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Garden blooms for charity
It was another wonderful and successful day when Phil Gibbs assisted by his wife Mel and five other neighbouring gardens opened their gates in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme........<more>

Dusseldorf installation meeting
A group of Freemasons from the South Eastern Group who are all members of Lodge Niederrhein No 892 visited their lodge on 5 June in Dusseldorf.......<more>

Internet enquiry results in new member
Group Membership Officer for the South Eastern Group Eddie Wilkinson has directed a new candidate towards Longford Lodge No 5900.......<more>

Charity begins at home
At the Installation meeting of Peel Moat Lodge No 7633, the Worshipful Master, Roger Warwick, presented Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham with various cheques for charitable causes.........<more>

Fellow Craft helps Assistant Provincial Grand Master
At the last regular meeting of Flixton Lodge No 4869, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham was delighted to witness.......<more>

Gifts will help to save lives
WM Russel Hopps presented Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham with three cheques for charitable causes at the Installation meeting of Heaton Moor Lodge.......<more>

Farewell Prince Edward Lodge
Prince Edward Lodge No 2109, in the South Eastern Group, held its final meeting on Wednesday 4 November 2009........<more>

Provincial Team visit the South Eastern Group
The Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker accompanied by the Provincial Wardens and seven Assistant Provincial Grand Masters along with.......<more>

RADIO MILLENNIUM AIDS 2010
A gathering of 26 Masonic radio enthusiasts and their guests assembled at Urmston Masonic Hall to witness the ninth Installation.....<more>

Stockdales ‘wins’ charities draw
Phoenix Lodge No 1730, which meets at Urmston Masonic Hall, has presented a cheque for £200 to Stockdales in Sale.......<more>

£2,995 FOR FRANCIS HOUSE HOSPICE
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Geoffrey Bloch, has presented Francis House Hospice with a cheque for £2,995.......<more>

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Garden blooms for charity

It was another wonderful and successful day when Phil Gibbs assisted by his wife Mel and five other neighbouring gardens opened their gates in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme.

Phil is a member of Phoenix Lodge No 1730 and is Vice-Chairman of the South Eastern Group of Lodges.

The annual event hosted by Phil, Mel and their neighbours under the name of The Wroxham Gardens Group (www.ngs.org.uk) raises money towards the National Garden Scheme and local charities.

This year their day was so successful having had a total of 308 visitors, some from as far afield as Blackpool, it raised £1,000 towards NGS charities and £800 to their chosen local charity Trafford Macmillan Centre

Keen gardeners Mel and Phil Gibbs.

The beautiful garden at the home of Freemason Phil Gibbs and his wife Mel which was open to the public to raise money for charity.

Lodge donation

Phoenix Lodge No 1730 has donated £100 towards the Trafford Macmillan Centre. The money was donated through Phil Gibbs and his wife Mel’s National Garden Scheme event of which the Trafford Macmillan Centre will be the recipients along with other money which were raised on the day.  

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Dusseldorf installation meeting

A group of Freemasons from the South Eastern Group who are all members of Lodge Niederrhein No 892 visited their lodge on 5 June in Dusseldorf to attend the installation of their new Master David Johnston.

Lodge Niederrhein No 892 is of the United Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany under the auspices of the United Grand Lodges of Germany.

South Eastern Group members pictured from left to right are: Trevor Edmonds, Jan Fischer, Jim Hardman, Denis Tierney, David Johnston (WM), Eddie Wilkinson, Ken Allen and Glyn Edmonds (Niederrhein DC).

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Internet enquiry results in new member

Group Membership Officer for the South Eastern Group Eddie Wilkinson has directed a new candidate towards Longford Lodge No 5900.

Following an initial internet enquiry from Province after picking up a ‘Why You Should Join’ leaflet from a non-Masonic function at Urmston Masonic Hall earlier this year, the 27-year-old candidate is set to be initiated into Longford Lodge in November.   

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Charity begins at home

At the Installation meeting of Peel Moat Lodge No 7633, the Worshipful Master, Roger Warwick, presented Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham with various cheques for charitable causes.

In addition to presenting a further cheque for £656 to the 2010 Festival, the lodge presented £200 to “The Cancer Aid and Listening Line” in Stockport, a local charity providing emotional support and home based practical help to people living with cancer, their carers and families, along with sundry gifts to various West Lancashire charitable groups.

The £656 donated to the 2010 Festival takes the lodge’s present support of the Festival to £5,000.

