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Scout Group receives cheque to attend course Jim’s special role at presentation Warton Lodge founder made an honorary member Lancaster Castle Lodge Summer BBQ Group Ball a great success a special evening at Runic Lodge Warton Mason Meets Gordon Brown VISIT TO THE FOREST OF KNARESBOURGH LODGE No 7452 IN THE PROVINCE OF YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING Phil and Jim at RNLI service
Alan’s 50 years in the Royal Arch (Alan Jenkinson) Maurice Townley of Carnforth Lodge celebrates 50 years in freemasonry Morecambe Lodge Give To Cancer Care Carnforth Ladies Evening Lancaster Castle Reach £10,000 for The 2010 The Organist Plays On VALE MASON CELEBRATES 50th A MASONIC MILESTONE FOR W.BRO THOMAS The ‘SMART MONEY’ went for immunity badges! Warton Installation benefits Special Care Baby Unit SCORTON LODGE
INSTALLATION MEETING £ 4,108 for Festival from heysham Lodge No.4108 GROUP MASONIC QUIZ NIGHT OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ, - YE SHALL BE FINED! Duke of Lancaster - Support for Hospice Barry’s Special Achievement Award Entered Apprentice from 1777 visits Vale Lodge Andy Mason celebrates 50 years Assistant Provincial Grand Master attends Silverdale A sojourne to Ireland Duke Of Lancaster Revive An Old Tradition Masons In The Community Colin Penty Wright celebrates 50 years Lancaster Castle Lodge master presents £ 1,750 Former Chairman celebrates 50 years Brian raises money through his hidden talent Carnforth Council's Masonic Mayor Wild West Murder in Lancaster Group Ball held at the Midland On Sunday 27th July the members of Silverdale Lodge and their families and friends gathered to enjoy a Summer Barbeque....<read more>
Scout Group receives cheque to attend course The Vice Chairman of The Lancaster & District Masonic Group WBro. Tony Harrison found himself the surrounded by children when he visited the local scout group at St Chad’s Church Hall in Torrisholme.
WBro Tony was there to present a cheque for £125 to the scouts on behalf of the Group to enable five of their Scout Leadres to attend a required Health and Safety Course. He presented the cheque to Mrs Barcus, also present was WBro Phil Stott of Lancaster Castle Lodge who had requested the support.
Jim’s special role at presentation Jim Wilson had a very interesting day when Torrisholme Lodge No 5245 made a presentation to Morecambe Branch of RNLI and he had “volunteered” to assist in the presentation. The lodge had, after consultation with the local branch of the RLNI decided that it would provide a spinal board and a very expensive set of automatic focusing binoculars for this essential local charity to assist it in the very valuable work it does.
Jim had volunteered to be strapped into the spinal board to demonstrate its use and as can be seen from the photograph below he really enjoyed the experience. Also in the photograph are Jimmy Nisbet, Dennis Butterfield, Paul Turner (helmsman) Jim Wilson, Harry Roberts (lifeboat commander) Michael Guy (lifeboat operations manager) and Mike Taylor (WM).
Warton Lodge founder made an honorary member At their regular meeting on the 14th April Warton Lodge No 8411 made WBro Brian Oddy PJGD an honorary member of the Lodge. This was in recognition of the very long service W.Bro Brian has given the Lodge. He is one of two surviving founders who are both still members of the lodge and was an officer of the Lodge continuously from its consecration in 1972 to 2008. W.Bro Oddy was initiated into The Lodge of Friendship No 4199 in 1957, and was a founder member of Warton Lodge in 1972. He was Master of The Lodge of Friendship in 1965 and then held the office of Chaplin in that lodge. He received Provincial honours in 1972, serving as Provincial Grand Chaplin and was promoted to the Grand Rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon in 1993. W.Bro Oddy is a local man born in Morecambe and schooled in Lancaster. He served as the vicar of the parish of Warton from 1964 to 1998.
Colin Wright with Brian Oddy and Tom Holroyd He is well known, and highly thought of throughout the Group and the Province and well deserving of the honour conferred on him.
