only had a busy Masonic Career, but before retirement, was a Chartered Structural Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers and Chief Draftsman. He retired as Chief Structural Engineer for the Wigan Borough.

As a Royal Engineer in Egypt in the fifties, Frank is the only solider ever to win an award for designing a toilet! At that time he was also a keen rugby player for three different Army Units, but found time to fly home from service in Egypt, to marry childhood sweetheart Brenda in 1955. They still enjoy a happy married life with two lovely daughters, two sons-in-law and five delightful grandchildren.

He is a loving family man, but admits finding it ‘challenging’ at times; being outnumbered by seven females in the close family.

Frank joined Atherton Lodge No 4488 on 9th March 1960. When he started to learn Masonic Ritual, another member of his family also became very familiar with it on their walks together. His name was Nimrod, but he seemed more focussed on a different ritual at each tree that they passed.

Frank’s Exaltation into Atherton Chapter came in 1971 shortly before becoming Master of his Lodge in 1972 and Lodge Representative for the 1981 Festival.

During his year in the chair, he introduced new procedures into the Lodge, including the still popular Old England Nights. Never one to rest on his laurels, the role of Assistant Director of Ceremonies beckoned in 1975 and Director of Ceremonies the following year. A position he held for nine years. During which time this ever-active Mason received his first Provincial rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1981.

But this didn‘t satisfy this work-hungry Mason who took on the role of Lodge Almoner in 1986 and First Principal in Chapter in 1987. Both swiftly followed by promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1989; which itself coincided with Frank’s new role as Lodge Group Representative.

After all that, if you’ve still got a head for figures; so does Frank, because from 1995 to the present day he has also been an Auditor for the Leigh Group.

No-one can doubt the commitment, versatility and ability of this quiet man who embodies the tenets of Freemasonry.

W Bro Frank Sharples (Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden), was presented with a 60 year certificate at The Tithebarn by Eddie Caulfield, Assistant Provincial Grand Master accompanied by Malcolm Taylor, Chairman of the Wigan Group, in the presence of some of his colleagues from the oldest lodge in Wigan, the Lodge of Antiquity No 178.

Frank who has been resident in the Tithebarn, the RMBI home in Liverpool for several years and because of deteriorating health he is no longer able to attend his Lodge.

He was nevertheless extremely grateful for the trouble his colleagues had taken to arrange the presentation at the home.

Left to right. John Lomax, Graham Speakman, Frank, Tom Entwistle, Albert Hesketh and Sid Craig.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham has described Ray Besso as a man who is held in “immense regard”.

Jon was the principal guest at a very enjoyable celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry at Walkden Lodge No 4685, for Ray Besso. Thanks were expressed to Jon for joining with Ray in marking what was described as a unique occasion, for his depth of research into Ray's life and for providing a precise of his speech.

This story began in 1924, the roaring twenties, a time a great change across the world as it rebuilt after the horrors of the Great War. Mass production made cars, radios etc., widely available. This was an age which brought us the Model T Ford, Air Mail, Antibiotics, television and Clarence Birdseye the pioneer of frozen food. It was also the year that the Greenwich Time Signal was broadcast.

Locally 1924 saw the closure of Alexandra Park Aerodrome in Manchester; the launch of a fund for the erection of a War Memorial in Eccles, which was unveiled and dedicated by the Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire, the Earl of Derby, in August 1925.

The family moved to Manchester where Ray became head prefect at Openshaw Junior Technichal College before moving on to Salford Royal Technical College (now University) where he gained his ONC and endorsed HNC in Mechanical Engineering. He was later to become a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering.

Due to being in a reserved occupation he was not called for National Service, but he was deeply involved in the Second World War working on a scheme Pipe Lines under the Ocean (PLUTO) which allowed oil to moved under the Channel, thus enabling the Allied Forces to maintain access to the 4,000 tonnes of gasoline needed each day.

His working life was spent in engineering both in this country and abroad travelling extensively and visiting more than countries.

He married his late wife Margaret in 1954 and their two daughters Annette and Eleanor have followed dad's example in the education field, one being a PhD and the other an MSc. He has three grandchildren. His interests outside Masonry extend to Probus and a keen interest in gardening - still working his allotment when the weather is at all kind.

