Warrington Group News - Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire

Jazz lunch is a hot idea
Boteler Lodge No 7367 hit on a hot idea when WM Bill Hinchliffe decided to organise a Sunday jazz lunch......<more>

Canalathon boost for MS
The WM of Travellers’ Lodge, Neil Blundell, decided to organise a fund-raising walk from Leigh, following first the Leeds-Liverpool Canal......<more>

Support for heroes
Freemasons give “immense support” to Help for Heroes according to Dave Roberts who is the Merseyside county co-ordinator for the charity.......<more>

Alan keeps sponsors in the picture
Alan Bristow has found a novel way of keeping his sponsors informed of his fund-raising efforts to mark his 70th birthday........<more>

DEREK’S ‘GRAND’ HONOUR
Derek Hunt has become the first Warrington Freemason for five years to be honoured with Grand Rank........<more>

Organists hit high note with low bid
Musicians in the Warrington group have hit a high note and by clever bidding have obtained a replacement organ for Warrington Masonic Hall’s small lodge room at a bargain price.....<more>

CHAPTER STRIKES GOLD
The Old Masonians West Lancashire Chapter No 7702 is only the third Chapter in the Province to achieve Gold Patron status for its contributions to the 2010 Festival........<more>

Chapter hands out £750
A Warrington chapter presented cheques totalling £750 to Provincial Grand Third Principal the Rev Harry Ross at its installation meeting.....<more>

CHRIS TO BE VICE CHAIRMAN
Chris Eyres is to succeed Barry Jameson as Vice Chairman of the Warrington Group of Lodges and Chapter.......<more>

Knock-out success for heroes
A Gentlemen’s Evening organised by Warrington Freemasons was a knock-out success raising more than £3,000 for Help for Heroes......<more>

PGM keeps his promise
Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker kept a promise he made last year when he visited the Lodge of Charity No 2651........<more>

Lodge’s gifts total £3,150
The Lodge of Lights No 148 handed over £3,150 to Masonic and non-Masonic charities at its installation meeting.......<more>

Ceremony was special for Dennis
It was a very special night for Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd when he dedicated a banner for the True Light Lodge of Friendship No 2963.....<more>

Peter visits Warrington
Bro Alan Thomas had one of the most unique nights of his Masonic life when he was installed in the chair of King Solomon of Warrington Lodge of Concord....<more>

Warrington Masons remember
Warrington Masons Ian Boswell (Warrington Group Chairman) and Stan Churm represented all Warrington Freemasons in remembering the many men......<more>

The Building, King Solomon’s Temple
A Demonstration entitled ‘The Building, King Solomon’s Temple,’ was given at the October meeting of St Oswald Lodge No 5170.......<more>

GROUP CHURCH SERVICE
Provincial Grand Chaplain the Rev Graham Halsall was the guest preacher at the annual Church Service for the Warrington and District Group of Lodges.....<more>

Hall earns top award again
Warrington Masonic Hall has earned a top award from the local council for its high standards of food hygiene and healthy choice of meals......<more>

NAMES IN GOLD
Les Ashcroft has been busy making sure that the new Worshipful Masters of Warrington Lodges have their names in gold.....<more>

Group helps two charities
Two Warrington charities have received financial help from the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges.........<more>

CARING ABOUT CARERS
A group of people who care for members of their families will be able to enjoy a day out thanks to Warrington Freemasons.......<more>

Lodges of Charity meet again
The 21st annual meeting of the family of The Lodges of Charity, was hosted by Charity Centenary Lodge No 350.......<more>

Provincial Officers at installation
The installation meeting of St Oswald Lodge 5170 afforded the first opportunity for members of the Warrington Group who had been promoted.....<more>

Two special days for Colin and Wayne
Only a day after being invested as acting officers of the Royal Arch Province of West Lancashire two Warrington companions were on duty.......<more>

Eagles soar to championship
Culcheth Eagles Under 17s amateur Rugby League team has secured the North West Counties Division one championship...........<more>

Rhys Jones remembered
The Rev Harry Ross was presented with a cheque for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund when he attended the installation meeting............<more>

LODGE STRIKES GOLD
A donation of £500 at its installation meeting means that the Lodge of Charity No 2651 has qualified as a Gold Patron of the 2010 Festival.........<more>

Lodge donates £2,450 to charities
The Lodge of Lights No 148 handed out £2,450 to Masonic and non-Masonic charities when it held its installation meeting......<more>

Memorable night as Banner is dedicated
It was a memorable night for Birchwood Lodge No 8861 when its Banner was dedicated by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd............<more>

SURPRISE FOR FRED
There was a big surprise for Fred Mort at the conclusion of the Banner Dedication ceremony at Birchwood Lodge No 8861..........<more>

Hall earns five stars again
For the second year in succession, the Warrington Food Award with Distinction with a five-star rating has been given to the Warrington Masonic Hall ......<more>

Boteler Lodge No 7367 hit on a hot idea when WM Bill Hinchliffe decided to organise a Sunday jazz lunch.

Apart from everyone having a super time the event raised £250 which is being donated to the fund to install a new central heating boiler in Warrington Masonic Hall.

After a three-course carvery lunch the 90 guests were entertained by the Chicago Teddy Bears Jazz Band.

Bethany Rigby, aged 10, is learning to play the cornet so she was quite keen to pick up a few tips from Kenny Doran (right) who plays the trumpet and fronts the Chicago Teddy Bears Jazz Band. Pictured with them is Bill Hinchliffe, WM of Boteler Lodge.

The WM of Travellers’ Lodge, Neil Blundell, decided to organise a fund-raising walk from Leigh, following first the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, then the Bridgewater Canal to Walton, a total distance of 29.5 miles, in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. After meticulous planning, Neil accompanied by Barry Corcoran, Phil Kilgour and Brian Potter set out on a beautiful summer’s morning to the sound of the dawn chorus!

The scenery along the route changed from industrial towns to beautiful open countryside. At Barton Bridge the walkers were met by Mike Hamilton, secretary of Travellers’ Lodge, with a superb McDonalds hot breakfast, just what was needed after a 7.00am start.

Passing through Trafford Park they saw huge carp in a pond behind the Kelloggs factory. No time to do any shopping at the Trafford Centre. After Altrincham they called into a canalside pub, this was, of course, to prevent dehydration and to rattle their buckets in aid of MS! Throughout the walk the four were amazed at the generosity of people they passed - some walkers, cyclists and boaters on the canal.

At Agden theywere met by Yvonne Potter and Phil Kilgour’s two children, Sally and Toby, aged 11 and eight respectively, who joined the walk for the last 8.5 miles to the finish at the Walton Arms pub. Sally and Toby had raised £25 in sponsorship from their school friends.

The walkers arrived at the finish, 12.5 hours after they had set off, foot sore and pleasantly tired. They were greeted by a party of family and friends including, Ian and Linda Boswell. Everyone adjourned to the Walton Arms for liquid refreshment and dinner. It was a most enjoyable and rewarding day which raised £827.10 for MS, plus Gift Aid.

At Agden, near. Lymm, the walkers were joined by Yvonne Potter and Sally and Toby Kilgour.

Journey’s end, the Walton Arms, with family and friends, 12.5 hours and 29.5 miles after the start.

Freemasons give “immense support” to Help for Heroes according to Dave Roberts who is the Merseyside county co-ordinator for the charity.

Dave made the comment after he received a cheque for £4,000 from Warrington Group Vice Chairman Chris Eyres and Vic Charlesworth.

The money was raised at a Sportsman’s Dinner when it was originally thought that £3,000 had been raised. However, when all bills were paid and all cash collected in the total profit from the evening was £4,000.

Dave said he was “honoured to relieve the Warrington Masonic Group of £4,000” on behalf of the charity which supports wounded members of the Armed Forces.

He said that in the Merseyside area a total of £38,000 had been raised last year. So far this year a total of more than £108,000 has been raised in the area.

A non-Masonic charity is selected each year to benefit from the dinner which is organised by Vic Charlesworth who said that Help for Heroes had been selected this year because of the superb work it undertakes on behalf of injured members of the Armed Forces.

Chris Eyres and Vic Charlesworth present the cheque for £4,000 top Dave Roberts.