Lancaster Castle Lodge Summer BBQ
The annual BBQ of Lancaster Castle Lodge was held on the 23rd May on what turned out to be a beautiful day. It was held as usual at Yealand Conyers, and was well attended raising over £600 for charity. The sunshine and heat were very welcome and most unusual as in the past warm clothing has usually been a necessity. The Worshipful Master Bro Alan Fleming and his wife Hillary organised the event with the same enthusiasm they have put into all the many socials they have had during the year, and were justly rewarded by the weather and the funds raised.
Group Ball a great success This years Group Ball was again held at University of Cumbria, on the top floor of the Gateway Building, which provides incredible views across Morecambe Bay. The staff of the venue provided a very good meal, and excellent service and all at a reasonable cost. Last year one hundred and eight Masons and their partners attended, this year it was one hundred and sixty and most seemed impressed with the event and the location. The event was organised by the new Group Social Secretary W.Bro Ian Modley of Lancaster Castle Lodge, and the proceedings were controlled by W.Bro Ian Allison of Carnforth Lodge who acted as Director of Ceremonies. Both must be congratulated for making the occasion such a success. Apart from being a social success the event was also a financial success as WBro Ian raised £740 on the raffle and envelope draw, and donations and other sources took the final total to around £1100.
A special evening at Runic Lodge Friday April 9th 2010 was a special evening at Runic Lodge. The Lodge received a talk entitled “A Walk on the Wild Side” or “Life in the Fast Lane” given by R.W. Colin Penty Wright P.Pr.G.M. who told of his experiences running the largest Masonic Province in the world. He spoke of his many trips to London and meetings on the various Charity Groups. It was an amusing and informative talk of his work as Provincial Grand Master. The talk by RW.Bro Wright was followed by a presentation to W.Bro. Geoff Cousen. W.Bro. Geoff celebrated of 50 years in Masonry in December 2008, and to commemorate the occasion a book had been produced by W.Bro.Yazdani recording his years as a mason, and his time in Runic Lodge. The presentation was made by WBro Yazdani
Warton Mason Meets Gordon Brown Bro Bob Roe a member of Warton Lodge and a Carnforth councillor has been commended by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his long term contributions to the community.
Bro Roe who is on Carnforth Town Council and Lancaster City Council was invited to a special “Heroes of the Community” reception for individuals who have contributed extensively to public life. Eighty local councillors were invited to the champagne reception at Downing Street, where they met with various Members of Parliament and the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah. Bro Bob said “Mr Brown thanked me for the work I had done in Carnforth and said he was grateful for all my efforts over the years. He was very friendly. He seemed like a very pleasant man. It was an excellent day and I was very proud to represent Carnforth”. Bro Roe was then given a tour of Downing Street and later met with Geraldine Smith, who was MP for Morecambe, as her invited guest to the Houses of Parliament. Bro Roe has been a member of Carnforth Town Council for twenty five years and he has served on Lancaster City Council for three years. His record of service to the community is very impressive. He is a director of the Carnforth Station Trust which has successfully restored and developed the historic Station at Carnforth. He was Chairman of the Carnforth Area Regeneration Partnership. He has been instrumental in preserving the Carnforth Connect bus service which is a special service running between Carnforth and the surrounding villages, and he has been heavily involved in setting up the town of Carnforth’s youth and community centre.
VISIT TO THE FOREST OF KNARESBOURGH LODGE No 7452 IN THE PROVINCE OF YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING On Friday 18th June W. Bro. Chris Brown, Worshipful Master of Silverdale lodge led a party of eleven brethren of his lodge (and one brother from Warton lodge) on a visit to his mother lodge the Forest of Knaresborough lodge in the province of Yorkshire West Riding. The party included Alan Thompson, Alan Proctor, Jimmy Stewart, Frank Clark, Brian Dobson, Peter Mason, Alec Dobson, Peter Thompson, Andrew Wood, Chris Brown, Mathew Preston , Peter Wood and John Robson. The group were given a generous and friendly Yorkshire welcome and were able to witness an excellent second degree ceremony which was followed by a very enjoyable festive Board. The Lancaster Masons were equally generous and kindly donated £120 to boost the Forest of Knaresborough charity collection which raised a splendid £320 on the evening.
