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

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

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

To view Archived celebrations, click here

Wilf is a credit to his community (Thomas Wilfred Thompson)

George celebrates in amalgamated lodge (George Wilkinson)

Alex is an example of what makes a good Freemason (Alex Sharp)

Tom has rarely missed a meeting (Tom Foster)

JAKE CELEBRATES (Jake Stirrup)

Jim’s 50 years in Chapter (Jim Gornall)

Great Scot! Nat notches up 50 (Nat Killen)

Eddie’s 50 years in the Royal Arch (Eddie Foulkes)

A man of ‘integrity and commitment’ (John Bathe)

Alan’s 50 years in the Royal Arch (Alan Jenkinson)

A man of integrity and commitment (Jack Humphrey)

Maurice’s 50 years in Carnforth Lodge (Maurice Townley)

A Masonic milestone for Tom (Thomas Gilpin Wilson)

VALE MASON CELEBRATES 50th (Geoffrey James Morrow)

Colin celebrates 50 years service (Colin Edward Percy)

Ray celebrates his 50th at Old Lerpoolian Lodge (Ray Harwood Grist)

George’s golden years (George Kendall Gillberry)

Robert James Bithel celebrates 50 years in the Royal Arch

60th anniversary celebrations for James Leishman Barclay

John celebrates 50 anniversary (John Latham)

Alan Daniels 50th celebration

George Jobling’s 50th celebration.

Fred’s fond memories of past 50 years (Fred Dixon)

BERT CELEBRATES HIS DOUBLE (Bert Ross)

Leslie’s 50 golden years (Leslie Cunliffe)

Silence is golden for Bill (William Eardley)

A GRAND OCCASION (Alan Lindsay Davies and Donald Kennedy Richardson)

Len’s golden milestone (Len Whiteside)

Charles celebrates special anniversary (Charles Stanley)

Ted celebrates with his new lodge (Ted Rimmer)

Len Hellon is a man of ‘consummate integrity’

Frank is the ‘epitome’ of a Freemason (Frank Starkey)

Rabbi celebrates golden jubilee (Rabbi Norman Zalud)

Jack’s extraordinary service praised (Jack Jermy)

Ernest’s diamond jubilee (Ernest Cotton)

Louis misses his big night (Albert Louis Lunn)

Ken was destined to be a Freemason (Ken Higginbotham)

Golden celebration in Harry’s home (Harry Fairy)

Arthur is a “remarkable man” (Arthur Cowan)

Bill is ‘one of the old school’ (William Cartridge)

Celebration time for Stanley (Stanley Power)

Lodge marks Edwin’s golden jubilee (Edwin Crook)

Harry’s diamond jubilee (Harry Lundberg)

Tony celebrates golden jubilee (Tony Tallon)

An achievement worth celebrating (Jeffrey Child)

Richie celebrates 70th anniversary (Richie McKay)

Wilf is a credit to his community

Brethren from the Lodge of Unity No 613 gathered with guests to celebrate the Masonic Golden Jubilee of Bro Thomas Wilfred Thompson at Southport Masonic Hall. Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Moore was on hand to take the chair and celebrate the life of WilfThompson.

Wilf was born to a Scottish father and Irish mother and was educated at St Mary’s School in Scarisbrick and later at the Southport Technical College after which he started as an indentured apprentice in engineering.

In 1944 he joined the Brigade of Guards and rose to Provost of the 1st. Battalion. Whilst in military service he was at one time loaned to a military prison to install discipline and assisted with field security in North Africa. In 1949 he was released from the forces under an interrupted war service scheme and resumed civilian work as a machine tool setter at Brockhouse Engineering. He left here to join Leyland Motors which was starting up a new factory for the MOD manufacturing fighting vehicles. Wilf worked at what was, at that time, the largest machine tool unit in Europe. He rose to become the works manager and the works director was none other than Arthur Hosker, the late father of our Provincial Grand Master. It was at this point that John indicated that he had told the Provincial Grand Master of this situation. The Provincial Grand Master had been delighted to receive the news and reflected on his pride in his father. He then went on to thank Wilf for bringing him this story and wished him a happy golden jubilee.

During his time at Leyland, Wilf was initiated into New Hall Lodge No 5940 in Leyland. He was also a member of Townly Parker Lodge and Southport Lodge but work continually took him out of the area and he was not able to progress up the ladder.

Wilf has led a very interesting, busy and successful life. Whilst working at Spurrier Works he became the Honorary President of the Cricket, Bowling, Car, Fishing and Swimming Clubs. Add to that his involvement with the Rosicrucian Order, becoming a Reiki Master, member of a mountain rescue team, judo club and outdoor pursuits centre he has been a credit to his community, country and Freemasonry in general for which he has proposed many candidates over the years.

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George celebrates in amalgamated lodge

George Henry Wilkinson who was involved in the amalgamation of four lodges to form the Woolton Lodge of Unity No 1086 celebrated the 50th anniversary of his initiation in the new lodge.

He was presented with a special commemorative certificate by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham.

George was born in 1924 in Anfield, Liverpool and attended three schools in the area, Pinehurst Avenue, Anfield Road and St Margaret’s. He started work in a shipping agent’s office in the city at 7/6d per week for one year. He then moved to a tin mining company’s office, also in the city, for £1 per week working on export/ import shipping. In 1942 he volunteered for the RAF and ultimately served as an airframe fitter in the UK, Italy and Egypt for more than two years attaining the rank of corporal until being demobbed in 1947.

George had been an active member of the Boys’ Brigade from 1936–42 and then as an officer from1947 to 1954 as a PT Instructor. He played football for the BB Company team, occasionally for his school teams and later several times for RAF station teams.

He met his wife, Jean, during the war in Blackpool and they were married on his return home in 1947 to have 54 years of marriage until her death in 2002. He has a daughter and two grandsons.

George returned to his old job in 1947 and stayed until it closed down in 1978 when he became redundant. He was immediately offered a job with a Metallurgical Chemists and Assayers in St.Helens as office manager of the bulk shipping department where he stayed until his retirement in 1989.

George was nitiated into the Lodge of Prudence No 2114 in January 1960 in the Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool. He already had relatives in the lodge but was unaware at the time including WBro E Bromley, WM in 1918; WBro R Foggo, WM in 1942; WBro A Crone, WM in 1957 and his father-in-law, Bro. H Oldham, a steward in 1936, but who died shortly afterwards. He served in all the offices until attaining the Chair in 1971. For 18 years he served as social secretary.

He joined the Unity Mark Lodge No 544 at Hope St. Liverpool and became WM in 1969. He was a member for 10 years.

He was Installed as Worshipful Master in 1971 and held his ladies’ social at the Blundellsands Hotel in January 1972 when more than 200 attended. In 1973 he was elected RMBI representative but only served for six months as he became Lodge Secretary for the next 21 years.

George was promoted to PPrJGD in 1982 and in that year he was instrumental in moving the lodge from Hope Street to Woolton Hall, mainly for financial and numerical reasons.

He organised all the lodge’s centenary celebrations in 1986 including centenary jewels, new lodge regalia, new tracing board and publishing a 36-page booklet of the lodge’s history. In 1987 he was promoted to the rank of PPrJGW.

George joined the Chapter of St Margaret No 4619 in 1991.  George decided not to progress through the Chairs but held several offices including Scribe Nehemiah since 1994.

In 1994 he organised the 1000th meeting of the lodge and the visit of the Provincial Grand Master Kenneth Moxley.

George relinquished the job as lodge secretary in 1994 and immediately became lodge treasurer. He was also group representative until the lodge folded in 2005.

In 2005 he was heavily involved in the amalgamation of the four Lodges (Prudence, Allerton, Warbreck and Walton) to form the new lodge, Woolton Lodge of Unity No 1086, moving to new premises at Woolton Golf Club. He became group representative, lodge auditor and assistant almoner. He has also been the social secretary for the past two years.

George Wilkinson is pictured with, left to right: David Hawkes (Wooton Group Chairman), Paul Lundy (Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies), Roy Hedges (Worshipful Master), David Hilliard (Woolton Group Vice-chairman) and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham.

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Alex is an example of what makes a good Freemason

The entire life of Alexander Chalmers Sharp has been an example of what makes a good Freemason.

This was said by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ray Martland at a special meeting of Arrowhead Chapter at Bryn to celebrate Alex’s 50 years as a Royal Arch Freemason.

Ray Martland opened the meeting by saying: “Companion’s, since I became a Freemason there has always been one meeting that I have never failed to enjoy - and it is of course a celebration of a Freemason’s long membership of the Craft or Royal Arch, usually 50 years.

“I think we all love celebrations for different reasons but I think that perhaps the main one is that they re-affirm our faith in this wonderful “organisation” of ours, where we respect age and the experience and wisdom that it brings. In a world where people seem ever more disrespectful of everything, it’s a delight to attend an event like this where we genuinely celebrate a long life and a long contribution to society and to this ‘organisation’ that binds us all.”

On 15 February 1932 at Loch View in Lanarkshire, Mrs. Christina Sharp gave birth to a son called Alexander Chalmers. Sadly, Alex’s mother died three weeks after he was born and he had to be reared by his grandparents.

He commenced his formal education at New Mains Public School and then went onto Wishaw Central High School. Alex joined the Boys Brigade at the age of seven and is still a member to this date. He later became a Founder of the 9th Wigan Group.

Also at the age of seven, he joined the Coltness Works Silver Band and maintained membership for eight  years and whilst only 13 he played in the company of the Queen and two Princesses.

Alex went on to become a member of a number of church choirs and on leaving school, he served an apprenticeship at Coltness Iron and Steel Company for six years, where his father, Thomas, was the works engineer.

At the age of 20, National Service came along and he joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, spending two years in Germany. Whilst over there he played regularly in a dance band and on one occasion whilst on duty to provide tea for those on guard duty and passing the band stand, he was spotted by a colleague and for the next six months it could be said that he blew his own trumpet.

On demobilisation from the REME Alex returned to Scotland but in 1963 an opportunity arose to go take a post in London becoming a production engineer at the Lyons Catering organisation and later southern area manager for the vending division of Lyons.

A move back up North came about when the vending sivision transferred him to Pilkington Brothers at St Helens, where he worked Monday and Friday of the week, returning to London at the weekend.

Whilst in London Alex joined the Marlow Town Band and on one occasion he had packed a bag of plums in the instrument case, but what he hadn’t noticed was that two of the plums had rolled out into the bell of the baritone horn. When it came his turn to play, no note! Turning the instrument upside-down out rolled the two plumbs, across the stage and right in front of the conductor.

Alex moved back to the North when he took employment at Metal Closures at Skelmersdale in Personnel and Training. On moving to Appley Bridge he eventually found his way to the Park Pallet Company, becoming works manager. The company was then owned by Danny Jones and Ray Martland and a strong relationship built between the three of them. Teddy Gent, former manager of the Masonic Hall at Tower Buildings, became stores manager and often went to work wearing a bowler hat. His next step was to join Government Training covering a large area including Scotland down to Hull and Wales, then he met Marjorie and he married in 1978.

Along came the big change with a move to Tower Buildings as manager with Marjorie at his side. New Year’s Eve parties were legendary, always wearing a kilt, he was often teased by a number of ladies asking to know what a Scot wore beneath. On another occasion he returned to Tower Buildings following a night out to discover that rain was pouring into the robing room and still dressed in his kilt he proceeded to clear the gutter through one of the high level windows, in a howling gale and in full view of busy Wallgate.

Marjorie has been unwell recently with a pain in her side, but uncomplainingly that she said that she had got used to having a pain in the neck over the years.

Alex ever busy as usual, became conductor of the Masonic Choir and Pemberton Old Band and not satisfied with that he took up prison visiting. Fortunately they always let him out again.

He was initiated into the Lodge St. Clair No 427 in the Scottish Constitution on 16 October1956 and one of the members of that lodge, John Donaldson, was able to be present at the celebration.

Later Alex joined Pillar Lodge in London before joining Arrowhead Lodge No 8500 on 11 November 1974, becoming Worshipful Master on 9 March 1981. Later he became secretary for three years followed by charity steward in 1986 for five years and then ADC in 1991 for two years. Still keeping active in the lodge he served as almoner in 1994 for further four years.

He then took up a major appointment in 1997 as secretary of Masonic Provincial Ball which gave him a great deal of satisfaction for 11 years.

His first Provincial Rank was as a Provincial Grand Steward on 23 May 1989 and joined Quingenti and Lathom Lodges, something of which he is very proud. Promotion followed four years later to PPrSGD and six years after that he was promoted to PPrJGW. In 2002 came the big one, Grand Rank as PAGDC.

Alex is also an Honorary Member of the Lodge of Antiquity, Wigan and Heber Lodge.

His good friend, John Donaldson, who had travelled down from Scotland specially for the celebration was asked to read the minutes of Camnenthan Chapter No  321 SC describing Alex’s exaltation into the Royal Arch on17 February 1960.

He became a Founder of Arrowhead Chapter 8500 in 1981 and was its founding treasurer and became Scribe Ezra from 1982 to 1984.     He was MEZ in Arrowhead Chapter in 1987 and his first Provincial Rank was that of PPrPGSoj in 1989.

Promotion followed in1998 to PPrGSN and four years later to Grand Rank as PGStdB. Both his Grand Ranks, Craft and Royal Arch were conferred in same year.

He was advanced to the Mark degree in Scotland and later became a joining member of Murray Mark Lodge No. 490 in 1976 in Wigan. Current Group Chairman, Danny Jones became Master in 1984 and installed Ray Martland in 1985 and he in turn Installed Alex in 1986.

 In 1992 he was appointed Provincial Grand Junior Warden allowing him to make a grand tour of the Mark Province and in Grand Mark Lodge he holds the rank of PGJO. In Royal Ark Mariner he is a member of Leyland RAM Lodge. He joined Red Cross and became Grand Orator of England and Marshall of Rose Hill Conclave.  In Rose Croix he is a member of Benedicta Chapter 1062 and a Founder of Benedict’s Chapter No 1062 in 1993. He holds the 30th Degree in this Order. In 1961 he joined Faith Preceptory No. 41, Knights Templar and holds the rank of Pr. 2nd Herald.

In the Order of the Secret Monitor he is a member of Ancient and Loyal Conclave No 315 and holds the rank of PGStdB but his greatest achievement is in the Royal Order of Scotland which he joined in 1984, becoming Provincial Grand Secretary for the County Palatine of Lancaster and Chester in 1987, Provincial GJW in 1996 and a year later appointed Provincial Grand Master which he served with great distinction until October 2009.

Ray Martland said to Alex at his celebration “There is no doubt that your entire life has been an example of what makes a good Freemason, as well as a good citizen, a good husband, and in every way, a contributor to society as a whole. It is a tribute to you that among your many guests you have a Past Provincial Grand Master and Past Grand Superintendent along with other distinguished Companions.

“There is also no doubt Alex, that, during the last 50 years, anyone who happened to learn that you are a Freemason, could not fail to see you as anything other than a good ambassador for our Order, and it now affords me great pleasure to ask EComp. Malcolm Taylor, the Vice-Chairman of the Wigan and District Masonic Group of Lodges and Chapters, to read to you a certificate, which is an acknowledgement of the Province of West Lancashire’s great appreciation of your half a century of membership of the Royal Arch.”

Malcolm Taylor then read the special commemorative certificate before it was presented to Alex.

Alex Sharp with some of the guests at the meeting to celebrate his 50 years in the Royal Arch.

Ray Martland presents Alex with his special commemorative certificate watched by Colin Penty Wright.

Alex and his wife Marjorie.

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Tom has rarely missed a meeting

Tom Foster’s enthusiasm for Freemasonry is such that he has rarely missed a meeting of any of his lodges during the 50 years he has been a member.

Despite poor weather there was a large attendance at Hartington Lodge No 1021 to celebrate Tom’s special anniversary.

Born in September 1923 in the small colliery village of Thornley in County Durham Tom broke with village mining tradition and took an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator with Easington Rural District Council.

When war broke out Tom became a runner for the auxiliary fire service until he was old enough to volunteer for aircrew duties with the RAF. He underwent training for wireless operator/air gunner/radar operator for which he was posted to Walney Airfield in Barrow-in-Furness. It was then that he met Nora. Subsequent postings took him to coastal command on Catalina Flying Boats then off to Gibraltar to join 202 Squadron. The squadron was then posted to Boa Island in Loch Earnie in County Fermanagh. On completion of this tour of duty Tom elected to join the air sea rescue services. On arrival in Scotland for training on Warwick Aircraft, which carried a boat below the fuselage which could be dropped to survivors, the aircraft were withdrawn from service whilst a tendency for their undercarriage to collapse was investigated. This afforded Tom extended leave during which he and Nora married in May 1946.

After demob in October 1946, the Barrow-in-Furness County Borough Police Force beckoned and Tom eventually became Beat Sergeant then Station Sergeant and retired as an Inspector. His career saw many changes as the Barrow Force amalgamated with the Lancashire Constabulary and was then moved into the Cumbria Constabulary. This meant Tom served three constabularies without leaving Barrow! After retiring from the Police in 1976 Tom served as Head of Security for Glaxo Chemicals until 1985.

In mid 1950 Brothers Rae and Warbrick proposed Tom for Hartington Lodge. However, the waiting list was five years so it was January 1960 before he was initiated and soon became a highly regarded member of the lodge. Having served every office he took the chair in 1973 later serving five years as ADC and eight years as DC.

In 1977 Tom was selected as Captain of Stewards at the Installation meeting of the Provincial Grand Meeting at Blackpool. His first Provincial appointment to PPrJGD came in 1979 with promotion to PPrJGW. in 1986. Tom became Lodge Charity Steward in 1989 and served five years in that post during which time he assisted the group charity steward, Wilf Hackett as treasurer.