Bryan, of the Lodge of Concord, and Les Ashcroft (True Light Lodge of Friendship) both had 28 points in the Stableford competition. The tie was resolved with a card play-off which resulted in Bryan taking the RW Collin Trophy.

The competition was played under an overcast sky, with a wind swirling around the course, not quite perfect weather for the 25 golfers who competed for the RW Collin and the Ron Hankin Trophies at Warrington Golf Club.

The winner of the Ron Hankin Trophy for the best gross score was George Irvine of the Lodge of Rectitude.

The longest drive was won by Ian White, a guest of Brian Potter, Travellers' Lodge. Andy Jennings of Birchwood Lodge, and George Irvine were nearest the pins on the third and 13th holes respectively. The Visitors’ Prize, a hip flask donated by Cars R Us was won by Reg Dumbill, a guest of Bryan Martin.

The dinner was attended by Warrington Group Vice Chairman, Chris Eyres, and Andy Barton who is to be group secretary, the Warrington Captain, and Barry Jameson the Captain of Haydock Park Golf Club, Chris thanked Bryan Martin, the group golf representative for organising the competition and Warrington Golf Club for its hospitality, before he presented the prizes. A raffle raised £135 for charity.

Warrington Group Vice Chairman Chris Eyres wishes good luck to two of the golfers as they start their round.

Provincial Grand Charity Steward and former Warrington Group Vice Chairman Barry Jameson is captain of Haydock Park Golf Club this year and was welcomed to the group golf day by the Warrington Golf Club captain

Alan Bristow has found a novel way of keeping his sponsors informed of his fund-raising efforts to mark his 70th birthday.

Alan had decided that at the age of 70 the time has arrived for him to scale the heights. To mark his milestone birthday Alan decided to scale the highest peaks in the country to raise money for charity.

His planned ascents were Scafell Pike with his son-in-law Paul before going on to walk up Snowdon with his daughter Menna and finally tackle Ben Nevis with his son Robert.

To let his sponsors know how he is doing a cartoon style page has been created which he has sent by email to many of his sponsors and which can be seen below.

Alan is hoping for attract sponsorship which will go into the charity account of the Lodge of Charity No 2651.

Derek Hunt has become the first Warrington Freemason for five years to be honoured with Grand Rank.

Derek was invested by the Grand Master, the Duke of Kent, as a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies at the annual investiture meeting of the United Grand Lodge of England in Freemasons’ Hall, London.

A retired newspaper editor, 65-year-old Derek is the Provincial Publicity Officer for the Province of West Lancashire. He has been a member of St Oswald Lodge No 5170 for 40 years and was WM in 1982. He is the seventh member of St Oswald Lodge to be honoured with Grand Rank. The first was Lord Daresbury who was Senior Grand Warden of England and later became Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Munster.

A founder member of the Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters, Derek was its first “light blue” Director of Ceremonies. He is a member of the Chapter of Perseverance No 155 and is its DC.

Freemasonry provides a unique blend which has enabled it to survive for so many years.

Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid said the message he wanted brethren and companions to take away from the Warrington Group Dinner was that Freemasonry has its serious side during its meetings but it also has an important “fun side” at its social events. “It is this unique blend which has enabled Freemasonry to survive so long,” he said.

Steven was speaking at the question and answer session which was held in Warrington Masonic Hall before the dinner.

Answering questions and putting views forward alongside Steven were Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Hutton and Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee.

During the session Steven encouraged lodges and chapters to allow work in lodge to be shared and stressed the importance of mentoring new members. Geoffrey encouraged people to visit the Provincial website and read Matt’s Blog which gave a good indication of how young members view the Craft. Warrington Group mentor Dave Petley said that every new member in the group will now receive special packs of information to help guide them before joining, at their initiation, second and third degree ceremonies.

When questioned about Royal Arch membership Geoffrey Lee said that in the last year the number joining had increased by 3%.

During a discussion about the 2010 Festival, Steven said he thought any future festival in any part of the country would be over a shorter period.

At the dinner the toast to Steven’s health was proposed by Alan Thomas. In his response Steven said that attending group dinners was probably one of the most enjoyable parts of his job. He said there was a sense of enthusiasm during the question and answer session which was good for Freemasonry in Warrington.

Steven praised the work of Dennis Rudd and John Hutton saying that the group was lucky to have “two leaders with so much experience and who are so approachable”.

He said the town had a “dynamic group team” and particularly thanked Colin Boardman who is to step down as group secretary later this year.

The toast to the group was proposed by Provincial Scribe N, David Grainger. During his toast David referred to the appointment of Barry Jameson as Provincial Grand Charity Steward and said the job “could not be in a safer pair of hands”.

In his response to the toast group chairman Ian Boswell said there were many members of the group team in addition to the chairman, vice chairman and secretary. He highlighted the work undertaken by the group’s musical brethren in raising the funds to replace all the musical instruments in the hall. He also urged everyone to support the project to create a group museum saying that there may be an open day at the hall at the time of the national Heritage Weekend.

There was a pleasant surprise for the hall chairman Eric Drinkwater when Ian presented him with a cheque for £2,000 for the appeal to raise money to replace the central heating boiler at a cost of £6,000.

The group had also arranged for a cheque to be taken to Liverpool on the day for £2,500 as its final contribution to the 2010 Festival.

Ian paid tribute to the work during his time as vice chairman of the group of Barry Jameson who is giving up the post to concentrate on his new role as Provincial Charity Steward. Ian said: “Barry would have made a very good group chairman, but that is not to be.”

Ian went on to day that Chris Eyres will be a “very able replacement” for Barry as vice chairman.

Ian then praised the tremendous amount of work done by Colin Boardman during his time as group secretary. Ian said: “This is Colin’s last group dinner and hasn’t he done a grand job?” He thanked Colin for all his work during the last six years.

Ian said he will be looking to fill another group position in the near future as group treasurer Doug Morton is moving back to Scotland at the end of May,

Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid, Dennis Rudd and John Hutton are pictured with some of the Masters and First Principals who attended the Warrington Group Dinner.

Steven Reid chats to Alan Thomas (Warrington Lodge of Concord) and Bill Hinchliffe (Boteler Lodge).

Provincial Grand Secretary with Geoff Bond (Newton Lodge) and Steve Ward (St Oswald Lodge).

Ian Boswell presents a cheque to hall chairman Eric Drinkwater towards the cost of a new central heating boiler.

Musicians in the Warrington group have hit a high note and by clever bidding have obtained a replacement organ for Warrington Masonic Hall’s small lodge room at a bargain price.

Over the last few weeks a couple of lodge organists had discussed the problems with the existing organ with Peter Blease who decided to make enquiries about a replacement organ after finding how much was in the special fund which had been set up to help buy new instruments.

Phoning round the few remaining second hand organ shops in the country, Peter found that the best organs suitable for our use cost between £900 and £1,400. That evening he was attending his Chapter (Travellers Chapter No 4679) which has four of the group’s organists as members.

They had a discussion together with the organist who had recently joined Ashmole Lodge, who was playing in the large temple, and who is also the DPrGOrg for the Province of East Lancashire. Peter told them of the three models of organs he was particularly looking at and they agreed that the best one would be a Yamaha, - for various reasons including spares.

Stephen Derringer, who served as Provincial Grand Organist, who is also in the same Chapter, immediately said that the organ in the large temple, was the best in the Province and that he would like nothing less than this instrument for our small temple. He should know he's played them all!

When Peter went home he found that one of these organs was for sale on ebay. This was one of the three organs I had been looking at after taking advice from various shops. In Peterborough Organ Centre this model was for sale at £900. The starting bid on ebay was £50 with two days to run. He immediately contacted the seller and asked all the relevant questions and it sounded good . He then got a phone call from Stephen Derringer telling him that he had spotted the same organ and that he had also contacted the seller. It was at this point he phoned around all the organists in the group to get their opinions and they all agreed that we should bid.

The last hour was approaching, - it was 11.0 pm. - and Stephen phoned and said he would stay on the phone to see if we were successful. The bidding went up and there were 15 bidders as this is a collector’s item. They decided to cover themselves and put in a maximum bid of £500. The bids had slowly gone up £5 at a time to £112 until the last 10 seconds came and the price went up to £194. Then a message came up saying congratulations you are the highest bidder at £194!.

