North Fylde & North Blackpool Group News - Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire

North Fylde Group remembers fallen brethren
Masons from the North Fylde Group gathered on Remembrance Sunday to join civic dignitaries, servicemen and members of other local organisations.......<more>

Geoff’s ‘swan song’
Almoners from the North Fylde, Blackpool and South Fylde Groups turned out in force to attend their annual meeting at Cleveleys Masonic Hall.......<more>

A thousand thanks for Trinity
Trinity Hospice received a welcome cash boost from fund-raisers based at Fleetwood Masonic Hall on the town’s Esplanade when cheques........<more>

18 qualify for golfing final
The Fylde Masonic Golfing Society held its qualifying event at Knott End Golf Club on a windy day........<more>

A lot of fundraising
Donna’s Dream House, Brian House Children’s Hospice and the Masonic Samaritan Fund were the chosen charities to benefit from North Fylde Group’s annual Charity Dinner and Auction.......<more>

Making an advancement in knowledge
Vice chairmen from every group on the Fylde coast, as well as new Companions, were out in force at Cleveleys Masonic Hall for the second in the series of Royal Arch Chapter Workshops...........<more>

Wayfarers Lodge has not let its name down
Wayfarers Lodge has celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The Lodge was consecrated on 26 February 1958 but the first official Founders meeting.......<more>

£1,591 for hospice John helped to build
Former Clerk of Works John Russell who was involved in overseeing the construction work building Trinity Hospice from the laying of the first brick......<more>

Golden year celebrations
Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 celebrated its Golden Anniversary Year in grand style to mark the milestone event..........<more>

Air Ambulance Katie gets a lift from Masons
Katie the ’copter, in service as a North West Air Ambulance, received a welcome ‘lift’ from Fleetwood Freemasons when her pilot and crew of paramedics were presented with a £600 cheque.......<more>

Workshop for Chapter ‘new boys’
EComp Peter Elmore, the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals was at his enthusiastic best at a well attended meeting at Cleveleys Masonic Hall...........<more>

Anchorsholme Lodge helps RNLI
The crew of Fleetwood lifeboat received a bit of help themselves when local Freemasons weighed in with a boost to their station’s funds....<more>

BBQ raises £1,400 for cancer foundation
With rain on the days leading up to their summer barbeque the Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741 members were fearing the worst but..........<more>

Lodge presents £350 to Blackpool Rotary
At a packed Tower Ballroom special fund-raising event organised by Elaine Fossett, Allan Ferguson, daughter Heather and wife Yvonne presented £350........<more>

6300 Reasons to be Cheerful
It was a truly golden night for three local charities who each received £2100. At a Presentation Evening held at the Briar Dene Hotel.............<more>

Royalettes say thanks for gift
Morris dancers the Fleetwood Royalettes have been treated to new pom-poms thanks to North Fylde Freemasons.............................................<more>

Friends get a helping hand from Freemasons
The League of Friends of Rossall and Fleetwood Hospitals received an unexpected but welcome chairman’s report.........................................<more>

Masons from the North Fylde Group gathered on Remembrance Sunday to join civic dignitaries, servicemen and members of other local organisations to remember fallen brethren from Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys who perished in battle.

Group chairman Jack Coates was joined by a strong contingent of Masons from Thornton and Cleveleys to march in the parade to lay a wreath on behalf of local Freemasons at Thornton Cenotaph.

Vice-chairman Harry Cox and group secretary Duncan Smith together with many Fleetwood Masons paraded with the Mayor of Wyre, Gordon McCann, to perform like service at the cenotaph in Fleetwood’s Memorial Park.

Many of the Masons who took part in the Remembrance Sunday parade are ex-servicemen themselves - as was evidenced from the medals they wore with pride, as well as their poppies - when they came to give thought for comrades who did not return from the great conflicts.

Roy Howells (wearing the beret) who laid the wreath on the cenotaph at Fleetwood, is pictured vice-chairman Harry Cox, group secretary Duncan Smith and other who took part in the Remembrance Day service

Almoners from the North Fylde, Blackpool and South Fylde Groups turned out in force to attend their annual meeting at Cleveleys Masonic Hall and to take the chance to bid a fond farewell to their regional care officer, Geoff Pritchard.

Geoff - affectionately known as ‘Sticks’ - told the Almoners and Charity Stewards who were also at the meeting that he was stepping down after six years in the job and that their annual get-together was his ‘swan song’.

Later in the year Geoff told the Almoners, highly experienced Jim Woods, former Care Officer for the now defunct North Blackpool Group and the ‘Wednesday man’ at Liverpool Office - as contact office manager - would be assuming the mantle of Regional Care Officer for the Fylde groups.

Geoff introduced the guest speaker John Williams, Development Director of the Masonic Samaritan Fund who told the Almoners that he was there primarily to encourage them to spend money supporting those Masons and their families in medical need.