A founder member of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters, Tom acted as DC at its consecration in 1992 becoming WM in 1999. His support for the Group Fellowship was as treasurer for nine years.

In the Royal Arch Tom was exalted into Henry Cook Chapter in 1961 and served as DC for several years after passing through the three chairs. Tom is also a member of Furness Mark Lodge.

Tom has lost none of his enthusiasm and rarely misses any meeting of his lodges and Chapter as a result of which the celebration was, despite the snow and ice, filled with well wishers. Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Gardner presented Tom with a commemorative certificate from the Province.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Gardner congratulates Tom Foster on the 50th anniversary of his initiation watched by Rowley Saunders, group chairman

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JAKE CELEBRATES

Jake Stirrup of Liverpool Charter Lodge celebrated 50 years in Masonry and is pictured being presented with his commemorative certificate by assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield watched by Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Sam Robinson.

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Jim’s 50 years in Chapter

Jim Gornall has celebrated 50 years in the Royal Arch in the Chapter of Lebanon No 86. Jim is a member of Lodge of Loyalty 86 and is well known and respected in the St Helens and Prescot Group. He is the father of Jim Gornall the group chairman. Jim is pictured during the toast to his health.

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Great Scot! Nat notches up 50

"BEEN THERE, done that, got the T-shirt." They could be passwords relating to the Masonic career of Nat Killen of Kingsway Lodge No 7870. But this would not be an idle boast; it would be a proud proclamation regarding his varied, interesting and much-loved years in the Craft. Now, as he celebrates 50 years in Masonry, Nat can look back on a lively, busy and always interesting time at his favourite 'hobby'.

To mark the occasion of Nat’s remarkable achievement of 50 years as a Freemason, Kingsway Lodge held a celebration meeting and were honoured to have Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Dennis Rudd present to mark the Province’s official recognition of Nat’s achievements.

As he belongs to 15 other Masonic orders, it makes his progression difficult to detail in such a short space, so we have included some of the more important pointers along the way which has seen him promoted to the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

It all began for Nat in his native Scotland when, at the age of 21 and a member of a Masonic family in which his dad and several uncles were Masons, he decided it was time to enquire about the Craft. He did just that; and in August 1959, an enthusiastic Nat applied to join St Clair of Dysart No 520 in the Scottish Constitution, his mother's cousin's lodge. Off to a flying start, Nat was initiated two months later, passed in January 1960 and raised in the February, before going into the Mark degree the following month. He then settled down in the district of Kirkcaldy, Fife, to enjoy his Masonry and his job as a railwayman, but before very long he had to move to Glasgow to continue his employment. Luckily, he had been persuaded to become a life member of St Clair and he decided to continue his interest in Masonry in Glasgow by visiting various lodges in the area.

Soon, however, when Dr Beeching's axe forced the closure of many railways, Nat found himself looking for a new career. This, he decided, was to be in the police, after he had been attracted by an advertisement for a post in Lancashire. So it was in 1964 that he began his initial training at Droylsden in a job which was later to involve him in digging on the Yorkshire Moors in a team investigating the infamous moors murders.

His next post, as a traffic officer at Widnes, four years later, led to his first contact with Masonry in the town. He recalls how, on duty one even­ing, he had to reprehend a motorist who was "going a bit too fast." Nat followed the motorist down Kingsway to his destination which happened to be Widnes Masonic Hall.

After a brief 'conversation' warning the errant driver of speed restrictions, Nat discovered that the motorist was a Mason, who then invited him to have a look around the Hall. Being suitably impressed, Nat later thought about joining a lodge in Widnes but was not entirely sure of the best way to proceed. "Then, out of the blue, my sergeant, who was not a Mason himself but knew of my interest, asked his colleague Billy Hill, a Kingsway Mason, to have a word with me."

The pair soon got together and before very long Nat found himself on the guest list to many of Billy's Kingsway Lodge meetings. It was here that Nat came across what he calls "that English Masonic phenomenon" - the festive board. "We just didn't dine like that after meetings in Scotland," he explained. Nat says he soon realised that as a member, "I felt I must join the Lodge in order to start paying my way". That was December 1970, with Nat going straight onto the steward’s list in Kingsway Lodge No 7870.

Twelve Years later he became Master of the Lodge having been social secretary along the way. He became Lodge Almoner in 1988, a post he is still proud to hold today. He had a second spell as Master of Kingsway Lodge in 1997-98. Now, as be celebrates this latest milestone, 50 years in Masonry, Nat reflects on landmarks along the way and points out that one of the things he is most pleased with is having introduced three members to Kingsway Lodge who are still active in the lodge today. They are his son Alex, son-in-law Gary Isherwood and former police colleague Ian Rowan.

It has been 50 years of great satisfaction, he claims, especially the Almoner's job, letting people know they are not forgotten, offering friendship close at hand and giving help where help is required.

Nat has always been proud to be a Mason and claims that right from the early days he has not been afraid to let people know of his involvement. "I think we should be more open about our interest," he says. And as if to prove the point, he showed a photograph of his wedding at which he wore his Masonic apron and sash..

Nat Killeen is congratulated on reaching his golden jubilee by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and Widnes Group Chairman David Redhead.

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Eddie’s 50 years in the Royal Arch

On Tuesday 24 November 2009, at Leigh Masonic Hall, Eddie Foulkes PPrGStdB celebrated his Golden Jubilee in the Royal Arch. Present at the celebration were 42 of his friends and Companions alongside the presiding officer, Steven Reid, the Deputy Grand Superintendent.

The Deputy Grand Superintendent was accompanied by the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ray Martland and a full complement of group officials.

Eddie was born in Leigh, attended Leigh Grammar School and Manchester College of Commerce. On joining Freemasonry, his talents were soon recognised and he became a founder director and the first company secretary of Leigh Masonic Hall. In his professional career he became the company secretary for a large international textile company based in London.

On his retirement he returned to the North and the Fylde coast where he enjoys a round of golf or even two at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club.

The Deputy Grand Superintendent presented a certificate on behalf of the Province of West Lancashire to commemorate the occasion.

E.Comp Peter Battye, friend of 50 years standing, proposed the toast to the celebrant and presented Eddie with a gift on behalf of the members of Marquis of Lorne Chapter No 1354.

Eddie, now also a member of Semper Fidelis Lodge, brought a number of his friends all the way from Lytham St. Annes to share in his joy. A wonderful milestone in Freemasonry.

Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid congratulates Eddie Foulkes on his 50 years as a Royal Arch Freemason.

Pictured, left to right, are: Tony Bent, Eddie Foulkes, Steven Reid and Ray Martland.

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A man of ‘integrity and commitment’

The “integrity, commitment and especially the humour” of John Bathe were praised by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson at a special meeting to celebrate John’s diamond jubilee of his initiation.

Terry started describing John’s early life by telling the meeting that he was born in Canning Town, London, on 27 June, 1925, and was one of five children. His parents were strict Methodists, and even more strictly teetotal. As Terry pointed out: ” Where did it all go wrong?”

Terry went on to explain that in 1941, at the age of 16 John had joined the Merchant Navy as a laundry boy, serving on troop ships bound for Italy and North Africa. Then at the age of 18, he joined the crew of the legendry, SS Ile De France.

The Ile De France was launched in March 1926, and was the first large liner to be built after the conclusion of World War One. It was the Ile De France that heralded the inception of modernistic Art Deco into the design of passenger shipbuilding. In 1941, she was converted to a troopship carrying American and Canadian troops across the Atlantic until 1945, when she was decommissioned.

1In 1945 with the end of the war John went to work for his family firm repairing bomb damaged buildings.

Terry then informed the brethren that the date of 27 June 2008, was a cause for extreme celebrations. On Veterans’ Day in Blackpool, John along with four others received, from General Sir Richard Dannatt. Chief of the General Staff; and Veterans’ Minister, Derek Twigg for his service to the Battle of the Atlandtic the Freedom of the City of Liverpool.

This is without doubt a great honour, and carries certain privileges, for example. A Freeman of the City of London, has traditionally but apocryphally associated with the honour the following advantages;

The right to drive sheep over the London Bridge.
Have a Silken rope, if hanged.
To carry a naked sword in public.
If found drunk and incapable, the police will bungle him or her into a taxi, and send them home, rather than throw them into the cells.

As yet John has not taken up any of these options.

John’s Masonic career is a long and varied one, being a member of several lodges throughout  the country: Knighton Lodge No 5899,  Leicester; Prescot Lodge No 5470, Prescot; Hope Lodge No 54, Rochdale; Paragon Lodge No 5815, Bridge Street, Manchester; Sanaritan Lodge No 3366, Bridge Street, Manchester. He was Initiated into Leyton Jubilee Lodge No 6424, finally becoming a joining member of Mereside Lodge No 6360, and was in the year if 2004, appointed to the rank of PPrJGD.

Terry concluded by praising the integrity, commitment and especially the humour of John. He was then presented him with a scroll, from Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker which had been read at the meeting by the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, Ian J.Robertson.

Pictured at the diamond jubilee celebrations are Terry Hudson, John Bathe, Richard Gosling (Mereside Lodge No 6360) and Ian J.Robertson.

The SS Ile De France on which John was a member of the crew.

One of the staterooms on the SS Ile De France.

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Alan’s 50 years in the Royal Arch

EComp Alan Jenkinson of Scorton Chapter celebrated 50 Years of Royal Arch Masonry at the Masonic Hall in Garstang.

Alan is a very well known Garstang Mason, who has been a member of Scorton Lodge for 52 years and he was also a founder member of Pilling Lodge in 1962. He was exalted into Scorton Chapter on t26 October 1959.

The occasion was well attended, with the Assistant to the Grand Principals Alan Dunn conducting the ceremony. Alan had the support of the group officers as well as four acting Provincial Officers  Alan Mills, Ron Gibson and Mike Walling from the Lancaster and Morecambe Group, and Nigel Higginson from the Furness and South Lakeland Group.

The Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals gave a brief account of Alan’s Masonic and non Masonic life. In Masonry Alan’s career is both long and varied as he has also reached high office in several side degrees. He is in both Pilling and Scorton Craft Lodges, and in 1996 he was in the Chair of Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters.

In Royal Arch he has reached the high office of PPrGSN which was accorded to him in 1990. He is a member of Royds Preceptory of Knights Templar, where he currently holds the rank of Past Grand Chamberlin, and he was a founder member of both Northern Light Preceptory and The Westmorland Preceptory. He is a member of Knight Templar Priest. He has been a member of Morecambe Rose Croix, and is a member of the order of St Thomas of Acorn. This list illustrates Alan’s incredible dedication to Freemasonry.

On the non Masonic side Alan has been a staunch member of St John the Baptists Church in Pillng for 57 years, and he is also a member of Probus the organisation for retired business men and women.

At the festive board the Jim Wilson the group chairman proposed the toast to the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals welcoming him to Garstang, introducing him to those gathered and highlighting some of his Masonic career particularly the service he had given to the Masonic charities for many years. The toast to the celebrant was proposed by his old friend and Past Assistant to the Grand Principals Tom Rowley, whose association with Alan goes back to 1974.

Pictured are Jim Wilson,  Alan Jenkinson and Alan Dunn.

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A man of integrity and commitment

The Blackpool Lodge of Integrity No 5864 celebrated 50 years in masonry with its distinguished member, former Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jack Humphrey, PSGD.

Jack was described by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson as a man with “integrity and commitment”.

Terry opened the meeting by giving a detailed description of Jack’s early years in Yorkshire. The family had originated from a small coal mining village of Worsbo-Bridge, near Barnsley.

Terry explained that in the early 1930s the family moved to Blackpool, buying a small hotel on the South Promenade called the “St Albans”.

Around the age of 14, Jack developed two great loves, art and football. He held the distinction of playing for Blackpool Schoolboys in 1933.

Moving on to the war years, Terry described how in 1940, Winston Churchill had initiated an organisation called the Special Operations Executive. ( SOE). This force was designed to conduct warfare by means other than direct military engagement. The mission was to encourage espionage behind enemy lines.

Jack joined Force 133, which was a code name for SOE. He was to be moved to the theatre of war that covered the Greek Islands and directly he was sent to Cyprus, becoming part of the crew of a 39-foot two masted vessel. His job entailed gun running, putting in and taking out spies, picking up Allied airmen who had been shot down and just as important, if not more so, distributing food to the islands, some of which were up to 450 miles behind enemy territory.

To honour the crew, in 1944, Jack was made a Freeman of the Greek Island of Tinos, a recognition of which he is very proud.

Terry then reminded the brethren of Jack’s artistic and creative skills. Jack turned his talents to clay modelling and gained many commissions. One was  to model the head of that famous Blackpool wrestler, Jack Pye.

Another was the bust of Sir Winston Churchill which was cast in bronze and placed on exhibition in Liverpool - and was never seen again.

Jack’s Masonic history is a long and varied one. He took over from Eddie Glover as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master a position he held with dignity until 1998.

Terry concluded by saying that Jack had proved himself to be a man of consummate integrity and commitment, who over the years had become the most illustrious and distinguished brother in the history of the  Blackpool Lodge of Integrity 5864 and a member the brethren could be properly very proud of.

The presentation of a commemorative scroll from  Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker was made by the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, Ian.J.Robertson.

Picturerd, from left to right, are: Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson. Jack Humphrey and WM Roy James.

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Maurice’s 50 years in Carnforth Lodge

Former top police officer Maurice Townley of Carnforth Lodge has celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry. The lodge room was full to see Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Gardner take charge when offered the gavel of Carnforth Lodge and he was supported by all three group officers and three acting Provincial Grand Officers.

Phil spoke to those present of the events that took place 50 years ago to bring into context the length of time Maurice had been a Mason. He then gave those present a summary of the “life and times” of Maurice Townley.

Maurice was born in Lancaster in 1933 being the seventh of nine children, and he attended school in Lancaster. He worked on various farms until he was called up for National Service at the age of 19. It was in the army that Maurice found the occupation he was to follow for the rest of his life, as he became a military policeman. On leaving the Army he joined the Lancashire Constabulary and was initially stationed at Liverpool. This was to be the first of many postings that saw him rise through the ranks to the level of Chief Superintendant. Maurice joined the Carnforth Lodge in 1959 though in none of the intervening years has he ever lived close to the town, travelling the length and breadth of Lancashire with his job. This, however, has never proved to be an impediment to his continued membership, though it has restricted his attendance. Maurice retired from the police in 1984 and has continued to live in the south of the county since. He was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1973, and declined promotion in the craft because of his situation. He has, however, always been a strong supporter of the lodge and a committed and well respected member of it.

At the festive board the toast to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master was proposed by Tony Harrison the Vice-chairman of the Lancaster and District Group of Lodges, and Phil replied in his own inimitable style. The toast to the celebrant was very well proposed by Geoff Ireland a long-time acquaintance and friend of Maurice, and in his eloquent and amusing reply Maurice showed how well his years at the top of Her Majesty Police Force had prepared him for public speaking.

Jim Wilson (group chairman), Maurice Townley, Phil Gardner, and Daniel James Wilson (WM of Carnforth).

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A Masonic milestone for Tom

At the meeting of Morcambe Lodge No 1561 members and guests celebrated the milestone of 50 years in Freemasonry achieved by Thomas Gilpin Wilson.

The Lodge was honoured by the presence of Phil Gardner, Senior Grand Deacon of England, and Assisitant Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire. On this occasion Phil accepted the Master’s gavel to allow him to take the Chair and to take the lead the celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry by a much respected and well-loved Brother.

In his fascinating and thought-provoking presentation to the Lodge, Phil invited those present to share some thoughts on how we, as human beings, mark the passage of time and why we find it important so to do. He continued by giving the Lodge a précis of the personal and Masonic history of Tom Wilson.

Born in Lancaster in July 1930, he attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School, becoming head boy in 1949. He was called up for National Service in 1950-51 serving in the Military Police and was involved in weapons training at the Royal Military Police Depot in Surrey.

Tom was the Military Police Rifle Shooting Champion and after joining the civilian Police Service on his discharge became National British Police Shooting Champion in 1963 and 1964. He was also a gold medallist  pistol shooter at Bisley in 1982.

In his police career Tom was an advanced driver and senior firearms instructor, and was awarded the Queen’s Police Silver Jubilee Medal.

Tom’s Masonic career began in September 1959 when he was initiated into Old Lancastrian Lodge, becoming WM in 1984. His hard work and dedication were rewarded by being honoured with the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works in 1994.

Sadly, Old Lancastrian Lodge handed in its warrant in 2003 and Tom, like several others, found a Masonic home in Morecambe Lodge.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master then called on the group chairman, Jim Wilson, to read a certificate which had been received from the Provincial Grand Master. The APGM then presented the certificate to Tom.

At the Festive Board, Tom amused and entertained the members and guests with a number of anecdotes from his career in the police force, which included working with the SAS.

Pictured, left to right, are: Paul Hesketh (Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies)  Tony Harrison (vice-chairman) - Peter Jackson (WM), Thomas Wilson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Gardner and Jim Wilson (group chairman)

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VALE MASON CELEBRATES 50th

Geoffrey James Morrow of Vale Lodge has celebrated 50 years in Masonry. Geoff joined Vale Lodge on 25 November 1959 and despite moving to the Isle of  Man in May 1983 has remained a staunch supporter of the Lodge.

The celebration of Geoff’s 50th was conducted by Assistant Provincial Grand Master John V Moore with responsibility for the Ormskirk and District and the Southport Groups. The group’s own APGM, Phil Gardner, could not conduct the ceremony due to family commitments. John was accompanied by both the group chairman Jim Wilson and vice-chairman Tony Harrison, and had the services of Keith Kemp as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.

