Archived Celebration Pages File 2 - Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire

Jack Carrington is the last living Founder of Orrell Lodge No 8371 which meets at Pemberton Masonic Hall and it was with his colleagues from his Lodge and many visitors that he celebrated 65 years as a Freemason.

He was Initiated into Freemasonry in the Lodge of Antiquity No 178 on 19 May, 1943 and in 1970 he was invited to become a Founding Member of Orrell Lodge. Jack was Master of Antiquity in 1959 and for his continued service was made an Honorary Member shortly after the Lodge moved from Wigan to Horwich.

He served in various offices in both lodges and received his first Provincial appointment as PPrJGD in 1976, being promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden 10 years later.

Jack has not only been a good Freemason but also an outstanding member of the community. He was a Justice of the Peace on the Makerfield Bench and served as a councillor for 26 years from 1966 to 1992 on Up Holland UDC and Skelmersdale and Holland UDC’s.

One of his main achievements outside Masonry, was being made a Life Member of Orrell Rugby Union Club in 1961. Not only that, he was President of the Club from 1986 to 1988 and a Trustee of the club from 1973 until he resigned in 1994.

Jack is very well respected in the community. He has lived his life according to the Principles of Freemasonry and is an esteemed example to all.

Jack, after being presented with a bottle of Malt Whisky, invited everyone present to celebrate his 70th ammivery in five years time.

Jack Carrington, of Orrell Lodge, (third from right) celebrates 65 years as a Freemason with Danny Jones (Group Chairman) Clifford Davies, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield, Harold Bibby (acting WM of Orrell Lodge) and Bert Ross (Past Group Vice Chairman).

Clifford Cornwell celebrated his 50 years in Freemasonry at a meeting of Ribbleton Lodge No 6386.

After leaving St Matthew’s School he tried one or two jobs, but decided that he wanted to work in the open air, and that work as a gardener would be just the thing. He eventually managed to find temporary work with the Corporation Parks Department close to where he lived, and was later promoted and given a permanent job.

Everything seemed fine, Clifford was in a job he enjoyed, but then in 1939 war was declared, so in 1941 he joined the RAF. He served in Saskatchewan Canada, France, Belgium and Holland. During the war Edward, the oldest of the three brothers, sadly lost his life when his ship, HMS Thanet, was sunk by the Japanese.

After the war Clifford returned to the UK and found his true vocation – as a Police Officer, a job which led him into several risky situations. He was commended no less than eight times, and he was the youngest police officer to receive the Merit Badge, winning the award after only 13 months on the force. Probably his most dangerous arrest was the time he pursued a wanted criminal who, as Clifford approached him, started tugging at his waistband. Clifford brought the man to the ground and handcuffed him, and then discovered that in the man’s waistband was a loaded revolver which had fortunately caught in his clothing when he tried to draw it and shoot!

Having retired from the police after 25 years service, Clifford and his wife Florence joined Gutteridge Memorial Church in Preston. Shortly after this time Florence, his wife of 40 years, sadly passed away. He is still in regular contact with his daughters from their marriage; Margaret, who emigrated to South Africa, and June who still lives in the UK.

Clifford’s Masonic Career started in 1958 when, on 4 March he was initiated into Fidelity Lodge No 1256. He was passed on 1 April 1958 and Raised on 6 January 1959. Joining Ribbleton Lodge No 6386 on 22 August 1960 he progressed through the Lodge, serving as Worshipful Master in 1976 and 1994, and Director of Ceremonies from 1988 to 1991. He was Group Representative from 1995 to 2001.

Clifford was appointed to the Provincial Rank of PPrAGDC and later promoted to his present rank of PPrGSuptWks.

In the ‘lead up’ to the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Ribbleton Lodge Clifford researched the history of the Lodge, and with the assistance of three other Lodge members produced a ‘Golden Jubilee’ book.

Clifford is still heavily involved with the church, where he became friendly with and eventually married his second wife, Nellie, who sadly has also passed away. In 2004 after a heart attack Clifford underwent heart surgery and, over the last three years, he has had both knee joints replaced. He is still very active and thoroughly enjoys his family life and his Freemasonry.

Ian Greenwood, Group Chairman; Bill Seddon, Asst. Provincial Grand Master, Clifford, and Craig Conway WM Ribbleton Lodge

The golden anniversary of James Crawford into Thurston Chapter No 2525 took place at a meeting held exactly 50 years to the day of his exaltation.

James Crawford who had been initiated into freemasonry in Thurston Lodge No 2525 in 1956 at the age of 34 presented himself at the Masonic Hall, Coniston in 1958 for exaltation into Thurston Chapter.