Phil and Jim at RNLI service Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Phil Gardner, together with Lancaster and District Group Chairman, Jim Wilson, attended the Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication for a new Morecambe Lifeboat and the opening of the new Hovercraft Station on Morecambe Promenade. They were invited by the RNLI as the Freemasons of the Lancaster and District Group have, over the last few years, given generous financial support to the new home for the hovercraft. Phil Gardner said: "Jim and I felt very proud to be representing the many Freemasons who did not hesitate to dig deep into their pockets when a call for assistance was made by the local RNLI. It is also heart-warming to see how many of our members and their families are involved with fund-raising year in, year out, for the RNLI.”
Phil and Jim are pictured with the Hovercraft on its special trailer.
Alan’s 50 years in the Royal Arch
E.Comp Alan Jenkinson of Scorton Chapter celebrated 50 Years of Royal Arch Masonry on the 23rd November, at the Masonic Hall in Garstang. E.Comp Alan is a very well known Garstang Mason, who has been a member of Scorton Lodge for 52 years and he was also a founder member of Pilling Lodge in 1962. He was exalted into Scorton Chapter on the 26th October 1959. The occasion was well attended, with the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals E.Comp Alan Dunn conducting the ceremony. E.Comp Dunn had the support of the Group Officers as well as four acting Officers E.Compions Alan Mills, Ron Gibson and Mike Walling from the Lancaster & District Group, and E.Comp Nigel Higginson from the Furness & South Lakeland Group. E.Comp Dunn gave a brief account of Alan’s Masonic and non Masonic life. In masonry Alan’s career is both long and varied as he has also reached high office in several side degrees. He is in both Pilling and Scorton Craft Lodges, and in 1996 he was in the Chair of Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters. In Royal Arch he has reached the high office of PPrGSN which was accorded to him in 1990. He is a member of Royds Preceptory of Knights Templar, where he currently holds the rank of Past Grand Chamberlin, and he was a founder member of both Northern Light Preceptory and The Westmorland Preceptory. He is a member of Knight Templar Priest. He has been a member of Morecambe Rose Croix, and is a member of the order of St Thomas of Acorn. This list illustrates Alan’s incredible dedication to masonry. On the non Masonic side Alan has been a staunch member of St John the Baptists Church in Pillng for 57 years, and he is also a member of Probus the organisation for retired business men and women. . At the festive board the E.Comp Jim Wilson the Group Chairman proposed the Toast to the Assistant to the Grand Principals welcoming him to Garstang, introducing him to those gathered and highlighting some of his Masonic career particularly the service he had given to the Masonic charities for many years. The toast to the celebrant was proposed by his old friend and Past Assistant to the Grand Principals E.Comp Tom Rowley, who’s association with Alan goes back to 1974.
