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Wigan
Group News
CHANGE FOR THE GOOD
Wigan and Leigh Hospice relies heavily on public donations to maintain a high standard of service to its patients and collecting small change has paid dividends..............<more>
Lodges pay tribute to David Mills
A special presentation dinner was held at Bryn Masonic Hall in recognition of the service given to the Wigan and District Masonic Group..............<more>
GOLFERS ENJOY THE SUNSHINE
In glorious sunny weather 44 golfers entered the Wigan and District Annual Championship at Gathurst Golf Club............<more>
Grant will reduce anti social behaviour
A donation of £1,500 from Freemasons could help reduce anti social behaviour at a Scout hut........<more>
GROUP’S NEW OFFICERS
The new officials of the Wigan Group..........<more>
Lancashire welcome for Oklahoma team
A real Lancashire welcome greeted the Oklahoma Masonic Demonstration Team when it visited Wigan Lodge No 2326.............<more>
Ladies help Wigan hospice
The ladies’ committee of Tuscan Oak and Lamberthead Lodge No 6387 is very active and their recent events have resulted in £250 being presented to the local hospice........<more>
Walkers give hospice a £4,000 bonus
Wigan and Leigh Hospice received a welcome financial bonus towards the refurbishment of patients’ bedrooms when Wigan Freemasons contributed..........<more>
FREEMASONS ENJOY CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Twenty three Freemasons from all over the UK with wives, widows and guests recently enjoyed a cocktail party aboard the cruise liner Oceana.......<more>
Masonic visit to Portugal
For the eighth time Bryn Lodge juniors have paid a visit to Masonic jurisdiction abroad. This time it was Portugal .........<more>
Lodge hosts Scottish demonstration
Tuscan Oak and Lamberthead Lodge No 6387 (amalgamated last October) hosted a team from north of the border at their January meeting at Pemberton Masonic Hall ....<more>
Rare Bible on show at amalgamation
The successful amalgamation of one of Wigan’s oldest and most respected Lodges, Lindsay No 1335 with one of Wigan’s most vibrant, Bryn Lodge No 6553 took place.....<more>
WIGAN FREEMASONS COMMEMORATE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Both members of the Burma Star Association, Wigan Freemasons Tom Entwistle and Roger Crook have been attending the annual Remembrance Day ceremony....<more>
Chorley Group win against Wigan again
Wigan Group News Archive - see the archive of Wigan Group news items
CHANGE FOR THE GOOD
Wigan and Leigh Hospice relies heavily on public donations to maintain a high standard of service to its patients and collecting small change has paid dividends. Over the years more than £60,000 has been raised through collection tins in pubs, clubs, shops etc and the Loose Change Scheme, by people saving spare change for the hospice.
A major expansion of the scheme is planned for the near future, but this means more small change to be counted by volunteers. Edwin Matthews of the hospice said: “Counting change by hand can take a few people all day, whereas with a new change machine this can be done in hours.”
The existing counting machine has become unreliable and needs replacing, which will cost a few thousand pounds. This is where the Wigan Group of Freemasons stepped in to help by presenting a cheque for £520 towards the cost of a new machine.
This will be boosted even further by money raised from a sponsored walk across Morecambe Bay by Freemasons, their families and friends.
Wigan Group Secretary, Geoff Porter presents a cheque for £520 to Dr Ann Parr, with volunteer Freemasons Derek Wood and Alf Short looking on.
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Lodges pay tribute to David Mills
A special presentation dinner was held at Bryn Masonic Hall in recognition of the service given to the Wigan and District Masonic Group by David Mills.
His work for the group has spanned a period of 13 years. He was appointed group secretary in 1995 and after serving in this position for only one year he was then appointed vice chairman, a role he carried out with distinction for eight years. In 2004 he was appointed to he very important position of group chairman.
In 1996 he was awarded Grand Rank as PAGDC and in 2006 he was promoted to PJGD. He also holds Grand Rank in the Royal Arch. A very active Mason, David is the Inspector General for the District of South West Lancashire with responsibility for 22 Rose Croix Chapters
Away from Freemasonry, David is a Magistrate and is currently Chairman of the North and West Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Courts. In addition to this he is Chairman of the Governors of Hawkley Hall High School and a Governor of Deanery High School, Wigan. In the Scouts he is Chairman of the Wigan and District Scout Council and a Church Warden of All Saints Parish Church, Wigan. In Liverpool he is a member of the Diocesan Board of Finance and a member of its Audit Committee.
David retired in 1991 as General Manager of Administration with HJ Heinz Company Limited
At the dinner Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield presented David with a cheque on behalf of the Wigan Lodges. David and his wife, Nancy, have decided to put the cheque towards a Bose Sound system.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield presents David Mills, retiring Chairman of the Wigan Group, with a cheque on behalf of the members of Wigan Lodges.
