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Lancaster & District
Group News
A fond farewell and a warm welcome on the same night
At a regular meeting of Poulton le Sands Lodge No 1051 the brethren of the lodge bade a fond farewell to..............<more>
94 enjoy weekend away
Coaches left Barrow and Lancaster with 94 people on board for the annual Masonic fellowship weekend.................<more>
‘Sheiks’ welcome at camel races
Two Lodges have joined forces to bring camel racing to West Lancashire........<more>
Father Installs Son
A father had the special pleasure of installing his son into the Chair of Silverdale Lodge......<more>
Castle Lodge WM gives £2,000 to local charities
The IPM of Lancaster Castle Lodge, Ian Modley, has made two presentations to local charities....<more>
Peter’s book raises £1,000 for festival
Peter Mason, a former Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group, has raised nearly £1,000 for the 2010 Festival from the sale of a book written by him............<more>
Lancaster’s new Masonic Hall is dedicated
The Provincial Grand Master RWBro Colin Penty Wright visited Lancaster to dedicate the new Masonic Hall.........<more>
Silverdale supports St John’s Hospice
The Worshipful Master of Silverdale Lodge WBro Eric Proctor, visited St John's Hospice to present it with two cheques......<more>
Garstang Lodges join their ladies
First Garstang and then Wyreside and Scorton enjoyed the company of their ladies at the festive board.......<more>
Peter Mason retirement dinner
More than 90 Masons attended a dinner to honour the retiring Group Chairman WBro Peter Mason, at the Lothersdale Hotel.............<more>
Group walk could raise nearly £2,000
The annual Lancaster and District Group Walk took place on a beautiful morning along the banks of the Lancaster Canal..............<more>
Freemasons swell Samaritan’s Purse
In early November Lancaster Group Secretary WBro Mike Walling made a delivery to local representatives of the charity Samaritan’s Purse............<more>
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A fond farewell and a warm welcome on the same night
At a regular meeting of Poulton le Sands Lodge No 1051 the brethren of the lodge bade a fond farewell to the Provincial Grand Master, Colin Penty Wright on his retirement and extended a very warm welcome to the new Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Lancaster and District Group, Philip Gardner.
Poulton Le Sands Lodge, the result of an amalgamation of Rowley, Sandylands and Poulton Hall Lodges is the mother lodge to both of these distinguished brethren.
In a very relaxed and informal atmosphere, Edward Peter Saunders, a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master and a Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies gave a very entertaining and eloquent toast to the health of the Provincial Grand Master on his retirement. The brethren of his own lodge along with a good number of visitors listened intently whilst WBro Saunders told the brethren more about the man not the Mason.
Colin Penty Wright, in his own lodge for the last time as Provincial Grand Master, in his reply, explained the Masonic connections between Peter Saunders and himself back to the point when he was appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden of the Province and Peter Saunders a Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Province but their friendship and connections extended many years before this in their working life. He explained some of the facets of being the Provincial Grand Master, many of which happen behind the scenes and which obviously gave him great satisfaction and enjoyment. He did warn the current Worshipful Master, Bro Norman Howarth that he was likely to see a lot more of him in the future as commitments as Provincial Grand Master had sadly kept him away from his mother lodge more than he would have liked.
The Provincial Grand Master, whist on his feet, then turned his attention to welcoming the newly appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Frank Philip Gardner, the former Chairman of the Group. In the toast to his health, Colin Wright gave an insight into the qualifications and qualities Philip Gardner has which will enable him to serve this part of the Province as an Assistant.
Iin his reply Philip thanked all the brethren for the support he had received during his entire Masonic career and that he felt very fortunate to be part of such a good team in the Lancaster and District Group. At the end of his response, the Worshipful Master presented the Provincial Grand Master with a bottle of malt whiskey on behalf of the lodge members. Philip Gardner then invited Anthony Harrison, the recently appointed Group Vice Chairman to present a gift to the retiring Provincial Grand Master as a token of the esteem and high regard with which he is held in his own group.
J. Anthony Harrison, Group Vice Chairman presents a gift to the Provincial Grand Master on behalf of all the members of the group.
The Provincial Grand Master replies to the toast by Peter Saunders.
Norman Howarth, Worshipful Master, presents the Provincial Grand Master with a gift from the lodge.
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94 enjoy weekend away
Coaches left Barrow and Lancaster with 94 people on board for the annual Masonic fellowship weekend. The group stayed at the Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, Bristol, a superbly located hotel, with stunning views of Brunel’s suspension bridge.
This annual event is aimed at providing relaxation and enjoyment, and the opportunity to increase and renew the fellowship and friendship between the Furness and South Lakeland Group and the Lancaster and District Group of Freemasons’ Lodges.