Maurice Townley of Carnforth Lodge celebrates 50 years in freemasonry
On Wednesday 25th January W.Bro.Maurice Townley of Carnforth Lodge celebrated 50 years in freemasonry. The lodge room was full to see W.Bro Phil Gardner the Assistant Provincial Grand Master take charge when offered the gavel of the lodge. W.Bro Gardner was supported by all three Group Officers and three acting Provincial Grand Officers. W.Bro Gardner spoke to those present of the events that took place fifty years ago to bring into context the length of time W.Bro Maurice had been a mason. He then gave those present a summary of the “life and times” of Maurice Townley. Maurice was born in Lancaster in 1933 being the seventh of nine children, and he attended school in Lancaster. He worked on various farms until he was called up for National Service at the age of nineteen. It was in the army that Maurice found the occupation he was to follow for the rest of his life, as he became a military policeman. On leaving the Army he joined The Lancashire Constabulary and was initially stationed at Liverpool. This was to be the first of many postings that saw him rise through the ranks to the level of Chief Superintendant. Maurice joined the Carnforth Lodge in 1959 though in none of the intervening years has he ever lived close to the town, travelling the length and breadth of Lancashire with his job, this however has never proved to be an impediment to his continued membership, though it has restricted his attendance. W.Bro Maurice retired from the police in 1984 and has continued to live in the south of the county since. He was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1973, and declined promotion in the craft because of his situation. He has however always been a strong supporter of the lodge and a committed and well respected member of it. At the festive board the toast to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master was proposed by W.Bro Tony Harrison the Vice Chairman of The Lancaster and District Group of Lodges, and W.Bro Gardner replied in his own inimitable style. The toast to the Celebrant was very well proposed by W.Bro Geoff Ireland a long time acquaintance and friend of W.Bro Maurice, and in his eloquent and amusing reply W.Bro Maurice Townley showed how well his years at the top of Her Majesty Police Force had prepared him for public speaking.
Morecambe Lodge Give To Cancer Care For the second year running the brethren of Morecambe Lodge have supported the local charity Cancer Care.
The Worshipful Master Bro Peter Jackson and his wife Barbra were at Slyndales in Lancaster on Tuesday 3rd November to present the charity with a cheque for £500 pounds. The cheque was received on behalf of Cancer Care by Mr Richard Cogger the charities fund raising administrator. With the Worshipfull Master were W.Bro Malcolm Cambage and W.Bro Geoff Needham and their wives, W.Bro Bill Stables the Lodge Charity Steward, and W.Bro Jim Wilson the Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group of Lodges
Carnforth Ladies Evening On the 31st October 2009 Carnforth Lodge held their Ladies Evening in the “View” function room, in the Gateway Building at the University of Cumbria, Lancaster. The Worshipful Master, W.Bro Daniel James Wilson, who is a widower, invited his daughter-in-law, Mrs Rosemary Wilson to be his principal guest. W.Bro Daniel is in the chair of Carnforth Lodge for the second time, the first was in 1969.
The Lodge presented Mrs Rosemary Wilson with a gift of £100, which she it turn generously donated to the charity North West Air Ambulance. The picture shows W. Bro John Stanworth, the Immediate Past Master of the Lodge presenting the cheque to Mrs Wilson and the Worshipful Master looking on.
Lancaster Castle Reach £10,000 for The 2010 On Tuesday 26th November Lancaster Castle Lodge held their Installation. The occasion was well attended, and saw W.Bro Richard Holdstock install Bro Alan Fleming in to the chair of the Lodge. W.Bro Holdstock is a past master of a London Lodge and became a joining member of Lancaster Castle just four years ago. He proved he has mastered the change in ritual by conducting a superb ceremony of installation. The new Master Bro Alan Fleming has also risen rapidly through the ranks having been a member for only six years. Bro Alan is a West Cumbrian from the strickened town of Cockermouth, who now lives in Kendal. The representative of the Right Worshipful Provicial Grand Master was W,Bro F R Pyne the Provincial Grand Almoner. At the festive board his response contained many interesting facts about the Charity structure of our Province, and the work done by the charities. W.Bro Pyne was presented with a cheque for the 2010 festival for one thousand pounds by W,Bro Holdstock. Bro Richard was completing a very successful year in the chair. The cheque was the second donation made to the festival this masonic season and it brought the total given to the 2010 festival so far to £10,000. In W.Bro Richard’s year the lodge has raised a total of £5,600 for charity, in addition to the donation to the 2010, £1,000 was raised for The North West Air Ambulance, £1000 for Help The Heroes, £1000 for Cancer Research, and £650 for other causes. At the festive board the toast to the master was proposed by W.Bro Peter Wiltshire, who provide his audience with a humorous history of the new worshipful master, and in his response Bro Fleming showed that he will be an asset to the lodge. The reply on behalf of the visitors was given by W.Bro Tattersal the Master of Runic Lodge, and also the guest organist of Lancaster Castle. Using his own inimitable talents and the piano on the stage he provided what can only be described as a uniquely entertaining response.