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GOLFERS ENJOY THE SUNSHINE
In glorious sunny weather 44 golfers entered the Wigan and District Annual Championship at Gathurst Golf Club. The champion and winner of the Atkinson Trophy was Phillip Gornall of Orrell Lodge No 8371. The runner-up was John Lomax of Hope Lodge No 4003. Graham Henry of Pemberton Lodge No 4686, finished in third place.
The Ledger Team Trophy was won by Orrell Lodge Lodge No 8371, represented by Phillip Gornall and Harold Bibby. The Cliff Davies Trophy, for players over 65, was won by Frank Jones of Borsdane Lodge No 6460 with the best score of the day. Bill Pearson of the Peace and Pemberton Chapter came second. The Ladies’ prize was won by Mrs Diane Norris and the Visitors’ prize by David Hilliard.
The presentations were made at the dinner, later in the evening, attended by Geoffrey Bloch, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, along with 70 players, their wives and guests. A cheque for £700 was presented to Danny Jones, Group Chairman for the 2010 Festival.
The society is keen to thank the Committee of Gathurst Golf Club for allowing use of the course and dining facilities; all members who supported the competition and the dinner and also those who provided prizes or helped in any way, both on the day and in preparation. Thanks are also due to all those Lodges and Chapters who sent their donations to the society. This money, together with that raised by other events, will be sent, in full, to the West Lancashire Masonic Golfing Society to support the Provincial Charities.
Qualifiers to represent Wigan Group at the West Lancashire Masonic Golfing Society Final, to be played at Childwall Golf Club on Wednesday 8 August are from:
Frank Jones Borsdane Lodge N° 6460
Bill Pearson Peace & Pemberton Chapter, N° 4686
Jeff Taylor Sincerity Lodge, N° 3677
Ernest Daniel Holmes Lodge, N° 2708
Harold Bibby Orrell Lodge, N° 8371
Phillip Gornall Orrell Lodge, N° 8371.
John Lomax, Hope Lodge, N° 4003
The Autumn Meeting will be held at Gathurst GC on 1 September 2008, followed by a dinner for members and guests.
The final event, a team match, for the Mike Wareing Trophy, against the Chorley Group, will be on Monday 8 September at Hart Common GC.
Clifford Davies, Past Asst Provincial Grand Master, presents the Cliff Davies Trophy for players over 65 to Frank Jones of Borsdane Lodge No 6460
Danny Jones, Wigan Group Chairman, congratulates Diane Norris winner of the Ladies’ prize.
Wigan Masonic Golfing Society Chairman David Norris, presents a cheque for £700 to Danny Jones, Wigan Group Chairman, for the 2010 Festival
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Grant will reduce anti social behaviour
A donation of £1,500 from Freemasons could help reduce anti social behaviour at a Scout hut.
The open porch at the 1st Ashton Lord Gerard’s Scout Group hut in Liverpool Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield has become a gathering place for youngsters when meetings are not taking place.
Tony Siney, chairman of the Scout group, said: “In bad weather the porch attracts anti social elements including children as young as five. There are always cigarette ends, graffiti and vandalism in and around the porch.”
John Cooper is a Freemason who is a member of the group’s management committee. Through his membership of Newton Lodge which meets in Warrington, John asked if a grant could be made to the group to help resolve the problem.
With the Scouts having raised some funds the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity decided to donate £1,500 so that a roller shutter door can be installed to enclose the porch when the hall is not in use and also build a disabled ramp to give better access to the building.
The cheque for £1,500 was presented to Tony at Warrington Masonic Hall by Ian Boswell, chairman of the Warrington Group of Lodges.
Tony said: “We are a totally independent group and with not being affiliated to a church or school we are not subsidised by anyone so therefore have to raise all our own funds. It is only by the good graces of such organisations as the Freemasons that we can continue. We are very grateful for this generous donation.”
John has been associated with the group for more than 25 years was last year awarded ther MBE for the voluntary work he has undertaken for various sections of the community for many years.
Ian Boswell presents the cheque for £1,500 to Tony Siney watched by John Cooper.
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GROUP’S NEW OFFICERS
The new officials of the Wigan Group, Group Chairman Danny Jones with Malcolm Taylor Vice-Chairman (left) and Group Secretary Geoff Porter (right) at their first official function after their appointment at Provincial Grand Lodge.
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Lancashire welcome for Oklahoma team
A real Lancashire welcome greeted the Oklahoma Masonic Demonstration Team when it visited Wigan Lodge No 2326 on a cold Monday evening in April.
The team was led by Johnny D Onkst, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and gave a demonstration of native custom’s and a degree ceremony before a packed Pemberton Masonic Hall. Members are drawn from various native Indian tribes including Sioux, Ottowa, Apache, Comanche and Cherokee nations.
