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Wigan
Group News Archive
Clowes Methodist Church
In their process of refurbishment
funds are urgently needed and Wigan Freemason..............................<more>
Wet and
Windily in Hindley
Even on a wet, grey day in December you can’t
dampen the spirits of the staff at the Wigan and Leigh Hospice.................................................<more>
E. Comp.
Frank Sharples - 50th Anniversary
We celebrate this milestone in the career of a very distinguished
Freemason. Fifty years in any activity is a long time and is a time of celebration
..........<more>
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Clowes Methodist Church
In their process of refurbishment funds are urgently needed and Wigan Freemason,
W.Bro.Les Rudd asked for help and was delighted to receive from the Masonic
Community Fund of West Lancs a cheque in the sum of £500 for Clowes
Church.
(Left to Right) Norman Aspey, Church Treasurer,
Kathleen Lord, Steward - W.Bro.Ray Martland, Provincial Almoner for West
Lancs. Freemasons, Rev. Dr. Andrew Pratt and W.Bro.Les Rudd
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Wet and Windily in Hindley
Even on a wet, grey day in December you can’t dampen the spirits of
the staff at the Wigan and Leigh Hospice or those who visit and support them
in their efforts.
Wigan and District and Leigh Groups of Masonic Lodges
- rivals on the football field join forces to present a cheque for £2300
from the Freemasons Grand Charity in their continued efforts to support this
worthy cause.
Left to Right - Malcolm Parr - Leigh Group Vice Chairman, David Mills - Wigan
and District Group Chairman, Irene Cieplak - Hospice Volunteer coordinater,
Tony Bent
- Leigh Group Chairman, Len Hart - Leigh Group Sec.
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E.
Comp. Frank Sharples - 50th Anniversary
We celebrate this milestone in the career of a very distinguished Freemason.
Fifty years in any activity is a long time and is a time of celebration.
Frank was born in Manchester on the 16th October 1915 and leaving
school at 14 he
started as an accounts clerk with Exide. Some ten years later he joined
the police force which was, at that time, linked to the Fire Service.
He was then
on standby for 16 hours after his shift of 8 hours in the Police force.
Frank served in the Fleet air arm and returned to the police force
serving in CID and Special Branch and rising to the rank of Detective
Inspector when he
retired in 1965. More important to Frank was his long lasting marriage
of 60 years to Gladys with a daughter, Barbara, grandchildren, Joanne
and David and
a great grand daughter.
When he retired he continued his commitment to Wigan Parish Church where
he was a bell ringer, a sidesman and a member of the PCC. He also gave
his time to Wigan
Hospice as a volunteer ambulance driver and found time to support Lancashire
CCC and of Orrell RFC.
Following the loss of Gladys in May 2000, soon after they moved to Southport
to be closer to Barbara, Frank became very ill but has made a wonderful
recovery and has settled down to a regular and ordered life since he
moved to the Tithebarn
Masonic Home
He joined the Lodge of Antiquity in 15th March 1950 was Master in 1967
and attained the rank of P.Pr.S.G.W. He is also a member of Quingenti
Lodge and Sovereign
Peace Lodge. He is a member of several other degrees but particularly
the Royal Arch where he is a member of Lindsay Chapter which he joined
in 1953. He was
First Principal in 1968 and was a founder member of Pemberton Chapter
and Ashton Trinity Chapter and is a member of Past Principals Chapter,
Provincial Stewards
Chapter and Setantia Chapter and attained the rank of P.Pr.G.S.N. in
1990.
We could not hope to see a more complete Mason than Frank whom we are
here to honour and join in the celebration of his Golden Jubilee.
Extracts from address given by E.Comp Brian Anthony Jackson P.G.Swd.B., Dep.
Grand. Superintendent
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