The coaches met at Leyland Masonic Hall, where refreshment of bacon butties were provided to fortify everyone for the trip to Bristol via Worcester.
A packed programme started on Saturday with a visit to the Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills, and the group then continued on to Bath, where following some independent sightseeing time, they returned to the coaches, and with the services of a Blue Badge Guide, enjoyed an excellent tour of the City.
Sunday was spent at Longleat House, Gardens and Safari Park, and Monday saw a visit to Bristol Dockyard, and the S.S. Great Britain, the world’s first iron hulled ship, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1843.
Departing from Bristol they headed north to The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where despite a massive thunderstorm, everyone enjoyed the inspiring and thought provoking memorials, particularly the new Armed forces Memorial recently completed.
Other memorials which attracted attention were the Masonic Garden and its neighbour, the Normandy Veterans memorial. The latter features five stones representing the Normandy Beaches. The stones were unearthed near Dalton-in-Furness and donated by the late WBro Allan Cooksey whose son, WBro.David Cooksey is one of the trip organisers.
The trip proved a great success, and was greatly enjoyed by those attending.
Lancaster members share a joke and a bus shelter in Worcester
A brother battles with the wheel of the Great West
Inspecting the Bow of the Great Western
Ralph Walker and Rowley Saunders discuss real engineering.
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‘Sheiks’ welcome at camel races
Two Lodges have joined forces to bring camel racing to West Lancashire.
Fun and games are promised when “camels” take to the race track at St Michaels on Wyre Village Hall on Sunday, 4 May.
St Michaels on Wyre Lodge No 8348 which is in the Lancaster Group and the Lodge of Tranquility No 6544 (Blackpool) are hoping that people attending the races will join in the spirit of things with fancy dress being optional. It is hoped there will be many “Sheiks” in attendance.
Proceeds will be shared between Masonic charities and the British Heart Foundation.
Jockeys are needed to ride the wooden camels. There are special concessions for serving WMs and groups. More details can be obtained by sending an email to CliveRCope@AOL.com
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Father Installs Son
A father had the special pleasure of installing his son into the Chair of Silverdale Lodge.
The meeting was very well attended, the small lodge room filled to bursting point. The retiring WM, Eric Proctor, was completing his second spell in the chair of the Lodge, the previous one being exactly 30 years earlier, and he did it in his usual relaxed and sincere style
The new Worshipful Master, Peter Thompson, is only 29, which gives Silverdale the youngest Master in the Lancaster and District Group, and possibly in the Province.
For the actual ceremony of installation WBro Proctor invited WBro Alan Thompson to take the Chair, thus allowing Alan the opportunity and undoubted pleasure of installing his son as Master.
The representative of the Provincial Grand Master was WBro Stewart Thornber the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, and he talked at length on the 2010 Festival at the festive board.
The festive board was held at the Strathmore Hotel in Morecambe, quite a drive from Silverdale but well worth the journey.
Pictured, left to right, are Lancaster Group Chairman, Phil Gardner, Stuart Thornber, Peter Thompson and Alan Thompson.
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Castle Lodge WM gives £2,000 to local charities
The IPM of Lancaster Castle Lodge, Ian Modley, has made two presentations to local charities. The money was part of the funds raised by the Lodge during his year as WM.
Ian had a very successful year in office both in and out of Lodge. He organised many social functions including a highly successful Murder Mystery Night at Slyne Lodge; a very well attended Summer BBQ; and the last social held in the old Lancaster Masonic Hall which was an evening with Mike Craig.
As a result of his efforts he was able to give £1,500 to the 2010 Festival, of which the Lodge is already a Gold Patron, and £1,000 each to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution “Home for the Hover” appeal, and St John’s Hospice.
The photographs shows Ian presenting the cheque to Harold Michael Roberts senior hovercraft commander, at the Morecambe Lifeboat Station, on behalf of the Home For The Hover appeal. Commander Roberts was awarded the MBE for services to maritime safety in the New Year’s Honours list.
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Peter’s book raises £1,000 for festival
Peter Mason, a former Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group, has raised nearly £1,000 for the 2010 Festival from the sale of a book written by him about the history of Freemasonry in Lancaster.
There are 100 signed copies to be given to those who are interested in return for a donation £10 each (plus Gift Aid) with the proceeds going to the 2010 Festival. The Grand Lodge Library and Museum in Great Queen Street, London, has asked for a copy and has not only approved it but has catalogued it for future reference
The book represents many hours of research by Peter, and indeed quite a bit of searching of dusty attics. The finished article is a fascinating insight in to the beginnings of Freemasonry in Lancaster.