The lodge further pledged, from its funds, the sum of £1,000 to be spent over the forthcoming 12 months directly to benefit the wider community of Heaton Moor. These charitable sentiments clearly illustrate the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason's heart, - charity.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham with Roger Warwick

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Fellow Craft helps Assistant Provincial Grand Master

At the last regular meeting of Flixton Lodge No 4869, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham was delighted to witness a well delivered passing ceremony for Brother Ian Hughes. The highlight of the ceremony was without doubt the extended explanation of the second degree tracing board, given by the Junior Warden, David Dewhurst.

After the meeting Jon spoke with Flixton Lodge’s newest Fellow Craft, who is a watch manager with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. During the discussion it transpired that Jon was taking his scout troop on camp to Bispham Hall (near Billinge) the following weekend, and was running a camp themed on Prometheus – the titan who stole fire from the gods in Greek mythology.

With a weekend of activities planned around fire, some advice on fire safety would certainly be a very welcome addition, and so Jon asked whether Ian would be willing to help out. With no hesitation Ian volunteered to give up some of his free time and help the scouts gain their Fire Safety badge.

With the rain lashing down on the south Lancashire scout camp, Ian enthralled the scouts with his explanations of how fires start, how to deal with them, the correct use of fire extinguishers, and, most importantly, how to escape from them. His presentation was full of relevant anecdotes and was pitched just right for the scouts, who afterwards were able to have a go at putting out a camp fire with fire extinguishers.

Whilst the weather on camp meant that waterproof clothing was permanently on, Ian’s advice meant that the scouts were all able to light and use fires safely - cooking meals, and keeping warm (and gaining their Fire Safety badges in the process).

Pictured are Jon Clipsham, Ian Hughes and a few members of the 1st Sutton St James Scout Troop.

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Gifts will help to save lives

WM Russel Hopps presented Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham with three cheques for charitable causes at the Installation meeting of Heaton Moor Lodge No 4530.

The first cheque was for £300 to go to the 2010 Festival, the second for £50 for the Wellspring Kitchen in Stockport (a local charity devoted to helping homeless and dispossessed people) and the third for £300 (matched by a £300 donation from the South Eastern Group) for the Red Cross to purchase specialised medical equipment in memory of a Heaton Moor Lodge member.

Before the social board the medical equipment purchased with the joint donation was on display. The first item of equipment was an enhanced airway mannequin which will be used for training Red Cross personnel in enhanced skills and airway management. These skills will be put to use during life-saving procedures when a patient’s own airway becomes compromised due to illness or serious accident. The mannequin has been affectionately named ‘Alf’, in memory of WBro Alfred Moores PPrJGW who was unfortunately called to higher service last year after attaining his 50 years in Freemasonry.

The second item of equipment purchased was a vacuum stretcher. This piece of equipment is lightweight and is designed to be deployed in difficult to access terrain where a casualty requires extraction but conventional equipment is too heavy or cumbersome.

Both pieces of equipment will be used by Red Cross crews based in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside

These charitable donations clearly illustrate the lodge’s commitment to charity.

Jon Clipsham congratulates Russel Hopps.

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Farewell Prince Edward Lodge

Prince Edward Lodge No 2109, in the South Eastern Group, held its final meeting on Wednesday 4 November 2009.

Jon Clipsham (Assistant Provincial Grand Master) was in attendance and for part of the evening’s formalities, occupied the chair of King Solomon. Upon taking the chair Jon said to the brethren that he believed that this evening, rather than being a sad event, was one worthy of celebration – a celebration of good men, good masons, and a good Lodge.

Jon then went on to present a brief history of the Lodge - On the 14th July 1885, a petition was sent to the Grand Secretary in London, requesting permission to found a new Lodge, to be named the Prince Edward Lodge, in honour of Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward, the eldest son of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who on his accession to the throne became King Edward VII. On the 26th January 1886, 141 brethren gathered for the consecration of the new lodge in the Heaton Moor Conservative Club Stockport.

During the lifetime of Prince Edward Lodge, there was a strong association with St Paul’s church at Heaton Moor. A Masonic foundation stone laying ceremony was carried out in full regalia in 1890. The Rector of the church was Chaplain to the lodge in its early years. Special services were held at St Paul’s for the lodges which met in this area and a set of windows were presented to the church.

As a mother Lodge, Prince Edward sponsored Heaton Moor Lodge No. 4530, Peel Moat Lodge No. 7633, and Lodge of the Cardinal Virtues No. 8270. Sadly Cardinal Virtues surrendered its warrant a few years ago, however, there were many brethren present from both Heaton Moor and Peel Moat at this final meeting.

He also noted that there were several mentions in the centenary booklet of great social occasions in the life of the lodge – Ladies nights, musical evenings, picnics, sporting events, and a host of events aimed at fundraising for charities. There is a real sense that Prince Edward Lodge’s social events were vibrant, entertaining, well attended, and exciting highlights in the calendars of the members.