Peter said: “What a bargain. The next day I was attending a morning practice and was telling the story to a few Brethren including Eric Main (St Oswald Lodge No 5170 and Travellers Chapter No. 4679) who offered to help pick the organ up. ‘Where is it’ he said and I replied on the Isle of Sheppey, North Kent.

This was the only drawback and I had visions of rowing a boat back to the mainland. Eric immediately said ‘lend me your phone.’ A call was made, and handing me back the mobile he said ‘right you are fixed up with two heavyweights to help you load the organ’. It turned out that Bro Les Savage of St Oswald Lodge had relations on Sheppey and had contacted them and they were only too pleased to help.”

All Peter needed now was transport, so he phoned Bro Rob Main of Academy Lodge No 9382 and Travellers Chapter who had said previously that if a van was needed to should contact him. The van was arranged so Stephen, Eric and Peter set off.

On arrival they tested the organ, Les's relations turned up as promised, and they arrived back at the Masonic Hall at 8.30pm after a 500-mile round trip with only a stop for 20 minutes for coffee. Norman Pritchard to meet them to assist with lifting the instrument up the stairs and two other Brethren who were attending a Lodge of Lights social evening also assisted.

The following day Peter received a phone call from a Warrington Freemason wishing to pay for this organ anonymously. This was totally unexpected and was gratefully received. Peter then had another phone call from Norman Pritchard, who incidentally raised a good deal for this cause, to say that Rob Leather’s wife Nicola had very kindly offered to make a cover for the organ, and very professional it looks.

Peter said: “It just demonstrates the calibre of the brethren and their families in the Warrington Group. We will of course need to have the organ serviced, and that will be carried out in the next couple of weeks.

Next the organists will concentrate on purchasing a new piano for the Hatton Room and this is already being looked at, with the Musical Instrument Fund having £1,500 accumulated in reserve. With the purchase of the new organ in the Beamont Room 18 months ago at a very good price of £1,500 we now definitely have the best musical instruments in the Province, and this is all down to the goodwill tangibly expressed by the Warrington Freemasons. We are now closing this fund as concentration is currently needed to raise funds to replace the central heating at the hall and setting up the hall museum.”

The Old Masonians West Lancashire Chapter No 7702 is only the third Chapter in the Province to achieve Gold Patron status for its contributions to the 2010 Festival. In addition to the Warrington Chapter, the other two to strike gold for their contributions are the Provincial Stewards’ Chapter and Peace and Unity Chapter. The Provincial Grand Third Principal, the Rev Harry Ross, presented the special “gold” certificate to the Chapter’s First Principal Peter Gore watched by Keith Haslam and Andrew Wilson.

A Warrington chapter presented cheques totalling £750 to Provincial Grand Third Principal the Rev Harry Ross at its installation meeting.

Gilbert Greenall Chapter No 1250 decided that there should be £250 for St Rocco’s Hospice, £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support and £250 for Warrington Masonic Hall.

During the meeting John Knowles was installed as First Principal by Chris Gleave.

The brethren of Warrington Temple Lodge, along with their guests, celebrated a milestone in the lodge’s history, its 500th meeting. The lodge was founded in 1947 by 25 brethren with the first Worshipful Master being Edward Baron Daresbury, a Past Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The business of the 500th meeting was to pass one of the lodge’s newest members to the degree of a Fellowcraft.

After the meeting, a festive board was held where the Brethren enjoyed a four-course meal.

Derek Hazlehust gave a talk about the lodge’s history, the difficulties faced in providing a consecration banquet during rationing times and the way that many of its brethren have influenced and contributed to the town of Warrington over the years.

All of the brethren and guests agreed that a very enjoyable evening was had by all.

Warrington’s annual Group Ball got off to a sparkling start with a champagne reception.

Group chairman Ian Boswell and his wife Linda welcomed all the guests including Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and his wife Doreen; Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes and his wife Francine and vice chairman David Hilliard and his wife Pam.

After a delicious six-course meal Ian thanked everyone who had attended and there were surprises for four people. Ian presented gifts to David and Lynn Whitmore and Ken Smith who have organised the ball for several years and Dave Petley who has acted as DC.

Ian and Linda Boswell welcome Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and his wife Doreen and Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes and his wife Francine to the Warrington Group Ball.

Ready to have a ball at Warrington, left to right: David Hilliard, Pam Hilliard, David Newland (former Woolton Group secretary), Joan Newland, Ian Boswell, Linda Boswell, Barry Jameson (Warrington Group Vice Chairman), Pam Jameson, Chris Eyres and Anne Eyres.

Sight and Sound drummer Steve Massey has a bit of fun throughout the night constantly changing his hats. Beryl Goddard, Lynn Whitmore, Tina Ryder and Gill Petley

Chris Eyres is to succeed Barry Jameson as Vice Chairman of the Warrington Group of Lodges and Chapter.

Barry is Provincial Grand Senior Warden at the moment and in May is to be appointed as Provincial Grand Charity Steward. Because of his new appointment Barry will not be able to continue as group vice chairman.

Chris, who is 59, is well known in many parts of the Province for his involvement with the Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters and being a member of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity Education Sub Committee.

Chris is operations manager for CANtreat which has raised £400,000 and given £100,000 to create the CANtreat Chemotherapty Unit at Halton Halton.

He was initiated into the Lodge of Charity No 2651 in 1990 and became WM in 1998. For seven years from 2000 he served the lodge as secretary and then became treasurer, a post he still holds today.

It was in 2000 that Chris joined the Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters and just two years later served as its Worshipful Master. The following year he was appointed assistant secretary and has been secretary of the lodge – which draws its members from Warrington, St Helens, Prescot, Widnes and Leigh – since 2007.

Chris’s first promotion in the Province was as a Provincial Grand Steward in 2004 and he became a joining member of Quingenti Lodge No 8516. He served as Junior Warden of the lodge which is for Provincial Grand Stewards in 2006. Chris was promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 2008.

Chris was exalted into Travellers Chapter No 4679 in 2001 and has served as Scribe E since 2006. He is a member of the Loyalty Chapter of Installed Principals No 897 and the John Brunner Chapter No 2799 in the Province of Cheshire. He is also a member of the Rose Croix Atherleigh Chapter.

Chris has already worked on behalf of the Warrington group having been minutes secretary since 2003. He is a co-organiser of the annual St George’s Evening and the Gentlemen’s Evening.

Before joining CANtreat in 1994 Chris had worked in education. Born in Warrington, Chris went to Hamilton Street Primary School and Padgate C of E Primary before attending Leigh Boys’ Grammar School. He then went on to the College of Venerable Bede at Durham University and studying with the Open University before becoming and English teacher at Woolston High School. He also taught PE and became head of year. In 1983 Chris became Head of English at Wade Deacon High School and in 1988 moved to Norton Priory High School first as senior teacher and then deputy headteacher.

Chris said: “I was surprised and delighted to be asked to fulfil this role and I am really looking forward to attempting to fill Barry Jameson's shoes. He has done a superb job since he was appointed and I hope I can maintain the standards he has set. It will be a pleasure to work alongside Ian Boswell whose experience in the administration and management of group business is second to none.”

Chris is married to Ann who is a former employee of Royal Insurance in Warrington and more recently receptionist at Wade Deacon High School Widnes. She is now retired – to look after Chris! They have three children, Ben, Matthew and Hannah. Ben lives in the Isle of Man and has two children, Harry and Ollie. He is Head of PE at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Peel. Matt and Hannah live in Newcastle upon Tyne. Matt is a sales manager for VW Commercial Vehicles and Hannah is chief executive of a charity, Keyfund, which helps young and underprivileged children with training and financial assistance. She was recently named as the 2009 NE Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.

Chris is a sports fanatic and plays darts every week and golf regularly. He loves the theatre and has been an Antrobus Soulcaker for 32 years. This is an ancient Cheshire tradition akin to a mummers play.