Peter’s interest in the subject was initially awoken by a visit to the Lodge of Fortitude’s Bi-Centenary meeting where he read that they did not know who all their founders were or where they came from. However what actually inspired him to delve further was the discovery of many old and forgotten Masonic items in the roof space of the Masonic Hall at Church Street, Lancaster when the building was being cleared out prior to the move to the new hall at Scotforth. Among these items were the warrants of St John’s Lodge No 534 (1793), and Universality Chapter No 96 (1794) both of which have long since ceased to exist.
In his subsequent research into these lodges, the Lodge of Fortitude and the names of recorded members he made many hitherto unknown discoveries regarding the backgrounds and occupations of those early brethren who established Freemasonry in the Lancaster area in the late 1700s. As many brethren were aware of Peter’s research they urged him to produce his findings in a document and as a result “The beginnings of Freemasonry in Lancaster and District” was put together.
Though the initial print run is close to being sold if there is sufficient demand there may be reprint. Anyone interested in obtaining a book should telephone Peter 01524 811244.
Peter Mason with a copy of his book “The beginnings of Freemasonry in Lancaster and District”
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Lancaster’s new Masonic Hall is dedicated
The Provincial Grand Master RWBro Colin Penty Wright visited Lancaster to dedicate the new Masonic Hall.
The evening was a sell out, with more than 100 Freemasons present. Rowley Court, the new hall, looked resplendent for the occasion. It was completed for the start of the new Masonic season by a band of volunteers, after being handed over as a shell from the contactors in May. Most of those volunteers were present, their efforts having earned them a ticket for the event, as was the Masonic Hall committee who must also be congratulated on achieving such a transformation.
The Pprovincial Grand Master was accompanied by WBro Peter Hosker the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Lancaster and District Group. Also in attendance were the Senior and Junior Wardens WBro’s Georges and Berkley, the Provincial DC, WBro Mark Dimelow, two Deputy Provincial DCs and the rest of the Provincial Team.
In the opening of the lodge, WBro Jim Wilson, Vice Chairman of The Lancaster and District Group occupied the Master’s chair, WBro Mike Walling, Group Secretary, that of the Senior Warden, and WBro Peter Mason, Past Group Chairman, that of the Junior Warden. The Group Chairman WBro Phil Gardner unfortunately was unable to attend.
The Provincial Team then took over, with the PGM taking the chair to preside over the ceremony of dedication with WBro Hosker acting as his Deputy.
At the festive board which followed, the toast to the PGM was given by WBro Hosker. He spoke eloquently of RWBro Wright’s achievements specifically mentioning the changes to the care structure, the charity structure, and the reorganisation of the West Lancashire Charities.
In his response RWBro Wright thanked all who had assisted him particularly the acting Chaplin WBro Brian Oddy for his oration. He also expressed his regret that the Group Chairman had been unable to attend. He congratulated the Masonic Hall committee and particularly its chairman WBro Doug Willoughby for their foresight in making the move and he spoke of the last time he had been in the building which had been for the funeral of the wife of his good friend Tom Rowley, after whom the hall was named.
He concluded by congratulating all who had worked on the project imploring them to keep up the good work and said he was sure that all would have a happy and comfortable future in the new building.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Peter Hosker, WBro Doug Willoughby (Chairman of the Masonic Hall Committee), RWBro Colin Penty Wright and WBro Jim Wilson (Vice Chairman of the Lancaster Group) at the dedication of the new Lancaster Masonic Hall.
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Silverdale supports St John’s Hospice
The Worshipful Master of Silverdale Lodge WBro Eric Proctor, visited St John's Hospice to present it with two cheques both for £ 250 from the members and the social committee of the lodge. WBro Eric was accompanied by his wife, Harriet, the Senior Warden Bro Peter Thompson, and Charity Steward WBro Tony Jackson.
The cheques were accepted on behalf of the Hospice by Mrs Janet Thompson, Hospice Administrator. She then showed them round the splendid day care Oak Centre. The donation will be used to purchase garden furniture for its new outside area.
WBro Eric Proctor present the cheque to Mrs Janet Thompson, Hospice Administrator
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Garstang Lodges join their ladies
First Garstang and then Wyreside and Scorton enjoyed the company of their ladies at the festive board.
Garstang Lodge held their Ladies Dinning-In at The Kirkland Memorial Hall after their normal December meeting. The hall was beautifully decorated and they used the services of the caterers who have won the contract for the new Garstang Masonic Hall. The company concerned is called “Simply Delicious” as was the food. If the evening was an indication of what is to come then attendances will definitely increase at lodge meetings especially if they have waitress service. The evening was a great success, the 80 or so present being entertained by The Garstang Choral Society.