Tony Harrison, Vice Chairman, Alan Flemming (WM) and Roy Pyne
The Organist Plays On On Friday 13th November 2009 W.Bro David Tattersall was again installed into the chair of Runic Lodge. He first took the office back in 2001 in the presence of a full Provincial Team, lead by the then Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Colin Penty Wright and his Deputy V.W.Bro Tom Blackburn . This time the attendance was just as impressive. The principal guest was our own Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.Bro Philip Gardner, and among those attending, this time as guests, were The Past Provincial Grand Master RWBro. Colin Penty Wright, and The Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master VWBro Tom Blackburn. The Installing Master for the ceremony has had a very successful year in office visiting most lodges in the group several times. He attended virtually every meeting of Lancaster Castle and this was reflected by the numbers present from that lodge. The ceremony was a tribute to the outgoing master who, it has to be remembered, was conducting it in his second language. W.Bro David has been an Acting Officer of the Province since 2003 when he was appointed Provincial Deputy Grand Organist, he did this for four years and in 2007 he was appointed as Provincial Grand Organist a post he still holds. The respect with which W.Bro David is held throughout the province can be judged by those who participated in the event. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Province W.Bro Mark Dimelow, who was there as a guest, gave the Address to the Master. The Immediate Past Grand Organist of the Province W.Bro Derringer played the organ. The Masters Song was sung by W.Bro Gerald Bullough the head of the Provincial Choire, and the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies for the day was W.Bro Norman Thomas. Both W.Bro Dimelow and W.Bro Thomas had attended David’s first installation as Deputy Directors of Ceremony in the Provincial Team. The toast to the WM at the festive board was proposed by W.Bro John Heaton who is another well known organist in the Lancaster and District Group, and the man who taught W.Bro David to play the organ and proposed him into masonry. The festive board was attended by almost one hundred and twenty masons, and completed and excellent day.
The APrGM congratulates David Tattersall
A MASONIC MILESTONE FOR W.BRO THOMAS AT THE MEETING OF MORECAMBE LODGE 1561 on Friday, November 6, the Lodge celebrated the milestone of 50 years in Freemasonry achieved by W.Bro Thomas Gilpin Wilson PPrAGSuptWks. The Lodge was also honoured by the presence of W.Bro F Philip Gardner, Senior Grand Deacon of England, and Assisitant Grand Master of West Lancashire. On this occasion W.Bro Gardner accepted the Master’s gavel to allow him to take the Chair and to take the lead in the celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry by a much respected and well-loved Brother. In his fascinating and thought-provoking presentation to the Lodge, W.Bro Gardner invited those present to share some thoughts on how we, as human beings, mark the passage of time and why we find it important so to do. He continued by giving the Lodge a précis of the personal and Masonic history of W.Bro Tom Wilson. Born in Lancaster in July 1930, he attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School, becoming Head Boy in 1949. He was called up for National Service in 1950-51 serving in the Military Police and was involved in weapons training at the Royal Military Police Depot in Surrey. W.Bro Tom was the Military Police Rifle Shooting Champion and after joining the civilian Police Service on his discharge became National British Police Shooting Champion in 1963 and 1964. He was also a Gold Medallist pistol shooter at Bisley in 1982. In his police career W.Bro Tom was an advanced driver and Senior Firearms Instructor, and was awarded the Queen’s Police Silver Jubilee Medal. W.Bro Tom’s Masonic career began in September 1959 when he was initiated into Old Lancastrian Lodge, becoming WM in 1984. His hard work and dedication were rewarded by being honoured with the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works in 1994. Sadly, Old Lancastrian Lodge handed in its warrant in 2003 and Tom, like several others, found a Masonic home in Morecambe Lodge. W.Bro Gardner then called upon the Group Chairman, W.Bro Jim Wilson, to read a certificate which had been received from the Provincial Grand Master. The APGM then presented the Certificate to W.Bro Tom. At the Festive Board, W.Bro Tom amused and entertained the members and guests with a number of anecdotes from his career in the Police Force, which included working with the SAS.