Barry Jameson said: “On appointment as vice chairman I was honoured to have the opportunity of working with Ian as part of the group team at Warrington. It is a large and active group so there is no shortage of things to do. The role was one which I enjoyed thoroughly and was looking forward to a long and rewarding stint as a group officer. This in part was constrained due to my appointment as Provincial Senior Grand Warden in May last year and the opportunity to serve as the Provincial Grand Charity Steward gave me (and the group) a dilemma. On balance, I have been delighted to be able accept the Provincial role and look forward to the new challenges this will present, after the conclusion of the 2010 Festival in May this year.

“That decision has created the opportunity for a further look at the group team at Warrington and I believe the changes announced will continue to build on the work already done in this group. I wish my replacement, Chris Eyres, every success in their new roles and thank all the members of the Warrington Group for their kind help and support during my (brief) period as a group officer.”

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker congratulates Chris Eyres on his forthcoming appointment as Vice Chairman of the Warrington Group of Lodges.

The work of Barry Jameson in the Province and for the Warrington Group has been praised.

Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell: “Barry Jameson has been Vice Chairman of the Warrington Group since his appointment by the Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker, in July 2008. Barry has proved to be a very effective and popular vice chairman and, I believe, would have gone on to be a first class group chairman. When he was made vice chariman, Barry was already carrying out the important duties of Regional Charity Steward for the Eccles, South Eastern and Warrington Groups and was also vice chairman of the 2010 Festival Committee. His hard work and commitment to all these roles was recognized by the Province when he was invested as Provincial Senior Grand Warden in May 2009.

“On the retirement from office of Stuart Thornber in May, Barry is to be appointed the Provincial Grand Charity Steward. This clearly reflects Barry's excellent organisational abilities and his special interest in the charities, and is a strong indication of the high regard in which he is held within the Province. I congratulate Barry on his preferment and wish him every success in this very important new role. His appointment to PrGChStwd means, of course, that Barry must step down as group vice chairman at that time. I was pleased when the Provincial Grand Master indicated his intention to appoint our nominee, Chris Eyres, to succeed him. Chris is well known and well respected within the group and I am sure he will be equal to the challenge.”

A Gentlemen’s Evening organised by Warrington Freemasons was a knock-out success raising more than £3,000 for Help for Heroes.

Among the sporting memorabilia auctioned on the night was a boxing glove worn by former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and signed by him and a framed set of signed photographs of former British heavyweight boxing champion Henry Cooper.

The star sporting guest of the night was Warrington born footballer Steve Kindon. Steve knew he was in for a home-town welcome but the night brought back many memories of his youth for he went to school in Woolston and then the Wade Deacon in Widnes with Ian Boswell who is the chairman of the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges. There was also time for Steve to chat with his teenage “mate”, Chris Eyres, who was one of the evening’s organisers.

At the start of the evening in Warrington Masonic Hall the sell-out audience heard from former soldier and Warrington Freemason Lt Col Les Taylor Duff who told of the important work being undertaken for members of our Armed Forces when they return home injured and for the families of those who have laid down their lives for their country.

Before his after-dinner speech Steve helped Dave Tabron with the auction of sporting goods which included a signed Warrington Wolves ball, a signed Everton ball, a day at Donnington driving a racing car, a day at the races, a round of golf, tickets for the races and a match at Lancashire County Cricket Club. The highest bid of the night was for four people to attend a Bolton Wanderers game with special hospitality including a meal.

The Mike Tyson boxing glove was bought for £210 by Freemason Tom Maunder and his son Alan who thought that it was “a good investment”.

Steve told the audience how he was brought up watching his uncle play Rugby League and his father play Rugby Union. But after seeing the World Cup he decided he wanted to play football and just 18 months after his debut on a soccer pitch in Padgate was playing in the First Division. Steve is one of the genuine "characters" of football and a great raconteur whose contribution to any dinner is guaranteed to have the audience rolling with laughter.

With more than 160 first-class goals to his credit, this former striker/left winger starred with Wolves – where he earned the nickname “The Tank” for his bustling style - Burnley and Huddersfield in the 70’s and 80’s and he also won caps for England in the youth team, the under-23’s and England B.

For seven years running, he gained the title of the fastest footballer in Britain at the annual competition at the Meadowbank Stadium. Nowadays, "Kindo" - as he is affectionately known - prefers to take a more leisurely pace, though travelling the length and breadth of the country at sporting and corporate dinners throughout the land where his humorous reminiscences always leave the audience wanting more.

It will be some time before it is known exactly how much was raised on the night but organiser Vic Charlesworth is confident that it will be more than £3,000 which will be presented to Help for Heroes.

Nice to see you again “mate”. Steve Kindon gives Chris Eyres a friendly tap with the boxing glove used by former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.

Steve Kindon was welcomed to the Gentlemen’s evening by Warrington Masonic Group Chairman Ian Boswell (left) who he went to school with in Woolston and Widnes. Pictured with them are group vice chairman Barry Jameson and group secretary Colin Boardman.

Scenes at the Gentlemen’s Evening which raised more than £3,000 for Help for Heroes.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker kept a promise he made last year when he visited the Lodge of Charity No 2651.

Peter should have attended the lodge’s installation meeting last year but because his wife, Julie, was ill he had to miss the meeting. He made a promise then that he would visit the lodge as soon as his diary permitted.

He said it had been a splendid choice of meeting to attend as there had been a “lovely, lovely ceremony of initiation”.

The ceremony was performed by Charlie Appleton who had to stand in for the WM who was away on a special celebration holiday. The Provincial Grand Master should have been at the meeting to see Ted Tipton installed as WM. Ted was obviously disappointed that Peter was not in attendance but knew that the PGM would visit the lodge during his time in the chair. However, diaries clashed and Ted had arranged to take his wife Doreen to Tenerife to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary and miss the February meeting – the one Peter attended.

At the social board Peter welcomed the initiate, retired engineer Stuart Ainsworth, into Freemasonry on behalf of the Province. He did, however, warn him that it was unlikely that the Provincial Grand Master would be able to attend his future ceremonies. He said he hoped he had many happy years in Freemasonry.

Peter said he could not have wished to attend a better ceremony and congratulated Charlie for the perfect way he performed the ceremony for his candidate.

Peter also congratulated Derek Bird who delivered the Ancient Charge. Derek had learned the previous month that he is to be promoted to the rank of PPrGSuptWrk and Peter said that he deserved that promotion just for the way he delivered the address.

The toast to the Provincial Grand Master’s health was proposed by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd who congratulated him on being awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours List. He said Peter had not only brought honour on himself and his family but also on the Province of West Lancashire.

Peter was awarded the OBE for his services to the community in Preston and in his response to the toast encouraged Freemasons to take an active role in the community. He said that the more service given to the community by members of the Craft “the more we will promote the good name of Freemasonry”.

He revealed that at the latest count a total of £4.7million had been donated to the 2010 Festival. He said that in the last five years more than £1million had been given by the Samaritan Fund to help 147 recipients in the Province and that in 2009 a total of 25 had benefitted by more than £127,000.

During the meeting he heard that the lodge is to donate a further £750 to 2010 Festival which will make it a Grand Patron.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker congratulates Stuart Ainsworth after his initiation into Freemasonry watched by (left to right) Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd, Charlie Appleton who acted as WM and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Mark Dimelow.

The Lodge of Lights No 148 handed over £3,150 to Masonic and non-Masonic charities at its installation meeting in Warrington Masonic Hall.

The largest donation of £1,600 was for the 2010 Festival and there was £350 for Ecclesholme.

The lodge’s donations to non-Masonic charities were: Brookfield School for handicapped children, £200; Warrington Disabled Living Centre, £150; St Rocco’s Hospice, £150; Hope House Children’s Hospice, £250; Rheumatology Unit at Hope Hospital, £100; Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, £100; Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, £100; Guide Dogs for the Blind, £100; Breast Cancer charity, £50.

More than 200 attended the Warrington Group Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The service at St Thomas’s Church, Stockton Heath was conducted by the vicar, the Rev Michael Ridley.

The first eight lessons were read by Master Masons, Paul Chadwick (True Light Lodge of Friendship), Paul Brown (Ashmole Lodge), Philip Kilgour (Travellers Lodge), John Pether (Lodge of Charity), Michael Delooze (Academy Lodge), Christopher Todd (Warrington Lodge of Concord), Paul Hunt (St Oswald Lodge), and Robert Main (Academy Lodge). The ninth lesson was read by the Rev Ridley.