John gave an enthralling talk on the work of the Samaritan Fund citing examples of how it had helped individual Masons and their families and gave graphic details of the resources on offer and the criteria required applying for support from it.

He chided the Almoners that the Fylde groups were “either very rich or very healthy” and that in comparison to the other 46 Provinces applications were less than the take-up elsewhere and he encouraged them spread the message about the fund as widely as possible.

Geoff Pritchard after thanking John for his thought-provoking presentation took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Almoners’ team, the group chairmen and the care officers for their support during his six years as regional care officer.

Fellow RCO Roy Pyne of the Liverpool and Bootle Groups presented Geoff with a gold watch as a memento.

Pictured are Jack Coates (North Fylde Group Chairman), Geoff Pritchard (RCO) and John Williams (Development Director Masonic Samaritan Fund)

Trinity Hospice received a welcome cash boost from fund-raisers based at Fleetwood Masonic Hall on the town’s Esplanade when cheques for £1,000 were handed over.

Fleetwood Masonic Hall Ladies’ Committee and Broadwater Lodge combined forces to present their gift to Beverley Whittaker, fund-raising administrator at the newly refurbished Trinity Hospice, Low Moor Road, Bispham.

Jim Barnes, WM of Broadwater Lodge No 9027 and wife Lynn have a particular reason to be grateful to Trinity as Lynn recently spent eight weeks being cared for there and the couple know from first hand experience the invaluable services the hospice provides.

So when Jim was asked to nominate his favourite charity by the lodge for his year in high office he had no hesitation in opting for Trinity with a cheque for £250.

After hearing about Broadwater Lodge’s donation and the reasons for it Fleetwood Masonic Benevolent Association added another £100 to the total.

The circle of giving was completed when the Ladies’ Committee, of which Lynn Barnes is a member, decided they too wanted to help the hospice.

Their gift of £650, which had been raised at a very successful summer barbeque, swelled the total to £1,000.

On behalf of Trinity Hospice Beverley Whittaker thanked Fleetwood Masons and the Ladies’ Committee for their generosity.

She said: “Trinity relies for its very existence on donations from the community it serves. It is heart warming and so very reassuring that local people such as yourselves look on us as their own favourite charity to support.”

Lynn Barnes of Fleetwood Masonic Hall Ladies’ Committee presents Beverley Whittaker, Fund-raising Administrator Trinity Hospice, with a £650 cheque watched by Karen Moore, Jacqueline Martland, Margaret Brayshaw and Alison Tait

Duncan Smith (North Fylde Group Secretary) and Jim Barnes of Broadwater Lodge presenting cheques to Beverley Whittake.

Masons visiting West Drive, Cleveleys, had the unique opportunity of meeting Provincial Grand Master, Peter John Hosker when he attended the installation meeting of Cleveleys Park Lodge no. 7540 This was the first Lodge Peter has visited since taking over the Province on July 28th 2008.

As Cleveleys Park Lodge entered its 50th year since its consecration, almost a hundred brethren took part in a ceremony rarely enacted out-with of Provincial Grand Lodge. As the Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial team, obligated and invested W. Bro. Leon David Tax PSGD as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, with the occasion witnessed by brethren from all over the Province as well as from many other parts of the country.

This memorable event saw Peter Hosker accompanied by the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Frank Wilkinson and North Fylde Group’s own Terry Hudson.

W Bro Geoffrey Lee, the Provincial Grand Secretary, read the Patent of Appointment delighting the brethren with the time-honoured “et cetera, et cetera, et cetera,” in his own inimitable style.

W Bro Tax, who had been unavoidably absent from the July meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, confirmed his willingness to be re-appointed as an Ass.PrGM re-affirmed his obligation and was duly invested.

Peter paid tribute to Leon’s many accomplishments and activities (which he humorously told the newly invested Ass.Pr.G.M. ran to two pages against his own one page, including the very important and demanding job he had held as Group Chairman.

His enthusiasm for Masonry had been quickly recognized from the time he had first become a W.M. and had led to rapid promotion to his present High Office in 2005.

Peter also extended his thanks to Leon for agreeing to continue as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, acknowledging the important role that he and his colleagues played in the smooth running of the Province.

After Leon took his Chair, the pressing requirements of the Province meant that Peter and the Provincial team had to depart to fulfill their duties elsewhere. After wishing the Lodge well for the future they left the members of Cleveleys Park to the other important part of the day, to Install W Bro J Haines PPrJGD as WM for the ensuing year.

This was accomplished in exemplary fashion by the immediate past and installing Master W Bro John Russell PPrJGW, who as the last remaining Founder of Lodge No. 7540, has been WM on no less than four different occasions!

He also received cheques from the new WM on behalf of the Lodge, amounting to £1000, for local non-Masonic charities. The Ass.Pr.G.M. thanked the lodge: “On behalf of the people who would benefit most from the Lodge’s generosity”.