The anniversary meeting was the 50thy anniversary to the very day and very time of that important event and a great achievement to celebrate with Jim.

Shortly after his exaltation Jim moved to London to further his career as a marine engineer. After his schooling at Walney Central and then Barrow Technical School, his apprenticeship at Vickers Armstrong in Barrow and his service in the Merchant Navy in and after the war he worked for Lloyd’s register of Shipping and retired from the post of Principal Surveyor.

Jim has enjoyed 50 years of continuous membership of Thurston Chapter but has enjoyed a busy Masonic career in the Province of West Kent.

Although he had not attended Thurston Lodge and Thurston Chapter regularly he has provided financial support. In the Chapter he was a patron of the Centenary booklet in 2003. He has supported the 2010 Festival and wears the jewel with pride.

In the Craft, in 1962, he was a founder member of County Gate Lodge No 7849 meeting in Sidcup of which he was WM in 1967. He has held the offices of Secretary and DC and his service is undoubtedly reflected in the rank of PPrJGW (West Kent) to which he was promoted in 2000.

In the Royal Arch, he was a founder member of County Gate Chapter in 1972 of which he was MEZ in 1975. He has held the offices of ADC and DC. He was promoted to the rank of PPrGReg (W Kent) in 2001. He was also a founder member of St Paul’s Chapter No 194 meeting in Southgate London in 1992.

Throughout this active Masonic career he has enjoyed the unfailing support of his wife, Ada . They were married in 1946, have a son James and celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2006.

The ME Grand Superintendent has caused a commemorative scroll to be produced and this was presented to Jim by Michael Davies, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals.

At the subsequent banquet it was revealed that Jim’s Seconder, Harry Hughes was present and was pleased to propose a toast to his health. Harry will himself shortly celebrate 55 years as a member of Thurston Chapter and these two with Ecomp Woodburn are the three surviving members from that exaltation. Harry’s father proposed Jim and Harry’s conclusion that they had proposed well, rendered Jim emotionally delighted.

The Chapter presented Jim with gifts for himself and his wife who was infirm at that time.

Michael Davies presents Jim with the commemorative scroll to mark his 50 years in Chapter.

Jim is pictured with, left to tight, Les Picthall (H), Alan Pattinson ( MEZ) and Alan Jones (J).

New Sanctuary Lodge No. 6604 - Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of their first initiate W. Bro. Peter John Caird

New Sanctuary Lodge held a double celebration - firstly celebrating the 60th Anniversary of its first Regular Meeting on 1st April 1948 but, more importantly, celebrating 60 years in Freemasonry of its first Initiate, Peter J Caird, in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson.

W Bro. Peter was proposed into Masonry at the Consecration Meeting in March 1948. His Father and proposer, Bro. W.S. Caird, was a Founder Member and Senior Warden at the time.

The Anniversary was celebrated by the Lodge Members, who gave a demonstration of the Entered Apprentice Song, with five past and present Directors of Ceremonies taking part. The remaining members were then invited onto the floor and W. Bro. Peter delivered the Morality in his impeccable manner.

W. Bro. T. Hudson then presented a ‘This is Your Life’ of W. Bro. Caird from his school days to the present day, emphasising the remarkable fact that during his first 50 years’ of membership Peter never missed a single meeting. W. Bro. Jack Coates then read the Certificate which was presented by W Bro Hudson. W. Bro. Peter suitably responded.

At the start of the Festive Board, the members of New Sanctuary Lodge welcomed their guests by singing the Visitor’s Song as they entered and took their seats.

The meal was chosen by Peter and he also provided a copious supply of wine for the enjoyment of the 70 members and guests attending.

A very enjoyable atmosphere prevailed throughout the evening, and a very successful evening was concluded at 9.30 pm with the Tyler’s Toast.

Two brothers who were Initiated into the same Lodge on the same night have now celebrated their 50th anniversaries of becoming Freemasons.

Aigburth Lodge No 4103 arranged a special evening to celebrate the rare achievement of Leonard Gilbert Fisher and Claude Eric Fisher. Assistant Provincial Grand Master David K McCormick was there to present Gillie and Eric with commemorative certificates, signed by the Provincial Grand Master, to mark their 50th anniversaries.

And to make the evening even more special Gillie was promoted to the rank Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

The brothers were Initiated on the same night and also went through their Third Degree Ceremonies together. They did not share going through the Second Degree together as Gillie stepped aside to allow a seafaring brother who was on shore leave to enjoy his ceremony on that night.

The family association with the Lodge stretches even further as two other brothers were members. When Jeff was WM he had Eric as his Senior Warden and Gillie as Junior Warden. Jeff installed Eric as WM and Eric installed Gillie as WM. Another brother, Ken, was also a member of the Lodge and served as WM in 1981.