In lodge John welcomed Geoff and congratulated him on achieving such a significant milestone in his Masonic career. He also relayed to the brethren a summary of what had been and still is a remarkable life. Geoff was born in Bolton-le-Sands in 1932. He was educated at Morecambe Grammar School leaving in 1950, and he then went to work for Storey Brothers in Lancaster.  He worked there until being called up for National Service in the RAF in 1958. In his response to his toast at the festive board Geoff recalled how much easier his two years in the RAF become when his commanding officer, who was a Freemason found out he was to be initiated into Vale Lodge.

Geoff now lives in Port Erin on the Isle of Man with his wife Betty who is the daughter of a former secretary of Vale Lodge, and to whom he has been married for more than 50 years. He is. However. still an incredible active and busy individual and returns to Lancaster to fish on the Lune most weekends in summer. In addition he finds time to be the treasurer of Castletown Masonic Club, and the secretary of the Probus Club of Rushden, of which he is to become their president next year.

In his Masonic life Geoff has achieved Provincial honours in both the Provinces of West Lancashire and the Isle of Man being a Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in the former and a Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in the latter. In the Isle of Man he is a member of Mona Lodge and Mona Chapter.

At the festive board the toast to John Moore was very ably proposed by Jim Wilson. In his reply John referred to the 2010 Festival, the 2010 Grand Ball at the Rebock Stadium, and to the new innovation by province – the Membership Officer - and he also again congratulated the celebrant.

The toast to the celebrant was proposed by his good friend of many years Colin Martin who obviously had many fond memories of Geoff and his wife. In the response to his toast Geoff delighted those present with his wit and humour, and at the end of it, to his surprise was presented with a Fiftieth Birthday Cake with a beautifully iced Masonic apron on top of it, which had been made by his daughter. The cake had to be eaten by those present as Geoff in keeping with his still active life style was going fishing in Scotland the following day.

Jim Wilson,  Stewart Brackstone, Geof Morrow and John V Moore.

Geoff’s special cake which was made by his daughter.

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Colin celebrates 50 years service

Assistant Provincial Grand Master H Dennis Rudd attended the Woolton Lodge of Unity No 1086 in the Woolton Group at the celebrations to mark the 50 years in the Craft enjoyed by Colin Edward Percy. Dennis highlighted Colin’s chequered work and sports history and Masonic career for the benefit of the many members and visitors present, there to toast Colin’s achievement.

Dennis began by saying he would start where all good stories do and the very beginning - on April 9 1935 when Colin was born. His education began in 1939 at Ranworth Square Primary and one of his classmates was none other than Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brian Gillbanks. Colin went on to continue his education at Abbotsford Road Secondary till 1951. Dennis noted that interestingly he had beaten VWBro Gillbanks to the 50-year milestone mark as Brian would not be celebrating his Golden Jubilee until April.

Colin went on to an apprenticeship with printers Turner Routledge and Co in 1950 but was called up for National Service for two years in the Royal Signals at Catterick and the War Office in London. He returned to the printing trade in 1959 with Eric Bemrose Ltd where he worked till 1997 when the company went into liquidation and Colin found himself made redundant. Even at 62 he got other employment with a firm of solicitors in Manchester as office manager untill he suffered a serious heart attack which necessitated a valve replacement and being fitted with a pacemaker. Lightening the moment Dennis joked, “We are all pleased to see that all the batteries are still fully charged and working normally.”

Colin was an avid footballer and had trials for Everton in 1953. He captained Liverpool Boys’ Club on a tour of Holland and Germany and in the Army he captained the regimental team which won the London District Knock-out Cup in 1955. He also played for Marine FC in the Lancashire Combination. Dennis enquired if he was the same Colin Percy who regularly appeared in his notebook when he refereed at Marine all those years ago. A knee injury put paid to Colin’s footballing aspirations and though he moved to cricket at Ormskirk CC from 1963 to ’69 a serious industrial accident resulted in the loss of four fingers and his cricket career. Colin, undaunted, moved on to golf and despite his injury saw him attain a 14 handicap at Shaw Hill Golf Club until he gave up membership in 1997.

Dennis next turned Colin’s Masonic career. He was initiated into Woolton Lodge on 18 November  1959. He had progressed up the ladder of offices to Junior Deacon when he suffered the loss of his fingers which put his Masonic career on temporary hold. Some years later he went ‘back on the ladder’ and attained the Chair in 1988. His services to the Craft were acknowledged in 1997 when he was offered the rank of PPrAGDC. Dennis’s understanding was that Colin was told he could not wear his Past Master’s jewel when wearing his provincial regalia. Though this was totally incorrect, Colin being a man of principle and being so proud of the jewel given him by his lodge, decided to refuse the honour.

He went on to join Corinthian Rose Croix Chapter in 1976 becoming its most Wise Sovereign in 1986 and he also attained the 30th Degree. He was exalted into Thornton Chapter 8008 in Bootle in the Royal Arch and was first Principal in 1991. In 1996 he learned that Walton Priory Chapter had a candidate and required a Principal Sojourner to assist in the ceremony. Dennis was not sure whether Colin did take that part but he did know that he went on to serve there and still serves as Scribe E.

His service to the RA was recognised when he was appointed PPrGStdB in 1998 and in 2005 he was promoted to the high rank of PPrGSN.

Denis concluded by saying that he hoped he had done Colin justice in the retelling of his history. He spoke of his pleasure and delight that he had been asked to officiate at the milestone of his golden jubilee and after asking Woolton Group Vice-chairman David Hilliard to read the commemorative certificate from the PGM he presented it to Colin.

Pictured, left to right, are Sam Robinson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master H Dennis Rudd, Colin Percy and WM Roy Hedges.

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Ray celebrates his 50th at Old Lerpoolian Lodge

Assistant Provincial Grand Master H Dennis Rudd had the pleasant duty of officiating at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Raymond (Ray) Harwood Grist, MBE, at the uniquely named Old Lerpoolian Lodge No 9270 in the Woolton Group.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master gave members and visitors alike an insight into the life and times of Ray. Dennis, on taking the Chair of the lodge, advised that Ray’s story began on 30 July 1928 at Bredbury in Cheshire where he was born and educated before moving to Hyde and to Greenfield School during the Second World War. Thereafter Ray joined the Royal Navy at age 16 in 1944 and after many promotions eventually rose to the high rank of Commander in 1975 spending some of his naval career on secondment to the Malaysian Navy responsible for officer training in logistics.

In 1967 his service in the RN was recognised when he received the MBE from Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

After retiring from the Royal Navy, Ray became the Bursar of Liverpool College in 1980. Astute management by the new Bursar in the eighties overcame very difficult financial problems which the college faced prior to his appointment which led eventually to the expansion of the school. Dennis said that in conjunction with the headmaster of the college, “their efforts were described not so much as the wind of change but a gale blowing through Mossley,” to which the present pupils owe a debt of gratitude - a fact acknowledged by the present board of governors when Ray retired from the college in 1993.

Ray married wife Dorothy on 16 April  1949 and particularly through his college years she  proved a pillar of support.  One son, David, lives in Sweden and has three children. His brother, Peter, is estates manager for St Paul’s School in London. Sadly Dorothy passed away in 2005 after 51 years of happy marriage. Ray found happiness again with second wife, Pat, whom he married in 2006.

Ray is an active member of St Peter’s Church in Woolton and though his sporting activities are confined to being an avid supporter of West Ham likes to watch from the terraces when they come to Anfield.

Ray was initiated into Royal Navy Lodge No 3337 in November 1959. His Mother Lodge interestingly celebrated its centenary in January 2009. Whilst in Indonesia Ray joined Stamford Raffles Lodge No 7444 in June 1969. Ray was proposed, after he retired as bursar, as a joining member into Old Lerpoolian Lodge by the late Tanny Globe in October 1993 and became WM in 1997. His services to the Craft were recognised in May 2003 when he was appointed PPrJGD.

EComp Peter Gaskin proposed Ray into Blundellsands Chapter No 2289 in January 2009. Dennis owned up to assuming that he was a joining member as he had no details on his Exaltation and could scarce believe that someone as dedicated to Freemasonry would  wait so long before joining the Royal Arch.

In conclusion Dennis said he hoped that he had done justice in his accounting of Ray’s years of service to country, to the College and to Freemasonry. On congratulating him on his milestone achievement of 50 years service he presented him with his commemorative certificate from the PGM and asked the Woolton Group Vice-chairman, David Hilliard, to read it aloud for the benefit of the lodge and the many visitors.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd, Robert Wright, Ray Grist, David Hilliard and WM M Mansfield-Corbett at Ray’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

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George’s golden years

The 50th anniversary of George Kendall Gillberry initiation was celebrated by members and visitors to Wavertree Gateacre Queensway Lodge No 2294. The lodge was honoured for the occasion by the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Liverpool Trafalgar Group Stanley Oldfield.

Stanley told the assembled members of Lodge 2294 and their guests that George Kendall Gillberry was born in Liverpool in 1936.  George passed the Margaret Bryce Smith Scholarship and gained entry in to The Liverpool Institute High School for Boys until the age of 18.

 At the age of 13 he joined the School Combined Cadet Force and “took to it like a duck takes to water”. His enthusiasm and commitment to the force was so great that he passed all of the tests presented to him but this was to the detriment of his school work and so remedial action had to be taken. Happily his schoolwork improved and eventually he entered sixth form.   Meanwhile in the Cadet Force George had risen to the rank of RSM.

His career in the Army began by passing the Regular Commission Board at Wiltshire on 9 December 1954. This was followed by basic training at Harrington Barracks Formby.  The Platoon Sergeant turned out to be a drinking man and so because of past experience within the Cadet Force George took over the training resulting in the Best Platoon Award. However, he suffered tremendously in the camp boxing - for the noble art was not his forte. George thought his opponents were out to kill him.

In March 1955 he went to RMA Sandhurst and this proved to be a totally different experience for him and there he passed out as 2nd Lt G K Gillberry RASC.  He was then posted to Aldershot where it was still the tradition for officers to ride horses. It was the same officer who selected boxing opponents who also chose the horses, with a huge black brute of a horse named Buller selected for George. He was later posted to Regent’s Park Barracks, London, as a Platoon Commander in charge of chromium plated lorries for the transportation of the Queen’s baggage. Also in the barracks were two Rolls Royce cars for the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and for Field Marshall Montgomery.

It was during the early part of his Army career that he became a Freemason. On 12  January 1959 he was initiated into Gateacre Lodge No 6782 this being his father’s Lodge and as both his parents where from Liverpool it seemed highly appropriate

On his return to Aldershot towards the end of the National Service era and George being newly married to Shirley gave great thought to his future in the Army. A Captain’s pay being 6 shillings per day and a Major’s pay being 7 shillings. George decided to become a Petroleum Officer in charge of supplies. His career then took him to various depots in the UK, Germany and the Far East. This enabled him to attain the very high rank of Colonel.

His favourite posting throughout his career was to Singapore where he was Staff Captain GHQ. He sailed on the Oxfordshire for a tour of duty in Malta and Aden. During this time he visited Thailand and Hong Kong for holiday time with his family for “a change of air” in the Cameron Highlands and Penang. It was around this time that he was awarded the GSM medal.

On reflection, although his time in Singapore was the happiest, the most enjoyable and rewarding was as CO West Moors Petroleum Centre in Dorset.  It was during this time that the Falklands War broke out and the loss of all of the kerosene on the Atlantic Conveyer was a great blow to him when the ship was mistaken on the an aircraft carrier. On a more personal and sad occurrence for him it was at this time that his wife Shirley lost her eyesight.

His final posting was to COD Bicester in 1989 and he should have retired from the Amy in August 1991 but because of the effects of the War in Iraq the MOD asked him, as a special request, to remain to sort out the difficulties of stores and supplies. Sadly for him on Remembrance Day of that year he had a stroke and his health suffered severely he remained in hospital until April 1992. His wife Shirley died in 1994.

During his Army career George has been very active in Freemasonry. He has been a member of Lodges in the UK, Far East, Germany and many other degrees many of which he has been a founder member. He holds very high rank in the English, Irish, and Scottish constitutions and likewise in side orders.

It has always been an of his ambition to revisit all of his former Lodges and accompanied by his wife Margret whom he married in 1995 embarked on a world tour in 1998 visiting many of his former Lodges and some in New Zealand.

His eldest daughter Susan met her husband whilst studying engineering at Oxford where they both read engineering. His youngest daughter is a GP in Somerset and both his girls have made George very proud by producing seven grandchildren in all.  

Stanley Oldfield congratulated George on such an outstanding career both in his Army service and also his very commendable service to Freemasonry.

Pictured, left to right, are: MJ Winterbottom PAGDC, WM John Derek Gaskell, George Kendall Gillberry PPrJGW, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield and Kevin Poyton.

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Robert James Bithell celebrates 50 years in the Royal Arch

The celebration of 50 years in Royal Arch Masonry of EComp Robert (Bob) James Bithell PPrGSN took place in the presence of EComp S R Clive Jeffries, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals and other Grand Officers in Temple Chapter No 1094 at the Masonic Hall Liverpool.

In his address to the Chapter Clive said, “Today is one of those happy occasions when we join together in the celebration of a milestone in the Masonic life of Excellent Companion Bob Bithell - 50 years membership of the Royal Arch. These days 50th anniversaries are arriving more frequently, particularly in Craft Masonry but in the Royal Arch a Golden Jubilee is still a comparative rarity which makes today’s occasion all the more special.

“I feel extremely pleased to be able to officiate at Bob’s Golden Jubilee and to be once again in Temple Chapter where I’ve always been made welcome and where I have many good friends.”

 Robert James Bithell was born in Liverpool on November 22nd 1918, some 11 years after the end of the Great War. He was educated at the Liverpool Institute till aged 16 years and though he had the opportunity of continuing his education to age 18 “due to hard times” he left school and took employment.

He left school with the then Higher School Certificate with qualifications in calculus, matriculation and further mathematics. He lived with his parents, Alfred and Ethel and his late sister Thelma and from them and his schooling at the Liverpool Institute he received the best possible grounding for his future life. On leaving school he went to work for the same company as his father, Pelling and Stanley, working in the sales department until his military service and then returned to the same company. Later he moved to the English Electric Co as chief storekeeper until his retirement.

Bob was a keen cross country runner with Sefton Harriers taking an interest in the running of the club and he later took over its administration and management with great pride.

He met his wife Una when he started work at Pelling and Stanley and she certainly made an impression on him as they subsequently married in May 1947. They recently celebrated 61 happy years of marriage. They have two children, Alan, who resides in Yorkshire and Pamela who lives in the United States and between them they have presented Bob and Una with five grandchildren, two girls and three boys.

On the outbreak of the Second World War Bob was called up into the RASC with whom he saw active service in France, North Africa and was involved in the action at Tobruk, later in Italy and Palestine before returning to England until the end of the war. He continued his involvement with the Territorial Army, having joined shortly after leaving school and was a member of the TA for 20 years.

One of his major interests was the Boys’ Brigade of which he was captain of the 32nd Liverpool Brigade on two separate occasions seeing 14 years service in that very responsible office. He rose to become Battalion President; a reflection of the esteem and respect his fellow officers held for him.

Bob was initiated into the Prince of Wales Lodge No 1035 in May 1954 though sadly this Lodge has now closed he was WM. In 1989 he became founder of the Boys’ Brigade Lodge, Sure and Stedfast No 9326 and became its first WM. His work in Craft was recognised by his appointment in 1984 to PPrSGD and in1991 he was promoted to PPrJGW.

In the Royal Arch he was exalted into the Prince of Wales Chapter No 1035 on May 16 1959 and served as MEZ on three separate occasions. When Prince of Wales Chapter closed, together with other Companions, he joined Temple Chapter on 2006. Bob is also a member of Sure and Stedfast Chapter of Temperance and Felicity No 9326 which he joined in 2001.

Provincial Grand Chapter rewarded his work in 1989 by appointing him to the Acting rank of PrGSwdB. Further promotions followed and he was made PPrGSoj in 1993 and to the very high rank of PPrGSN in 2002. This reflects the esteem in which he is held in by the Province and by Companions and friends.

Clive went on to say, “Bob you have enjoyed a very full and interesting life – a life of service to your country, to various military and sporting organisations and of course a life of devotion to your family. It gives me the greatest pleasure on behalf of the Grand superintendent and the province of West Lancashire to present you with this certificate to acknowledge the long and distinguished service you have given to Royal Arch Masonry and to the Chapters of which you have been a member over the last 50 years.

Pictured Bob Bithell receives his certificate for 50 years service in Royal Arch from Clive Jeffries and M J Winterbottom and the three Principals of Temple Chapter

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60th anniversary celebrations for James Leishman Barclay

WBro James (Jim) Leishman Barclay celebrated a magnificent 60 years of Freemasonry at Symphony Lodge No 4924, Blackpool Group, surrounded by friends and colleagues some of whom had made the trip ‘over the border’ from Scotland to join the ‘bonny’ celebrations.

Jim was born on the 18th April 1926, in Glasgow. His nephew was Archie Kirkwood, the Liberal Democrat MP who was made a Knight of the Realm before being elevated to Baron Kirkwood of Kirkhope.

During the war years Jim was engaged in the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde, employed in the repair and maintenance of Royal and Merchant Navy vessels.

In 1952 he married Jean with whom he shared over 55 years of happy marriage.

In the late 1980s Jim and his family moved from Scotland to Blackpool where he became a director of the Tower Taxi Group before transferring over to Streamline Taxis also as a director.

His Masonic career started at the age of 23 when, in May 1949, he became a Freemason being proposed into Lodge Alexandre in Dennistoun, Glasgow. He joined Kilgrimol Lodge in 1991 and in 1997 became a joining member of Symphony Lodge No 4924, becoming Worshipful Master in 2004. At a recent meeting he was honoured by the lodge for his years of service by being made an Honorary Member.

During his presentation Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson said that he was still very confused with regards to the derivation of Jim’s birth name, Leishman.