At Festive Board Cleveleys Park members and their many guests feted both the new WM and W Bro Leon in high style as well as congratulating the members who had taken part in the ceremony for the sterling performance of their duties.

W Bro Leon told brethren about the continuing importance of the 2010 Festival which he said stood currently at an astounding £3.6million and amongst other things he drew attention to the plethora of information to be found about West Lancashire Freemasonry on the provincial website.

He also spoke of his pleasure in being supported by what he termed, “A tsunami of Grand Lodge Officers.” He explained that was because with Grand Lodge Officers, like with a tsunami - brethren were apprehensive about them coming - but delighted when they had gone; quickly adding, “Delighted in that that they had witnessed a successful day”.

And indeed a successful and very full day it had been and one that the members of Cleveleys Park will long remember.

Provincial Grand Master, Peter John Hosker and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Leon David Tax

The Fylde Masonic Golfing Society held its qualifying event at Knott End Golf Club on a windy day.

The West Lancs Masonic Golfing Society Final is to be held at Swinton Park Golf Club on 13 August with six players from each group to qualify (South Fylde/North Fylde/Blackpool)

The qualifying event attracted more than 60 competitors with 65 attending the evening meal and prize presentation.

Blackpool Group had nine players, South Fylde had 25, North Fylde had 13 players

The two Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Group Chairmen and Vice Chairmen along with the Captain of Knott End were also present at the dinner.

	SOUTH FYLDE	Name
1		W Bro Brian Newman
2		W Bro Peter Robinson
3		W Bro Mike Goodwin
4		Bro Bob Ward
5		W Bro Simon Walker
6		W Bro Mike Taylor

	BLACKPOOL	Name
1		Bro Graham Oglesby
2		Bro Brendon Fenton
3		W Bro Stan Hill
4		Bro George Wright
5		W Bro Don McLeod
6		Bro David Jones

	NORTH FYLDE	Name
1		W Bro Glen Jackson
2		W Bro Alan Whittingham
3		W Bro Wes Roddie
4		Bro Craig Scott
5		W Bro Giles Berkley
6		Bro Lee Brown

The best individual score for a Freemason was Brian Newman of Quadrant Lodge and second was Peter Robinson of Fairhaven Lodge. The three-man team prize went to Quadrant Lodge with the team consisting of Brian Newman, Simon Walker and Harold Spence.

North Fylde Group was blessed with sunshine for their seventh annual Group Walk as members and their families and friends strode out to raise money for worthy causes Donna’s Dream House, Brian House Children’s Hospice and the Masonic Samaritan Fund.

Group Charity Steward, Trevor Hunt, put a new spin on the day’s proceedings with testing challenges in addition to the treasure hunt which devious duo Tony Hough and Paul Dunne, the chairmen respectively of Cleveleys and Fleetwood Masonic Halls, devise annually.

Trevor put teams of lodge members through games of skill including darts, horseshoes, snooker, bowls, putting and skittles.

A queue for the barbeque (and at the bar) bore testament to the excellence of the fare on offer to recharge flagging energies.

The walkers had to solve treasure hunt clues as they explored unknown highways and byways of Cleveleys and return, like Indiana Jones, with mysterious objects such as rubber bands, feathers, different coloured stones, wild flowers which had been located on their travels.

One of the most difficult and coveted objects to find believe it or not - what with the smoking ban and smokers being these days an endangered species - was match sticks!

Persistence and perseverance triumphed in the end and the walkers, through sponsorship, raised £2,000 for the chosen charities with the barbeque and team games adding a further £2,500.

At the prize presentation at day’s end, Group Chairman, Jack Coates, who himself took part in the fun and games, thanked all the participants for their support and generosity as well as the organizers Tony Hough, Paul Dunne, Trevor Hunt and all their cohorts of helpers for all their sterling work.

Donna’s Dream House, Brian House Children’s Hospice and the Masonic Samaritan Fund were the chosen charities to benefit from North Fylde Group’s annual Charity Dinner and Auction organized by the ever-busy Group Charity Steward, Trevor Hunt.

There were 100 Masons and their friends plumbing deeply into their pockets as a plethora of lots went under the gavel which was wielded by the persuasive Trevor at the £21 a plate bash held in Cleveleys Masonic Hall.

A bathroom suite, four day passes for Gleneagles, lunch and a round of golf for the De Vere Hotel, Blackpool FC and Bradford Bulls signed shirts, signed drawings by Geoff Hurst and Teddy Sheringham were just a few of the items which featured in the auction.

A grand raffle for a golf bag, whisky and a profusion of other prizes added to the evening’s tally which saw an amazing £4,300 raised for the selected charities.

After a superb dinner, back by popular demand was Johnny Casson from ‘the Comedians’ who rounded off the evening’s entertainment with an hilarious performance.