VALE MASON CELEBRATES 50th On Saturday the 28th November W.Bro Geoffrey James Morrow of Vale Lodge celebrated Fifty Years in Masonry. W.Bro Geoff joined Vale Lodge on the 25th November 1959 and despite moving to the Isle of Man in May 1983 has remained a staunch supported of the Lodge. The celebration of W.Bro Geoff’s 50th was conducted by W.Bro John V Moore who is Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for the Ormskirk & District and the Southport Groups. Our own A.Pr.G.M. W.Bro. Phil Gardner could not conduct the ceremony due to family commitments. W.Bro Moore was accompanied by both the Group Chairman W.Bro Jim Wilson and the Group Vice Chairman Tony Harrison, and had the services of our own W.Bro Keith Kemp as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. In lodge W.Bro Moore welcomed W.Bro Geoff and congratulated him on achieving such a significant mile stone, in his Masonic career. He also relayed to the brethren a summary of what had been and still is a remarkable life. Geoff was born in Bolton-le-Sands in 1932, he was Educated at Morecambe Grammar School leaving in 1950, and he then went to work for Storey Brothers in Lancaster. He worked there until being called up for National Service in the RAF in1958. In his response to his toast at the festive board Geoff recalled how much easier his two years in the RAF become when his commanding officer, who was a mason found out he was to be initiated into Vale Lodge. W.Bro Geoff now lives in Port Erin on the Isle of Man with his wife Betty who is the daughter of a former secretary of Vale Lodge, and to whom he has been married for over fifty years. He is however still an incredible active and busy individual and comes back to Lancaster to fish on the Lune most weekends in summer. In addition he finds time to be the treasurer of Castletown Masonic Club, and the Secretary of the Probus Club of Rushden, of which he is to become their president next year. In his Masonic life Geoff has achieved Provincial Honours in both the Provinces of West Lancashire and the Isle of Man being a Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in the former and a Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in the latter. In the Isle of Man he is a member of Mona Lodge and Mona Chapter. At the festive board the toast to W.Bro Moore was very ably proposed by W.Bro Jim Wilson. In his reply W.Bro Moore referred to the 2010 Festival, the 2010 Grand Ball at the Rebock Stadium, and to the new innovation by province – The Membership Officer, he also again congratulated the celebrant. The toast to the celebrant was proposed by his good friend of many years W.Bro Colin Martin who obviously had many fond memories of W.Bro Geoff and his wife.
In the response to his toast W.Bro Geoff delighted those present with his wit and humour, and at the end of it, to his surprise was presented with a Fiftieth Birthday Cake with a beautifully iced Masonic apron on top of it, which had been made by his daughter. The cake had to be eaten by those present as W.Bro Geoff in keeping with his still active life style was going fishing in Scotland the following day.
W. Bro. Jim Wilson, Group Chairman, Stuart Brackstone (WM), Geoff Morrow and APrGM John Moore
The ‘SMART MONEY’ went for immunity badges! Wyreside Lodge held its Old English Night at Wyrebank on Tuesday, October 20. At the regular Meeting of the Lodge, members and guests were treated to a very interesting lecture on ‘Masons’ Marks’ by W.Bro D E Willoughby P.Pr.J.G.W. The Old English Festive Board was attended by more than 70 and the Fines Master, in the form of W.Bro Les Newhouse, raised the magnificent sum of £285. At the start of the proceedings the ‘Smart Money’ went on buying an Immunity Badge which had been specially produced by W.Bro Andrew Cookson, and which exempted the recipient from any further fines. However, not all the brethren were induced to make this purchase and the Fines Master proceeded to ensure that they paid for their ‘mistake’! Henry Mayor, of Hesketh Lodge, was on hand to entertain in his usual inimitable style, and Wyreside’s own Simon Iredale gave a fantastic performance of folk songs, accompanying himself on the acoustic guitar. Simon plays regularly in a folk group at the Punch Bowl Inn, and he was certainly a ‘hit’ with the Old English crowd present. Including the £285 raised in fines, the total raised for charity on the evening was an incredible £745.