He explained that it has been a Scottish custom for boys to take their father’s mother’s maiden name and for girls to take their mother’s father’s name – apparently so as not to lose the family name.

If anyone is still confused Terry asks them not to contact him…

Picture left to right Terry Hudson, James Leishman Barclay, WM Thomas Brian Jackson and RW Frederick R R Lowrie Past Substitute Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

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John celebrates 50 anniversary

To mark the 50 anniversary of John Latham in Craft Masonry, Foundation Lodge No 5394 held a celebration meeting which was attended by Jon Clipsham (Assistant Provincial Grand Master) and brethren from West Lancashire and from the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland.

John Spencer Latham was born in Heaton Moor on 12 December 1925. From 1931 to 1937 he attended Heaton Moor Council School, progressing to Stockport School where he gained his Higher School Certificate in 1943. John was fortunate to gain a state bursary and went on to the University of Wales in Bangor, where he read Communications, Physics, and Pure Maths, and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree.

On leaving University John put his University education immediately to good use, and joined the Royal Navy Signal School Special Branch in Petersfield, Hampshire. His first rank was midshipman, and in 1946 he was promoted to sub-lieutenant. At the age of 30, in January 1947 John opted to return to the family roller blind business.

After a couple of years John left the family business for pastures new and gained a position as a Development Engineer at Metropolitan Vickers in Trafford Park. Metrovicks went through a series of major changes and was eventually taken over by GEC. John finally transferred to the Marconi division of the company and relocated to Leicester from where he retired in 1989.

On second of April 1949 John married his wife, Barbara and earlier this year they celebrated their diamond anniversary - 60 years of marriage. John and Barbara have two children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

John was initiated on fith October 1959, into Foundation Lodge No 5394 passed to the Second Degree on first February 1960 and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on 2nd May 1960. He was installed into the chair of this Lodge for the first time on third January 1972. John’s skill with ritual was renowned; he gave explanations of the tracing boards on 35 separate occasions!

John attended meetings of the lodge regularly until in 2002, diabetes sadly curtailed his frequent four hour round trips to the lodge meetings. The Provincial Grand Master recognised John’s contributions to the craft with a first appointment as Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1981, and a promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1997. John was also a member of Foundation Royal Arch Chapter, being exalted in September 1963.

During John’s time in Leicester he joined Guthlaxton Lodge No 7717, in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland, and served as master of that Lodge in 2002. John’s passion for ritual continued as he joined the Leicester Union Lodge of Instruction, serving as its Librarian up till last year, when he retired and also served as preceptor for 10 years. John was a joining member of East Goscote Chapter No 2865 in January 2001, and served as its First Principal in 2008.

A pleasant surprise arose in the evening’s celebrations  when Peter Beswick, South Eastern Group Secretary, read out an individual letter from the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland, Right Worshipful Brother Michael H Roalfe JP, who also wished to pass on to John his own personal congratulations.

Pictured Left to Right: WBro Mike Adams , (Chairman of the South Eastern Group), the celebrant WBro.John Latham and WBro Jon Clipsham (Assistant Provincial Grand Master).

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Alan Daniels 50th celebration

To mark the occasion of Alan’s remarkable achievement of 50 years as a Freemason, Hale Lodge of Fellowship No 3799 held a celebration meeting and were honoured to have Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Dennis Rudd present to mark the Province’s official recognition of Alan’s service.

Alan was born in 1934 and was educated at Farnworth C of E school before moving to Wade deacon Grammar School, where he studied from 1946 to 1951. Whilst at school he was a keen rugby union player, playing at scrum half. He continued his rugby playing after leaving school and succeeded in playing for Widnes Rugby Club, I.C.I. Widnes and finally the Army.

He entered the field of banking in 1951 with Barclays, where he continued for the next 38 years, finally retiring as Manager at the Liverpool University branch in 1989. His career in banking was interrupted for two years in 1952 when he completed his National Service, serving with the Royal Artillery.

In 1957 he married his wife, Beryl, and this was to lead to a long and distinguished service in Freemasonry.

His father in law, William (Bill) Baynham, was a member of Lodge of Fellowship No 3799 and proposed Alan as a member, and he was initiated into the Lodge on 2 June 1959. He was seconded by William (Bill) Hill. In April 1963 he became the first “joining member” of the new Kingsway Lodge No 7870. He would have been a founding member of this Lodge, but, as he did not become a Master Mason until later in the year he was unable to do so.

He progressed through every office in both Lodges becoming Master of Kingsway Lodge in 1973 and Lodge of Fellowship in 1975. Whilst in the Kingsway Lodge he has served as Social secretary and also as Lodge Secretary. In Lodge of Fellowship he was the Treasurer until 2005 when he became the final Master of the Lodge in its final year before amalgamating with Hale Lodge No 8813 and becoming Hale Lodge of Fellowship No 3799. Alan is the current master of Hale Lodge of Fellowship.

Alan did not confine his Masonry to Lodges but was also an active member in Widnes Chapter No 2819, which he joined in September 1963. He has been the Chapter Treasurer for the past 46 years and continues to hold this office. He was a founder member of Kingsway Chapter No 7870, when it was consecrated in September 1969 becoming First Principal in 1976. He is still a regular attendee of all his Lodges and Chapters and practises all the degrees of which he is a member.

His service to Masonry was first recognised in 1983 when he received his first Provincial Honour. He was appointed Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, which he held until 1992 when he was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. His service to Lodge Chapters was also recognised in 1992, when he was appointed Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. In 1995 Alan became Assistant General Manager of Widnes Masonic Hall, which he held for three years, becoming General Manager on the death of Gordon Lockett. He held this position for a further 8 years.

Alan has two children, David and Dinah, and four grandchildren. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than in 2004 when his son, David, became a member of Fidelity Lodge No 289 in Leeds. Alan enjoys visiting this Lodge and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. Alan has given so much to Freemasonry over the past 50 years, and, as we all know, this could not have been possible without the support of his wife Beryl.

Pictured left to righ: David Redhead (Widnes Group Chairman) Alan Daniels and Dennis Rudd (Assistant Provincial Grand Master).

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George Jobling’s 50th celebration.

George Jobling celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry. To mark the occasion, Bold Lodge held a celebration meeting attended by Dennis Rudd (Assistant Provincial Grand Master), and many of George’s friends.

George was born in West Cornforth, County Durham, England on the 11 August 1928. He is the only son of George and Hannah and he has two sisters, Connie and Nancy.

His first job was at Tyrer's Shoe Shop and was paid the princely sum of 7s 6p per week. He later joined Blackler's in Newcastle and his wages increased to12s 6p per week.

While working at Blackler's he was called up to do National Service and was given the army number 1906. Between 1946 and 1949 he served in Burma and Singapore. After National Service, George returned to Blackler's and worked there until 1955 when, at the age of 27, he re-Iocated to the Blackler's store in Liverpool.

The most important event in George's life also occurred in 1955 when he married Joan Simpson on 17 September at St. John's Parish Church in their home village of Stillington. They honeymooned in Morecambe and took possession of their first car, a Ford Prefect, registration 392 AKA. During a very happy married life they were blessed with a son, Ian and a daughter, Tracy who have given George four grandchildren, Conner, Nicholas, Emily and Bethany.

George was proposed into Freemasonry by Bro.J.B.Knight and seconded by Bro.K.H.Knight. He was initiated into Bold Lodge on 7 October 1959 in the new Masonic Hall, Kingsway, Widnes. The Worshipful Master was William Critchley Gamer and the Initiation Ceremony was performed by W.Bro.Frank James Knight, the Director of Ceremonies. George was passed on 6 April 1960 and raised on 5 October1960. He was installed into the Chair of Bold Lodge on 1 December 1971. In 1972, George became Charity Steward, a position he held until 2002 when he became Lodge Almoner. He retired from this office in 2008.

Working tirelessly for the Lodge, George and his wife Joan organised many functions to raise money for charity. One such function is still held every year on the first Wednesday in January, when there is a candlelit dinner followed by entertainment and a large raffle for charity. He also organised outings to places of interest and Masonic Homes.

George was the Lodge representative on the board of the Widnes Masonic Hall as well as being Group Secretary from 1982 to 1984. As a result of these considerable efforts he was appointed Provincial Grand Steward in 1978, promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 1982 and again promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden 1993.

George was a founder and Treasurer of Hale Lodge No.8813 and was also a member of the Provincial Steward's Lodge (Quingenti No.8516). In 1962 he was exalted in Bold Chapter and installed as 1st Principle in 1982.

left to right are: Dennis Rudd, George Jobling, David Lace and David Redhead.

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Fred’s fond memories of past 50 years

Fred Dixon was joined by 72 members and guests at Cleveleys Masonic Hall. They were there to help Fred celebrate his Golden Jubilee in Freemasonry, 50 years to the day when he joined Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 on October 16th 1959.

Fred’s confided at the well attended festive board that his proposer had told him two things at his Initiation which had led to all the years of enjoyment of the Craft. He said, “Firstly, you get out of it (Freemasonry) what you put into it. Secondly, primarily you are in it for the pleasure you get out of it. Once it ceases to be a pleasure you get out of it. And here I am 50 years later still a Mason!”

North Fylde Group ‘Assistant’ Terry Hudson outlined the life and times of Frederick Kershaw Dixon, (Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden), universally known as Fred, to a rapt audience containing a galaxy of Grand and Provincial Officers and a contingent of Acting Officers of the Provincial team.

Brethren heard from Terry about Fred’s early days in Thornton where he had attended Baines Grammar School. Thereafter it was the Royal Navy. Four and a half years of service during hostilities saw the vessels he served on amongst other things; make several runs to Dunkirk, help build the troop landing Mulberry harbours and sink a U boat. Fred narrowly escaped becoming a casualty himself when he and a fellow sailor were trapped below decks by a too close explosion of a depth charge.

After being demobbed Fred joined ICI Thornton in the Plastics Division (eventually coming across a young Harry Cox – now the present North Fylde Group chairman) where he worked for 34 years before taking early retirement.

Fred met wife Jean when she was performing in a show at the Queen’s Blackpool and caught his eye. She went on to become secretary at Flakefleet School, Fleetwood. 57 years of marriage have seen daughter Denise and son Peter (who is also a member of Lodge 3854) in turn present Fred and Jean with four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Terry went on to say that Fred had a long association with St John’s Ambulance Service where he ultimately became Divisional Superintendent and it was through St John’s that he was introduced to Freemasonry by colleagues who were Masons.

Fred went through the Chair in 1972 (he says it took a long time back in those days) after taking on several offices along the way and afterwards and as Social Secretary for the group was instrumental in introducing what has become the annual North Fylde Group Ball. Provincial honour’s came in 1979 with Fred progressing to his present rank in 1993.

During the ceremony Lodge Secretary Bob Major read out the Minutes for October 16th 1959 which featured Fred’s Initiation. The Lodge Summons for the same date lists one Bro Raymond Neal as a Lodge Steward who subsequently became Group Chairman and a Grand Officer. Raymond took particular pleasure in delivering an accolade to his old friend and colleague Fred during the evening’s celebrations.

The Worshipful Master, Gordon Major presented Fred with an engraved glass plaque and a commemorative 50 Years Service badge on behalf of the lodge.

As guest of honour at the celebratory meal Fred regaled members and guests with humorous recollections of his 50 years service. Thanking everyone for coming to help him celebrate he said Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge was acknowledged to be a happy lodge and a family lodge where, as in his own case, sons regularly followed fathers into Freemasonry.

Terry Hudson (Assistant Provincial Grand Master) congratulates Fred Dixon on celebrating 50 Years in Masonry

Terry Hudson, Fred Dixon with Thornton and Cleveleys Worshipful Master, Gordon Major during Fred’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

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BERT CELEBRATES HIS DOUBLE

Excellent Companion Herbert (Bert) Ross celebrated his 50th in the Royal Arch, completing his double, following on from his celebration of his 50 years in the Craft in January, 2006.

Bert was presented with his 50 year certificate by Excellent Companion Ray Martland, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals before a large gathering of his friends and colleagues in Wigan Chapter No. 2326 at Pemberton Masonic Hall.

Bert was born in Bolton on 10th August, 1922 and unfortunately at five years of age had to spend ten weeks in hospital with Diphtheria, a disease which at the time had not been eradicated. He went on to attend St. Bartholomew’s Church of England School and joined the church choir at the age of eight.

Grammar School followed in Bolton and on leaving he joined the firm of Cooper and Cooper, Chartered Accountants as an office junior in 1939.

In 1942 he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy and served for four years on board HMS Sheffield, HMS Tracker and HMS Chaser.

Bert re-called how he commenced his training in Skegness at a Butlins Holiday Camp specially requisitioned by the Navy for the Fleet Air Arm. Conditions at the camp were very poor and Bert swore never to return to Skegness, a vow he has kept to this day. He recalled some of his experiences including the day when the camp sirens sounded and a landmine was dropped on the camp by an enemy aircraft killing several of his colleagues, however Bert survived his first close shave.

Later in his naval career he had several lucky escapes and the second of his close shaves came when on HMS Sheffield in a terrible storm in Scapa Flow he was saved from being swept overboard by a colleague. The third came when he was about to be posted to HMS Dasher in Glasgow, but before he could embark the ship was blown up with the loss of many lives.

Yet again Bert seemed to be fortunate when his ship HMS Chaser, grounded on rocks on its way back from Murmansk to Scapa Flow but no one was injured in that incident and finally Bert recalled when he was serving on an Aircraft carrier, a VERY pistol was fired by accident in the hangar deck showering everyone with phosphorous.

His last move was to the town of Crail, near St. Andrew’s in Fife, where he met another radar and radio technician, Gwendoline Ford and on14thJuly, 1945 he married Wendy at Grays Parish Church, Essex. They have now been married for sixty four years and have a daughter Susan Jean.

In 1946 Bert was demobbed from the Navy and on the 1st April of that year he rejoined his former employers Cooper & Cooper, but this time in London eventually qualifying as an Incorporated Accountant. In due course Bert passed his final exams and became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and returned to the north of England to become a member of the firm of R. W. Brown of Wigan.

In 1967 he joined Wigan County Borough Council as a Senior Auditor until he retired in 1985.

It was in 1956 that Bert was Initiated into the Craft in Wigan Lodge No. 2326 on 14th December and by 1962 he was Secretary of the Lodge even before he had occupied the Masters chair. He held the post for four years and eventually he was Installed as Master of his Lodge on the 10th April, 1970.

In 1974 Bert became Treasurer of the Lodge, a post he held until 1976 when he became the Assistant Director of Ceremonies. On the 4th May 1983 he was appointed Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire and in Sept 1987 he joined Lathom Lodge No. 2229. Later that year he was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden and in April 1991 he was awarded Grand Rank as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

In the Royal Arch he was exalted in Wigan Chapter in October 1959 and became its Treasurer in 1960, an office held until 1971. In December1975 he became 1st Principle and 1981 became ADC. A year later he became Director of Ceremonies, a post he held until 1989.

In Provincial Grand Chapter he was appointed Provincial Grand Steward in 1983. Four years later he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah and 1992 he was appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter.

Bert’s other Masonic interests are in the Red Cross, when in 1972 he was perfected in Leonard Heeley Conclave No. 241. In the same year he also joined St. George’s Conclave No. 42.

He served on the Wigan Masonic Hall Committee as the Lodge representative from 1977 to 1980 and in 1982 he received a phone call from Tom Winstanley, the Group Vice-Chairman advising that he might receive a call from the Group Chairman, Clifford Davies, offering him the position as the Editor and compiler of the Wigan Group Calendar. This task was completed by Bert before the days of computers and everything had to be done handwritten on over a hundred foolscap sheets of paper, before being passed to the printer, a task which took many hours of burning the midnight oil.

In the Wigan Group Bert was appointed Secretary in May 1986 and became Vice-Chairman in July 1991. A year later he was appointed the Group Representative to the MTGB 1997 Festival and in May 1995 he resigned as Group Vice Chairman.

At the Festive Board afterwards Bert was presented with a clock, with a suitably inscribed brass plaque by the members of the Chapter            

Bert Ross (centre) with Ray Martland (Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals), Acting Provincial Officers and other distinguished guests at the celebration.

Bert receives a clock presented by Stuart Blagg at the Festive Board.

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Leslie’s 50 golden years

Leslie Cunliffe, of Lodge Amounderness No 7105, celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry at the Masonic Hall in Garstang.

A very well-attended meeting saw the Assisitant Provincial Grand Master, Philip Gardner conduct the ceremony after being offered the chair by the Worshipful Master.
In giving a précis of W.Bro Leslie’s history, the Assisitant Provincial Grand Master told how he was born in Haslingden in April 1930 before moving to Preston as a boy. He attended Preston Grammar School before becoming an accountant and eventually the senior partner in an accountancy firm.

Leslie’s Masonic career commenced in 1959 when he joined Preston Portcullis Lodge No 6316, a Lodge which has since sadly surrendered its warrant to Grand Lodge.

The APGM said that although Leslie is a passionate supporter of Preston North End he had actually started off as a supporter of Accrington Stanley. He was also a past captain of Ashton and Leigh Golf Club.

Leslie has supported both the church and the community. He had served for 37 years as treasurer of St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Ashton, and had served on the Diocesan Board of Finance. He has also acted as treasurer for a charity supporting handicapped children for 14 years.

When the warrant for Portcullis Lodge was surrendered, Leslie and several other members joined Amounderness and were extremely grateful for the warm welcome they had received.

 In addition to his craft membership Leslie was the first exaltee of Preston Portcullis Royal Arch Chapter and is a Rose Croix member in Prince of Peace Chapter No 767.
He has been heavily involved in the Preston and District Masonic Golfing Society, for many years serving as secretary, vice-chairman and chairman.

On the completion of his address the APGM invited Tony Harrison, the group vice chairman, to read the certificate, which was then presented to Leslie.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Philip Gardner congratulates Leslie Cunliffe watched by group vice-chairman Tony Harrison.