Ray was Master of the Lodge in 1970 when the principal guest was Assistant Provincial Grand Master James A. Walton. After his year as IPM he took on the duties of festival representative and for a great number of years was lodge almoner an office he undertook with great zeal, only retiring when travelling proved more and more difficult. He is a member of Egerton Chapter No 2216 and was First Principal in 1975 and where he now holds the high office of PPrGSwdB.

Jon said it had been an incredible privilege to take the chair and share Ray's story with the brethren - a story, he said, which could not fail to have touched all present. On first speaking to Ray, Jon asked him two questions the first, 'What has been the happiest moment of your life? The answer to which was 'My marriage.' The second was 'What advice would you give to a new Mason?’ The answer 'start learning the ritual now.'

In closing Jon mentioned his 'other job' and said that when preaching he often quotes Mother Teresa of Calcutta and one of her sayings being “If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise, nor disgrace, because you know what you are.” He went on to say that during their recent discussions one thing shone through - Ray's humility. He said:

“You are without doubt a man who cares deeply, whether in your family life, your professional life or your Masonic life. You are held in immense regard by so many and I cannot but praise you for being a shining example of a man who has without doubt imprinted on his heart the sacred dictates of truth, of honour and of virtue.”

Pictured, left to right, are Eccles Group Chairman Stuart Shea, Ray Besso and Jon Clipsham.

The “wonderful achievement” of Robert Stanley Bugler Brewer in celebrating the 50th anniversary of his exaltation into the Royal Arch was praised at a special meeting in Blackpool.

Bob’s initiation, passing, raising and exaltation were all performed by his father.

Peter Elmore addressed the companions of Peace and Unity Chapter No 3966 on the life and Masonic history of Bob Brewer.

The special meeting took place exactly 50 years and one day after Bob had been exalted into the chapter.

Peter pointed out that few, if at all any of us would emulate this wonderful achievement. He also went on to say that, how many other organisations could hold an individual’s interest and commitment for so many years, when there is neither financial nor material advantage to be gained by membership.

Bob was born on 18 August. 1926, in Truro, Cornwall, then, at the age of 4 years, his family moved to Blackpool.

His father set up the famous business of Brewer and Turnbull, removers, storers and shippers, which still survives today. On leaving school young Bob joined the family business. Such is the fame of the company that Corgi Toys, carrying the firm’s name, can still be bought.

Peter went on to detail Bob’s Masonic history. He had joined Lytham Lodge No 6915 in 1952. His Initiation, Passing and Raising, were all carried out by his father, a founder of the Lodge. Bob was promoted in the Craft to PPrJGW in 1991.

Bob is also a great supporter of Masonic charities, but local charities also benefit from his hard work. A little known fact exposed to the companions, was, that one of his jobs was to clean out and empty the Wishing Well situated at the Pleasure Beach. A dark and lonely job, but someone has to do it. The Wishing Well raises up to £2000 for local charities

Peter tcalled on the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, Ian Robertson to present the Commemorative Certificate sent in recognition of the 50 years service to Royal Arch by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent.

The meeting was concluded after Bob generously presented the Chapter with a silver trowel. This would be used by the Chapter at every meeting.

The Chapter presented Bob with a double decanter for his long and distinguished career in the Royal Arch.

Pictured, left to right, are Excellent Companions KS.Kemp, GF Berkley, Bob Brewer, DS Thomas. Peter Elmore, J Srangwick and Ian Robertson.

Ken Murdoch who served Allerton Lodge No 6653 as secretary for 10 years has celebrated the golden jubilee of his initiation into Freemasonry.

At one time Ken’s two brothers, Sidney and Leslie, were also members of the lodge but unfortunately both have now died.

Ken was initiated into Allerton Lodge in 1960 and 14 years later became Worshipful Master. After his year as WM he served in several offices before becoming secretary for 10 years.

In 2002 Ken resigned from Allerton Lodge and became a joining member of Temperance Lodge No 2714. He was Inner Guard at the time of the lodge’s amalgamation with Queen’s No 2681 and Uranus No 6485 to become South Liverpool Lodge No 2681.

Born in Liverpool, Ken spent most of his working life as an insurance advisor with the Co-op. From 1942 to 1946 he was in the Royal Navy serving as a telegraphist on torpedo boats in the Far East as part of South East Asia Command.

Ken is married to Edna and they have two children, Alan and Carol, and two grandchildren, Paul and Helen.

Ken Murdoch is pictured being congratulated on the 50th anniversary of his initiation by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones and Worshipful Master Don Eaton.