Afterwards a delighted Trevor thanked all the guests for their generosity and the sponsors firms and individuals who had donated items for the auction on behalf of the North Fylde Group.

Trevor, who as Group Charity Steward has been largely responsible for putting the group into lead position in West Lancashire Province’s 2010 Festival with North Fylde’s current £250,000 total, will shortly be handing over cheques to the chosen charities in a series of presentations.

Vice chairmen from every group on the Fylde coast, as well as new Companions, were out in force at Cleveleys Masonic Hall for the second in the series of Royal Arch Chapter Workshops organized by Peter Elmore, the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals.

The object of the exercise is to promote a greater knowledge and understanding of the Royal Arch and its relationship with Craft Masonry through discussion and debate and there was plenty of opportunity for that throughout the evening.

The principal speaker to the well attended meeting was the, aptly named, Peter Mason, former Group Chairman of Lancaster and District, who is an acknowledged authority on the Royal Arch and author of several books and treatise on his specialist subject.

He opened the evening’s proceedings with a presentation on the Royal Arch certificate itself.

As truth to tell, sadly, these certificates only rarely see the light of day after they are presented and signed at the Scribe E’s desk. It was illuminating indeed to hear from Peter the story of the often hard-fought history of the certificate and the origins and meanings of the wording and symbolism contained in the certificate.

Peter Elmore followed opening the debate further on the origins of Chapter and there was lively discussion twixt the two Peters on matters such as whether Wales or Ireland played the greatest part in expanding the degree in relation to Craft Masonry.

Companions together with their respective vice chairmen adjourned to brain storm what they had heard and returned to pose questions raised with responses fielded by Peter Elmore and Peter Mason.

All in all it was universally agreed it had been, as expected, an enjoyable and entertaining evening with the end result an all important ‘advancement in knowledge.’

Peter Elmore, Peter Mason and vice chairmen of the Fylde groups and Royal Arch Companions enjoying the Chapter Workshop at Cleveleys Masonic Hall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Masons from Fleetwood’s Mount Lodge have raised £1,500 to help where its needed for three local organisations.

Fleetwood Museum, MacMillan Cancer Support and Tiggers Children’s Group each received a £500 cheque from Mount Lodge at a special presentation evening held at Fleetwood Masonic Hall on the town’s Esplanade.

The lodge which mets for the 500th time in its 60-year history this year marked the occasion thrice over by selecting the three organisations to support.

Mount’s master, Mick Gaynor and Charity Steward Rod Sherwood were on hand with lodge members to hand over much needed funds to Christina Mercer and Jonathon Hinchcliffe of Tiggers, the children’s sports, leisure and social club which seeks to help autistic youngsters through activities such as trampolining. Tiggers has outlets in Fleetwood and Blackpool and as well as in Lancaster, Rossendale and Bolton.

Marian Stockdale from the Thornton Cleveleys branch of MacMillan Cancer Support and Keith Porter from Fleetwood Museum also received cheques from the Masons

For Mount Lodge Rod Sherwood said that the donations had been raised from all manner of fund raising events and social gatherings.

Each of the recipients in turn thanked lodge members, their families and friends for their generous gifts.

Mick Gaynor (Mount Lodge) presents Christine Mercer and Jonathon Hinchcliffe (Tiggers) with a cheque watched by Rod Sherwood ( Mount Lodge).

Mick Gaynor (Mount Lodge) presents Marion Stockdale( Macmillan Cancer Support) with £500 watched by Rod Sherwood ( Mount Lodge)

Wayfarers Lodge has celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The Lodge was consecrated on 26 February 1958 but the first official Founders meeting by Brethren desirous of forming a Lodge was on 1 December 1955.

The Lodge was originally going to be called ‘Prospect’ but at a Founders’ meeting on 8 October 1956, Arthur Fray proposed that the name should be changed to ‘Wayfarers’, since all the Founders are members of the craft whose Mother Lodges are outside the Fylde area. The records show that Fred Stear, Arthur and Frank Sutcliffe to be the main driving force in founding the Lodge.

The Consecration ceremony at the Victoria Hotel, an annex of the Norbreck Hydro, attracted 98 Brethren – 21 consecrating officers, 14 founders and 58 visitors. The ceremony was opened by the Provincial Grand Master, LE Rutherford and the Installing Master was Sir Knowles Edge.

The dictionary describes “Wayfarer” as, “a person who goes on a journey” and the Lodge has not let its name down. The Lodge’s first meeting place was the Victoria Hotel as previously mentioned, then in November 1961 moved to the Connaught Suite at the Norbreck Hydro. In January 1967, the Lodge then moved to the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool and finally, in April 1990 to the Masonic Hall, Cleveleys.

With a lack of candidates over the last few years the Lodge’s future looked precarious and at the regular meeting in September 2005 a vote took place in open Lodge on whether to hand the warrant in or not. Fortunately the vote proved in favour of not handing the warrant in by 11 votes to nine. A number of Brethren resigned as a result of the vote but the Lodge has bounced back and has since attracted four candidates and five joining members.