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Silence is golden for Bill

He may occasionally have been known as ‘Whispering Bill’, but Rectitude Lodge’s William Eardley had plenty to shout about after chalking up 50 years of Freemasonry.

The affectionate nickname was applied by colleagues at Fylde Borough Council where Bill was employed as a clerk of works and senior maintenance officer.

It was one of many roles Bill held during a career that began with a 15 shillings a week pay packet as apprentice painter and decorator at Blackpool firm Riddles and Sons.

It was also a career that took him to Canada – and his introduction to freemasonry.

Bill had been married just 12 months when he and wife Audrey decided to follow his brothers Roy and Jack - and emigrate. Audrey’s boss at the packaging firm she worked for - Paul Maserack – invited the couple to a lodge ladies evening and Paul was eventually initiated into Toronto’s Corinthian Lodge No 4812 in  June1959.

During a special meeting to mark Bill’s achievement, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson reminded him of the rigorous interview procedures at the time, saying: “Your memory was of them being a bunch of old codgers really – what with you being just 26 years of age.”

Bill remained a member of the Corinthian Lodge until after he and Audrey returned to the UK, and after he became a joining member of Blackpool’s Rectitude Lodge in 1967. His proposer was Audrey’s uncle, Bill Dabbs.

He made his way through the various Lodge offices before becoming Worshipful Master in 1978 then charity steward – a post he held for 12 years. A health scare meant Bill had to curtail his activities after becoming the DC in 1984, although he returned to lighter duties in 1990 as ADC for two years.

Paying tribute to Bill’s leadership qualities, Terry said: “Your potential had already become evident in 1983 when you were duly recognised by the Province and appointed Provisional Grand Steward – which led to promotion to the rank of PPrSGD in 1987 and further, to that of PPrJGW in 1992.”

In Grand Lodge he holds the high rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon.

Bill became Group Secretary of the South Blackpool Group in 1991, group Vice-chairman in 1995 and Group Chairman in 2001.

He is also a member of Senatores Lodge of Installed Masters No 8966 becoming Worhipful Master in 2007.

Hardly a year has passed without Bill adding a new title to his collection of Masonic posts but other high points have included promotion to PPrGSN in the Royal Arch (1992) and installation as a Knights Templar in the Rose of Lancaster  Preceptory No 157 (2000).

Terry added: “Over the years Bro Bill Eardley has proved himself to be a man of consummate integrity and commitment.

“But I suggest it’s not Bro Bill’s Masonic achievements for which he will long be remembered – highly significant and impressive though they undoubtedly are – but more for the warmth of his engaging and ebullient personality.”

Pictured, left to right, are Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Bro RHR Anderson (WM), Bill Eardley and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax.

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A GRAND OCCASION

Two Grand Officers who are close friends celebrated the golden jubilees of them becoming Freemasons at a special meeting of White Hills Lodge No 5209, in the Leyland Group.

Alan Lindsay Davies and Donald Kennedy Richardson, who are both Past Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies, realised that many of their friends would be placed under enormous pressure if they had separate celebrations so concluded that the best solution was to have a shared celebration with their two respective lodges holding a joint special meeting.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Frank Wilkinson first gave an excellent account of Alan’s civil and Masonic development, from his birth and education in South Wales, including his initiation in a Lodge in Aberdare, to his eventual arrival in Preston to take up the post of principal of the WR Tuson College of Further Education. He became a joining member of Penwortham Lodge No  5874, which recently amalgamated with the White Hills Lodge.

This was followed by an equally eloquent description by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax of the civil and Masonic development of Don. Like Alan, he had travelled far and wide, being initiated in a Lodge in North Allerton, before moving back to Preston to settle at the Lancashire College of Agriculture for his vocation, and joining Festival Lodge No 8123, for his Freemasonry.

The Lodge meeting was presided over by the Worshipful Master of White Hills, Jon Whitton, with the Master of Festival Lodge, Richard Maddocks acting as the Immediate Past Master.  The rest of the offices, were occupied by a mixture of the two lodges’ members.

The banquet was an equally grand and friendly affair with more than 120 brethren enjoying a sumptuous meal, followed by presentations to the two celebrants by their respective lodges, and an extra presentation from the brethren of Lodge Amounderness No 7105, of which both of them are members.

Pictured, left to right, are:  Frank Wilkinson, Alan Davies, Jon Whitton, Donald Richardson, Richard Maddocks and Leon Tax.

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Len’s golden milestone

One of the men who helped make Blackpool the UK’s entertainment capital has celebrated his golden jubilee in Freemasonry.

Len Whiteside was honoured by Symphony Lodge No 4924 and hailed by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson as ‘a man of consummate integrity and commitment’ during a special ceremony.

Len played a leading role in the work of the lodge – which encouraged visits by some of Britain’s top showbiz stars of the post war years. Arthur Askey, David Nixon, Nat Jackley, Webster Booth and Jess Conrad were just some of the leading entertainers who arrived on a regular basis. More recently they were followed by TV regulars Jim Davidson and Freddie Davis.

Steeped in the town’s entertainment culture, Len went into business with mother Florence and brother Alfred at the age of 14 after leaving school. By this time Florence was already running 10 stalls at the town’s Olympia.

Len took over some of those stalls and by 1968, along with wife Joan, he was operating three arcades and a bingo concession at the world-famous Pleasure Beach.

He decided to retire in 1993 after the Funhouse fire the previous year – which badly damaged his neighbouring bingo concession.

Joan sadly passed away in 2003, but Len’s family connections with the town’s entertainment industry continued through son Tony who took over the arcades.

In 1959 Symphony Lodge was the place to be. There was a long waiting list and there were never less than 10 stewards overseeing meetings that could only be described as ‘wonderfully vibrant’.

Len progressed through the various offices of the lodge, eventually becoming junior warden before having to stand down due to business pressures and ill-health.

During Len’s presentation, Terry said it was ‘a privilege and a pleasure’ to be part of the event – and congratulated Len warmly on achieving the milestone.

Group Chairman Ian Robertson also presented Len with the scroll from the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker.

Pictured at the special meeting are Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Brian Jackson (WM Symphony Lodge) Ian Robertson (group chairman) and celebrant Len Whiteside.

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Charles celebrates special anniversary

Charles Neville Stanley who was initiated in the Lodge of Furness but who has been involved in Freemasonry in Yorkshire and the South of England has celebrated 50 years in the Craft.

Charles was born in 1932 in Bolton and attended Church Road School and the Bolton School. National Service in the RAF followed from 1950 to 1952 and he trained as a Ground Wireless Mechanic.

Neville has moved around the country a great deal and met his wife Sheila in the early 1950s. They were married in August 1956 at Ulverston Parish Church in a service carried out by the Rev Cannon JS Rimmer. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Over the years Neville lived and worked in Hemsworth in West Yorkshire and in 1979 moved to Torquay in South Devon where he still resides.

In 1959 Neville decided to become a Freemason and his links with the Lodge were originally forged through his father, who joined Lodge of Furness in 1954, and father-in-law, Alan Caddy, who was initiated in to Temperantia Lodge in Whitehaven but joined the Lodge of Furness in 1951.

Neville became WM of Lodge of Furness in 1973 and his Freemasonry then developed in other parts of the country. He joined Royal Arm Friendly Chapter No 1513 in Barnsley in 1976 and also that year he joined Berneslai Rose Croix Chapter No 557 in Barnsley and remains as a member of both. Whilst living in West Yorkshire he joined Saint Oswald Lodge No 910 in Pontefract.

Following his move to Torquay in 1979 Neville joined St John’s Chapter No 328 and served as First Principal in 1989. He also joined Devonian Chapter of First Principals No 9249. A joining member of Tormohun Lodge No 6449 in Torquay, Neville served as ADC.

Present at the celebration was Brian Stephenson, PPrJGW, who pointed out that he and Neville were the only surviving members from those who celebrated the Lodge Centenary in 1964.

The Group Chairman was called on the read a Certificate issued by the Provincial Grand Master and which was afterwards presented to Stanley by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Gardner. The Lodge presented Neville with an engraved glass fruit bowl.

Pictured are Steve Fisher (WM 995), Charles Neville Stanley and Brian Stephenson. Neville and Brian are the only surviving members who attended the Lodge Centenary Celebrations in 1964.

Pictured, left to right are WBros R Wright, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Gardner, Neville Stanley Rowley Saunders (group chairman) and Dennis Laird.

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Ted celebrates with his new lodge

The celebration of Ted Rimmer’s 50 years in Masonry did not arrive without incident.

Ted had not only seen his beloved Stoneycroft Lodge No 5714 surrender its warrant, but shortly before his celebration meeting was due to be held he was taken ill and admitted into hospital.

However, on his discharge from hospital the WM, officers and Brethren of Marlborough Lodge No 1620 arranged a special meeting to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his initiation.

Edward Rimmer (Ted) born in Liverpool on 13 June 1926, was educated at St Michael’s and then at Quarry Bank Grammar School.

On leaving school Ted joined the Automatic Telephone and Electric Company in Edge Lane Liverpool, and in 1942 joined the Army Royal Corps of Signals serving in Egypt and the Middle East until his demobilisation in 1948, when he returned to his former employer to continue his apprenticeship.

He qualified as a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. Ted left the Automatic in 1955 and went to work for the Imperial Chemical Industry (ICI).

Then after five years with the ICI he went to work for the Atomic Energy Authority until his retirement in 1991 at the age of 65.

In 1952 Ted met Audrey Wilson and after a whirlwind romance they married in 1954 and are now the proud parents of two sons, Brian born in 1960 and Duncan 1963. Ted and Audrey celebrated their wedding golden anniversary in 2004.

Ted is a fanatical Liverpool FC supporter The holder of a season ticket for many years, his ticket qualifies him to one of only then ‘five single seats’ at Anfield, this being a ticket he took over from George Conway also of Stoneycroft Lodge. He was a keen tennis player, and lately a member of the South Liverpool Model Aircraft Flying Club.

Ted’s Masonic career began on 18 April 1959 when he was initiated into Stoneycroft Lodge No 5714. He served his Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1972, 1992 and 2005, and also held the offices of Lodge secretary, DC, social secretary, auditor and hall representative.

On 1 June 1981 he was appointed to the rank of PPrSGD and in 1990 promoted to PPrJGW.

Shortly after Stoneycroft Lodge surrendered its warrant in 2008 Ted became a joining member of Marlborough Lodge.

His responsibilities as a Mason at one time carried him across the world as in 2000 a number of the Brethren of Stoneycroft Lodge were invited to attend the jubilee celebration meeting of Syd Pierce PAGDC in Hong Kong, who although permanently residing there, had maintain his membership of Stoneycroft Lodge and had also joined Zetland Lodge No 525.

Don Hutchin and Ted took up the invitation and along with their wives travelled to Hong Kong to celebrate the occasion, and after the meeting, the wives joined the Brethren at the festive board. The ceremony was attended by several hundred Freemasons of all orders throughout the world, and Syd was presented with many beautiful gifts, one being an electronic organ.

Ted presented Syd with his West Lancashire Jubilee Certificate duly signed by the then Provincial Grand Master Colin Penty Wright and the Provincial Grand Secretary, together with a copy of the minutes of Syd’s initiation, passing and raising, a jewelled gift on behalf of the Brethren of Stoneycroft, and an illuminated address. The occasion attended by high ranking masons from India, Burma, Australia, and New Zealand eventually closed at 3.00am

To venerate the occasion Ted Rimmer’s 50 years as a Mason, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield was pleased to present him with a special commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master.

The Immediate Past Master of Stoneycroft Lodge, Brian Lunt., to mark long and loyal service presented him with the original square and compasses that were assigned to Ted’s Mother Lodge on its foundation in 1936.

Pictured left to right are Mrs Audrey Rimmer, Stanley Oldfield and Ted Rimmer

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Len is a man of ‘consummate integrity’

Len Hellon, accompanied by some 90 of his friends, celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry in Great Marton Lodge No 3985 at The Masonic Hall in Blackpool. The principal guest was Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Terry Hudson, who gave an outline of Len’s personal history.

Len was born in Blackpool in 1931, at 40 Kimberley Avenue, the home of his parents, Thomas Stanley, affectionately known as Stan, and Doris Hellon. Len’s father was a policeman who served throughout his career in Blackpool, memorably as PC 111, regularly driving the Black Maria to Strangeways and Walton prisons.  Stan was a genuine man of firm but fair principles which ultimately led him to become a Freemason, and in 1962 a Past Master of Great Marton Lodge, all of which was to have a significant bearing on Len’s future life.  Len’s sister Jean was a nurse before her marriage to Marcus Hill, also a Past Master of Great Marton Lodge, who was present along with Marcus’ son and Len’s nephew Antony, now the Lodge’s Senior Warden, who later proposed the toast to Len at the festive board.

Len’s early education was at Roseacre Infants School before moving up to Highfield School. Some two years later he successfully took a newly introduced examination which at the age of 13, enabled him to go to the Blackpool Technical College, where he remained until leaving at the age of 15.

His first employment was with J B Leigh on Preston New Road where he entered into a seven-year apprenticeship.  National Service later beckoned with the RAF. He signed on for three years, principally he reasoned, because the pay would be better.  In the event this was a period of his life which he enjoyed immensely. He worked on airfields in the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Egypt, usually being involved in generating power and significantly purifying water from the notoriously obnoxious Sweetwater Canal.  Sweetwater was, of course, a contradiction in terms, for sweet it most certainly it was not. Downwind you could smell it from five miles away and clothes reeked for months afterwards.

After service with the RAF he returned to his former employer as a toolmaker. Over the years the company changed its direction a number of times from toolmakers to the manufacture of teeth and dental equipment, and then to slot machines and plastic cups.  Finally he left in 1961. If truth be told he was dismissed when it was learnt that he and two others were proposing to set up on their own engineering business. And so it was that the Blackpool Tool Company Limited was born where he specialised in press tools, injection moulding tools and other general engineering.  Intriguingly two of the partners invented a type of hydraulic wheelchair which might have brought him considerable fame and fortune except that it was by common consent some 20 years before its time.  For 25 years he continued to trade successfully until sadly there was another slump in 1986/7. The decision was then taken to sell off all of the machinery and close down.

However, he had another string to his bow. In 1976, some 10 years earlier, Len and his wife Brenda opened a Health Food shop in Highfield Road which having added in 1986 the Wool Shop next door he developed and ran successfully for nearly 30 years. Unfortunately problems with Brenda’s health finally influenced them to sell up in May 2005 and retire.

As a young man Len used regularly to attend dances at the Winter Gardens. It was there that Len met an attractive young lady called Brenda Taylor. They married on 7  March 1959 and lived very happily for more than 46 years until sadly she died in January 2006.  Their marriage was blessed with two children, John and Julie and he now has five grandchildren.

His retirement enabled him to spend more time in pursuit of his two principal hobbies, caravanning and decoupage. Decoupage is an art form at which he had become particularly skilled over the years. Sadly he was robbed of many of his most prized examples following a break in at home.

His father having been a Freemason and a Past Master of Great Marton Lodge, as indeed was his uncle John, it should comes as no surprise to learn that his father became his proposer into the Lodge. Len was initiated on 11 May 1959 by Frank Berry with Joe Sanderson and Stanley Lovatt as Senior and Junior Wardens. Len’s father acted as Senior Deacon.

In those days Great Marton was a large, vibrant and exciting lodge of which to be a member, with a long waiting list of candidates for admission. As a consequence Len found it easy to settle down in such a happy and rewarding atmosphere, particularly given that he was one of a long line of Lewises who became and are still members of the Lodge.

Len was installed into the Chair of Great Marton Lodge in February 1977 when 74 Brethren assembled at Adelaide Street to support him. In the absence of his father he was presented by his uncle John Hellon, who also delivered the address to him as Master.  His Ladies’ Evening was held at the Winter Gardens with an attendance of more than 240, as was so often the case in those days, complete with a whist drive in the afternoon and the then obligatory full English breakfast after midnight.

Along with his late wife Brenda, Len has been a great supporter of Lodge social functions. He will long be remembered for his recitations at Festive Boards, particularly of those made memorable by Stanley Holloway.  His service to Great Marton Lodge since his Mastership has been one of exemplary commitment. Significantly, after five years as Almoner from 1981 to 1986 he then served as Chaplain for nine years - 14 years in all. Len was first appointed to PPrAGDC and in 1998 promoted to PPrDGSuptWks.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson finally commented that over the years Len Hellon has proved himself to be a man of consummate integrity and commitment and wished him the very best of good health and happiness for many years to come. He concluded proceedings by offering him his warmest personal congratulations on achieving this wonderful milestone in his Masonic career.

Len Hellon (right) is pictured with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson and Graham Forsdyke (WM).

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Frank is the ‘epitome’ of a Freemason

Frank Austin Starkey has been described as the “epitome of a Freemason” by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd.

Dennis was speaking at “a very important event in the history of Academy Lodge” which was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Frank’s initiation.

Dennis said at the meeting in Warrington Masonic Hall: “I am honoured with the privilege of attending this Lodge today in order to attempt to pay just tribute to a man who in my opinion, and without any fear of contradiction, is the epitome of a Freemason.

“Such is the amount of involvement of Bro Frank Starkey in all aspects of Freemasonry I do not really know where to begin but I have solicited the help of the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree, RWBro Peter Connolly, who has kindly agreed to add his twopenny worth a little later.”

Frank Austin Starkey, who is 83, was born in Derby Road, Stockton Heath, which was at the time a general dealers shop owned and run by his parents Percy Maddock and Elizabeth Joyce Starkey.

His first job was as an apprentice in electrical engineering at Metro Vickers at Trafford Park, completing that apprenticeship in December 1947. He continued in employment with that company until 1953 and, mainly on day release and after studying part-time, gained a Higher National Certificate in electrical engineering, qualifying as a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers and obtaining Graduate Membership in 1952.