Conductor of the choir was Alan Griffiths and soloists were Mrs Julia Hatcher, Peter Whalley (Lodge of Charity), Mrs Joyce Hambleton and George Warburton (St Oswald Lodge). Organist was Peter Blease (Academy Lodge).

Among the congregation was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and his wife Doreen.

Following the service refreshments were served in the church hall and the Group Christmas Draw took place.

Christmas arrived early for St Rocco’s and other hospices throughout the country thanks to Freemasons.

And the latest donations mean that in the nine years the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges has been supporting the hospice more than £50,700 has been handed over.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd today presented a cheque for £2,232 to the hospice from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. Many lodges in the Warrington Group regularly support the hospice and the latest such donation was for £100 from the Warrington Lodge of Concord.

Dennis said: “I am delighted to have been able once again to present a substantial cheque to the hospice from our Grand Charity. This money is an important contribution towards the millions of pounds needed each and every year to ensure this extremely respected service can continue for the benefit of the people of the Warrington area.”

Beth Eccles, Matron of St Rocco’s Hospice, said: “The support we receive from Freemasons is incredible. It was only in April that we received £3,000 which had been raised by Warrington Freemasons at a Gentlemen’s Evening and there have been many other cheques from local lodges.

“For one organisation to have donated more than £50,000 to the hospice in just nine years is magnificent. Without such support we would not be able to work as we do.

“I just want to say a big thank you to all Freemasons for their generosity.”

Since The Freemasons’ Grand Charity Hospice Programme started more than £8 million has been donated to hospices in England and Wales.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd is pictured presenting the cheque to Johanne Sutton (Day Unit Sister), was by appeals manager Claire Maddock and Barry Jameson (vice-chairman of the Warrington Group of Lodges).

It was a very special night for Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd when he dedicated a banner for the True Light Lodge of Friendship No 2963.

Dennis has participated in many banner dedication ceremonies but what made this one special for him was that it was in his own lodge.

True Light Lodge of Friendship was formed in 2006 with the amalgamation of True Light Lodge No 7323, Hillcliffe Lodge No 8812 and the Lodge of Friendship No 2963. Dennis was initiated into True Light Lodge in 1963 and was involved in the amalgamation of the three lodges.

After accepting the gavel to lead the dedication ceremony Dennis told the meeting at Warrington that he considered it a “privilege and a pleasure” to be involved in the proceedings which were very special for him.

Each of the three original lodges had their own banners but members of the amalgamated lodge thought the new lodge should have its own.

All three original banners will be displayed at all meetings of the True Light Lodge of Friendship in addition to the new banner which Dennis said he hopes will be paraded into the lodge on every Masonic occasion.

The new banner was received from Dennis on behalf of the lodge by the WM Clive Leigh.

An oration was delivered by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev Graham Halsall, who praised the work of banner designer Alan Griffiths for the symbolism contained in the banner. Alan was a founder of Hillcliffe Lodge and designed the original banner for that lodge.

The new banner combines the images in the previous banners. Towards the bottom of the banner the “true light” from above is depicted by the Volume of the Sacred Law surmounted by the square and compasses and above that the design illustrates the historical geographical aspects of the Hillcliffe area of south Warrington. This includes the Lychgate which gave access to the Hillcliffe chapel (and artistic licence provides two Masonic pillars on either side of the gate). The Latin inscription “levavi oculos” means “I will lift up my eyes”…whence cometh my help, Above this is the insignia of the prevailing lodge showing the clasped hands of Friendship.

The banner is surmounted by a flag showing the red rose of Lancashire and the wheat sheaf of Cheshire while the black helmet is a reminder of the Black Prince under whom men of the Hillcliffe area fought in the 14th century.

During the ceremony there were items by the Provincial choir, Gerald Bullough, Arthur Ford-Giltrap and John W Hindle, who were accompanied by organist Stephen Derringer.

For the ceremony Dennis was assisted by the Provincial Grand Senior and Junior Wardens, Barry Jameson and David Durling; Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremony Sam Robinson and Robert Wright; Norman Prichard and Les Ashcroft as deacons and Dennis Pearson as Inner Guard.

The honour of carrying the new banner into the lodge was given to Fellowcraft Ricardo Stephen and other members of the banner deputation were David Petley, Eddie Smythe, Adrian Wood and Paul Chadwick.

Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell described the banner as “a powerful symbol of the unity of the three amalgamated lodges”.

Pictured, left to right, with the new banner, are: Robert Wright, Barry Jameson, Dennis Rudd, Clive Leigh, David Dunning and Sam Robinson.

Banner bearer Richardo Stephen and Provincial Grand Chaplain the Rev Graham Halsall.

WM Clive Leigh with the original banners of the three lodges which amalgamated to form the True Light Lodge of Friendship.

Bro Alan Thomas had one of the most unique nights of his Masonic life when he was installed in the chair of King Solomon of Warrington Lodge of Concord No 1250. The night was made very special as the Lodge was honoured by the presence of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master; Brother Peter Hosker who was accompanied by his Provincial Senior and Junior Wardens, Bro’s Barry Jameson and David Durling. Mark Dimelow the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, H. Dennis Rudd and Jon Clipsham both Assistant Provincial Grand Masters also attended the meeting along with many other Grand and Acting Provincial Grand Officers.

The evening began with a most excellent ceremony lead by the Installing Master, Bro David G Flanagan who was assisted for the first part of the ceremony by WBro Nick Wood the Immediate Past Master.

At the end of the installation Alan presented Peter Hosker several cheques, one of which was made to the 2010 Festival and was for the magnificent sum of £2,010. Peter thanked all the members of the Lodge on behalf of the recipients of the cheque, for their very significant contribution to the 2010 Festival.

At the festive board, Peter said he was delighted to visit the Warrington Group for the first time as the Provincial Grand Master. He said he was visiting the lodge for two reasons - the first was to honour a Member of Warrington Lodge of Concord; Barry Jameson who he appointed as the Provincial Senior Warden in May and the second was to attend the installation of Bro Alan Thomas. Peter congratulated all the members of the lodge who had participated in the installation ceremony, particularly the Installing Master, Bro David G Flanagan who had conducted the ceremony in a most sincere manner.

Left to Right: Mark Dimelow, H Dennis Rudd, Barry Jameson, Sam Robinson, Peter Hosker, David Durling, Ian Boswell, Jon Clipsham, Paul Hesketh and Robert Wright.

The Provincial Grand Master congratulates the new Worshipful Master, Alan Thomas.

Warrington Masons Ian Boswell (Warrington Group Chairman) and Stan Churm represented all Warrington Freemasons in remembering the many men who have died defending the country during Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph at Bridge Foot, Warrington.

With the conflict in Afghanistan still raging and with local soldiers numbering amongst the casualties there, Remembrance Sunday saw a significantly larger turnout than in recent years as the community paid their respect to the fallen at the service.

Group Chairman WBro Ian Boswell and WBro Stan Churm laying a wreath on behalf of Warrington Freemasons.

Pic 2: From left to right - Ian Boswell, Dr Irina Axcell (Mayoress of Warrington), WBro Eric Drinkwater (Chairman Warrington Masonic Hall Co), Dr Brian Axcell (Mayor of Warrington), and Stan Churm pictured after the Remembrance ceremony.

A Demonstration entitled ‘The Building, King Solomon’s Temple,’ was given at the October meeting of St Oswald Lodge No 5170 meeting at Warrington Masonic Hall.

The meeting was well attended with over 60 Brethren of St Oswald Lodge and visitors from other lodges which meet in the Warrington and District Group and from other groups in the Province.

The presentation was given by Cleveleys Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1176. WBro Jimmy Rogers, Past Master of Fleetwood Lodge No. 3711 and WBro Jeff Smith, PPrJGD of Pharos Lodge No 7421, did the actual presentation on the evening ably supported by other members of the ‘Temple’ team.

This was the 460th Presentation of its kind with the first being given in April 1983. The King Solomon’s Temple team over the many years since its inception have raised many thousands of pounds for a countless variety of good causes. The team travels to lodges all over the UK to do the demonstration and have also visited lodges in Europe.

The Demonstration proved extremely interesting and earned the plaudits of all present.