Edward Vernon Weaver has diligently served the Lodge of Allegiance No 7352 for 50 years including being Worshipful Master on three occasions.

His service to the lodge was highlighted when Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones attended a special meeting of the lodge to celebrate the golden jubilee of Ted’s initiation which took place at The Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, on 11 March 1960.

His candidature for Masonry was proposed by Harold Trafford and seconded by Dougie Begg, who was a founder of Lodge of Allegiance.

He was installed as Worshipful Master of Lodge of Allegiance in May, 1970. Since that year as WM Ted has diligently served the Lodge of Allegiance as treasurer from 1971 to 1974, as secretary from 1980 to 1983, as charity steward from 1989 to 1992 and as chaplain from 2004 to 2009. He also served as Worshipful Master in 1987 and for the third time in 2009.

In 1980 Ted was appointed Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and was promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in October 1987. He received further promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1995.

Ted’s elder brother, Arthur Stanley Weaver, was initiated into Lodge of Allegiance in 1979 and although he lives in Southampton he is still a subscribing member, but unfortunately due to health and distance he cannot attend on a regular basis. Arthur has joined a lodge in Southampton and is a regular attendee there.

Ted was born in Liverpool on 25 October 1936. He was educated at St Mary’s Church of England School in West Derby, and at Wellsbourne Road Secondary School where, at the age of 13 he won an engineering scholarship to Old Swan Technical Collage.

Having a very good singing voice Ted joined the choir of St Mary’s Church, West Derby and, to this day the choir still attends the Christmas Festive Board of Lodge of Allegiance.

He also joined the Scout troop associated with St Mary’s Church and was awarded many badges for his proficiency in the tasks assigned to him. He was also a very keen and active member of “The Good Shepherd” Youth Club.

During his youth Ted was an avid cyclist, thinking nothing of packing his tent, mounting his trusty bike and travelling from one county to the next. On one such occasion he rode to Lands End where he arrived in the dark and pitched his tent in what he believed to be an empty field. On waking the next morning he was rather surprised to find himself being quickly moved on by some non-to-pleased army officers. He had chosen a military ammunitions testing ground for his overnight camp site.

On leaving Old Swan Technical College, Ted was awarded an engineering apprenticeship with the Napier-English Electric Company.

He met and married Dorothy Dobie but sadly after 12 years the marriage ended but he remained a very close member of the “Dobie” family.

Ted became very interested in ballroom dancing and he joined the successful and famous “Billy Martins Dancing School” where, in 1973 he met Wyn, whom he married in 1974 and instantly became the “Father” of five children whose ages ranged from six to 20 years. He is now a great grandfather.

Caravanning was another of Ted’s great passions. Wyn and he would regularly pack their caravan and set off on their travels to enjoy the great outdoor life both in the UK and on the continent.

His appointment in 1989 as work study manager for the Dannimac Company in Middlesbrough meant that Ted had to depart his beloved Liverpool and re-locate his family to Guisborough, North Yorkshire. He was, however, able to maintain his membership with Lodge of Allegiance and attended as often as he was able.

In 2003 Wyn and Ted both retired and moved back to Cheshire where they are pursuing their love of the outdoor life and dancing.

Ted Weaver is pictured with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones and Garston Group Chairman, Sydney Ford.

Glowing tributes were made to the contribution made to Freemasonry and the community in general by Frank Starkey when he celebrated 50 years of membership in the Royal Arch.

Leading the tributes to Frank were the Provincial Grand Third Principal, the Rev Harry Ross and long-time friend Dennis Rudd at a special meeting in Warrington of the Old Masonians West Lancashire Chapter No 7702.

Harry said he was speaking for all when he declared: “Frank’s Masonic CV is formidable to the extent that one will go a very long way to find others whose involvement in Freemasonry exceed or even equal that of Francis Austin Starkey. His services, contribution and dedication to Freemasonry are absolutely outstanding.

“He is highly respected and regarded by all who know him – an admiration which extends way beyond the Warrington Group and even beyond the Province. He practices his Freemasonry in an unassuming manner which commands respect and is admired by all. He has dedicated a significant part of his life to Freemasonry which, together with his faith, is both clearly of great importance to him.