In 1953 he obtained a job with the Mersey Region of the British Electricity Authority as a draughtsman at Woolton in Liverpool. For the next 30 years he engrossed himself in many and varied jobs. Amongst these he was employed as a maintenance planning engineer at Bold Power Station, as a development planning engineer at Connahs Quay, on special investigations at Clarence Dock and Ince Power stations. It was during this period that he was made an associate member of Electrical Engineers as a Chartered Engineer and his final task was as the control engineer assisting in the decommissioning of Ince A power station.

Frank was initiated into St Austin Lodge 4335 in April 1949 and was installed as WM in 1965.

Frank held the office of secretary from 1982 until 1990 and then because of a dropping off in membership did his best to help the Lodge by being installed in the chair on no less than three occasions, but sadly to no avail because the Lodge, to his great disappointment, felt that there was no alternative but to surrender its Warrant. After some deliberation he decided to join Academy Lodge in 2005.

Being an old boy of the Masonic School it was not surprising that he joined Old Masonians West Lancashire Lodge 7702 in 1977 being installed as Worshipful Master in 1980. He was a founder of Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters 9057 and served that Lodge as its founding secretary until 1986

Frank joined Lathom Lodge 2229 in 1984 and during Bro Jack Forsyth’s year as Master, which ended last month, served as his Senior Warden.

His outstanding service was first recognised in 1980 by his appointment to the rank of PPrAGDC followed just one year later by promotion to PPrDGSuptofWrks. The Provincial meeting in October 1985 saw him further promotion to PPrJGW.

Frank was secretary of the Warrington Group of Lodges and Chapters from 1982 until 1991 and as the group vice-chairman for three years. He was promoted to Grand Rank of PAGDC in 1987 and promoted to his present rank of PJGD in 1999

Frank was exalted in the Chapter of Friendship 2963 in 1960 and installed as its First Principal in 1971 before serving as Scribe E for 11 years until 1984. Sadly this Chapter has surrendered its Warrant.  Frank was the founding First Principal of Old Masonians West Lancashire Chapter. He held the office of DC from 1983 for 10years.

His first Provincial appointment in the Royal Arch Province was that of PPrPGSoj in 1980, promoted to PPrGSN in 1983 and to the rank of PGStdB in Supreme Grand Chapter in 1991.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master said: “If I were to go into any detail at all of your very many achievements in the other degrees we would be here all night and I really do wish to give Bro Peter Connolly an opportunity to say what he thinks about you in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariners. Suffice it to say therefore that you have held, and in some cases still hold, active and high rank in: The Knights Templar; The Rose Croix; Order of the Secret Monitor; Red Cross of Constantine; Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees; Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters; The Worshipful Society of Free Masons (the operatives) and the Royal Order of Scotland.

Peter Connolly, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire, said the reason Frank had been so successful was his “phenomenal memory and accuracy”. He said that although Frank had not yet completed 50 years in Mark he “has certainly done 50 years worth of hard work”.

When Frank was appointed as Provincial Secretary there were 65 Mark Lodges and 24 RAMs. It is the largest Mark Province outside London and bigger than an average Craft Province. Frank served 18 years as Provincial Secretary, served four Mark Provincial Grand Masters and “survived” three Grand Secretaries

Dennis concluded by saying: “WM and Brethren, I don’t know about you but what I have said and what I have heard from Bro Peter leaves me quite exhausted. Neither of us could quite do sufficient justice to such a remarkable career in Freemasonry.”

Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell read out a commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master before it was presented to Frank by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

At the festive board Jack Forsyth paid tribute to an aspect of Frank’s life outside Freemasonry – his devotion to St Thomas’s Church in Stockton Heath. Frank had served for 12 years as Church Warden, is now deputy warden and acts as “cashier”.

Responding to the toast to his health Frank said he was “a glutton for punishment”. He also revealed that he had been given his middle name of Austin because his grandfather was a founder member of St Austin Lodge, the lodge into which Frank was eventually initiated.

Norman Prichard, the WM of Academy Lodge, presented Frank with a telephone system on behalf of members and a lapel badge showing that he had celebrated 60 years as a Freemason.

Frank Starkey is presented with his commemorative certificate by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd watched by some of the Grand and acting Provincial Grand Officers who attended the special celebration meeting.

WM Norman Pritchard pins on the special lapel badge watched by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Paul Hesketh..

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Rabbi celebrates golden jubilee

A Rabbi who comes from a long line of Rabbonim spanning 16 generations and more than 500 years has celebrated the golden jubilee of him becoming a Freemason.

There was a special meeting of the Lodge of Israel 1502 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the initiation into Freemasonry of Bro Rabbi Norman Zalud.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax presented Norman with a special commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master.

After accepting the gavel of the Lodge, Leon said that Norman had told him that his name was changed from Zaludkowski. Norman was born in Liverpool on 5 October 1932. His father Jacob was a cantor and minister. In fact, Norman is very proud of his roots because he comes from a long line of Rabbonim over 16 generations and going back some 500 years.

His mother, Enia, was, of course, the queen of the house and spent her time in his formative years looking after and educating Norman and his younger sister Ethel who was known as Eve. Both Norman and Eve attended the Holy Trinity Junior School in Southport. His secondary school was Quarry Bank Grammar School in Liverpool which John Lennon also attended but as he only arrived in 1952 Norman had already left and started on hisr journey towards his chosen vocation.

He left Quarry Bank at the age of 17 and went on to Jews College now known as the London School of Jewish Studies. His father tried very hard to dissuade him from following in his footsteps and tried to encourage him into a career in medicine. His mind though was made up and he started on what should have been a five-year course (which he completed in three years) studying Jewish and Philosophical Studies and chazanut (Jewish Liturgical Music). He also attended the Guildhall School of Music and studied operatic singing and piano.

Whilst at school he played tennis and such was his skill that he played for the school team and also took up and became proficient in table tennis. He started weight training whilst still at college and gained a northern area title in 1958 for the squat. The squat is often called "the king of exercises" by those who believe it capable of inducing more and faster muscle growth than any other exercise. Norman describes it as a deep knee bend whilst lifting 360lbs.

Norman often went to dances and would frequently be invited to sing romantic songs and would often accompany Cy Lawrie. On one occasion news of Norman’s extracurricular activities leaked to the Dean of the College. Norman was summoned before him and in no uncertain terms was made to choose between a career as a Rabbi or a professional entertainer.

On leaving Jews College, he applied for a position at Princes Road Synagogue in Liverpool but he was considered too young and inexperienced. Although disheartened he had no intention of returning to college. He persuaded his father to solicit the assistance of communal Rabbi Plitnik who was a personal friend of the then Chief Rabbi Brodie. Between those two great men it was agreed that he should try to gain some experience and was sent to a small community in Birkenhead but at the same time continuing his studies under various Rabbonim.

After a further three years he again presented himself to Rabbi Plitnik for examination. This time he was successful and was awarded the Chief Rabbis certificate as a minister and allowed to use the designation Reverend. It was as Rev Zalud that Leon Tax first got to know him. This distinction earned him the opportunity for an appointment to a much larger congregation. The Allerton Hebrew Congregation employed him as junior minister and cantor.

In 1961 his Uncle Hersh Morris, also a minister, who was serving South Manchester Hebrew Congregation suffered a heart attack and was unable to take part as planned at a wedding ceremony. Because Norman had a connection with the groom via his service to both Birkenhead and the Allerton congregations, he was invited to officiate alongside the Rev Carlebach.

Unrealised at the time, that event was to have a profound effect on his future career. It was at that simcha (wedding) that he met and became impressed by Rabbi Selvin Goldberg who will long be remembered for his work for and with the Manchester Congregation of British Jews. Two weeks after that meeting he was offered a position as junior minister with that congregation of 2,000 members.

Norman’s initial pleasure was dashed when his father expressed his disapproval. His mother fought his corner and persuaded Jacob to at least consider the matter. After an interval of three months Rabbi Goldberg was invited to meet with his parents and such was his charm that he convinced them to allow Norman to take up the post. Others though were not convinced as he discovered that his then part time employer King David School in Manchester for whom he taught Jewish Studies decided to cancel his contract. He started that employment at Jacksons Row in 1962 and for four years learned his trade alongside Selvin Goldberg.

In 1966 he was offered the appointment as minister to the Southport New Synagogue. He served there for 10 years before taking up post at the Liverpool Liberal Synagogue renamed Progressive in 1977 and further renamed the Liverpool Reform Synagogue in 2005.

During Norman’s tenure of 31 years he was extremely successful in building up the membership. During this time he assisted with many other activities. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master said that Norman been foster Rabbi to his own Blackpool Reform congregation for some 35 years and continues to serve his congregation for both pastoral and educational activities.

Norman ministers to the North Manchester Reform Synagogue and serves 12 different prisons as prison Chaplain. He is active as Chaplain to the Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade and frequently accompanies them at camp, rarely missing the annual camp. He is involved with and provides Bar Mitzvah classes for Delamere Forest School in Cheshire which provides education for special needs children from Jewish communities all over the country.

It was always Norman’s plan to complete his studies and to receive the accolade of his teachers, (the Jews call it semicha which translates as the laying on of hands), by earning the right to be styled as Rabbi. This he achieved by resuming studies at the Leo Baeck College. His thesis or dissertation on ‘The Jewish Prisoner from Ancient to Modern Times’ was received with acclamation by the rabbinic assembly.

Just a few weeks later he was ordained as Rabbi by Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein and Rabbi Neil Craft in Liverpool.

Norman has met the Queen on three separate occasions, at a Royal Garden Party, at the Jewish Museum in Manchester and on that very special occasion at St James Palace at the commencement of the 2002 Queen’s Baton Relay marking the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty when he was selected to hand on the baton.

Norman met his wife Barbara whilst serving at Jacksons Row where she was secretary for the junior membership. They were married in 1965 at that synagogue and had three children. Richard died in infancy at the age of two. Their other children are Harvey now 43 and David now 37. Leon Tax said: “Neither of them has followed you into Freemasonry, nor have they married or had families and sadly it seems for the present that neither is intent on extending the Zalud line of Rabbonim so that the 500-year tradition of serving the community seems at end.”

Norman was initiated into this Lodge of Israel No 1502 on 11 May 1959. His proposer was Bro Isaac Josephs and the proposition was seconded by Bro Rev Sam Wolfson

His vocation prevented him from making progress to the chair and along with the deteriorating health of his wife kept him away from lodge on numerous occasions. He become a joining member of Shalom Lodge No 7541 and Carmel Lodge No 7835 both meeting in Southport. He started to progress towards the chair and served all the offices as far as Junior Warden.

He enjoy the ritual and would often deliver the working tools and the charge after initiation. His skill as a vocalist was frequently utilised when he was called upon to sing the Master’s Song. In 1991 he joined Masada Lodge No 8638 and served that lodge for a time as chaplain. Masada Lodge subsequently amalgamated with the Lodge of Israel in 2002.

He frequently commuted from Liverpool to Southport in order to get to lodge, to practices and to committee meetings. The brethren aware of his entertaining skills frequently urged that he take his guitar with him.

Barbara’s health became a matter of even greater concern and after much heart searching made the decision to withdraw from progressing to Senior Warden, this despite the assurances of the brethren that they would support you by taking over many if not all of his duties in order to get him to and through the chair. Masada Lodge also approached him to take Senior Warden but his concern for Barbara and very heavy commitments to his ministry caused him to decline.

Leon Tax said: “Bro Norman Zalud on the day that you were made a mason, you were charged to be respectable in life, useful to mankind and an ornament to the society of which you were that day, made a member. Every brother present today is in no doubt that you have fulfilled those obligations and we join in congratulating you on attaining this wonderful achievement.

“Norman, for me it has been a tremendous privilege to research, write and deliver this brief history of the life and times of Norman Zalud. I am privileged to be able to consider you as a friend and as a mentor.”

There was a pleasant surprise for the Assistant Provincial Grand Master at the end of the meeting when a number of cheques were presented to him.

There was £500 for Help4Heroes; £300 for Liverpool Samaritans; £300 for the 2010 Festival; £200 for  Liverpool Masonic Hall; £250 for the Alzheimer’s Society and £250 Marie Curie. There was also a personal  cheque from Rabbi Zalud to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

Leon Tax remarked that he was very pleasantly surprised - and the event was not an Installation !

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax congratulates Rabbi Norman Zalud on the 50th anniversary of his initiation into Freemasonry.

Rabbi Norman Zalud with a few of the guests who attended the special meeting of the Lodge of Israel.

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Jack’s extraordinary service praised

The extraordinary contribution made by the Rev Jack Jermy as a teacher, headmaster, vicar and Freemason were praised at a special meeting to mark the golden jubilee of his initiation into Freemasonry.

A large number of brethren including the leaders of Masonic orders gathered in Chorley Masonic Hall to hear Assistant Provincial Grand Master Frank Wilkinson outline Jack’s career as a teacher, headmaster and vicar along with the “significant contribution to his lodge, to the Province and to so many different constituents of the Craft”.

It was almost impossible to list all of Jack’s Masonic achievements but on the menu card there was a summary of his “career”. In Craft, he was initiated in Astley Lodge No 6234 in 1959 serving as WM in 1974 and again in 1996. He appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain in 1978 and was made Past Assistant Grand Chaplain in 1984.

In the Royal Arch he was exalted into Perseverance Chapter No 155 in 1979 and served as its First Principal in 1983. He was appointed PPrGSN in Provincial Grand Chapter and in 1996 was made a PGStdB in Supreme Grand Chapter. From 1996 to 1999 he served as the Third Provincial Grand Principal.

Jack has had a long and distinguished association with the Mark Degree and The Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners. He served as Provincial Grand Chaplain from 1972 to 1977 and from 1978 to 1982 was Assistant Provincial Grand Master. In 1979 he received Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank and served as Assistant Grand Chapin in that year when he was also appointed to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. From 1980 to 1981 he served as Deputy Grand Chaplain and was Grand Chaplain from 1982 to 1984. He served as Deputy Provincial Grand Master from 1983 to 1987 and was Grand Master Overseer in 1996.

Jack was a founder member of five Rose Croix Chapters, a Member of the 32nd Degree and a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.

After military service Charles Jermy returned to Norfolk where he was a gamekeeper and eventually married Beatrice, who hailed from the neighbouring county of Suffolk. Shortly afterwards, he successfully applied for a job as a gamekeeper on the Wirral Estate of the Lord Leverhulme, who was an enthusiastic Freemason and became the Junior Grand Warden of England.

Jack was the youngest of their four boys.

After attending Thornton Hough Primary School, he passed the 11-plus for Wirral Grammar School. He  played rugby for the school and a regular fixture was against the Caldy Grange Grammar School and if they didn’t beat them 60 – 0, they had had a bad day. Later on in his Masonic life he had a lot of contact with Alan Fletcher Ferris, who was Provincial Grand Master from 1991 to 1990. He was an old boy of Caldy Grange and Jack apparently took great delight in reminding him of some of those scores.

Jack started work at Shell’s Stanlow oil refinery, where he trained as an accountant, but, this was curtailed when, in 1941 he joined the army. Having spent three years training to be an accountant the army, naturally, put him in the Dental Corps, where amongst many others, he X-rayed the teeth of Field Marshall Montgomery and Field Marshall the Lord Wavell.

After he was demobilised he took the decision that was to put him on course for what was to be a successful and fulfilling career and he entered teacher-training college. Three years later he began this career in a school at Bramford, in his mother’s home county of Suffolk.

By then he had married Eileen, whom he met in 1941 whilst doing his army dental training in Preston. She was a nurse at the Sharoe Green Hospital. His first teaching post in Suffolk lasted three years but he continually travelled to Lancashire to see Eileen’s father, who was seriously ill, so in 1953, he obtained a post at St. Saviour’s, where you stayed for three years. Whilst at St Saviour’s he taught his daughter Hilary. After three years at St Saviour’s he moved just up the road to St  John’s School in Whittle-le-Woods and, after just one year as a class teacher, his talents were recognised and rewarded with an appointment to headmaster.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master then said: “Regrettably, your period at St John’s, though mainly happy, was marred by the odd young hooligan. There was one particularly naughty boy who, despite having being warned that it was forbidden to recover footfalls that had been kicked from the playground onto the A6 road, would insist, if he thought you weren’t about, on nipping over the fence to get his ball back. One day you were about and you gave him a good slap across the backside. Paul Snape, for it was he, appears to have been put on the straight and narrow by you Jack, for which we are all most grateful.”

Later in the evening Paul Snape, who is now Vice-chairman of the Chorley Group, proposed the toast to Jack’s health.

After six years at Whittle-le-Woods he became the headmaster of St Simon and St Jude’s School in Bolton. He had a hand in the design of this new school, where he was head for 16 years and, it was whilst at St Simon and St Jude’s that he made another life-changing decision and decided to undertake Ordination training. With help from his employers he managed to combine his role as headmaster with that of student. He  undertook training at Whalley Abbey and at Ripon College at Cuddeston, just outside Oxford, which trains men, and now women for ordination in the Church of England.

Jack was ordained in 1965 and the very next Sunday took Holy Communion at the Holy Trinity Church in Bolton. He officiated for nearly a year at Holy Trinity and then spent a few years at Euxton Parish Church until, in 1974, he accepted an invitation to become the Vicar of Rivington Parish Church. Until then, and for the first few years at Rivington, Jack was still the headmaster of a school and his religious duties were done in addition to his full-time and demanding profession.

Jack spent a very happy 25 years as the Curate-in-Charge of Rivington Parish Church.