At the 50th Anniversary meeting, the Lodge was honoured with the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Terry Hudson. and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Keith S Kemp. The meeting attracted 83 Brethren to the ceremony and 82 to the Festive Board. The Worshipful Master, Nick Mills gave a brief history of the Lodge’s 50 years, which was followed by the Lodge’s Chaplain RW Abbott-Hull giving a prayer of re-dedication. The Worshipful Master presented the Assistant Provincial Grand Master with three cheques for charity, the 2010 Festival (£1,200) the Air Ambulance (£1,000) and the Mayor of Blackpool’s appeal fund (£500).

At the festive board all the Brethren present received a booklet to commemorate the Lodge’s 50 years and the members of the Lodge received a ‘Forget me not’ lapel badge.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson is pictured with WM Nick Mills.

Former Clerk of Works John Russell who was involved in overseeing the construction work building Trinity Hospice from the laying of the first brick until its opening in 1985 made a trip back this week to the hospice to hand over cheques on behalf of Cleveleys Freemasons.

John who is a founder member and current WM of Cleveleys Park Lodge which meets at West Drive Masonic Hall, Cleveleys, took the trip to the hospice together with his wife Pat as part of the Lodge’s celebrations to mark 50 years since its founding in January 1958.

Cheques amounting to a grand total of £1,591 were handed over to hospice administrator Roger Wolstenholme to be divided between Trinity Hospice, its children’s wing Brian House and the palliative care nursing team.

The funds were raised from organised events over the year - Pat Russell’s Ladies’ Evening alone responsible for an exemplary £591 - with Pat choosing the palliative care nurses based at the hospice as her favourite charity to support.

John revealed that he knew practically every nook and cranny of the original building from the time he spent during the construction of Trinity Hospice including the fact that a “time capsule” had been incorporated into the building.

The money will help boost the hospice’s share in the costs of a £2.5 million refurbishment programme currently underway which is being largely paid for by donations.

It will expand the hospice’s care facilities to accommodate more than 100 families from the Fylde coast area.

For Trinity Roger Wolstenholme said: “Without the generosity of local people and the community at large with gifts such as this the care and services we provide just wouldn’t be possible. We appreciate this generous donation from Cleveleys Park Lodge for which we thank the members and their families and friends very much.”

The photograph shows Pat Russell, Roger Wolstenholme of Trinity Hospice and John Russell WM of Cleveleys Park Lodge.

Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 celebrated its Golden Anniversary Year in grand style to mark the milestone event.

For the Master for the year, WBro John Russell PPrJGW, it was with particular pleasure that he welcomed almost 100 Brethren to the 50 years festivities held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall as the only founder member still actively involved since the Lodge was consecrated on January 15th 1958.

John says that whilst it may not be unique it is probably quite rare that a Lodge is able to have a founder “In the Chair” in its 50th year.

Initiated into Peninsular Lodge 5914 in Wallasey in Cheshire Province in 1953 he was appointed Tyler all those years ago at the Consecration of Cleveleys Park and confides that he was the youngest founder of the lodge then by many years!

Determination and commitment have been the secret of Cleveleys Park Lodge’s very survival - a sentiment that was taken up by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson later in the proceedings in his address to the Lodge and their guests.

For, far from the heady days when Lodge 7540 celebrated the Silver Jubilee in January 1982 with 50 members on the books, in common with many other lodges, the then strong, healthy membership experienced a dramatic reduction in numbers in later years.
So much so that in 1997 the Lodge considered going down the route of amalgamation but a strong resolve determined the members to carry on.

Seven past masters followed WBro Bill Thorp’s example by taking the Chair for a second time in the intervening years and in latter times numbers have steadily increased through seven joining members (WBro Eric Bridge joining on the night of the Golden Jubilee) and three new brethren now taking their first steps ‘on the floor.’

WBro Hudson echoed many of the thoughts expressed about falling numbers in Freemasonry generally. Quoting from an article of the Rev Johnson written in 1946 he said - ‘silently and drastically people are paying less regard to tradition’.

Institutions have had to face the acid test of adjustment after the boom of the post war years as people found other outlets for their free time and enjoyment.

Freemasonry was not to escape facing that change. After the war, such was the clamour to join the Craft, new lodges such as Cleveleys Park (founded 12 years after the cessation of hostilities) evolved specifically to ease pressures on existing lodges which could have had up to a 20-year wait to progress into the Chair!But inevitably with so many different new distractions on hand, working practices etc, etc. times changed.

As an illustration to show Masonry is by no means the exception WBro Hudson cited the example of the number of cinemas which existed on the Fylde Coast 50 years ago as 21 (a figure jokingly challenged as 23 by the Group Chairman, Jack Coates at Festive Board - but that’s another tale). Today there are two expensive multiplex cinemas (one of which incidentally is in Cleveleys).