“He is generally regarded as being a very reliable authority on matters relating to Masonic Ritual and procedures and is always willing to offer guidance and assistance whenever it is sought. On occasions when he finds it necessary to point out the procedural mistakes of others he does so in a tactful and inoffensive manner which clearly identifies him as a mentor rather than a critic or faultfinder – a quality which is a great asset in modern Freemasonry. His unassuming manner endears him to others enabling him to be influential without being pushy or dominant. He is an inspiration to others and an outstanding ambassador for Freemasonry.”

Harry gave a brief resume of Frank’s involvement in Freemason and said that to speak about his membership of so many Masonic degrees and the high rank he has attained in them all would “take until tomorrow”.

Harry said it had been a privilege to take part in the celebration and wished Frank many more happy years. “You are loved and admired by everyone who knows you,” he told Frank before presenting him with the commemorative certificate to mark his 50 years signed by the Grand Superintendent, Peter Hosker.

Proposing the toast to Frank’s health, Dennis Rudd said that when he was Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Royal Arch if ever there was a problem to which he did not have the answer he turned to Frank who would know what to do. Dennis recalled what pleasure it had given him when last year as Assistant Provincial Grand Master he occupied the Chair to celebrate Frank’s diamond jubilee of his initiation.

Frank was exalted into the Chapter of Friendship No 2963 in 1960 and became First Principal in 1971. From 1973 to 1984 he was Scribe E. His Royal Arch talents were rewarded with his appointment as PPrPGSoj in 1980 and two years later was promoted to PPrGSN. He was made a PGStdB in 1991.

During his response to the toast to his health Frank said that his “proudest achievement” in Chapter was to lead the formation of the Old Masonians West Lancashire Chapter. Frank was not only one of the founders in 1982 but became the Chapter’s first Z and then served as Director of Ceremonies for 10 years. He said: “This Chapter is going from strength to strength. We are a very happy Chapter and long may it continue.”

A full report of Frank’s Masonic career, his working life and involvement in the local community was published on the website in May last year when at Academy Lodge he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his initiation. To read that report when Frank was described as the “epitome” of a Freemason by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd, click here.

Frank is pictured receiving his commemorative certificate from the Rev Harry Ross watched by, left to right: Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Norman Thomas, Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Hutton, Jack Forsyth, Dennis Rudd and Provincial Grand Registrar Colin Boardman.

Harry Holmes MacKay who followed his father into Freemasonry has celebrated 50 years as a member of Blackpool’s Emblem Lodge No 6727.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson addressed the brethren of Emblem Lodge and their many visitors with the personal and Masonic history of Harry MacKay.

Terry informed the meeting that Harry had been born in Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire on 14th, December, 1927.

He came from a family of engineers, his father, John, who was also a Freemason, worked on the shipyards as a driller. Harry after serving in the RAF followed his trade as a ship repair worker in the docks at Fleetwood.

In 1960, Harry moved on to work for the atomic energy plant at Salwick as a maintenance welder a job he held for 28 years.

He met his first wife Marie at the Tower Ballroom, where Harry was also a regular dancer. Terry, with a fondness in eye recalled that he also danced the night away in that very same ballroom.

It was recalled that Harry was a life-long supporter of Blackpool Football Club and could remember those halcyon days of Matthews, Mortenson, ErnieTaylor, Harry Johnson, Jimmy Armfield and many others.

Terry pointed out, with tongue in cheek that Harry’s life-long fascination for the fortunes of Blackpool Football Club was somewhat lost on the more rational of us.

Harry was installed as Master of Emblem Lodge in 1973, and has dedicated his Masonic career entirely to Emblem Lodge. His loyalty and commitment was rewarded by the Province when in 1985 he was appointed to the rank of PPrAGDC.

The scroll, which had been received from the Provincial Grand Master in recognition of 50 years in Freemasonry, was then read, and presented to Harry by the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, Ian Robertson.

Pictured, left to right, are Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Peter Smith (WM of Emblem Lodge) and Harry Holmes MacKay.

Eric Cowley Salter has described by Assistant Provincial Grand Master as a man “of integrity, humility, diligence and loyalty”.

Jon was speaking at a special meeting to celebrate the golden jubilee of Eric’s initiation into Freemasonry.

Eric was initiated into the Lodge of Hope 2679 on 24 February 1960 when he was proposed by his father. He was passed on 27 April 1960 and Raised on 26 October 1960, after which a relocation to Surrey meant that he did not progress through the lodge offices, but maintained his links with his mother Lodge throughout.