Bill Smith, a Past Master of Wigan Lodge, said: “We were all delighted when we received confirmation that the team would visit us and we have not been disappointed. They performed their rituals in superbly entertaining way. It was truly a night to remember and we were treated to a completely different view of Freemasonry from a different part of the world.”
Joseph Lynch of the Apache nation said: “We are here to show English Masons how we keep our own very special Indian traditions.”
Despite the cold outside, there was plenty of warmth inside and Grand Master Onkst summed it up by saying: “It’s a treat to be in Wigan. We read about the town before leaving home. It’s a place with a lot of history and we appreciated the very warm welcome we have received.”
Afterwards over more than 100 members and visitors were treated to a good old traditional Lancashire Hot Pot with Apple Pie and Cream, after the feathers had been safely packed away.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield with Johnny D Onskt Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oklohoma.
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Ladies help Wigan hospice
The ladies’ committee of Tuscan Oak and Lamberthead Lodge No 6387 is very active and their recent events have resulted in £250 being presented to the local hospice.
The money was raised through social events during Corrie Wilson-McCarmack’s year as WM.
The cheque was presented on behalf of the ladies to the Wigan and Leigh Hospice by Corrie who is now IPM.
This is just one of several donations to the hospice this year by Lodges from the Wigan Masonic Group.
Corrie Wilson-McCormack presents the cheque to hospice nurse Jane Hastry watched by a group of day-patients.
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Walkers give hospice a £4,000 bonus
Wigan and Leigh Hospice received a welcome financial bonus towards the refurbishment of patients’ bedrooms when Wigan Freemasons contributed more than £4,000 towards the cost from a charity fund-raising walk across Morecambe Bay.
More than 40 Freemasons with their wives and families made the crossing under the guidance of the Queen’s Guide Cedric Robinson raising £4,327 through sponsorship from individuals and Lodges in the Wigan area. With Gift Aid added the final total should exceed £5,000.
Event organiser Alf Short said: “What can be better than getting some great exercise, in good company, for a good cause?”
The money will pay a third of the cost of re-decorating and refitting 12 bedrooms making life much more comfortable for those who need a period of in-patient care.
The cheque was presented to by Danny Jones, Vice-Chairman of the Wigan Masonic Group of Lodges, to Hospice Chief Executive Stuart Liptrot, with walkers Alf Short, Derek Fuller and Jim Melling also in attendance.
Stuart Liptrot said: “Once again we are privileged to receive such a generous donation from the local Freemasons. Our in-patient area is need of some refurbishment and it will make a significant difference. There’s only one thing, they didn’t bring us any cockles!”
Danny Jones, Wigan Group Vice-Chairman presentis a cheque to Hospice Chief Executive, Stuart Liptrot, with walkers Derek Fuller, Jim Melling and Alf Short looking on.
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FREEMASONS ENJOY CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Twenty three Freemasons from all over the UK with wives, widows and guests recently enjoyed a cocktail party aboard the cruise liner Oceana in the Caribbean.
WBro Frank Cooke, PPrJGW, of Vigilance and Douglas Lodge No 6236 of Bryn was the senior Mason on board and presided over the event in the company of the Captain Christopher Wells and three of his senior crew.
On the night £375 was raised, with £175 going to a charity of the Captain’s choice and the remainder to Masonic Charities.
Freemasons with their wives, widows and friends on Oceana. Frank Cooke
of Vigilance and Douglas Lodge, Bryn is stood next to the officer on the
left.
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Masonic visit to Portugal
For the eighth time Bryn Lodge juniors have paid a visit to Masonic jurisdiction abroad. This time it was Portugal and a visit to the Lodge of Discoveries No.9409 meeting on the Algarve at the Hotel Tivoli Almasor in the town of Carvoeiro.
Arriving safely in Faro everything was going smoothly until Wayne Carder was whisked away by security for taking photographs in a restricted area. However, much to the disappointment of the rest of the team, he was released fairly quickly when the guards realised he had only been taking pictures of the WM, Kenny Hatton.
The Lodge of Discoveries is under the jurisdiction of a Grand Inspector under the Grand Lodge of England and is fortunate in having such a splendid venue as a five star hotel who are happy to accommodate the Lodge for its meetings.
Eleven members made the journey this time, but this was the first one since one of the ‘founders’ of the junior trips, Bro Brian Thompson, passed away. Brian was sorely missed and the subject of many toasts and remembered with much fondness through anecdotes from previous excursions. His widow, Doris, at a social evening the previous Saturday, had recalled how much he had enjoyed his trips and being with the junior brethren and her parting words were ‘enjoy your trip to Portugal’.
Enjoy it they did with a demonstration of a first degree by the Lodge and a gourmet festive board followed by the Bryn contingent getting very lucky in the raffle winning whiskey, brandy, vodka, white and red wine, rose, champagne and quite a bit of beer to round off the evening.