Pictured King Solomon’s Temple, Brethren in background left to right: WBro Jeff. Smith, of Pharos Lodge, No 7421, WBro Jimmy Rogers, Fleetwood Lodge, No 3711 and Bro. Bob McDermott, St Oswald Lodge, No 5170.

Provincial Grand Chaplain the Rev Graham Halsall was the guest preacher at the annual Church Service for the Warrington and District Group of Lodges.

The Rector of Warrington, the Rev Canon Michael Finlay welcomed everyone to Warrington Parish Church for the service which was conducted by WBro the Rev Ron Biggin.

This year’s service was hosted by Newton Lodge No 6288 and Warrington Temple Lodge No 6420. The lessons were read by Geoff Bond (WM of Newton Lodge) and Ken Hickman (Warrington Temple Lodge).

A large number of Warrington Freemasons and their families attended the service including Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd, Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell, Provincial Senior Grand Warden Barry Jameson (group vice-chairman), Colin Boardman (group secretary) Eric Drinkwater (Grand Junior Deacon of England in the Mark Degree) and Tony Bent, Chairman of the Leigh Group of Lodges.

The cross bearer was Ken Smith and the Warrington Group Banner was carried by Geoff Bond. Director of Ceremonies for the service was Gwilym Jones while the choir was conducted by Alan Griffiths. Peter Blease was organist.

The three officiants at the Warrington Group Church service were (left to right) the Rector of Warrington, Rev Canon Michael Finley, WBro the Rev Ron Biggin and the Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev Graham Halsall. Pictured with them, left to right, are: Colin Boardman, Geoff Blissett, Eric Drinkwater, Gwilyn Jones, Barry Jameson, Tony Bent, Dennis Rudd, Gordon Amos, Ian Boswell and Stan Churm.

Warrington Masonic Hall has earned a top award from the local council for its high standards of food hygiene and healthy choice of meals.

The hall is one of only seven restaurants in the town to gain the Warrington Food Award with distinction. Warrington Borough Council has only been running the scheme for two years and each time Warrington Masonic Hall has earned the award with distinction.

The award was presented to hall manager Dave Harding and catering director Bill Hinchliffe by the Mayor of Warrington, Councillor Dr Brian Axcell at a special ceremony in Warrington Town Hall.

Warrington Masonic Hall also earned a five-star rating in the Scores on the Doors scheme run nationally by environmental health.

The Warrington Food Award is given to food premises in the borough which show they are capable of achieving and maintaining a high standard of food hygiene and have systems for monitoring the safe production and storage of food. In addition they offer 'healthy' choices in the food they produce.

Only businesses achieving standards of excellence are offered an award with distinction.

All catering businesses may apply for the award, including hot food takeaways, mobile food businesses and public houses. The town’s Food Safety Team carried out an assessment of all premises entered for the scheme.

Food premises that qualify for the award have been presented with a certificate and a window sticker to demonstrate to customers the high standards achieved.

Bill Hinchliffe said: “The hall is delighted to have earned this special award from the council for the second successive year. It is down to the hard work of hall manager Dave Harding and our chef, Dwayne Taylor.”

Bill Hinchliffe and Dave Harding are pictured in Warrington Town Hall with the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Councillor Dr Brian Axcell and Dr Irina Axcell.

Les Ashcroft has been busy making sure that the new Worshipful Masters of Warrington Lodges have their names in gold. Each Lodge in Warrington has its own board where the names of all Masters are listed. Les, a member of the True Light Lodge of Friendship, is pictured putting the finishing touches to the Academy Lodge board. After painting on the names he then adds gold leaf.

Two Warrington charities have received financial help from the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges.

The Older People’s Engagement Group has received £100 while there was £50 for Openingdoors which has previously benefitted from financial support from the group.

The cheques were presented to the two organisations by Warrington Group Secretary Colin Boardman.

The Older People’s Engagement Group brings together individual older people, representatives from local retirement groups and organisations to work jointly with Warrington Council, the hospital, police, public transport, community services and the NHS to influence policy and practice. OPEG engages with the statutory organisation at the Older People’s Partnership Board to ensure that local services address the real needs and wishes of older people in Warrington. OPEG ensures that the voices of older people are heard by those who make decisions.

Openingdoors has a night shelter in Warrington town centre which provides overnight accommodation for 10 homeless people, 365 days a year. The night shelter allocates places to service users on a first come, first served basis but those who are turned away are provided with food and survival equipment such as a blanket or a sleeping bag.

Colin Boardman presents the cheques to OPEG and Openingdoors representatives. Pictured, left to right, are: OPEG treasurer Mrs Barbara Clarke and Chairman Mrs Eileen Fitzgerald, Colin Boardman and Lydia Unsworth, Openingdoors Director of Operations and Service Development.

A group of people who care for members of their families will be able to enjoy a day out thanks to Warrington Freemasons.

A successful St George’s Day Dinner Dance at Warrington Masonic Hall resulted in a £500 profit.

Organisers then looked around for a charity which would benefit from a donation and selected Halton Carers which is a member of the Princess Royal Trust.

Halton Carers was only established eight months ago and aims to assist carers who look after family members in Warrington and Halton.

Ian Boswell, chairman of the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges, presented the £500 cheque to Carl Harris who described the donation as “fantastic”.

He said the money will be used to provide a day out for nearly 50 carers to Chester Zoo to give them a break from routine of providing care for family members.

Anyone involved in caring for others and would like information about Halton Carers can contact the group on 01928 580182 or email help@haltoncarerscentre.co.uk.

Ian Boswell presents the £500 cheque to Carl Harris watched by the group of Warrington Freemasons who organised the St George’s Day Dinner Dance.

The 21st annual meeting of the family of The Lodges of Charity, was hosted by Charity Centenary Lodge No 350, Audenshaw, Bolton. It was attended by 73 brethren from Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Kidderminster, Nottingham and Warrington with apologies from Brightlingsea and Portsmouth. Everyone enjoyed meeting up with old friends and some new brethren and talking over old times.

The 22nd meeting will be hosted by The Lodge of Charity No 8769, Nottingham, to be held at West Bridgford Masonic Hall on the 22 May 2010. This meeting will also be part of the celebrations for the Masonic Hall building.

Pictured, left to right, are: Kevin Whitaler, Andrew Young (IPM), Ted Tipton (WM), Brian Hargreaves, John Pether, Matthew Heatley, Peter Whalley, Rob Cook and Adrian Percival.

The installation meeting of St Oswald Lodge 5170 afforded the first opportunity for members of the Warrington Group who had been promoted to Provincial Grand Rank to appear in their new regalia and process in with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield.

And it was not only West Lancashire’s new officers at the meeting for a Provincial Grand Steward from Spain also attended.

There were special congratulations from Eddie for the Province’s new Senior Warden, Barry Jameson who is Vice-chairman of the Warrington Group. There were also three other acting Provincial Officers from the Warrington Group present – Norman Pritchard (Provincial Senior Grand Deacon), Alan Briggs (Provincial Grand Steward) and Stan Jackson (Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant).

There were also two other Provincial Grand Stewards at the meeting, Mark Holloway and Wayne Carder.

Geoff Balshaw was initiated into St Oswald Lodge but three years ago went to live in Spain. He joined Sierra Espund Lodge 136 in the Grand Lodge of Spain and this year is a Provincial Grand Steward in the Province of Valencia.

At the meeting congratulations were also extended to two members of St Oswald Lodge. John Sawyer was invested as a Past Provincial Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in Blackpool and Ray Thompson is to receive the same rank at the meeting at Preston.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield congratulates acting Provincial Grand Officers from Warrington, Barry Jameson, Alan Briggs and Stan Jackson.

Three West Lancashire Provincial Stewards, Alan Briggs, Wayne Carder and Mark Holloway are pictured with Geoff Balshaw (second from the right) who is a Provincial Grand Steward in the Province of Valencia.

Only a day after being invested as acting officers of the Royal Arch Province of West Lancashire two Warrington companions were on duty in their official capacity in their own Chapter.

Colin Boardman has been appointed Provincial Grand Registrar and Wayne Robinson was invested as a Provincial Grand Steward.

The day after the meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter in Preston was the installation meeting of Travellers Chapter No 4679 which was attended by the Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid.