Fines Master W.Bro Les
Warton Installation benefits Special Care Baby Unit Warton Lodge held its Regular and Installation Meeting on Wednesday, October 14, at the Masonic Hall, Carnforth, when W.Bro Dr Keith Lowson was installed as Master for the ensuing year. The Lodge was delighted to welcome W.Bro D K Richardson P.A.G.D.C. as the Representative of the Provincial Grand Master, together with W.Bro A J Harrison P.A.G.D.C., Deputy Group Chairman, and W.Bro Canon F B Oddy P.J.G.D. W.Bro Oddy proposed the new Worshipful Master into Freemasonry and was the presenting officer in the ceremony of Installation. W.Bro Richardson was delighted to receive details of a cheque for £1,000 in favour of the Special Care Baby Unit at Lancaster, together with additional donations totalling a further £2,000. The Festival of St John was held at the County Hotel, Carnforth, attended by almost 100 members and guests. The Master’s Song was excellently performed by W.Bro R Bull (C & W), and accompanied by W.Bro F W Fox.
W.Bro D K Richardson PAGDC (centre), with the new Worshipful Master W.Bro Dr Keith Lowson (left) and IPM W.Bro C A Alty
Scorton Lodge Installation meeting The regular and installation meeting of Scorton Lodge 5971 was held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at Wyrebank, Garstang, when W.Bro John Henry Parker was installed as Master for the coming year. The Lodge was honoured by the presence of W.Bro A Jones, representing the R.W. Provincial Grand Master. The Lodge was also proud and delighted to welcome a further five Grand Officers, namely: W.Bro P Mason, W.Bro A J Harrison, Group Vice-Chairman, W A J Thompson, W.Bro D Rhodes, and W.Bro K Jackson. In an excellent ceremony W.Bro Parker was installed as Master for the ensuing year, having previously been Master in 2006. W.Bro Jones was delighted to receive a cheque for £600 in favour of the 2010 Festival, together with the following generous charity donations: NW Air Ambulance £500; Prostate Cancer Research Campaign £400; Derian House £250; Masonic Fellowship £200; and St John’s Hospice £150. The Festival of St John was attended by almost 100 members and guests. The Master’s Song was performed by W.Bro Bob Tinsley in his usual sincere and accomplished manner, accompanied by W.Bro K Jackson.
W.Bro A Jones, with W.Bro J Henry Parker, WM (left) and IPM W.Bro B L Clark
£ 4,108 for Festival from Heysham Lodge No.4108 HEYSHAM LODGE was honoured by the presence of W.Bro F Philip Gardner Assistant provincial Grand Master, at their Regular and Installation Meeting on Friday, October 16. Although W.Bro Philip was delighted to attend, it was sadly brought about by the loss of Eileen Wilson, the wife of the Group Chairman W.Bro James Wilson, and the thoughts and prayers of all those present were with W.Bro Jim at this time. The Lodge was also proud and delighted to welcome the following Grand Officers: W.Bro J A Harrison, Group Vice Chairman; W.Bro P Mason; W.Bro T Holroyd and W.Bro K Kemp. In an excellent ceremony Bro Robert Brian Malcolm was installed as Master for the ensuing year, and the new line-up of officers is: IPM W.Bro T A Horn; Senior Warden W.Bro T F MacLeod P.Pr.J.G.D.; Junior Warden Bro A Lapworth; Chaplain W.Bro C P Craddock Pr.G.Stwd.; Treasurer Bro W.J Kilmurray; Secretary W.Bro A M Mills P.Pr.G.Supt.Wks.; Director of Ceremonies W.Bro D Malcolm P.Pr.A.G.D.C.; Almoner W.Bro K Beaumont P.Pr.J.G.D.; Charity Steward W.Bro R J Dennison; Senior Deacon Bro S D G Crowther; Junior Deacon Bro J C D Emmerson; Assistant Director of Ceremonies W.Bro K S Kemp P.A.G.D.C.; Director of Music W.Bro F J Duckworth P.Pr.G.Supt.Wks.; Inner Guard Bro W Melrose; Stewards: Brothers C W Melrose, G G Shanks, C Kean, R D Martinez, D J Angus, S Nellis, and J R Clark; Tyler W.Bro M Graham P.Pr.S.G.D. Group Representative W.Bro A J Dean. W.Bro Gardner was delighted to accept a cheque from the Lodge for £4,108 (the number of the Lodge!) in favour of the 2010 Festival, together with other donations totalling an additional £1,920. The Festival of St John was held at the Carleton Inn, Morecambe, and was attended by more than 120 members and guests. The Master’s Song was superbly performed by bro S Almond, accompanied by W.Bro F J Duckworth.