He became a Joining Member of Star of Stoneleigh Lodge No 8244 in Croydon in the Province of Surrey and became WM in 1975. In 1977 he became treasurer of that lodge, an office he held for 11 years, which service was recognised by his appointment as PPrJGD. Eric was a member of Absolom at Home Lodge No 8382, which comprised many ex-pats from German lodges and was also a founder member of White Rose Lodge No 9308. His interest in Freemasonry extended to the Royal Arch, joining Gothic Chapter No 5525 in 1969 and following 10 years as tTreasurer was rewarded with London Grand Chapter Rank and is now an honorary member of the chapter.

Eric was born in Hyde, Cheshire in 1922, as was Bro Tommy Cooper amongst a host of other celebrities. The family home was a stone built cottage, lit by oil lamps and water from a spring. Eric attended schools in Salford, where he excelled in history and geography and captained the school rugby team. At 14 years of age his first wage was six shillings per week. He went on to gain qualifications in commerce and bookkeeping and continued his interest in rugby.

After being in a reserved occupation at the outbreak of war in 1939, following an operation in 1942, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served in Burma, was promoted to Lieutenant and seconded to the West African Frontier Force, a honorary title he is still entitled to use - wonderful recognition of his service.

Following his war service he worked as a quantity surveyor for Sir Lindsay Parkinson which enabled him to travel across many parts of the world and whilst in Cyprus met an Inspector from the Lancashire Police which led to undercover vehicles being provided to the Cyprus Police.

Returning to Britain in 1960 Eric became superintendent surveyor to Lindsay Parkinson and a move to London followed. He retired from a firm called Bates in Essex in 1992 at the age of 70 years.

He married Marjorie on Christmas Eve 1948, celebrating their golden jubilee in 2008. He has three children, eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

The ceremony was conducted by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham. on his first visit to the lodge, when he was accompanied by the Eccles Group Chairman Stuart Shea and Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Paul Hesketh. Jon told the assembled brethren that on asking Eric for the highlight of his life he had two answers - the first was his initiation into the Craft and the second when a witness for a housing project in Greenwich, which was successful.

When asked what advice he would give to a new initiate his replay was 'to read the book and follow the rules'.

Finally the APrGM quoted Samual Johnson 'Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity.'

He said: “Brother Eric in today's society, to find a man like you is a rarity - you, like gold and diamonds, are a scarce commodity. Your life story is a fascinating one, which cannot fail to have resonated amongst the brethren here today. I cannot praise you highly enough for your life-long commitment to your family, your country, your professional life, your friendships and your Freemasonry. You are a man of integrity, humility, diligence and loyalty and we congratulate you.”

On Tuesday 16 February 2010, Peter J Walker celebrated 50 years as a Freemason to the day. Peter was initiated into Winkley Lodge No 5438 on 16 February 1960, and has served the lodge in many offices in the years since. What made this such a special occasion, however, was the fact that after serving as Worshipful Master in 1971, Peter is again currently in “the chair”.

On welcoming the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Leon Tax, the special guest, into the Lodge, and offering him the gavel, most of the assembled brethren were surprised as Leon accepted and then retained it. While Peter watched from a seat by the Senior Deacon, Leon expertly closed the Lodge down from the third to the first degree, and then invited the celebrant to occupy a comfortable seat before him, whilst he then described his working life as well as his Masonic career over the past five decades.

Peter was born in St. Michael’s On Wyre in 1930, and after the family moved first to Cheshire and then to Southport, he was educated at Churchtown Primary School, and then King George V Grammar School for Boys.

On leaving school in 1947 he sat and passed an open competitive examination into the Civil Service and subsequently started work for the Home Office in August of that year, based at the Heyhouses site in St Annes. He continued to work as a civil servant for the rest of his working life, the only interruption being for National Service when he joined the RAF for two years. His service took him to many parts of the country, but his base was always in Penwortham, where he still lives.

He met his wife Rita in 1956 at the Floral Hall in Southport - the “in spot” in those days, and they were married in 1959. They have two children, Graham, born in 1962, and Louise, born in 1965. Peter and Rita are extremely proud of their children. Graham is a consultant anaesthetist. He is married to Christine and they have three children.Despite living in Northampton, Peter and Rita are able to see them and the children three or four times a year.

Louise lives more locally, in Penwortham. She is married to Karl and they have two children. Louise is the Recruitment and Development Manager for Lancashire County Police. Peter and Rita are doting grandparents and derive much pleasure from their five grandchildren, four boys and one girl who range in age from 16 to 13.

