Everything a Mason should be

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield presided at a meeting of Merchants’ Lodge No 241 held in the Adams Suite at Liverpool Masonic Hall.

Alan, (left), being congratulated by Clive Jefferies.

The main business of the meeting was to celebrate 50 years in Freemasonry of lodge stalwart, Alan Roberts who was initiated on 9 January 1962 and subsequently served as master on four occasions in 1972, 1993, 1998 and 2004.

Stanley processed into the lodge room escorted by Grand Officers including Liverpool Group Chairman David Hawkes, Liverpool Group Vice Chairman Roy Ashley, Stanley Sutch and Alec Gerrard. His entry was heralded by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Robert Wright and he was preceded by two acting Provincial Stewards; Geoff Cuthill and Robb Fitzsimmons and the lodge deacons. Stanley accepted the gavel offered by the WM Clive Jefferies and occupied the Chair.

Having instructed that Alan Roberts be placed before him, Stanley proceeded to relate some of the interesting and humorous events which occurred in the world during the year of Alan’s birth, 1934. His friendly and relaxed manner put the celebrant at ease.

Stanley went on to describe Alan’s history. He was born in Warrington and educated locally at the famous and ancient Boteler, (pronounced ‘Butler’) Grammar School, which was founded in 1526 and is still educating Warrington children to this day.

On leaving school, he commenced employment with a major aluminium company and became a supervisor in the metallurgical and anodic laboratories. In 1970 he moved to a plastics manufacturing company as a supervisor and soon rose to be works manager. In 1979 he moved jobs again and became a supervisor and then manager in refractory fibres. Alan remained in this line until 1988 and then subsequently set up his own business curiously named Beetle Refractory Fibres. Alan explained that the name ‘Beetle’ was taken from his partner’s initials BTL, standing for Brian Thomas Lloyd, a former member of Merchants’ Lodge No 241. Alan subsequently sold the firm and later retired in 1991, after a lifetime in industry.

Alan, being congratulated by fellow boater Mike Wilkinson.

Like most men of his age, Alan had been required to give National Service and was called up to the famous regiment, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Even here Alan made good use of his time by learning to play the French horn and served in the battalion band and later in the South Lancashire band of the Territorial Army. Stanley acknowledged that the instrument is a most difficult one to master but that the sound produced by it has become increasingly popular. Alan agreed and confirmed that he still played with Lymm Concert Military Band and that at different times he had been a member of Warrington Music Society and Hale Light Orchestra.

Alan’s other pastime and hobby is boating and he is still an active member of Acton Bridge Cruising Club on Cheshire’s river Weaver. He has been a member for 38 years and was secretary for 25 years and now honorary president. He enjoys his boating with another member of Merchants’ Lodge, junior warden and past master Mike Wilkinson. Alan related an anecdote concerning the Anderton Boat Lift. It appears that the lift operator was rather fond of a drink and managed to drop the Boat Lift onto Alan’s boat as he was passing under. Fortunately Alan escaped any injury but there was some repairable damage to his boat!

Alan married Vilma in 1959 and they have a daughter Nikkie and a granddaughter Alaina who loves horseback riding and whom Alan takes to gymkhanas. Unfortunately Alan is now a widower.

In Freemasonry, Alan attained the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1993. In Royal Arch Masonry he was exalted into Chapter of Friendship No 241 in 1968 and appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1996.

Pictured from left to right, are: David Hawkes, Alan Roberts and Stanley Oldfield.

At Stanley request, group chairman David Hawkes read to the assembly the contents of the 50 year certificate issued by the Provincial Grand Master to Alan. Stanley then took great pleasure in presenting Alan with the certificate and congratulating him on reaching this milestone and upon the exemplary life had has led in industry and in the community and that he was an ambassador for Freemasonry and everything that a Mason should be. These remarks elicited spontaneous applause from the assembled brethren.  Alan responded by saying that he was overwhelmed and thanking all concerned for their remarks and best wishes and for his certificate from the PrGM.

Stanley restored the gavel to Clive Jefferies who resumed in the Chair of the lodge. Clive then presented Stanley with a cheque for £150 made payable to the Liverpool Masonic Hall Appeal.  Stanley remarked that Merchants’ Lodge had been a great supporter of the Hall Appeal from the inception and thanked them fervently for this additional contribution. 

A sumptuous meal followed the ceremony after which a personal tribute to Alan was given by Alec Gerrard which was greeted with acclaim by the assembly. Alan was then presented with a most suitable gift, a ship’s clock, as a mark of esteem from the brethren of Merchant’s Lodge. This concluded a most heart-warming and enjoyable celebration of Alan’s wonderful 50 years in Freemasonry and as a member of Merchants’ Lodge.

Alan is presented with a ship's clock by Clive Jefferies.

Pictured from left to right, are: Robert Wright, Geoff Cuthill, Stanley Sutch, David Hawkes, Alec Gerrard, Alan Roberts, Stanley Oldfield, Roy Ashley and Robb Fitzsimmons.