A photograph when four Fisher brothers were members of Aigburth Lodge. Jeffery Fisher is pictured with on his right Kenneth Fisher (deceased) while at the front are Gillie Fisher and Eric Fisher.

Claude Eric Fisher was born on August 1927 in Wallasey, being the seventh child of Jessie and Claude Fisher living in a large house in Abbotsford Road, Blundellsands. When the war started his father converted the back garden into a miniature nursery, keeping hens, growing vegetables and potatoes etc. He was very keen and worked with him. When he left school he was employed by a large landscape gardening firm in Formby. Sadly he contacted rheumatic fever and spent three months in hospital.

Eric was called up to do his National Service during 1946. After square bashing he was then posted to the Royal Army Service Corps and passed out as a driver/mechanic. He was posted overseas to 57 Company, Villach, Austria where he was in charge of transport and qualified for a heavy goods driving licence.

After being demobbed he was able to go on a course for woodwork/carpentry and building maintenance. After completing the course he ran his own business for several years.

He and Mavis were married in 1958 at St Nicholas’ Church, Blundellsands and had two sons who made them very proud by obtaining their cap and gowns honours degree in business studies. Stephen, the eldest, is development research manager at John Moors University and Keith is a graphic designer for a design agency in St Helens. They have two grandchildren, Simon and Mathew. Eric and Macis will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in June.

His brother Gilbert formed his own business doing house alterations and kitchen furniture manufacturing called Build Rite and Co Ltd, Manufacturers of ‘Chetwood Kitchen Furniture’. Eric joined him as works manager and later was made a Director.

Due to their brother Jeff having joined the Aigburth Lodge in 1956 Eric and his brother Gillie were initiated on the 3 February 1958. Due to one of seafarers, Bob Symes being home on leave Gillie stepped back for the Second Degree but they both went through the Third Degree together on 4 May 1959 following each other through every position on the ‘ladder’ until 1972 when brother Jeff was WM, with Eric as Senior Warden and Gillie as Junior Warden. Brother Jeff installed Eric as WM in 1973 and Eric had the pleasure of installing brother Gillie in 1974

Another blood brother Ken, who had joined the Aigburth Lodge in 1962 was WM in 1981. Sadly Ken passed away in 1998.

Eric was appointed to represent Aigburth Lodge from 1981 to 1997 in the Liverpool 8th Group assisting in running of functions at the Liverpool Philharmonic etc.

He introduced a diary through Arthur Waller of Quickprint and sold Masonic trinkets over a period of 10 years. The proceeds went to the maintenance of Hope Street, along with donations to Garston and Bootle Temples and the Alpass Charity Fund.

Provincial Grand Lodge honoured Eric with the rank of PPrJGD in 1985 and he was promoted in 2001 to PPrGSuptofWrks.

He joined Thornton Chapter in 1992 and progressed through every position until becoming Z in 1999. He is also a member of several other degrees.

He is Tyler for several Lodges and acts in a similar position for other degrees.

Leonard Gilbert Fisher was the youngest of eight children born to Jessie and Claude Fisher and lived in a very large house in Abbotsford Road, Blundellsands. He attended Merchant Taylors' School from 1942 to 1949 when he was called up to do National Service in the RAF which was for 18 months. However, just two weeks before he was due to be demobbed the Government decided that National Service should be increased to two years, so he was eventually demobbed in April 1951.

Gillie went into the timber trade and was employed by a very well established firm by the name of C Noel Leigh and Co Ltd, Importers of hardwoods, softwoods and plywood. He served his apprenticeship for five years and eventually became manager of the sales department.

His brother Jeff had joined the Aigburth Lodge in 1956 so along with his other brother, Eric, attended various socials and eventually were initiated in 1958. At this particular time they had seafarers in the Lodge so he stepped back to allow one of the seafarers, who was home on leave, to progress. Eric and Gillie were raised in 1959 and progressed up the ladder. He was installed in the chair by Eric in 1974.

His Senior Warden, Tom Hughes, and Junior Warden, Roger Hitchman were also members of Aigburth Royal Arch Chapter which he had joined in 1962 and were his H and J respectively when he was Z in 1977.

Gillie had known his wife Brenda from an early age as she went to the same school as a very close relative. They also attended the same church, St Luke's, Crosby, where he was a bellringer and sidesman for many years. They were married at St Luke's Church in 1961. They have three children - Leighton, Lindsay and Martin - and five grandchildren.

