Fleetwood lodges meet together for the first time

Fleetwood Lodge No 3711 from the North Fylde Group and William Fleetwood Lodge No 2814 in the St Helens and Prescot Group are to twin following the rediscovery of a long association between them which stretches back to 1914 when 3711 was consecrated. 

Ted Vollans congratulates WM Paul Ashton and IPM Bob Howells.

The older lodge, William Fleetwood, was itself originally called Fleetwood Lodge when it received its warrant in 1900 but, following a request made by 3711, graciously allowed the newer lodge to bear the Fleetwood name as a ‘Hallstone Jewel’ lodge which commemorates the sacrifices made by Masons in the Great War, The older lodge decided to adopt the name William Fleetwood Lodge, the name being that of a founding member and it’s first Master, the warrant of the lodge still bears the name Fleetwood Lodge.

Jim Thomason of William Fleetwood Lodge discovered this history when speaking casually to a member of Fleetwood Lodge at an unrelated meeting and decided to invite members of Fleetwood Lodge to visit 2814 for their installation meeting. When the letter of invitation was read out in Fleetwood Lodge Ted Vollans, was amazed, it was his first meeting at Fleetwood Lodge, as a joining member and he had only just replied agreeing to represent the Provincial Grand Master at the installation meeting of William Fleetwood Lodge, a total co-incidence. Ted had applied to join Fleetwood Lodge as it was his father’s mother lodge.

St Helens and Prescot Group Chairman David Fairclough also came along to see his members in action in a ceremony which saw Paul Ashton well and truly placed in the WM’s chair by installing Master Jim Thomason. This was Paul’s second tenure as WM having been the Master some 12 years previously. He succeeded Bob Howells in the chair of the lodge.

Jim accepted the role of installing Master and very ably (and with all manner of humorous asides) not only confidently performed Paul’s installation but also delivered the working tools of all three degrees as well as the address to the WM!

Jim was later to be invested by Paul as the DC of the lodge. So as it was not to be entirely the Jim Thomason road-show, retiring DC and Treasurer Donald Kelso delivered the address to the wardens.

Ted Vollans, after giving the address to the brethren congratulated the new WM, Jim and the officers of the lodge who had all played a part in the memorable ceremony. He also brought the greetings of the PrGM. As Ted is deeply involved with the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity as an officer of the charity he said how delighted he was to receive a cheque from the lodge for £200 for WLFC.

He also received a cheque for £25 for children’s charity NSPCC for which he thanked the lodge especially as it had been given in place of the traditional bouquet of flowers for Ted’s wife. Her view, he said, was that flowers, whilst they were much appreciated, were a fleeting souvenir of the occasion in comparison to a more lasting gift or help for a child.

At a very convivial and sumptuous festive board which followed, in his address Ted thanked William Fleetwood Lodge members for a very merry meeting and the warmth of its welcome not only to himself but the other visitors from Fleetwood. He said how heartened he was that although a small lodge in terms of numbers, 2814 was looking forward to a bright future in it’s new home at Prescot and was looking forward to welcoming several new members in the coming months.

Members of both Fleetwood and William Fleetwood Lodges after the meeting.

He went on to speak about his favourite topic the WLFC and said that he was delighted to report that the charity had been successful in proving its compliance with the Charity Commission’s requirements that it was an organisation which supported non-Masons and Freemasons alike by virtue of the huge variety of grants which it made to non-Masonic good causes. He commended WLFC as the principal charity for Freemasons to support.

He spoke too of the special bond which existed between William Fleetwood and Fleetwood lodges and the links which had been forged between them and strengthened by the day’s visit which would see the lodges twin with each other.

David Brooks the WM of 3711 brought the good wishes of Fleetwood Lodge and said how much they had enjoyed the visit. He extended an open invitation of welcome to his new colleague Paul and to the other members of William Fleetwood Lodge, an invitation which is certain to be taken advantage of by other members from the St Helens and Prescot Group who were present as well as from William Fleetwood Lodge itself.

The members and guests enjoy the festive board.