He praised Cleveleys Park Lodge for taking their destiny into their own hands. His philosophy was a progressive policy as theirs he said, “Doing nothing is not an option.”
On a lighter note the Assistant Provincial Grand Master listed items of note 50 years hence such as Anthony Eden was Prime Minister famous for his “You’ve never had it so good” quote; Stanley Mathews was enthralling crowds at Bloomfield Road, Derek Ibbotson ran a mile in three minutes 57 seconds; West Side Story was featured in most of the 21 (23?) cinemas. Sid Vicious and Osama Bin Laden were born; and Bro John Russell became Tyler at Cleveleys Park Lodge.

WBro Hudson thanked the members of Cleveleys Park Lodge for allowing him the privilege of sharing in their Golden Anniversary Celebrations on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master and the North Fylde Group.

In turn John Russell presented the Assistant Provincial Grand Master with cheques for £5,000; £2,500 of which the Lodge wished to go to West Lancashire Charities and five £500 cheques to be given to Trinity Hospice, Brian House, the Air Ambulance, the Community Fund and to Newfield School, Blackburn.

Bro Danny Carter one of the Lodge’s newest members and a serving soldier lately returned from Afghanistan then presented the WM with a unique bell made from an artillery shell fired by British troops at the Taliban in the summer of 2007 and recovered from the battlefield.

This bell, suitably engraved with its history and the occasion on which it was presented was presented to WBro Tony Hough, Chairman of Cleveleys Masonic Hall to be given pride of place at the West Drive Masonic Hall members’ bar.

The members of Cleveleys Park and their guests concluded a memorable evening by continuing their celebrations at the Festive Board long into what remained of the evening (and even beyond that it’s rumoured!)

Founder and WM for the 50th anniversary, John Russell, is pictured with guests at the special celebration of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540.

Masons at Cleveleys Masonic Hall will soon be clapping distinguished guests to dine when certain changes are rung thanks to a gift from Cleveleys Park Lodge donated at their Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

For serving soldier Bro Danny Carter, a Lodge Steward at Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540, presented the Lodge with a unique trophy in the form of a bell wrought from an artillery shell - fired during hostilities in Afghanistan - to mark the lodge’s 50th year celebrations.

Bro Danny who served in Afghanistan with No 11 Explosives Ordinance Disposal Regiment retrieved a 105mm shell fired by British forces at the Taliban during a summer offensive in 2007 and had it carefully crafted into a bell.

The highly polished, gleaming bell is engraved with a description of its component parts and details of its origin in Afghanistan as well as an inscription marking the date of its presentation to Lodge 7540.

Danny, whose grandfather was also a Mason in Staley Bridge in East Lancashire, recently chose Lodge 7540 to join and is currently a Fellowcraft Mason impressing members with his work to achieve his third degree.

He has appeared on BBC television where he related his experiences battling the Taliban.

WBro John Russell, Master of Lodge 7540, who received the bell from Bro Carter during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, in turn presented it to WBro Tony Hough, the Chairman of Cleveleys Masonic Hall with the proviso that it be situated in a place of honour near the members’ bar.

Tony promised that it would indeed be prominently displayed and joked that the bell would be used by every Cleveleys DC to “a-peal” to Masons that it was time to go into Festive Board and hoped that “they would go like the clappers to get there!”

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Bro Danny Carter and John Russell, WM of Cleveleys Park Lodge.

Katie the ’copter, in service as a North West Air Ambulance, received a welcome ‘lift’ from Fleetwood Freemasons when her pilot and crew of paramedics were presented with a £600 cheque.

Though ‘Katie’ is only two years old she is in the WAG league when it comes to the high maintenance costs of providing the vital support she does airlifting casualties to hospitals throughout the North West area ranging from Carlisle to Crewe when speed is of the essence.

The air ambulance, on occasion, can also be called over the border from its base at Blackpool airport into southern Scotland to assist.

As the air ambulance is mainly supported by donations George Brooks, current Master of Fleetwood Lodge, which meets at the Masonic Hall on Fleetwood’s Esplanade, chose the life saving service to commemorate his year in office.

He said: “Every year lodge members and their wives and families run fundraising events to raise cash for favourite charities.

“I decided that in my year in the Chair there was none better than the air ambulance as there is little in the way of ‘official’ funding.”

He handed over the cheque to Jackie Northover, assistant chief charity executive and Chris Veevers air crew paramedic.

Chris said that the air ambulance, which is kitted out with a diverse range of life saving equipment for almost every eventuality saw most action attending to road traffic accident victims.

But running just behind as a close second was horse riding accidents where riders came to grief in locations inaccessible to conventional ambulances!

Jackie Northover said: “I’m delighted that Fleetwood Masons selected us as their favourite charity as the air ambulance relies on generous donations such as this.”