He continued up the ladder of the Lodge through every position until he was installed as WM in 1974. He was appointed Assistant Director of Ceremonies 1980 and then asked to be Chaplain of the Lodge from 1982 until 1993. He was appointed Charity Steward in 1994 then appointed Almoner in 1997 - a position he still holds. He was also on the Lodge Social Committee for 34 years.

He received his first Provincial honour, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1986 and in the Royal Arch became a PPrGSoj.

He is also a member of other Masonic degrees and became a joining member of his old School Lodge, Old Crosbeian Lodge No 4992, in 1994 and was installed in the chair in 1998 and hadnthe great pleasure of Colin Penty Wright and his full team being present along with 80 Grand Officers . He is currently Treasurer and Chaplain of this Lodge.

At a meeting of the Westhoughton Lodge of Amity No 7782 Jim Morris celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry and was presented with his commemorative certificate by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Bill Seddon. Also in attendance was Frank Wilkinson, Chairman of the Chorley Group and numerous colleagues of Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge.

James Hurst Morris was born in Westhoughton and attended schools in the town. On leaving he was articled to a firm of accountants in Bolton and attended Wigan College of Mining and Technology (Deptartment of Commerce) to study Accountancy and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1952. He was accepted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants shortly after.

After four years he became a partner in Edward Ryan and Co, of Bolton and in 1957 he asked WBro Alan Byers to join him in the firm. Both being young and ambitious they purchased the business of the late Gerard Clough in Wigan. Bro Clough had been the Secretary to the Wigan Group of Lodges and Chapters. Alan looked after the Wigan end and Jim remained in Bolton.

The business expanded and Jim continued as Senior Partner until he retired in 1991.

He was Initiated into the Lodge of Antiquity No 146 at Bolton in 1958 and became a joining member of the Lodge of Amity at Westhoughton in 1962.

He was Installed as Master of Amity Lodge in September, 1968 and his first appointment to Provincial Grand Lodge was in 1979 as PPrJGD followed in 1983 by promotion to PPrJGW. He was appointed to Grand Rank as PAGDC in 1996 and at present he is the most senior officer in Westhoughton Masonic Hall. He became a joining member of Coronation Lodge No 7258 in 2007.

He was exalted into Westhoughton Coronation Chapter in 1972 and was advanced into Westhoughton Mark Lodge No 1006 in 1963.

When the Chorley Group of Lodges was formed Jim became Treasurer, a post he held continuously for 33 years until 2007. He also served as Chairman of Westhoughton Masonic Hall Committee and was instrumental in the purchase of the land on which the present Brookfield Masonic Hall stands.

He married Ellen on Valentines Day, 14 February 1950 and they had a son Christopher who is an industrial chemist and lives in Cornwall. They celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2000 but sadly Ellen’s health deteriorated and she passed away in 2007.

Jim’s passion is collecting cars and over the years he has had several distinctive models including a Mark 1 Lotus Cortina which was eventually stolen, a Riley 1.5 followed by a succession of foreign cars including an Alfa Romeo which he still has and a Fiat X 19 which he is hoping will fetch a tidy sum when sold one day.

His other passion is wine and he has a fine collection part of which after Ellen’s death he sold and bought himself a new Jaguar car. He very much enjoys trips to France with The Sharples Wine Appreciation Society, a group of 12 men some of whom are Masons, who enjoy the Masonic skill apparent in the fine architecture of French churches and cathedrals as well as the fine wine.

The evening concluded with an excellent Festive Board and the phrase “A good time was had by all “, was very apt.

Jim Morris is pictured with Bill Seddon and Frank Wilkinson at his golden jubilee celebration.

Paul Lamb celebrated 50 years in the Royal Arch at an Emergency Meeting of North Meols Chapter attended by 65 Companions.

The celebration included a rendition of the Mystical Lecture by eight Companions, followed by a full explanation of the signs to Paul and three more recent Exaltees by EComp GR Wyatt.

E.Comp IR Beecham then re-presented the Supreme Grand Chapter certificate to Paul.
Alan Byers, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, then occupied the MEZ chair and after suitable comments on the direction of the Grand Superintendent promoted EComp Paul Alfred Lamb to PPrGSN.

At the Festive board a raffle in support of the Hall Foundation, a cause particularity close to Paul’s heart raised more than £300.

Paul Lamb is surrounded by a bevy of Past Grand Standard Bearers, Chris Hamilton, Alan Byers, John Moore and Ted Holden, Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Brian Oliver who proposed the toast to Paul also presented him with an ‘Oscar’ to commemorate his star performance in the Royal Arch.