Aside from his active and extensive involvement with Freemasonry; Peter is a member and past Chairman of South Ribble Probus Club. He also makes time for gardening and property management and even a little maintenance at the properties, which he owns.

Besides his membership of his mother lodge, Peter is also a member of the Setantia Lodge of Installed Masters No 7755. He is a member of Winkley Chapter No 5438, and served as First Principal in 1979, and is also a member of the Setantia Chapter of First Principals, having served as Third Principal in 2001. He is also a member of many side degrees including Rose Croix, Knights Templar and the Order of Secret Monitor, in fact a very busy Mason.

Peter Walker, centre, is pictured with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax, and Stanley Rigby, Vice Chairman of the Preston Group.

Raymond Oliver Jeffs - ‘Mr Southport Freemasonry’ – has celebrated the diamond jubilee of his initiation into Freemasonry.

There was a large attendance at Southport Lodge No 4034 for Ray’s special celebration and to see him presented with a commemorative certificate by Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Moore.

Ray Jeffs was born in Southport on 10 March 1925. He was educated in the town and later took a seat at Liverpool University to study Medicine with the intention of becoming a doctor. Declaration of war soon put paid to that and young Ray soon found himself on a coal-burning mine sweeper hauling sacks of coal on his back. Soon he was granted a commission and promptly posted to the Russian Convoys, where he served a further 12 months.

After VE day Ray returned home to study as a meteorological officer; subsequently becoming a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society. This held him in good stead for his future career as a salad and fruit producer.

Ray married Joan Firth in 1957. Joan was the daughter of eminent forensic scientist, Dr James Firth. They had two daughters one of whom, Pamela, sadly died at the age of nine.

Outside of Ray’s Masonic life his beneficence has become legendary. He has been a past president of both Lions Group International and Southport Sea Cadets Corps but, perhaps, his greatest legacy would be that of Queenscourt Hospice. He was the founder chairman of the trust and of the hospice itself after being instrumental in securing land for development and assisting with the building. He also was the principal force in saving the Southport Old Links Golf Club. When the lease ran out, the land was up for redevelopment so Ray stepped in and purchased it; enabling club members to invest in shares and secure its future. Likewise, as an active member of the Southport Dramatic Club, he was able to contribute significant funding to aid refurbishment to the Little Theatre after a devastating fire in 1988. He has also assisted in raising capital to enable the construction of a purpose-built Post Graduate Medical Centre at Formby and District Hospital and give land to Downholland District Council to enable them to build a village hall. He also allowed the use of one of his packing sheds as a regular venue for village barn dance nights.

Ray developed and expanded a very successful salad and fruit growing business based in Haskayn. He is a member of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, an MBE and been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. This last approbation allows him to drive sheep over London Bridge, request a silken rope if to be hanged and carry a naked sword in public!

Ray has never been afraid of getting dirty! On one occasion he was seen to dive waist deep into Haskayne Village drains to fix a blockage that had been caused by his factory. Then there was the time he scaled the company’s radio tower without any safety harness to fix it and keep the delivery fleet going. On more than one occasion he has been seen up to his armpits in sludge, whilst excavating the new Queenscourt pond.

Known as ‘Mister Southport Freemasonry’ Ray has devoted a long and fruitful life to the Southport Group having been the vice chairman in 1984 and chairman in 1989. During this time he was instrumental in the regeneration of the Duke Street Hall building and the restoration to its former glory as a Grade II listed building. Perhaps, arguably, his greatest Masonic legacy would be the vision shared with Trevor Rimmer; that being of MAGIC, the Masonic Action Group in the Community; a Masonic led support group to aid widows and families of Masons. The two brethren enlisted the help of the Masters of 91-92 (the Dirty Dozen) and a very successful initiative was born and thrives to this day and is the envy of many other groups within the West Lancashire Province.

Ray was summed up very succinctly once by the late RWBro The Rt Hon Ian Percival QC PJGW when he said, “The way in which he has gone about helping people quietly, respecting their privacy and their pride and scorning publicity for himself, illustrates perfectly his whole personality.”

Ray is flanked by the Chairman of the Southport Group, Bryan Henshaw, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, John V Moore, Acting Provincial Grand Officers and Grand Officers from the Southport Group.

The Worshipful Master of Southport Lodge, Peter Leary, presents a framed photo-compilation of the Masonic Hall to Ray.