On Remembrance Sunday in St Helens, despite the cold and rainy weather, the St Helens and Prescot Freemasons showed their support for fallen heroes.
Tony Ackroyd, the St Helens Masonic Hall catering manager, opened the hall as a meeting point and provided hot tea and coffee to kick off the morning. At 10:15 am, the brethren headed to the Cenotaph to take their place for a 10.30 am start.
The service was attended by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle and other representatives from the Craft, Royal Arch and another Masonic Order, as well as civic leaders, the Mayor of St Helens Councillor Lynn Clarke, emergency services, military organizations, religious orders and several voluntary and youth associations were also in attendance.
Haydock Brass Band and choir provided music for the hymns and the National Anthem. Jimmy Williams from the Dominion Lodge No 4289 in Prescot did a reading to respect those who had sacrificed so much for us, after which the attendees were invited to lay wreaths. The Mersey Valley Group wreath was laid by the chairman Dave Atkinson, along with Dave Rigby and John Brown.
After the ceremony, everyone went back to the St Helens Masonic Hall, where Andrew Whittle thanked everyone for attending and invited the brethren to join him for hotpot, cake and a hot cup of tea.