Francis Hart Toop celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry and as a member of the Lodge of Hope No 2679 at a ceremony held at Eccles Masonic Hall which was also attended by Brethren from a Lodge of which he is an Honorary Member in North Wales.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Geoffrey Bloch, told the packed Lodge that Frank was born on 9 June 1921 in Erdington, Birmingham, the oldest son of four children and the fourth member of the family to be christened Francis Hart Toop. Frank's father worked at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham and it was through his father's job with Dunlop that the family came north when he took up a position with Dunlop's Cambridge Grove site in Manchester. The family settled in Newton Heath and later in Davyhulme, and with the family in the business, Frank soon bounced into Newton Heath technical school to study "rubber technology". His studies completed, Frank put his best foot forward starting at Dunlop Footwear in 1938 at Brook Street Manchester as a general labourer.

The war interrupted his working career and the services beckoned. In 1941 Frank joined the Royal Navy, working on what was the then fledgling technology of radar. Off he went to Alexandria, and he waited patiently out there for a ship. He eventually found one but with the Australian Navy. His assistance to the Empire lasted two years with the Napier in the Middle and Far East, but eventually England wanted him back and so Frank returned to the UK, and had six weeks leave during which time he met and proposed to Flo, his future wife.

Frank’s radar and spatial awareness came very much to the fore when towards the end of the war he returned to the UK to marry Flo at St Mary's Davyhulme on 10 April 1945. As was the nature of things at that time, his ship was late back from a tour of duty in the Atlantic, causing him to rush up from the south coast on the milk train to make it to the church on time.

Frank and Flo had three children, Patricia, Michael and John. Michael is also a member and Past Master of the Lodge, whom Frank proudly initiated in 1979. He was demobbed in 1946 and returned to Dunlop as a quality controller. Once again cream rose to the top and he was promoted to foreman in 1948 and sectional manager in 1954 and then again in 1961 he was appointed production manager at Dunlop Footwear in Walton Liverpool, working there until his retirement in 1981.

It was during this period that Frank’s Masonic life began. He was initiated into the Lodge of Hope No 2679 on 26 March 1958, held all the offices of the Lodge with great distinction and attained the Chair of King Solomon for the first time on 23 January 1971 - an office Frank held again in 1995/96 and again for the third time in January 2008. He was exalted into Chapter of Hope on 14 April 1967 and became the MEZ on 8 December 1978.

In 1985 Frank and Flo moved to Llandudno and in 1986 Frank joined Pilgrim Lodge No 6958. Once again, after some time sitting and “spear carrying", he just couldn't help himself at a practice and from 1996 to 1999 became Pilgrim’s DC and was instrumental in organising practices and bringing the Lodge members together.

The Province recognised Frank’s excellent work and in May 1978 he was awarded the rank of Provincial Grand Steward, and promotion came in May 1982 and again in 1994 when he was given the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. In the Royal Arch on 9 May 1995 Frank gained preferment to Provincial Grand Chapter with the rank of Past Provincial Principal Grand Sojourner.

Sadly Flo died in December 1999 after 54 years of marriage and in 2000 Frank moved back into Lancashire. However, he has never forgotten his friends and Brethren at Pilgrim Lodge in Llandudno and he still attends meetings whenever he can and he has recently been made an Honorary Member.

In 2002 Frank was centre stage at another ceremony when he married Marjorie and they have settled together in Ormskirk.

Geoffrey Bloch said that Frank had been a devoted husband and a good father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren. He had given outstanding service to his Queen and Country and had been an exemplary member of the Craft.

At the Social Board, Frank was presented with his 50 Year Badge from the Eccles and District Group, a set of cufflinks from the Lodge of Hope and an engraved Crystal Decanter from Pilgrim Lodge in the Province of North Wales, represented by 12 members of the Lodge who had made the journey to be present on Frank’s special night. The Immediate Past Master, WBro Boyd, in proposing the toast to Frank, spoke of his great dignity in life and the constancy of his nature. In reply, Frank thanked all the Members of the Lodge of Hope and Pilgrim Lodge for their friendship over the years.

Pictured, left to right, are: Stuart Shea (Group Chairman). Frank Toop with his Certificate from the Provincial Grand Master Assistant Provincial Grand Master Geoffrey Bloch.

Dr Jim Smith, aged 31, was initiated into the Coronation Lodge of Westhoughton No 7258, in a double ceremony shared with his blood brother Andrew GW Smith, a dental surgeon, in 1958.

Jim’s career in medicine involved positions in hospitals in Bolton and he also practised as a GP in Bolton before moving to Nottingham where he joined first the Boots Company and then the National Coal Board. In 1999 at the age of 72 he decided to retire completely from his last position, which was with the Department of Health and Social security.

First in Bolton and then in Nottingham he served the St John Ambulance Brigade for a total of 39 years and was honoured in 1985 by appointment as Commander of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.