Pictured, left to right at the presentation are: Bob Boal (Communications Officer), George Brooks of Fleetwood Lodge, Chris Veevers, air crew paramedic, Jackie Northover assistant chief executive of North West Air Ambulance with ‘Katie’ the air ambulance.

It was a case of brotherly love at busy Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540, which this year celebrates 50 years since its consecration, when one of the founders and Lodge Master, John Russell, handed over cheques totalling £420 to Lytham St Anne’s, Fleetwood and Blackpool lifeboat stations.

For the recipient of one cheque for £170 was none other than Andrew Fallow, Operations Manager for Lytham RNLI station - the brother of Jim Fallow, Secretary of Cleveleys Park Lodge and Vice Chairman of Cleveleys Masonic Hall.

Andrew was made to sing for his supper however, as supported by his opposite numbers from Blackpool and Fleetwood, he gave a talk on the vital work the lifeboat men of the Fylde Coast do for stricken mariners and the public in general who get into difficulties off our shores.

The Lodge made it a very interesting evening with a difference as once they had disposed of regular business 70 members, ladies and ‘non-masons’ were invited into the Lodge Room to hear Andrew give his fascinating description of some of the work the mainly volunteer crews of the RNLI lifeboats undertake.

WBro Russell, presenting the cheques, spoke of his admiration for the work of the RNLI in keeping our coastline safe.

The photograph shows Cleveleys Park Lodge WM John Russell presenting Andrew Fallow, Lytham Lifeboat Operations Manager, with both his thanks for a talk on the work of the RNLI and a cheque for the Lifeboat station.

Fund-raising Freemasons from Cleveleys gave Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Multiple Sclerosis Society a boost to the valuable work they provide for local people affected by the disorder at a presentation evening.

A cheque for £1,000 was handed over to the MS Society’s Chairman, David Jones and fund-raiser Maureen Barton, by Frank Kenyon on behalf of Royal Oak Masons to celebrate his year in office as WM.

The cash was raised by members and the Lodge ladies’ committee over the year from various events such as a barbeque, Christmas social and other social gatherings of Masons and their friends.

Frank said: “Each year Royal Oak gets involved in raising money for charities. From personal experience I decided that there was no better organisation to help than this as they receive little help in the way of official funding.”

For Frank and wife Linda their selection of the MS Society as the lodge’s chosen charity to support is particularly relevant as their daughter, Lisa, is an MS sufferer.
Lisa was formerly a staff nurse at Blackpool Victoria Hospital until 10 years ago at the age of 26 when she was stricken with MS so the Kenyon family is aware at first hand of the unpredictable course the illness can take.

Society chairman David Jones said: “MS is the most common neurological disorder amongst young adults and it can also strike later in life with around 9,000 people in the UK affected.

“The MS Society in the Fylde and Wyre is a charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is affected by MS providing such things as respite care, holiday homes, helpline, education and training, grants and mobility aids, nursing, as well as a wide range and depth of information.

We are delighted that Royal Oak Masons selected us as their favourite charity as we mainly funded by donations.

Brian Gregson and Frank Kenyon (of Royal Oak) are pictured with Linda Kenyon, Maureen Barton (MS Society fund-raiser), David Jones (Chair MS Soiety) Carol Gregson and Barbara Heap (Royal Oak Ladies’ Committee).

EComp Peter Elmore, the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals was at his enthusiastic best at a well attended meeting at Cleveleys Masonic Hall taking centre stage at a Royal Arch Workshop especially aimed at “Companions having five years or less service”.

Chapter “new boys” from all parts of the Fylde Coast heard EComp Elmore give a fascinating insight into their chosen branch of Freemasonry with most going away from the meeting with a refreshed new look into the history and origins of it and its relationship to Craft Freemasonry.

After an explanation of the layout of a Royal Arch Chapter Room and the historical significances involved therein from EComp Elmore, EComp David Harrison gave a talk on his work as a Chapter DC and his experiences as an Acting Provincial Grand Officer with some shrewd and amusing observations of what he had seen in his year in high office. He emphasised involvement, job sharing and “evolution not revolution” as the way forward for the 20 Chapters in the Fylde - and elsewhere.

The Companions present divided into two discussion groups. These had originally been scheduled to last some 15 minutes but such was the enthusiasm of those attending that they overran by approximately 10 minutes.

The Vice Chairmen of the participating Fylde groups - Harry Cox, Peter Bentham and David Randerson all of whom have special responsibilities for promoting Royal Arch Masonry in their particular Groups - completed a successful evening with a question and answer session.

Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Peter Elmore (far right) with David Harrison and Group Vice Chairmen Harry Cox, David Randerson and Peter Bentham have a laugh with Companions from across the Fylde coast at a Royal Arch workshop.

Freemasons from Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741 who meet at Cleveleys have raised £1,500 to support cancer treatment at Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

John Cross (WM) said: “We have again made Rosemere our main charity for the year and from tombolas, raffles, auctions and a barbeque we have raised £1,500 towards their work at Rosemere.”