Jack was happily married to Eileen for almost 47 and, for the first 19 years of his service at Rivington Church, she was organist until she died in 1993. They had one daughter, Hilary, and Jack now has two grand-children. Karen is a quantity surveyor and Mark is a police officer in Wigan and he and his wife presented him with two grand children, Abigail and Freya.

Mark’s father, Ken Ryding, is Ken Ryding PPrJGW. As well as being an East Lancashire Mason with his roots in the Lodge of Antiquity in Bolton, he recently joined the Lodge of Antiquity at Horwich. Ken went into the chair of the Horwich-based Lodge of Antiquity in January.

Although Ken was taken into hospital three days before the special meeting with heart problems  he was discharged in the afternoon and was able to attend the meeting.

The lodge secretary read out the minutes of the meeting when Jack was initiated into Astley Lodge.

Frank Wilkinson said: “There are many very distinguished brethren present this evening, all of whom have come to pay tribute to you Jack. I can’t name them all but, starting with the Royal Arch, we have WBro Brian Jackson, a Past Deputy Grand Superintendent and WBro Alan Byers, who has recently retired from many years as an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals.

“You are a member of the Ancient and Accepted Rite, more commonly know as Rose Croix, where you are extremely senior, being a member of the thirty-second degree and a founder member of five Rose Croix Chapters.

“I’m sure that you’re as pleased as I am to see your friend and mine, WBro David Mills, who is the Inspector General for the District of South West Lancashire.

“Brethren, this evening’s celebration is about Bro Jermy’s 50 years as a member of Craft Freemasonry, but I really cannot ignore his contribution to yet another Order and one in which he has, without a doubt, made his most significant contribution, and of course, I refer to his membership of Mark Masonry.

“The regard in which you are held in the Mark Degree is exemplified by the fact that you have been granted honorary membership of no fewer than 10 Mark Lodges, and by the fact that we have with us today, from the Mark Degree, the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro. Peter Connolly, who is accompanied by his Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro. Tony Harrison and one of his Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, WBro Danny Jones, as well as others from the Great and Good of that Order.”

Also present at the meeting was the Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev Graham Halsall who is the Vicar of St Saviour’s in Bamber Bridge, which is where Jack first started teaching in Lancashire.

Bro. Jermy, this is the eighth celebration that I’ve done since my first in November last year and I’ve had the pleasure of researching the careers of some very dedicated and assiduous Freemasons, one of whom, W. Bro. Bill Ward, is in this room.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master concluded by saying to Jack: “Your entire life has been an example of what makes a good citizen, a good husband, and a good parent. You’ve been an educator of our children, a dedicated servant of the Church, and, above all, in the context of this evening, an excellent Freemason who has always been a fine ambassador for the Craft, and it now affords me great pleasure to ask W.Bro John Robson, the Chairman of the Chorley and District Group of Lodges, to read to you a certificate, which is an acknowledgement of the Province of West Lancashire’s great appreciation of your half a century of service to the Craft.”

At the social board Paul Snape said it was every schoolboy’s dream to be able to stand up and talk about his headmaster. He recalled the days when he attended “Jack’s Academy” and said he had been “a guide, mentor and good example”. In proposing the toast to Jack’s health he said that the large attendance show the “high esteem” in which he is held.

The Worshipful Master presented Jack with a DVD player from members of Astley Lodge.

The Rev Jack Jermy is pictured with Assistant Provincial Grand Master and some of the many Brethren who attended his 50th anniversary celebration.

The Rev Jack Jermy shows his commemorative certificate to Ken Riding.

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Ernest’s diamond jubilee

Pilgrim Lodge No 6207 marked a great anniversary for a respected and well loved Brother, Ernest Stanworth Cotton, when he celebrated 60 years as a Freemason. At the celebration, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, John V Moore took the Chair and addressed Ernest. 

John, thanked Ernest for his service to his country, community, family and to Freemasonry.

Ernest was proposed as a candidate for initiation into Pilgrim Lodge on 22 April 1949 by George Edward Alexander Machonacie and seconded by the Senior Warden James Keeble both of whom were founder members of the Lodge.

He was balloted for and initiated on the 20 May 1949 which was also his 21st birthday by the Worshipful Master Norman Hope Marshall who was also a founder member of the Lodge.  This date was arranged by the founders at the express wish of his father, who was also a founder, but had unfortunately died 12 months earlier.

Together with Peter Hargraves he was passed on 21 October 1949 and raised on 17 February 1950 by the Worshipful Master James Keeble.  This was the last but one meeting held at the Kings Arms Hotel prior to the move to the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Ormskirk.

Ernest was born on the 20 May 1928 at 125 Southport Road, Scarisbrick which after the boundaries were changed in 1934 became Ormskirk.  He attended school at Derby Street Infant School (now Stokers Furniture) going on to Aughton Street Boys’ School and Wigan Road Boys’ School (The Ormskirk School) where he won a scholarship to Wigan Technical College. He went on to the Liverpool City College of Technology and successfully gained a Higher National Certificate in Engineering (with Steam Endorsement)

On leaving school he joined the family engineering business, his father being extremely ill, and when his father passed away he carried on this business until his retirement in 1985.

As with many young people in the 1950’s Ernest enjoyed ballroom dancing but he took it very seriously, entering competitions.  During this time he met Joyce who not only became his girlfriend but also his dancing partner and they had many happy successes winning the North of England Novice Trophy and many others prizes

Joyce and Ernest were married on 21 February 1959 and on 6 July 1964 they had a son Ian Mark who was also for a time was a member of Pilgrim Lodge.

Unfortunately in later years Joyce developed leukaemia and after several years struggle against the disease finally succumbed 15 years ago.

During the period 1962 to 1965 he served as councillor for the Aughton Ward of the District of Ormskirk, was a governor of St Bede’s School and a committee member of the Ormskirk Young Peoples’ Club.

Ernest has always been an active member of the Lodge becoming a steward after his raising and working his way up the ladder until he became Worshipful Master in 1962. He was installed by Peter Hargraves with whom he had been passed in 1949.

After carrying out his duties as Immediate Past Master he briefly became almoner in March 1967 before taking over the duties of secretary in April 1967. He remained secretary until 1985 when he again became Senior Warden and was installed for a second time as Worshipful Master in 1986.

In 1992 he became the charity steward of the Lodge a position he held until 1999. During the time Ernest held the position of secretary he was also the Lodge’s group representative and Masonic Hall representative.

He was given his first Provincial Honour in 1978 as the Senior Deacon for the Province of West Lancashire.  He was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1987.

In 2006 he was again installed as Worshipful Master and remained for a further 12 months in 2007 making a total of four years as Worshipful Master.

A Royal Arch Mason, he was exalted into Stanley of Bickerstaffe Chapter 3511 in November 1962, became first Principal in 1979 and was DC from 1982 until 1997.  He became Third Principal again in 1999 progressing through the Principals’ Chairs.  He was given Provincial Honours in 1987 as Past Provincial Grand Sojourner and promoted to Past Provincial Scribe Nehamia.

Ernest is also a member on many other orders in Freemasonry being a Provincial Officer in the Mark Degree, Red Cross and was an acting Provincial Officer in the Secret Monitor.  He was also Recorder of his Rose Croix Chapter. 

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Louis misses his big night

Illness forced Albert Louis Lunn to miss what should have been one of the highlights of his time as a Royal Arch Freemason.

Although he now lives in Yorkshire he is an honorary member of the Gilbert Greenall Chapter No 1250 in Warrington and a special meeting was arranged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his exaltation.

Unfortunately only a short time before the meeting was due to be held Louis had to say that he was not fit enough to make the journey.

John Hutton, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, decided that the special meeting should still go ahead so that he could pay tribute in Chapter to a man with a “remarkable track record”.

The commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Superintendent which should have been presented to Louis was given for safe keeping to Chris Gleave, First Principal of Gilbert Greenall Chapter. Arrangements will be made to present the certificate to Louis in Yorkshire.

Louis was born in 1916, in Rothwell, which is part of Leeds. In 1927 he won a scholarship to the City of Leeds School and matriculated in 1932 with distinctions in French and German and went on to obtain a scholarship to attend Leeds University to read Modem Languages. Unfortunately after his father’s death in 1932, Louis’s mother insisted he obtained work to support the family and he obtained work as an apprentice salesman with Montague Burton the Tailors in a Leeds.  That was the start of a career which saw Louis later open his own shop and expand the business into several towns after moving to Warrington.

His tailoring was interrupted by the Second World War, when he was called up for the army. Louis’s army service  began in 1940 with the King's Own Royal Regiment and he was quickly promoted to Lance Corporal and embarked on his five year grand tour of the North African Deserts. His organisational skills were quickly recognised and he gained promotion rapidly.  From Lance Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain to eventuallyto  Major.  Along the way he served as the Adjutant of the Ethiopian Training Centre before returning to England for de-mob.  He was awarded Certificate of Meritorious Service.

Along the way he learnt to speak several languages including Amharic (Ethiopian).

Returning to Civvy Street in July 1946 he resumed again as manager at Montague Burton's branch in Warrington.  Shortly after in December 1946 he left Montague Burton to open his own tailor's shop in Warrington.  Business grew and in January 1951 Louis formed "Lunn the Tailor Ltd." and began building a small group of tailors and outfitters shops – two in Warrington  and others in Northwich, Chester, St Helens, Widnes and Kirby.

In the space of 10 days Louis’s family was struck by tragedy. One week after he and his wife Mary celebrated their golden wedding anniversary she died of a heart attack Three days later Louis’s son Peter was found dead in bed, also of a heart attack.

After retiring to Hunmanby, Yorkshire he married his late brother James's widow Evelyn - his first wife's best friend.  Sadly in October of 2000 Evelyn died of leukaemia.

John Hutton told the meeting of Louis’s work in the community which he said was “truly a Masonic spirit and an example to us all”.

Following his initiation into Widnes Lodge No 2819 in 1958 Louis has been actively involved in several lodges and has served as Master, secretary and DC in some of them including Widnes Lodge, Gilbert Greenall Lodge. Warrington Temple Lodge No 6420, Settantia Lodge of Installed Masters and Lathom Provincial Officers’ Lodge

His service to the Province was marked in June 1976 by elevation into Provincial Grand Lodge as Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon and in 1986 began lecturing on Craft history.

In the Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings Louis is a member of Portus Felix Lodge No 6712, Inquirimus Lodge of Installed Masters No 8132 and Royal Lodge No 643.  In 1995 he was appointed Past Provincial Grand Registrar and this was  followed in 2000 with promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

In 2005 Louis was awarded the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Service to Masonry at Provincial Grand Lodge.  This is the highest honour that can be awarded in this Province of 4,000 Masons.  Only 11 masons have received this Certificate in the past 20 years.

Louis was exalted in Equity Chapter No 1384 at Widnes but most of his Royal Arch masonry has been confined to Warrington and Gilbert Greenall Chapter and Travellers Chapter No 4679 where he was a founding Scribe Ezra.  He was first principal of 1250 in 1973 before serving as Scribe E for 12 years.

He was appointed Past Principal Grand Sojourner in 1981 and this was followed with promotion to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1984.

He began lecturing in Royal Arch Masonry in 1986 and was elected as Honorary Member of 1250 in 1995

Joined Royal Chapter 643 in Filey Yorkshire in 1989 and quickly progressed to Scribe Ezra, and was appointed Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1995.  He is presently Almoner of Royal Chapter.

John Hutton presents Louis Lunn’s commemorative certificate to First Principal of Gilbert Greenall Chapter Chris Gleave watched by Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell.

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Ken was destined to be a Freemason

Ken Higginbotham celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry at a meeting of Fallowfield Lodge No 3693 at Urmston Masonic Hall in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Stanley Oldfield.

Ken was born on 9 March 1926 and it appears that he was always destined to become a Freemason as his mother was the niece of two founder members of Fallowfield Lodge. He went to school at St Paul’s in Withington and later to Burnage High School, leaving at the age of 16 when he became an apprentice electrician.

In 1944 at the age of 18, Ken joined the Royal Navy and served on escort vessels on North Atlantic convoys throughout the war, and then on minesweepers until his discharge. He maintained links with the Royal Navy as Vice President of the Stockport White Ensign Association.

Ken returned to his training to complete his apprenticeship and on completion of that training he joined one of the largest electrical contracting companies in the country. He became the engineer in charge of electrical installation work on several large sites both in the UK and overseas in Iran, Sudan and West Africa. On his return from West Africa he was further promoted to site services manager responsible for personnel, plant and safety equipment. During this time Ken became the Chairman of the Manchester Branch of the Electrical Contractors’ Association.

In 1987, at the age of 61, he was made redundant but this lasted only for one week because he was quickly snapped up by the Construction Industry Training Board and worked for a further five years.

Ken has already celebrated one golden jubilee because he has now been married to Margaret for 53 years and they have three sons and six grandchildren.

Ken’s Masonic career began in East Lancashire on 21 April 1959 when he was initiated into Halcyon Lodge No 5300, eventually becoming the Master of that Lodge in 1975, and he is one of a privileged band of brothers who has initiated his son into our Order, which he did in 1988 with his son Simon.  He held several offices in his former Lodge, one of being secretary for five years and on joining this Lodge in 1997 it was only a matter of  months before he was appointed as secretary again, a position that he has held for the past 12 years.

Provincial honours came in East Lancashire in 1987 followed by promotion to the rank of PPrJGD in 1992, and appointment to the same rank in this Province in 2002. Ken is a member of Chorlton Chapter No 1387 and holds the high rank of PPrGSN in recognition of his 28 years as Scribe E.

Stanley Oldfield concluded by saying that Ken had gained the respect of everyone who knew him and that it was a privilege to be with him on this very special occasion.

Ken in his garden in Cheadle wearing the 50 Year pin presented to him by the brethren of Fallowfield Lodge.

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Golden celebration in Harry’s home

Harry Fairy, PPrJGW, celebrated 50 years of Freemasonry with North Fylde Group Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson and group chairman Jack Coates who had made the trip to Harry’s home in Cleveleys to mark the milestone event.

Harry, who is 93 years young, was not well enough to go along to his mother lodge, Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540, and so Terry and Jack, together with lodge almoner Frank Westhead, made sure the golden anniversary did not go untoasted by taking the celebrations to him.

Terry passed on the good wishes of the Provincial Grand Master and presented Harry with a certificate to commemorate his long service to Masonry as Jack, Frank and Harry’s wife Kathleen drank a toast to his health. Cleveleys Park Lodge made a gift of a carriage clock and specially engraved plaque to mark the occasion.

Harry has the unique claim to fame that he was the first initiate of the lodge to become WM since it was consecrated in 1958. He became WM in 1969. Harry also enjoys his Chapter Freemasonry and is a PPrGSN and an honorary member of Thornton Cleveleys Chapter. He is also a Past Principal of Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals.

Over the years at Cleveleys Park Lodge, amongst other jobs, he has been secretary and treasurer and was involved in helping to manage West Drive, Cleveleys, Masonic Hall. His son Edwin and his grandson have followed in his footsteps by becoming Masons in Cheshire.  Wife Kathleen is delighted to add to the story that she and Harry have been married for 71 years - and three months! They have two daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Harry is a local man who was educated at Baines Grammar School and who joined Brown and Jackson of Fleetwood as a quantity surveyor after leaving the army at the end of the war. He saw active service in the army in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Harry was so taken with Taormina in Sicily that he and Kathleen have holidayed there several times over the years.

Harry spent a very pleasant morning reminiscing about the good old days.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson presents Harry Fairy with his commemorative certificate.

Celebration time in Harry’s home

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Arthur is a “remarkable man”

Arthur Cowan was described as a “remarkable man” when he celebrated the diamond jubilee of his becoming a Freemason at a meeting of the Lodge of Israel No 1502.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield said Arthur was a remarkbable man who had seen so many aspects of life including being involved in the D-Day landings when he “served his country well”.

Born on 27 April 1917 in Liverpool Arthur joined his father’s tailoring business in Waterloo after leaving school and by 1938 father had opened another Branch in Moor Lane, Crosby where he became the manager.

This appointment however proved to be short lived because in September 1939 the Second World War broke out and he immediately registered for enlistment in His Majesty’s Services. And Shortly after that there were problems with the British Expeditionary Force resulting the evacuation from Dunkirk in early 1940 and in  order to build up sufficient forces for a return to Europe he was called up in the Spring of that year. He said Arthur had served the community in Crosby and Formby as well as devoting service to the Crosby Synagogue. Arthur had also served his lodge “extremely well” and gained the respect of everyone who has known him.

The country suffered through the Blitz at that time and Arthur was posted to Dover as part of a new company to repel an expected German invasion. In that short space of time he was promoted to Corporal and when the imminent invasion did not take place was moved around the South Coast of England as the long build up for D Day landings was being planned.

By this time he had been promoted to sergeant and on the Morning of D-Day, 6 June 1944, Arthur, together with other soldiers of hisr unit  sailed to Arramanches taking with them the famous Mulberry Harbour, part of which  remains there to this day.

In the 100 days following D-Day this harbour was used to land more than 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles and 4 million tons of supplies.

On returning to civilian life Arthur went back to the family business of tailoring and menswear in Crosby until he retired at the age of 78 years of which 64 had been spent working. Arthur still lives in Crosby with his wife, Jacqueline.

A very active member of the Crosby Synagogue Arthur first became secretary and then treasurer before he became president, an office which he held for 20 years.

He was one of 600 members of the Crosby Chamber of Trade where he was again elected as president and after two years you became the rresident of the newly formed Formby Chamber of Trade

Arthur became a Freemason on 25 April 1949 having had to wait for three years because of men waiting to join and then a further three years before he was made a Master Mason. Although Arthur did not become Master of the Lodge he served it extremely well being a steward for 20 years and assisting in the other offices when asked. In 2005 he was appointed to the rank of PPrAGStdB in recognition of what he had done for his lodge.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented Arthur with a commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master.