After a comparatively short period of eight years Jim was installed as the Worshipful Master of Coronation Lodge in April 1966 and one year later had the pleasure of installing his brother Andrew as his successor.

Provincial Honours followed and in 1978 he was appointed to the rank of PPrJGD and promoted to PPrJGW 10 years later.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master William R. Seddon attended the meeting of Coronation Lodge and occupied the Master’s chair to preside over Jim’s Golden Jubilee celebration, at the conclusion of which a certificate from the Provincial Grand Master was read by the Chairman of the Chorley and District Group, Frank Wilkinson, after which it was presented to Jim by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

After accepting his certificate Jim thanked the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for his kindness in attending his celebration and then presented him with a most generous personal donation to the 2010 Festival, to mark the great enjoyment that his membership of the Craft has given him since 1958.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Bill Seddon congratulates
Jim Smith on 50 years in the Craft.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Moore attended a meeting of Arthur Stanley Lodge No 3469 on to celebrate the 50th anniversary in Freemasonry of two Ormskirk Freemasons, Charles Bewley and Stanley L Aitken.

Charles Bewley was born on 14 March 1932 in Liverpool. Charles attended Wellesbourne Primary School Norris Green from 1937 to 1941. He then moved to Florence Melly Boys’ School in 1941 leaving in 1945 at the age of 14y. Charles attended Walton and Liverpool Technical College from 1947 to 1949. His first job was as an office junior. Charles completed National Service from 1951 to 1953 with the Royal Engineers, spending 20 months in Egypt working on various projects including the construction of desert roads under the supervision of Staff Sergeant Bob Astels who went on to be “Colonel” Bob Astels, Idi Amin’s infamous right hand man.

On completing his National Service Charles became an apprentice bricklayer, working on the re-building of some of Liverpool’s now famous buildings after wartime damage. He started his own building company in1963 which he ran until his retirement in 1997.

Charles’s father was a very active Freemason. He was initiated into St Peter’s Lodge before transferring to the Arthur Stanley Lodge. During Charles’s year as Worshipful Master, his father installed him into the chair and also served as his IPM. Charles was initiated into the Arthur Stanley Lodge in 1957. He was installed as Worshipful Master in 1969 and went on to serve in most of the offices of the Lodge including DC for six years. Charles as been in his own word a preceptor in the lodge for what seems “for ever”. Charles was promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1982 and to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1989.

Stanley L Aitken was born on 12 June 1929 in Liverpool. He attended Holy Trinity Primary School Anfield and later Anfield Junior School, Anfield. Stanley studied at Liverpool Collegiate School Liverpool. Stan completed National Service from 1947 to 1949 at Aldershot and achieved the rank of Substantive Corporal/Acting Sergeant. Stan was a self employed shopkeeper from 1954 to 1974 when he became Accounts Manager for Thorn EMI Financial Services until his retirement in 1992.

Stan was initiated into the Arthur Stanley Lodge No 3469 in 1958. He was installed as Worshipful Master in 1970. Stan has served in several offices within the lodge his longest serving office has been as Lodge Chaplain an office he still holds. Stan was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1983 and received further promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1994.

Stan was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch Standard Chapter No 3373 in1963. He became First Principal in1994. Stan was promoted Past Provincial Assistantt Grand Sojourner in 1983 and then received further promotion to Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 1990.

Stan was a founder member of Esmeduna Masonic Society (Liverpool Collegiate Old Boys’ Masonic Association).

The Park Hall Temple was packed as more than 45 members of Lodges in the Ormskirk and District Group and guests from around the Province came to see John V. Moore congratulate Charles and Stanley on their 50th anniversary and present them with commemorative certificates signed by the Provincial Grand Master to mark the anniversary.

Pictured (left to right) are Stanley L Aitken, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
John.V Moore and Charles Bewley.

John Wilkinson celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry at the meeting of the Lodge of Ingol St Margaret No 8544, an occasion which saw a reunion of many of John’s colleagues from his working days at Norweb.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Bill Seddon took the Chair in Lodge to pay tribute to John and present him with a commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master.

At the Festive Board, the toast to John’s health was proposed by WBro BF Sandall, a co-founder with John of the Lodge of Ingol St Margaret.

John was born in Preston on 7 October 1930. He attended Deepdale Modern School, where he was captain of both school cricket and football teams. After leaving school John served for 43 years as an electrical engineer commencing in 1943 with Preston Corporation, later to become the North Western Electricity Board and then United Utilities. During his career John gained an HNC in Electrical Engineering and became a Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, later achieving Chartered Engineer Status. He also won a number of awards for technical innovation in his work.