Both Colin, who is Secretary of the Warrington Group, and Wayne took part in the ceremonial part of the ceremony.

Colin said: “It was wonderful that our first duty as Provincial Grand Officers was in our own Chapter. We have both had two wonderful days.”

Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid congratulates Colin Boardman on his appointment at the installation meeting of Travellers Chapter watched by, left to right: Kevin Poynton (Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies), John Hutton (Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals), Ian Boswell (Chairman of the Warrington Group of Chapters) and Provincial Grand Steward Wayne Robinson.

There were 1,000 extra surprises for St Rocco’s Hospice when the proceeds of a Gentlemen’s Evening organised by Warrington Freemasons was handed over.

The hospice had been expecting to receive £2,000 but instead the donation was for £3,000.

On the night of the Gentlemen’s Evening it was thought that £2,000 had been raised and the hospice’s community fundraiser Malcolm Kindon, who acted as auctioneer, took that good news back to the hospice.

However, when all bills had been paid and all proceeds received the actual amount raised was £3,000.

Organiser Vic Charlesworth said: “Some of the outgoings were not as much as we had anticipated and we received additional donations which had not been taken into account when we did the initial total.”

The England World Cup and Manchester United star Nobby Stiles was the big attraction at the evening which was organised by the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges.

The £3,000 is being used to pay for an additional treatment couch in the hospice’s new Day Care Unit. Building work on the new unit is now complete but further accommodation is taking shape which will provide office and storage space along with rooms for Macmillan Nurses. The Day Care Unit has cost £3.3million and has doubled the number of patients the hospice can accommodate each day in addition to the 10 in-patient beds.

This latest donation means that Warrington Freemasons have donated a total of £49,000 to the hospice in the last eight years.

Malcolm Kindon said: “I would like to say a very sincere thank you to Warrington Freemason not only for this latest donation but for all the tremendous support over many years.”

Warrington Freemasons’ Gentlemen’s Evening organiser Vic Charlesworth tries out the treatment couch which is being paid for with the £3,000 proceeds from event watched by Caroline Kay, Day Unit Sister, and Malcolm Kindon.

Culcheth Eagles Under 17s amateur Rugby League team has secured the North West Counties Division one championship during its first full season wearing the kit sponsored by a Warrington Masonic lodge.

The team secured the championship with an impressive 14 wins out of 15 league games. Their coach Paul Wilshire said: “This season has seen the Eagles go from strength to strength playing some excellent free flowing rugby reflected by a points difference of 440 points for Culcheth and only 96 against.”

The members of Warrington Temple Lodge are pleased to have helped this locally run club and are proud to have its name associated with something so positive in the community.

The Rev Harry Ross was presented with a cheque for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund when he attended the installation meeting of Warrington’s Elias Ashmole Chapter No 148.

The Revoss became involved with the family after the young Everton fan was murdered in Liverpool. He was interviewed by the media from all parts of the world as the search started to find who has shot the youngster. He received a cheque for £100 on behalf of the fund.

The Rev Ross attended the meeting in his capacity of Third Provincial Grand Principal. He was also presented with a cheque for £100 for the Alzheimer’s Society and one for £300 for the 2010 Festival.

A donation of £500 at its installation meeting means that the Lodge of Charity No 2651 has qualified as a Gold Patron of the 2010 Festival.

The Provincial Grand Master had been due to attend the meeting in Warrington Masonic Hall but was unable to do so as his wife was having an eye operation that day.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd attended along with the Provincial Grand Wardens, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and a Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to see 72-year-old Thomas Tipton installed as Worshipful Master.

Dennis told the meeting that Peter Hosker had telephoned him during the afternoon to again give his apologies for not being able to attend and promising that he would make a visit to the Lodge of Charity.

In addition to the £500 for the 2010 Festival, the lodge also presented £500 for the Alder Hey Image Appeal, £250 to the Myeloma Society and £250 for the day unit appeal at St Rocco’s Hospice.

After the cheque for the festival had been given to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master he said the lodge now qualified as a Gold Patron and presented the WM with a gold certificate to mark the occasion.

Three other Warrington lodges, as well as the Warrington Group, have also qualified as Gold Patrons - Warrington Lodge of Concord, True Light Lodge of Friendship and Great Sankey Lodge.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd presents the 2010 Festival Gold Patron certificate to WM Thomas Tipton watched by Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell and regional charity steward Barry Jameson.

The Warrington Group Ball had an extra special feature this year as it was held on Valentine’s Day.

The tables were decorated with hearts and love emblems while there were heart-shaped balloons.

More than 100 people attended the event at Warrington Masonic Hall which was hosted by Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell and his wife Linda.

Among the guests were Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and his wife Doreen and the Rector of Warrington, the Rev Canon Michael Finlay.

Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell and his wife Linda are pictured with Gill Petley, Ken Smith and Dave Petley who acted as DC.

Taking a break from the dancing are, back row, left to right: Roy and Ann Burke, Mrs Ann Finlay and the Rev Canon Michael Finlay, Rector of Warrington. Front, former group chairman Stan Churm and his wife, Brenda, Mrs Doreen Rudd and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd.

It was a special night for Charles and Margaret Carr – the 50th anniversary of their first date.

Group chairman Ian Boswell presents thank-you gifts to ball organisers David and Lynne Whitmore watched by Linda Boswell.

The Lodge of Lights No 148 handed out £2,450 to Masonic and non-Masonic charities when it held its installation meeting at Warrington Masonic Hall.

The £1,000 for non-Masonic charities went to Brookfield School for Disabled Children (£250), Warrington Disability Living Centre (£100), the Stroke Association (£100), St Rocco’s Hospice (£150), Hope House Children’s Hospice (£200), Liverpool Breast Cancer Appeal £50) and the Breast Cancer Unit at Warrington Hospital (£100).

On top of these donations there was £900 for the 2010 Festival, £300 for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charities and £250 for the Warrington Masonic Hall loan notes.

It was a memorable night for Birchwood Lodge No 8861 when its Banner was dedicated by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and one of its members received a promotion to Provincial Grand Rank during the meeting (see story below, Surprise for Fred).

The Lodge celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Consecration in May and it was decided to complete the Lodge furnishings with a Banner.

The Banner bears the Lodge’s emblem, the gates from St Peter’s Church at Newton-le-Willows and a birch tree.

Before presenting the banner to WM Gareth Finlay, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master said: “I hereby dedicate this banner to Freemasonry, the Province of West Lancashire and the Brethren of Birchwood Lodge, now and in the future.”

Before dedicating the Banner the Assistant Provincial Grand Master address a full Lodge Room at Warrington Masonic Hall. He said: “”We are gathered together this evening in order to dedicate a banner as a symbol of our Masonic Fellowship in this the Birchwood Lodge No 8861.

“Banners are a part of heraldry although their origins are lost in the midst of time. There are Banners which are personal to individuals such as those of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth and those of Peers and Knights of the realm. Indeed, the Banner of Sir Knowles Edge, Baronet, who was the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire from 1968 to 1981 is still carried into Provincial Grand Lodge with the Provincial Banner at all Provincial Meetings and other special occasions such as centenaries and more recently, as we have seen in Warrington, at Amalgamation ceremonies.

“There are Banners hanging in our cathedrals and churches and Freemasonry is not the only organisation which adopts Banners. Apart from our Province it is not surprising that Grand Lodge, District Grand Lodges and numerous individual Lodges have their own Banners. What may surprise you to know, and what delights me, is that Warrington is the only group in the Province to have its own Banner.”

He concluded by saying “In Freemason, our Banners can be considered a rallying point not for the heat of battle but for Brethren to meet under their banner in true Masonic harmony and friendship.”

The Provincial Choir, which had sung an anthem earlier sang Psalm 150 following the dedication.

The Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev Graham Halsall then delivered an Oration.

In his Oration the Provincial Grand Chaplain said: “I am sure that you have been anticipating this day for many months and years. In the 30 years or so since you were formed, the new icon of individuality which a banner brings marks not only your presence in the Temple on the evenings of your working, but also in the wider world of your living. You have now raised an ensign for your Freemasonry, your brotherhood, your aims and values, for people to see. That is the point of an ensign, but it has many uses and meanings. Let us investigate a little further. I do not wish to undertake a forensic investigation into the history of the use of banners, but looking closely at the customs of banners in family, civic and British military usage, it reveals much about what you are intending this evening in dedicating this banner.