Jon said that he understood that due to declining membership, lack of candidates and the age profile of its members, the Lodge, after exploring every avenue, had taken the decision to surrender their warrant and centenary warrant. He said he hoped that most of the Prince Edward Brethren would continue their Freemasonry by joining another Lodge meeting at Heaton Moor.

In his closing remarks Jon said that just over a week ago, he had been invested as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master - with that office comes a requirement to act on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master in his absence. Jon then asked the lodge Secretary to record in the final minutes of the lodge, the gratitude of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to all the members of Prince Edward Lodge No. 2109, present and past, for the huge contribution they have made to our order.

Members and past Members of Prince Edward Lodge, Jon Clipsham (APGM), Mike Adams (Chairman of the S Eastern Group) and Sam Robinson (Provincial Grand Deputy Director of Ceremonies).

The stained glass window presented to St. Pauls Church.

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Provincial Team visit the South Eastern Group

The Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker accompanied by the Provincial Wardens and seven Assistant Provincial Grand Masters along with several other acting Provincial Grand Officers visited Barlow Moor Lodge’s Installation. Two Past Assistant Grand Masters and many other Grand and Provincial Grand officers were also in attendance.

The visit was to honour a Member of Barlow Moor Lodge; Jon Clipsham (Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies), who will be invested at the next meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for the South Eastern and Eccles Group.

During the Social Board, Peter Hosker paid tribute to Jon for all the work he has done so far for the Province. He also paid tribute to the ‘outgoing’ Assistant Provincial Grand Master,  Geoffrey Bloch. Peter thanked Geoff for his dedication during his service to the Province from his time as the Provincial Director of Ceremonies right up to his time as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Peter also announced that Brian Hayes, Chairman for the South Eastern Group of Lodges, would be retiring from his position on the 27th October. Peter Hosker thanked Brian for all his work on behalf of the Province and the South Eastern Group in general.

Earlier that evening, a packed Lodge Room witnessed a splendid Installation Ceremony as Stephen Golding installed Daren Lamberton in the Chair of Barlow Moor Lodge No 4525.

Peter Hosker congratulates Daren Lamberton on attaining the Chair of Barlow Moor Lodge

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RADIO MILLENNIUM AIDS 2010

A gathering of 26 Masonic radio enthusiasts and their guests assembled at Urmston Masonic Hall to witness the ninth Installation since Consecration of Radio Millennium Lodge No 9709 when Worshipful Master Peter Harding installed his successor, Senior Warden Peter Hankinson.

There to see the ceremony was 2010 Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber who was representing the Provincial Grand Master. The Lodge presented Stuart with a further donation to the 2010 Festival.

The Lodge has members from East and West Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, Cumberland and Westmorland and even the USA all of whom have an interest in radio communication.

Notable among the changes in office at the installation was that Peter Harding reverted to his previous role as Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge.

A splendid festive board followed at which the group charity steward, Peter Beswick, demonstrated a hidden side to his all ready well known talents with a beautiful rendition of the Master’s Song.

Pictured are group vice-chairman Mike Adams, 2010 Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber receiving a cheque from WM Peter Hankinson and group chairman Brian Hayes.

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Stockdales ‘wins’ charities draw

Phoenix Lodge No 1730, which meets at Urmston Masonic Hall, has presented a cheque for £200 to Stockdales in Sale.

Stockdales supports children and adults with complex learning and physical disabilities. Their homes and activity sessions provide an environment with the emphasis on inclusion, independence and the highest quality of care. They believe that people with disabilities have the right to maximise their potential and broaden their experiences and everybody is encouraged to develop their skills and lead full and stimulating lives. More than 100 staff in four homes now support in excess of 75 children and adults.

The donation has arisen from a Local Charities Draw organised in Phoenix Lodge by Terry Gray. Members pay £2 per month of which £1 goes into the prize fund and £1 goes to charity. The members were asked to recommend local charities and Stockdales was selected as the recipient.

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£2,995 FOR FRANCIS HOUSE HOSPICE

Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Geoffrey Bloch, has presented Francis House Hospice with a cheque for £2,995 as part of total grants amounting to £600,000 announced in 2008 by the Freemasons’ Grand Charity to hospices across the United Kingdom.

Francis House cares for children with a short life expectancy and offers the families of very sick children a respite from their role as carers and gives the children a loving home from home. The philosophy of Francis House flows from the belief in the sanctity of life, and the dignity of the person.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is the largest contributor to good causes in this country after the National Lottery. This year’s grants bring the total amount given to hospices to date to £7.5 million.

Geoffrey Bloch presents the cheque to Kate Puc from Francis House

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