The following day they enjoyed a day on the beach with various competitions to keep the lads fit, including long jump and 50 metre race. Adjourning to a local bar they enjoyed sardines and chicken piri-piri followed by arm wrestling, a pool competition, and bar football.
Eventually they all got back home safely following yet another highly successful visit to an overseas lodge.
WBro Barry Dickinson of Bryn Lodge No 6553 presents a commemorative clock
to the Worshipful Master of Lodge of Discoveries No 9409 in Portugal.
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Lodge hosts Scottish demonstration
Tuscan Oak and Lamberthead Lodge No 6387 (amalgamated last October) hosted a team from north of the border at their January meeting at Pemberton Masonic Hall and more than Masons thoroughly enjoyed a very enthusiastic and entertaining demonstration of a Scottish Third Degree ceremony.
The team led by WBro John Donaldson, Grand Bard of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire, Middle Ward was assisted by WBro Tom Johnson, Provincial Grand Director of Music, Provincial Committee member WBro Derek Douglas, Piper John Davidson a PM of Lodge Motherwell Caledonia No 1228 and Ian Thomson PM Lodge Murdostoun Castle No 1096, and assisted very ably by WBro Alex Sharp.
The team endured atrocious weather on their way down from the Glasgow area but managed to get to Pemberton in time to enjoy a cup of tea and hot pies before ‘showing the English how its done’.
Bro Cyril Vincent acted as the unsuspecting candidate, but managed to recover sufficiently to enjoy a very happy Festive Board.
The demonstration highlighted the similarities between English and Scottish working, whilst at the same time illustrating the more extensive nature of Scottish ceremonies.
The team has promised to return again next year to do a demonstration of a First Degree.
Our picture shows, left to right: WBro Alex Sharp, Bro Cyril Vincent who took the part of the candidate, WBro John Donaldson, Corrie McCormak, Worshipful Master, WBro's Derek Douglas, Tommy johnson, Ian Thomson and John Davidson.
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Rare Bible on show at amalgamation
The successful amalgamation of one of Wigan’s oldest and most respected Lodges, Lindsay No 1335 with one of Wigan’s most vibrant, Bryn Lodge No 6553 took place at Bryn Masonic Hall, by the Provincial Grand Master and his team.
Lindsay Lodge was consecrated in 1870 with, James Ludovic Lindsay, Lord Lindsay as the first Master of the Lodge which had been named after him. Some very fine artefacts were on display at the ceremony including a rare Breeches Bible of 1652 presented to the Lodge by William Leader, a Past Master of the Lodge and the architect of Leader Buildings in King Street, Wigan, where the Lodges in Wigan used to meet prior to 1902.
Also on display was the Master’s chain of Lindsay Lodge which had so many links, it had become too heavy to adorn a collar and was on display in a case.
Bryn Lodge was consecrated in 1947 and has always been a vibrant Lodge with a very active junior section. In November last year the Lodge paid a very successful visit to English speaking lodges in Portugal which is the latest of a series of visits to overseas Freemasonry, including Prague, Holland and Ireland.
With the merging of the two Lodges they now have 14 Brethren eligible to go forward in office which should ensure the future of the new Bryn Lodge No 6553.
The photograph shows David Mills, Wigan Group Chairman, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Sharples, Ken Hatton (Master of Bryn Lodge) the Provincial Grand Master, John Mason (Master of the former Lindsay Lodge) and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield.
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WIGAN FREEMASONS COMMEMORATE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Both members of the Burma Star Association, Wigan Freemasons Tom Entwistle and Roger Crook have been attending the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in the grounds of Wigan Parish Church for many years.
A few years ago Roger, a member of Heber Lodge No 4388, discussed with the Lodge the possibility of commemorating the members of Heber Lodge who fell during World War II and for the past three years he has laid a wreath from the Lodge at the Cenotaph.
Both Roger and Tom felt that this commemoration should extend to all Wigaqn Freemasons who fell during both World Wars and a proposal was put to the Wigan Group Representatives’ meeting in October, 2007 that Freemasonry should be represented. It was unanimously agreed that the Group provide a wreath in commemoration.
This will now take place annually on Remembrance Sunday and the first wreath was laid by WBro Fred Lomax, Provincial Communications Officer on behalf of the Wigan Masonic Group.
Tom Entwistle and Roger Crook at the Cenotaph.
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CHORLEY WIN AGAIN
Twelve golfers enjoyed a beautiful autumn day at the annual Golf match between Wigan and Chorley Groups held recently at Hart Common Golf Club, Westhoughton. The Chorley Group once again proving too strong for the Wigan team, beating them 196 points to 185, retaining the Mike Wareing Trophy.
Ian Higham of Chorley had the best individual score with 40 points followed by Eugene Clark of Wigan with 37.
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