What are we dedicating? There is an obvious physical difference between a banner and a standard. The banner is suspended from a horizontal pole, and the standard is hung from a vertical pole.

According to the Chambers Dictionary three definitions serve only to confuse us:

A Banner - “A banner is a square flag bearing a coat of arms: a military symbol; a flag bearing some device often carried on two poles, used in processions; a military standard.” So a banner can be a standard. Look at the entry for ‘standard’ …
A Standard - “A standard is a flag or military symbolic figure on a pole marking a rallying point.” So a standard is a flag. Look at the entry for a ‘flag’ …
A Flag - “A Flag is a piece of bunting with a design used as an emblem for military or naval purposes. Signalling, decoration, display propaganda - a banner.”

So a flag can be a banner, which is where we began. In fact, according to this dictionary, a banner can be a standard - a standard can be a flag – and a flag can be a banner - which is where we just started. It does not help us to remember that at some Provincial meetings the banner is carried in by the standard bearer! To add to the confusion, according to one source of heraldry, that which we now call The Royal Standard - is actually a banner. It may surprise us little if we note that the origin of this shape-shifting and unpredictable word is ‘baniere’ in the French, and its gender is female! The terms are virtually interchangeable.

Standards under which we muster - Standards or banners, mark our places of meeting. The important thing is what they had on them, what they stood for and who flocked to them. We may be helped then by latching onto the idea that the standard was once a military flag which served as a mustering point and rallying flag for respective retinues during campaigns and tournaments. In the field of battle, where there might be many regiments or platoons all working together, the individual regimental banners would be a focal point for all of the soldiers, so that they could know where to assemble. This would make the banner bearer a prime target for the opposition, as without the banner prominent, an individual soldier could lose sight of his battalion. Perhaps that is why in olden times, the banner bearer was among the highest paid in the Army!

Back in my childhood days, when the annual school trip went to some resort or other, someone would take a flag on a long cane or broom handle which would be displayed prominently at a base camp, where there would always be a member of staff, so that if ever we got lost, we could look for the flag and that would be our meeting point. As Cub Scouts, we always had to wear our gold neckerchiefs even over civilian clothes, to be identified. Then there was school uniform; then the replica soccer strip, then the designer label, the hoodie, and so on. Even these postmodern badges of belonging have greater significance within their own culture than we sometimes give them, to bind, and to identify one’s own. Marks of identification and places of congregation are important in creating and maintaining unity, and in fostering and promoting ‘esprit de corps’, morale, kinship.

We have a need to belong, and the reasons for our Masonic associations are not only concerned with fun, celebration and acknowledging progress, but they reflect our dependency on each other, in friendship and in fellowship. A banner is, metaphorically, a place under which we know there is to be found shelter, support and strength: a place of relief from the hardships of the world; a sign of meaning for the disturbing and deeper questions of life. Our banner points to a place to which we can regroup and reform before we press onward.

Standards under which we live - Of course, the word ‘Standard’ has meanings other than heraldic. My Chambers Dictionary defines it as “An established or accepted model, a principle of behaviour or morality, a criterion, a definite level of excellence.” There is a hymn that contains the line, “In a world of shifting values there are standards that remain.” Standards speak of the unchanging, unyielding value in morality, the benchmark to which we should aspire. It is not a ‘holier than thou’ attitude that we adopt, but a genuine attempt to raise our conduct to live well and effect for good the lives of those around us, not least our families, but all humanity within the horizon of our concern.

And what happens when we fail? We drop a tear of sympathy, not judgement, because we all fail. But failure does not negate the standard or the value to which we strive. We do not readjust our standards but our life and actions. It is our responsibility in this age to maintain all that Freemasonry enshrines in its highest ideals and pass them on untarnished to future generations, as we do the Warrant or Charter, from Master to Master, pure and unsullied.

Today we dedicate the banner for Birchwood Lodge 8861 and may it ever remind you of the moral standards which we as Masons strive to achieve. The raising of this banner has been made possible by imagination and sacrifice, by the legacy in memory of a respected servant of your brethren. A few of your founders are still with you, and help you look back from where you have come: it is important to preserve the best of your inheritance. In Lodge let these standards forever marks us out as good men and true, who from our muster and meetings, go out into the world to live by the purest principles, principles which this banner lifts high today on behalf of all Freemasonry.

Many Lodges in Britain have their special banner which is symbolic of the characteristics of the Lodge or its history, its founders and the environment from which it had been first influenced. So banners have a number of important messages. They show what we belong to, and secondly they show who we are – but also what we stand for. You are the Birchwood Lodge 8861, and this is your banner. Embrace and live for all that it represents, all that is best in what has gone before you, because you know, when the heat of life’s battle gets hottest, under this you can gather, muster, regroup, and share in harmony, fellowship, kindred – for here is to be found our greatest gift to each other, Brotherly love, Relief and Truth. And from the seeds of this day may more shoots of the Birchwood lodge spring and flourish, as you have already done.

Don’t concern yourself that it has taken you 30 years to dedicate your banner. I know that trees are key to your lodge name and now your banner, ‘birchwood’. Perhaps remember the words of Moliere (a French actor and dramatist) ‘The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit’.”

At the festive board the Provincial Grand Senior Warden Gareth Jones proposed a toast to the Lodge. In response Bob Williams said the Banner Dedication was “the first day of our future”.

Banner bearer John Geering along with the banner deputation of Norman Pritchard, David Finlay, Jim Browning, Derek Hazelhurst and Deputy Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremony John Clipsham and Keith Kemp.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd entrust the new banner to Birchwood Lodge WM Gareth Finlay.

Organist Steven Derringer with the Provincial Choir, Chris Knowles, Arthur Ford-Giltrap, John Hindle and Gerald Bullough.

There was a big surprise for Fred Mort at the conclusion of the Banner Dedication ceremony at Birchwood Lodge No 8861 – he was promoted to Provincial Grand Rank.

At the conclusion of the ceremony to Dedicate the Banner, Assistant Provincial Grand Master turned to WM Gareth Finlay and said that at rehearsal this was the point where he had indicated he would be asking the WM to resume his rightful seat.

However, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master asked if he could remain in the Chair a little longer and then went on to congratulate all those Brethren present who had received letters appointing them to or promoting them in Provincial Grand Lodge.

He said that unfortunately one letter had not been delivered – because it had never been posted but entrusted to him.

He then started to read the Patent of Appointment without saying who was being honoured until he reached the line “WBro Fred Mort to be Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon”. There was immediate applause from all Brethren present.

Sat in his place as Lodge treasurer, Fred was visibly shocked but then there was delight on his face as the Deputy Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremony brought in his new regalia and assisted Fred onto the floor of the Lodge.

WBro Rudd explained that after being initiated into Birchwood Lodge in 1984, Fred resigned his membership in 1992 due to serious health problems. However, he rejoined in 1994 and went on to become Worshipful Master in 2001. He took on the role as treasurer in 2004. He praised Fred for his service to Freemasonry and Birchwood Lodge despite his health problems.

Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies John Clipsham then led salutations to Fred who replied by saying that he was “gobsmacked”. He thanked all the Brethren for their help and support during the “trials and tribulations” of his illness.

Fred Mort is congratulated on his surprise appointment as Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell.

For the second year in succession, the Warrington Food Award with Distinction with a five-star rating has been given to the Warrington Masonic Hall in recognition of its “excellent standards of food hygiene and the provision of healthy food options”.

Jeff Brookes, the Chairman of the Warrington Masonic Hall, said: “These Awards are a tremendous achievement and are a true reflection of the dedication and hard work carried out continually by the staff at the hall. The facilities and the staff are a credit to the company.”

The hall provides an elegant venue in the centre of Warrington not only for Masonic functions but all special occasion whether it be a wedding, an anniversary, a family party or for an important business conference or marketing activity.

The hall offers a very competitively priced range of table d’hote and buffet menus but can also quote for any type of meal that might be required. The well-stocked bar is also competitively priced and can offer a full range of drinks packages.