Pictured, left to right are: Dave Reddy (Charity Steward), Sue Thompson (Chief Officer of Rosemere), Liz Hargreaves, John Cross (Master of Normoss Round Table Lodge), Ray Hargreaves and Norman Bradshaw

The crew of Fleetwood lifeboat received a bit of help themselves when local Freemasons weighed in with a boost to their station’s funds.

John Hayes, lifeboat operations manager, received a cheque for £800 from namesake (but unrelated) Frank Hayes, the immediate past master of Anchorsholme Lodge. Frank decided to make the RNLI the special project to mark his year in office.

Anchorsholme Lodge which meets at the Masonic Hall in West Drive, Cleveleys, annually makes a drive to help local organisations with much needed funds. The cash was raised from a number of social and organised events - with a sponsored walk proving to be particular winner this year.

Frank Hayes said: “I have nothing but admiration for the volunteers of the RNLI who turn out generally in appalling conditions to come to the rescue and I’m delighted to support them in my year in office.”

The cash from Freeasons is being earmarked to deck an outside area overlooking the mooring–bay for the William Street lifeboat once construction works are completed.
The new lifeboat station is in the final throes of a complete refurbishment due to be completed by the year end which will make it one of the most modern stations guarding the seas around country’s coastline.

The station now boasts a state of the art training room, crew room and operations room which work closely with the coastguard service.

John Hayes (left) operations manager of the RNLI receives an £800 cheque for Fleetwood Lifeboat from Frank Hayes of Anchorsholme Lodge

With rain on the days leading up to their summer barbeque the Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741 members were fearing the worst but just in time the weather improved and a good evening was had by all.

Nearly 100 Lodge members and friends attended the barbeque at the home of WBro Raymond Hargreaves in Marton.

By the time everyone was saying their good nights the rain returned but by then all had enjoyed the evening. Apart from the food there were raffles, a tombola and an auction hosted by local comedian and after dinner speaker Tony Jo. The evening raised more than £1,400 for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

In a welcoming everyone WBro John Cross asked for full support for the foundation and paid particular note to WBro Norman Bradshaw who had always worked tirelessly for cancer and Masonic charities before and since being diagnosed with cancer himself.

At a packed Tower Ballroom special fund-raising event organised by Elaine Fossett, Allan Ferguson, daughter Heather and wife Yvonne presented £350 to the President of Blackpool South Rotary Club to support Brian House.

Allan raised a considerable amount during his year as Worshipful Master of Bispham-with-Norbreck Lodge No 4731 and it was appropriate that his daughter, Heather, should present the cheque after she had entertained the audience along with her other dancing colleagues.

Pictured, left to right, are: Barry Birch (President of Blackpool South Rotary Club), Elaine Fossett, Heather Ferguson, Allan Ferguson (Immediate Part Master of Bispham-with-Borbreck Lodge) and Yvonne Ferguson.

It was a truly golden night for three local charities who each received £2100. At a Presentation Evening held at the Briar Dene Hotel, Cleveleys the donations were made on behalf of the Freemasons/Rotary Grand Auction held during 2005. Over 150 pledges were made by local Fylde businesses and individuals which made the Grand Auction possible.

‘This unique project between Freemasons and North Fylde Rotary Club demonstrates a fundraising partnership at its best. We are all grateful to the committees within both organisations who have worked so hard to make this event a reality; similarly to the generous individuals who made pledges’… said Leon Tax – Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Peter Curtis of DreamFlight, Peggy and John Worth of
North West Air Ambulance, Len Curtis of Donna’s Dream House

This meeting was hosted by Fylde Lodge on the 13th April where 93 brethren attended a lecture entitled "Why", given by W. Bro. David. K. Rhodes.

Amongst the guests were George Peake, Provincial Grand Master for the Isle of Man and Peter Whittingham, Chairman of the Federation

Morris dancers the Fleetwood Royalettes have been treated to new pom-poms thanks to North Fylde Freemasons.

The youngsters, who have won thousands of trophies and medals over the years for their dancing skills at competitions throughout the north west- received new ‘shakers’ when local masons heard they needed a bit of help.

The ‘shakers’ or pom-poms are a vital part of the girls’ colourful uniforms, but their old ones had seen so much use they had worn out.

So Bob Boal, who is press officer for North Fylde Freemasons locally, was sent along to help out the 80-strong troupe with a cheque to replace the old equipment for new at a presentation at the girls’ St Nicholas’ Church base.

The Royalettes perform at many local events such as Fleetwood’s Tram Sunday and Fleetwood Carnival, in all weathers, to raise money for local worthy good causes. Their principal, Carol Brooks said: “We are thrilled to have received this help from the masons.“ We are entirely self-supporting and have to buy our own uniforms from fund raising events”