In 1958 John was married to Margaret, also an employee of Norweb (secretary to the area administrative officer) who sadly passed away in the year 2000.

After a long and distinguished career John retired in 1986. He is currently President of Plungington Community Centre in Preston, was a Church Warden at Emmanuel for more than 16 years, and he is a serving member on Deanery and Diocesan Synod committees.

Bill Seddon pointed out in the Lodge that John’s Masonic career is equally impressive.

Initiated into Fraternity Lodge No 4072 Preston in 1958, he was installed as Worshipful Master in November 1970. He Joined Setantia Lodge No 7755 in 1972, holding offices of Steward, Senior Deacon and Junior Warden, and eventually served as Charity Steward for more than 30 years. In March 1976, he Joined Manchester Lodge of Masonic Research. In1976, John was installed as Worshipful Master of Ingol St. Margaret, later being appointed Group Representative.

John was appointed PPrJGD in October 1979 and promoted to PPrJGW in October 1989.

In the Royal Arch, he was Exalted into Winckley Chapter No 5438 in 1973. John was installed as MEZ in 1987, serving for two years. He served as Charity Steward, and in May 2006 was appointed Scribe E.

John is also a member of other Masonic degrees.Bill Seddon also referred to John’s activity as a Founder. On 13 May 1974, he was a Founder of Ingol Lodge of St Margaret No 8544; in September 1977 he was a Founder member of Preston Masonic Study Circle; on 13 June 1990, a Founder member Dona Conferentes Lodge No 9392; on 30 April 1992, Founder of Fraternity Chapter No. 4072 and last but not least in 2007 he was a founder member of Rose of Lancastria Chapter, Rose Croix No 1181.

John Wilkinson

John is pictured with former colleagues at his 50th anniversary celebration.

Arthur Graham Thompson was promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works when he celebrated the 50th anniversary of him becoming a Freemason.

He was presented with a commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master by Assistant Provincial Grand Master David K McCormick.

Arthur Graham Thompson was Initiated in The James T Callow Lodge No 3596 by Thomas Wilkinson Haslam who was the Lodge’s first initiate.

In March 1959 his proposer died and as he was in the habit of assisting him with the heavy cases containing the minute and Tyler’s books he collected them from his home. On arrival at the Lodge for the April 1959 meeting he was told in no uncertain terms by the DC that he would read the minutes of the last meeting and take the minutes of the present meeting as well as reading all the correspondence. If any Secretary did not know what he was doing, it was Graham, after only 12 months or five meetings after being initiated. However, he managed the minutes by copying a previous minute and changing the names as appropriate. He remained Secretary until the next Installation in October 1959 when another member took over.

He started to climb the ladder until he reached the office of Assistant Secretary but a month later the Secretary, Eric Mountain, died and he once again assumed the office of Secretary until in 1961 he was appointed Junior Deacon of the Lodge. Graham was Installed as Master of the Lodge in 1971.

During his second term as secretary the Liverpool Masonic Hall at Hope Street caught fire and he had to salvage as much of the Lodge property as possible, arrange alternative accommodation at Eberly Street and later at The Exchange Hotel.

Following the death of WBro LCB Smith the Lodge experienced some difficulty, as he had been DC for some 23 years and nobody was qualified to take over. Bill Craik filled the office, with Graham as ADC for a few years until he eventually became DC. After some years he felt it right that the office of DC should be passed on to give others the experience so that the Lodge would never again be left in a difficult position and he reverted to ADC in 1987.

He was exalted into the James T Callow Royal Arch Chapter 3596 in April 1981 and after serving in all the Offices was Installed as Z in 1987.

In 1985 he was appointed to Provincial Grand Lodge as a Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon.

After his year as First Principal he was asked to take the office of Treasurer and remained so for 18 years until the Chapter surrendered its warrant in 2006. He holds the rank of PPrGSoj.

Graham was born in Liverpool in 1931 but unfortunately his mother died when he was very young. He lived with an aunt in Shrewsbury and for some time he attended Shrewsbury Priory School. Eventually he returned to Liverpool and attended Old Swan Technical College.

He worked for Post Office Telephones which became BT for 47 years until his retirement as a telecoms engineer. His National Service was in the Royal Signals.

In 1957 he married his wife Jean at All Hallows Church, Allerton, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2007. Unfortunately, Graham has suffered a deal of ill health in the past year and at the time of their anniversary was undergoing chemotherapy.

Jean and Graham have a son, Alan, and daughter Margaret. They have two grandchildren to their daughter, Jane and Tom.

Arthur Graham Thompson is pictured with Assistant Provincial Grand Master David K McCormick.