Wyreside and Scorton Lodges held a joint Ladies Dinning-In at The Pickerings. Each held a separate short meeting first, and then they joined up later. The entertainment at the Pickerings was provided by the Blackpool Ladies’ Choir who lead the full house in carol singing. The meal was excellent and as is always the case at Garstang the charities did very well from both a collection and a well supported raffle.
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Peter Mason retirement dinner
More than 90 Masons attended a dinner to honour the retiring Group Chairman WBro Peter Mason, at the Lothersdale Hotel. The evening was enhanced by the presence of the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies WBro Keith Kemp who ran the proceedings.
The meal was very good and once it was over the formal part of the evening began with a toast to WBro Peter proposed by his successor the new Group Chairman WBro Phil Gardner.
WBro Phil told of how he had first met Peter 25 years ago, and how Peter as Master of Silverdale had attended his initiation into Poulton Hall. He spoke of Peter’s early years; born in 1941 the son of a blacksmith; how his father had wanted him to be an accountant; how Peter had wanted to be an engineer; and how by 1974 Peter had progress to being Production Engineer at Hornsey Pottery.
WBro Phil told of Peter’s long and illustrious Masonic career starting at Silverdale in October 1970, and described his progression to Past Junior Grand Deacon of the United Grand Lodge of England, and to his current acting Grand Rank in Supreme Grand Chapter.
Peter also holds Grand Rank in the Mark Degree and the Allied Masonic Degree and is a thirty second degree Mason in Rose Croix. WBro Phil concluded by thanking Peter for all the years of dedicated service he had given to the Lancaster Group and at the end of his toast presented him with a large painting of the quay at Lancaster. He also presented him with a cheque for £1,600 to donate to a charity of his choice.
In his response to the toast WBro Peter thanked everyone for attending, for the painting, and told of his apprehension in the run up to the dinner. He announced that he would be giving half the money presented to him to The West Lancashire Masonic Charities and half to the 2010 festival.
He then spoke of the enjoyment the 19 years as a group officer had given him and thanked all those who had worked with him during that time, and all those who had helped him along the way. He told of how he came to be a Mason and his progression through the ranks. He spoke of the support he had received from his wife, Joyce, and the debt of gratitude he owed her, and he covered the activities and progress of the group during his time in office. He concluded by again thanking those present for listening to his response and sat down to a well deserved round of applause.
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Group walk could raise nearly £2,000
The annual Lancaster and District Group Walk took place on a beautiful morning along the banks of the Lancaster Canal.
The walkers were “seen off” by WBro Phil Gardner and despite many offers of a pair of boots, the Group Chairman could not be persuaded to join the assembled walkers so they finally left without him.
The event was hosted and organised this year by the new City of Lancaster Lodge, and offered the walkers several options. They could cover as little as four miles or as many as eight. Virtually all taking part chose the next to the longest route, a walk of around seven miles.
The walk started at Rowley Court Masonic Hall. where the walkers headed west along Ashford Road to the Lancaster Canal, they then following the canal south to Galgate. At Galgate the walkers left the canal and meandered through the village before going up Highland Brow, and following the road that runs parallel to the A6 to Burrow. From there they followed Burrow Road to the A6 and then Scotforth Road back to the Masonic Hall.
Once inside they were greeted by WBro Chris Butterfield, with some very welcome tea. coffee and sandwiches.
Fourteen Lodges and Chapters took part in the walk, and it is hoped that last year’s total of £1,822.00 raised in sponsorship, can be beaten.
The walkers prepare to leave Rowley Court Masonic Hall.
A welcome cuppa for one of the walkers provided by Chris Butterfield.
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Freemasons swell Samaritan’s Purse
In early November Lancaster Group Secretary WBro Mike Walling made a delivery to local representatives of the charity Samaritan’s Purse. He gave them 750 bars of toilet soap, 200 tubes of toothpaste and 300 bags of assorted boiled sweets.
Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian charity based in Essex that is committed to meeting the needs of under-privileged people through the delivery of practical every day items. The items presented by Mike will be packed in to shoe boxes to become presents for eastern block children as part of “Operation Christmas Child”. The charity has a depot on the White Lund, Morecambe, where all the items donated are packed and the boxes wrapped before shipment by articulated lorry to Eastern Europe.
Last year the charity shipped more than 1.1 million shoe boxes to 13 countries. It received assistance from over 4,000 churches and 8,000 schools If you want to know more about this charity log on to www.samaritanspurse.co.uk
Mike Walling is pictured with Mrs Sheila Duffield and Mrs Ann Wardlow, both from Morecambe, and some of his delivery
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