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Bill is ‘one of the old school’

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd paid tribute to “one of the old school” who has done so much to keep his lodge going.

He was speaking at the special meeting of Newton Lodge No 6288 to celebrate the golden jubilee of the initiation of William Cartridge.

He said: “In recent years there has been a lot said by the Provincial Grand Masters, Deputy Provincial Grand Masters and my colleague Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, past and present, of the worrying decline in the number of suitable young men we are able to attract into Freemasonry.

Your Lodge, Worshipful Master has suffered more than most lodges in that candidates have been few and far between. Fortunately there appears to be a slight increase in the number of initiations over the last year or two so let us hope that this agreeable trend will continue and that in the near future, this the Newton Lodge will be able to attract men of the right quality.

Just as an aside Brethren, but I am confident that this will not apply to this Lodge which has amongst its members Brethren of vast experience, I sometimes worry that some Lodges show their desperation at the lack of candidates by agreeing to admit into Freemasonry someone who in healthier times might not have been able to pass the initial interview with the Lodge committee.

However, once we are fortunate enough to have a suitable candidate who we proceed to initiate, then the next task is to retain him. This is where the Mentoring Programme should come into its own by looking after our new members and making them feel welcome amongst us. They are the life blood of the future of Freemasonry. They are the future Masters of our Lodges, future secretaries, future DCs, future Provincial Grand Officers, future Grand Officers, and, yes future Assistant Provincial, Deputy and even Provincial Grand Masters of this Province

“You might well wonder Brethren why I have chosen to mention this particular point on this particular occasion. The answer is simple. We are here this evening to pause and to put aside any concerns which this lodge may have about the future in order to pay tribute and to honour one of the old school who has done so much to keep this Lodge going in recent years and devoted so much more to Freemasonry in general than he ever thought he would, in return, receive from it. But Brethren, I hasten to suggest, that the Brother we are here to honour tonight did not give a moments thought of that concept for the simple reason that he has enjoyed every moment of his membership without wondering what honours might come his way.”

Born in Golborne, Bill Cartridge was described by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master as a man who is “certainly wearing well for someone looking forward to his 90th birthday in less than six months time”.

He obtained a Higher National Certificate in engineering at Newton Technical College which lead to an apprenticeship with Naylor Brothers Construction Engineers. He then spent the next 30 years with Macdonald General Engineers in Haydock until this firm went into receivership.  The receivers, however, retained his services for a further 18 months, on the completion of which he returned to Naylor Brothers taking on the role of plant manager. When the site was taken over by Unit Pallets he took the job of stock controller retiring from there at the age of 66 in 1985.

Bill served as a voluntary member of the Home Guard and wascalled up for service at the beginning of the Second World War and posted to Davenport Dockyard. Almost as soon he arrived he was sent back on the grounds that he was in a reserved occupation and was transferred to the Cammell Lairds Shipbuidling Yards at Birkenhead.

On 12 June Bill and his wife Freda will be celebrating the 66th anniversary of their marriage with daughter Eileen, grandchildren and two great-granddaughters

Bill was initiated into Freemasonry exactly 50 years ago to the day of the celebration. He was WM in 1971. As Immediate Past Master he immediately accepted office as Almoner.

He has served the lodge as ADC, DC and Chaplain. Only last month yet again he was appointed Chaplain for the 25th time.

His first Provincial rank was that of PPrJGD and he was further rewarded in 1991 by with promotion to his present rank of PPrJGW. He is also a member of other Masonic orders.

Dennis Rudd said: “Bro Bill, you have led a full and active life with your family, in your business life, your work within the community with your church and in your Freemasonry and you are a wonderful example to us all. I am sure I speak on behalf of all those present this evening and indeed on behalf of those many friends, work colleagues, fellow church goers and Masonic brethren whose lives you have touched in so many ways and for so many years, when I say thank you and express the sincere wish that you will continue to do so for many years to come.”

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master then presented Bill with a commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master.

Bill Cartridge is presented with his commemorative certificate by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd watched by Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell and Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Higham.

The toast to Bill’s health at the festive board was proposed by David Whitmore who also presented him with a bottle of whisky watched by the WM of Newton Lodge, Geoff Bond.

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Celebration time for Stanley

Stanley Power, who has acted as tyler and janitor for many lodges and chapters, has celebrated the golden jubilee of being exalted into the Royal Arch.

The celebration took place at a meeting of Grassendale Chapter No 4808 at Woolton Golf Club.

Stanley was born on 22 July,1927 the son of Thomas and Gladys Power, in Bootle.

At the age of five with his parents having moved to moved to Anfield he went to Holy Trinity, C of E School Walton Breck. In June 1935, his parents moved to Clubmoor and Stanley’s education was transferred to Roscoe Balantyne Road for three years and Roscoe Garsfield Road for three years.

He left school at the age of 14 after the infamous "May Blitz". He had started work in the office of Walker Cain Ltd eight days before his 14th birthday with the full blessing of the school authorities. Stanley worked with the same company for 49 years. Two of those years were, of course, spent in National Service in the Royal Navy.

Stanley was initiated in Grassendale Lodge No 4808 in 1956 and celebrate his golden anniversary in lodge in 2006. He served as WM in 1994 and for the second in 2006. He was a Founder Member of the now amalgamated Mossley Hill Lodge. He was appointed Tyler of Imperial Lodge No 2711 and was later asked if he would take on the office of secretary from which he took a break when invited to be WM again. Imperial amalgamated with Sefton Lodge in order to be known as Imperial Sefton No 680. He became a member of Liverpool Mercantile Lodge No 4319 and joined that select band with feet in both camps, dangerous when boules and croquet are mentioned in the same breath.

A very signal honour was accorded to him when he became an Honorary Member of St George's Lodge of Harmony No 32.

Stanley was exalted in Grassendale Chapter in April 1959. He was appointed Scribe E in 1993, an office he held until 2007 when Tony Hynes took over. He joined Tracery Chapter and went through the Three Chairs twice. Tracery Chapter has gone out of existence and he is now a member of Sefton Chapter No 680.

Stanley is also in several other Masonic degrees.

Stanley lost his wife Blanche in 1991 after 35 years of marriage.  They had one daughter, Janet who is the proud mother of Camilla aged 20 and Lauren aged 18 years. 

Stanley Power is pictured receiving his commemorative certificate from Past Provincial Third Grand Principal the Rev Kenneth Cox watched by Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes and vice-chairman David Hilliard.

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Lodge marks Edwin’s golden jubilee

Edwin Crook has celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry and as a member of Old Worden Lodge.

This is a significant achievement for any Freemason and the lodge members decided that they could not let this milestone pass without due recognition. 

Three senior lodge members visited Edwin at his home to present him with an engraved cut glass bowl on behalf of the lodge.

Edwin has served Old Worden Lodge well over the years. He was Worshipful Master in 1974-75 and has also occupied the office of lodge treasurer.

Edwin very much enjoyed the visit and presentation and requested that his thanks be passed on to all the brethren of the lodge.

Pictured with Edwin Crook are Ken Potter and Bryan Holmes.

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Harry’s diamond jubilee

Harry Lundberg who is an honorary member of Excelsior Lodge No 3580 has celebrated the diamond jubilee of his initiation.

 Harry was born in Liverpool on 6 July 1920 and lived in the Breeze Hill area. He attended Arnot School on County Road, Walton, and it was here he first met Fred Jones who he subsequently went through his school days with whom he is still very friendly.

He went on to study at Old Swan Technical College and then went to work at ATM (Automatic Telephones) where he became an Automatic Telephone Equipment Inspector in 1937.

During the war he served in the RAF where he was an instrument repairer. He worked mainly on Hurricanes, Gladiators and Lysanders. He saw overseas service in the Sudan, Far East, North Africa, Italy and Italy.

Harry returned to the telephone company but his travelling did not stop for he went on to work in Canada, Brazil and India.

Harry was initiated into Stanley Priory Lodge No 6741 on 12 February 1949, at the age of 28.  He was the third candidate to join the Lodge as it was only founded on 8 October 1948. Also initiated on the same day was John (Jack) Ramsey who was at the time a serving Army Major. He became WM in 1960.  He served the lodge as chaplain, DC and treasurer between 1963 and 1984. His first Provincial rank, PPrSGD came in 1975 and he was promoted to PPrJGW in 1987.

Harry joined the Royal Arch Mariners Chapter No 249 in 1955 and was First Principal in 1967. He holds the rank of PPrGSN. He is also a member of several other Masonic degrees.

Harry is a widower and he has one daughter.  He lost his wife in May 1983, after a long illness and prior to his 50th anniversary in Masonry in 1999.

Stanley Priory surrendered its warrant in 2004 and the majority of the members joined Excelsior Lodge No 3580.  On 7 January 2005 Harry was balloted for honorary membership of the lodge, which was approved unanimously.

Harry has been in regular attendance only being inhibited by falling and breaking his hip in January 2008. He has since had problems with his health but always makes an effort to attend Lodge whenever he can.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones congratulates Harry Lundberg on his diamond jubilee watched by Syd Ford.

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Tony celebrates golden jubilee

The Widnes Group of Chapters joined with Tony Tallon at Widnes Chapter No 2819 in celebrating the golden jubilee of his membership of the Chapter.

The Chapter was joined in its celebrations by the Third Provincial Grand Principal, the Rev Harry E Ross, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John C Hutton  and some 60 other Companions.  The Chapter presented Tony with a cut glass vase to celebrate the occasion and in addition he received other gifts from the Widnes Group and the Chapter.

Exalted on 17 March 1959, Tony became MEZ in May 1978. Tony has also served the Chapter as its Charity Representative for more than 20 years and still continues to do so. Tony is well known and respected within the Widnes Group as its past group chairman and a member of many other Masonic orders that meet at the hall. Indeed, next year Tony will celebrate 50 years as a member of the Wilbraham Mark Lodge of Mark Masons. Tony obviously likes parties. A wonderful night was had by all those attending and everyone wished Tony many more years to enjoy his Freemasonry and we look forward to his 60 year celebration.

Pictured, left to right, are: Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Kevin Poynton, Alan Locke, Alan Griffiths, the Rev Harry Ross, Tony Tallon, John Hutton and David Redhead.

Provincial Grand Third Principal the Rev Harry E Ross congratulates Tony Tallon on his golden jubilee.

Widnes Group Chairman David Redhead congratulates Tony Tallon.

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An achievement worth celebrating

Jeffrey Child celebrated 60 years in Freemasonry at the Blackpool Lodge of Sincerity No 4175 in Blackpool.

Terry Hudson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, commented that 60 years of Masonic service is an achievement well worth celebrating and was delighted to see such good numbers present to share that view. He then outlined Jeff’s history.

Jeffrey Child was born in Dewsbury in May 1915, the only child of Harry and Clara Childs. In partnership with his brother Tom, his father ran a successful business as a brush manufacturer. Tragically he died of tuberculosis at the very young age of 40, when Jeff was just nine-years-old.  Following his father’s death there was an offer from his father’s uncle and wife to take him in. They lived in Blackpool and owned a fish and chip shop. Jeff well remembers that in those days, 80 years ago mind, he was able to sell a liberal portion of fish, chips, peas, bread and butter and a pot of tea for a shilling, which equates to just 5p now!

Jeff went to Revoe Junior School before gaining a scholarship to Palatine High School where he enjoyed the sporting activities rather more than the scholastic. He excelled at football and was invited for trials with Blackburn Rovers, before being approached by Blackpool, for whom he signed amateur forms in 1935, the year Joe Smith became manager. He regularly played for both the Blackpool A team and Blackpool Reserves before an injury at Bury ended his football career. Notably he is now Blackpool’s oldest surviving former player.

On leaving school he became an apprentice joiner with a builder. He went to night school at the old Blackpool Grammar School and in 1936 obtained a First Class City and Guilds Certificate in carpentry and joinery before being promoted to foreman joiner.   In 1938 he sustained a serious injury when he fell 26 feet from the roof of a hotel, badly breaking his left foot, which cut short any ambitions of joining the forces in the following year, given the outbreak of the Second World War.  During the war he was engaged in building construction work on air raid shelters, gun positions and converting old mills and holiday camps into barracks. In 1955 he became a Housing Repair Officer for Blackpool Borough Council where he remained until he retired in 1979.

He also served as a school governor for 20 years, first at Claremont Junior School, until its closure in 1969, and then at Warbreck High School, now known as Beacon Hill, which succeeded it.

As a young man he regularly attended dances at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and it was there that he met his future wife Margaret Ann Singleton.  He married her and lived happily for over 62 years until, sadly, she passed away in February 2003.  He has a son Stuart, a Past Master of Sincerity Lodge and who retains many happy memories of his early life with his father. His favourite reminiscence was when, on a visit to Worcester Cathedral in the early 50’s, a man in strange trousers engaged Jeff in conversation in the grounds before offering to guide him round the Cathedral. After the short tour Jeff commented that he seemed very knowledgeable of the place and did he work there? - to which the man replied that he supposed he did really, but then again, he was the Bishop.

His interest in Freemasonry was stimulated by Alfred Mills Radcliffe, his next door neighbour who became his proposer into Sincerity Lodge, his seconder being Harold Roebuck. Jeff was initiated on the 9 March 1949.

In those days the Blackpool Lodge of Sincerity was a large and exciting lodge of which to be a member, with a long waiting list for admission, where there were never less than 10 stewards at any one time and where the ambiance of the meetings seemed never to be less than wonderfully vibrant. As a consequence Jeff found it easy to settle down in such a happy atmosphere.

He has so many fond memories of his years in Sincerity Lodge. Pivotal are those of the Blackpool and England footballing legend, Stan Mortensen, who became a member of the lodge. Members from that period of the lodge’s history will remember when Blackpool won the FA Cup in 1953, and the occasion when Stan brought the actual FA Cup to the festive board when memorably, the Worshipful Master, Leonard Jones, bought three bottles of champagne and filled the cup with them so that every brother could have a drink out of it.

Jeff served all of the offices in the Lodge until on 13 November 1963, he was Installed into the chair of Sincerity Lodge by Alec Shuttleworth. It was particularly pleasing to him that his proposer, Alf Radcliffe was able both to present him and also to deliver the Address to him as Master.  Jeff recalls a very busy year with his performing two initiations and three raisings under a very exacting Director of Ceremonies in Harry Cookson, He enjoyed his year immensely making many visits.  His Ladies’ Evening was held at the Imperial Hotel with an attendance of more than 240, as was so often the case in those days, complete with the then obligatory full English breakfast after midnight.

His service to Sincerity Lodge since his Mastership has been one of commitment. He served the lodge as Charity Steward for 10 years from 1976 to 1986 and as Group Representative for eight years from 1998 to 1996. In 1974 Jeff was appointed to the rank of PPrJGD and in 1983 was promoted to PPrJGW.  Furthermore when the lodge formed its own Royal Arch Chapter in 1988, Jeff and his son Stuart were the first two candidates for exaltation at the first regular meeting in the January of that year.

Terry Hudson concluded by saying that over the years Jeffrey Child has proved himself to be a man of consummate integrity and commitment and wished him the very best of good health and happiness for many years to come.

Pictured are Terry Hudson, Jeff Child, Stuart Child and Trevor Eaton-Dykes (WM).

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Richie celebrates 70th anniversary

Ten years ago Assistant Provincial Grand Master T Norman Hunt was at Richie McKay’s 60th anniversary celebration of becoming a Freemason and expressed the hope that Richie would continue in good health and was able to enjoy the 70th anniversary of his initiation.

That hope became a reality when Assistant Provincial Grand Master John V Moore took the Chair to celebrate Richie’s platinum anniversary in Maghull Lodge No 7190 at Park Hall, Ormskirk.

John Moore reminded the lodge that Richie was born in Aldershot on 6 November 1910. He joined Liverpool Scottish Territorial Army in 1929 and later transferred to the regular army in 1931, joining the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, having been commissioned as a Lieutenant. In 1943 Richie transferred to the Royal Army Signal Corp rising to the rank of Captain which he held until he was discharged at the end of hostilities in 1947.  

Richie married Betty in 1945. They have two daughters Lindsay and Allison, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Richie has always been a keen supporter of Everton Football Club. He is also a keen golfer and still plays 18 holes regularly.

Richie was initiated on 12 April 1939 in The Lodge of the Holy City Jerusalem (Scottish Constitution) Number 1372. On 5 November 1940 he was advanced into Mark, The Lodge of Holy City (Jerusalem) No 1372 and on 15 October 1946 he was Exalted into United Services Royal Arch Chapter No 631 in Cairo.

Richie attended the Consecration meeting of Maghull Lodge No 7190 at The Adelphi Hotel on 25 November 1952, as guest of his father-in-law, Bro T C Nuttall and his brother-in-law, WBro R C Nuttall both of whom were Founders of the Lodge, sadly neither of these Brethren are no longer with us.

At the second meeting of Maghull Lodge on 9 December 1952 Richie was proposed and admitted as the first joining member of the Lodge. He was Installed as Worshipful Master of Maghull Lodge in 1965 and during his year in office performed a double Initiation Ceremony, two double Ceremonies of Passing, and a double Ceremony of Raising as well as welcoming WBros T Caunce and J Rothwell as Honorary Members and installing his successor, the late WBro Des Wormald.

Maghull Lodge moved from the Constitution Club in Liverpool to Park Hall, Ormskirk in 1966. In 1971 Richie was Reflected in Ormskirk Priory Rose Croix Chapter No 669. On 1 April 1979 he became a Joining Member of Lathom Abbey Lodge No 6286.

Richie was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1979. He celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry in 1989 in recognition of which he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works.

On 19 October 1999 Richie celebrated 60 years in Freemasonry and received further promotion to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden

Richie McKay is pictured with the four Grand Officers who attended his 70th anniversary celebration, Roy Worthington, Phillip Gunning, John V Moore and James Sutton Charnock.

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