Brethren gathered to celebrate 50 years of service to Freemasonry by Alec Brown who was described as a role model for others to follow

Alec was born on 23 June 1923 at Barrow in Furness, which was then in the County of Lancaster. He lived with his parents on Walney Island before moving to the Hawcoat area of Barrow, which with some exceptions has been his home ever since.

He attended Vickerstown Infants’ and Junior Schools, and then Walney Secondary School and thereafter went to Barrow Technical School, where he studied Naval Architecture and Ship Detail calculation.

In 1945 Alec was called on for service with the Royal Navy at Chatham Barracks, passing out as an acting Petty Officer Shipwright. He saw service in due course in Ceylon, Hong Kong and Japan. That service included the significant demands of playing Rugby, interrupted at Christmas 1946 when there was an earthquake in Japan, and duty became the daunting task of helping the homeless, with blankets and emergency rations. In June 1947 Alec was demobbed and returned to Barrow where he soon found work, with the Orient Line, aboard the Orcades, which was then being built at Barrow. Alec was employed not only aboard the Orcades, but also aboard the Oronsay, Orsova and Oriana.

Alec married the love of his life, Elsie, and they had a daughter Pauline. Sadly, Elsie fell ill in 1961 and Alec resigned the Orient Line, and returned to work for Vickers-Armstrong, to look after his wife and daughter. In June 1963, Elsie died.

Alec was a talented rugby player (in both codes). Immediately before he was called for service with the Royal Navy in 1945, he signed for Rochdale Hornets.

Alec’s Masonic career began in 1951, when his uncle Wilf Kendal, then a member of Thurston Lodge, asked Alec about joining the Craft. It was agreed that he should join a Barrow Lodge, and in1958, Alec was initiated into Hartington Lodge by the then Master Hugh Sawtell. Alec’s proposer was David Satterthwaite (WM 1951) and his seconder was David Arnott. After only six years, he reached the bottom rung of the Stewards ladder. Progress thereafter was somewhat faster, and he became Worshipful Master of Hartington Lodge in 1972. Records show that it was a busy year, Alec undertaking First, Second and Third degree ceremonies, the charge after initiation, and the traditional history in the Third Degree. Alec continued to enjoy Masonic ceremonies, and continued to take part in them up to about five years ago, making way for younger men, in their 60s.

Alec became ADC of the Lodge, and from 1974 to 1980 was the DC of the Lodge and Secretary of the Lodge from 1981 to 1992.

In the Royal Arch, Alec was exalted into Henry Cook Chapter 1021 in 1959, serving as Treasurer and Charity Steward before becoming First Principal of the Chapter in 1976. He was appointed to PPrPGSoj by the Province in 1985.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker said that in Freemasonry, Alec has been a role model for others to follow, overcoming adversity, leading a full and satisfying life, and bringing joy and pleasure to all those who come into contact with him.

Peter presented Alec with a commemorative certificate from Provincial Grand Lodge and Alec in turn presented a cheque for the 2010 Festival on behalf of the Lodge. The latter made Hartington Lodge Gold patron of the 2010 Festival and Dave Grainger , Group Charity Steward, presented Alec with a Certificate to mark this milestone.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master presents Alec Brown with his commemorative certificate.

David Grainger presents Alec Brown with the Gold Patron Certificate watched by WM Terry Pearson.

John Carr Altham has celebrated 50 years in Masonry. John was initiated into Morecambe Lodge in February 1958 and is still an active member.

The celebration was presided over by Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, and Keith Kemp, a Deputy Provincial Director of Ceremonies controlled proceedings.

WBro Hosker gave the many Masons present an abbreviated version of the life of John. He told of John’s National Service in the Royal Navy, where he was selected for a commission, duly promoted to National Service Upper Yardman, then to Midshipman RNVR, on to Sub-Lieutenant, Lieutenant, and then to Lt Commander, before retiring in 1977 with the Rank of Commander RNR. He said that many of the ships on which John served are household names: HMS Devonshire, Leander, Hermes, Maidstone, Adamant, Victory and Sidon.

He related John’s equally impressive record of service to the community: Secretary of the Morecambe and Lonsdale Liberal Association; treasurer of the Sailors’ Children Society; member and chairman of Morecambe and Heysham Round Table; member and president of the Old Lancastrian Committee and a Justice of the Peace for 31 years.

In his Masonic career John was WM of Morecambe Lodge in 1974 and was also Master of the Old Lancastrian Lodge. He was Lodge treasure of Morecambe Lodge from 2005 to 2007 and in 1997, was appointed by the Province of West Lancashire to the rank of PPrJGD.

At the festive board the toast to John was given by one of his collegues from the Old Lancastrian Lodge, who is now a member of Morecambe, Andrew Wilson.