From Right: W.Bro. F Philip Gardner APGM, Bro Robert Malcom WM, W.Bro Trevor Horn IPM, and
GROUP MASONIC QUIZ NIGHT The 2009 Lancaster and District group masonic quiz was held of Friday, October 23 at Wyrebank, Garstang. Hosted by St Michael’s-on-Wyre Lodge, the annual quiz was held on the evening of St Michael’s Lodge meeting. After expediting the normal business items, the Lodge was called off and the quiz took place in the Lodge Room before calling back on and concluding Masonic business. Four teams entered to compete for the ‘Cousen Trophy’, named after the Quiz’s Question Master, W.Bro Geoff Cousen. This year’s victorious team was Great Eccleston Lodge who wrested the trophy from last year’s victors, the Duke of Lancaster Lodge.
W.Bro Geoff Cousen (right) presenting the Trophy to the captain of the winning team,
OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ, - YE SHALL BE FINED! DUKE OF LANCASTER LODGE held its Regular Meeting and Old English Festive Board at Rowley Court, Lancaster, on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. The Lodge was treated to an exemplary explanation of the Second Degree tracing board by W.Bro A R Gifford PPrGSupt of Wks. At the Old English Festive Board some 65 members and guests were delighted(!!) to be relieved of fines by a very impressive Fines Master in the form of W.Bro Dennis Whicker PJGD (Cumberland and Westmorland), who is also Worshipful Master of Union Lodge 129, Junior Deacon of Brigantes Lodge 9734 and Senior Warden of Cumbrian Byte Lodge 9760 as well as being a Past Master of Winder Lodge 3984. Other entertainment was provided by ‘The Two Richards’ (aka Richard Dennison and Richard Escolme) and the Worshipful Master of Duke of Lancaster Lodge, Bro Nigel Parrish. The fines extracted by W.Bro Whicker, together with the raffle, raised an excellent total of £350 for charity.
WM Bro Nigel Parrish about to be ‘gavelled’ by W.Bro Dennis Whicker
Duke of Lancaster - Support for Hospice DUKE OF LANCASTER LODGE 1353 presented a cheque for £500 to St John’s Hospice on Friday, October 16.
Pictured are WM Bro Nigel Parrish (right) and Charity Steward Graham Earl presenting the cheque to Janet Thompson of St John’s Hospice.
Barry’s Special Achievement Award At the meeting of Heysham Lodge 4108 Assistant Provincial Grand Master Philip Gardner brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master. If any of the members present were a little puzzled by the presence of such esteemed company, they were quickly enlightened when he explained that he was attending for a very special and specific reason, to present Barry Robinson the Group Charity Steward with a Special Achievement Certificate relating to his work for the 2010 Festival. Philip asked the Director of Ceremonies to place Barry before him. He then related to those present how Barry was filling his role during a very busy time, particularly in relation to the 2010 Festival, and how he had brought great honour to Heysham Lodge. He said how he had enjoyed Barry’s company at Lodges and Chapters and was particularly impressed by the quiet and dignified way in which he discharged his duties. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master then announced that the Lancaster and District Group was one of only three groups to have raised more than £250,000 for the Festival, and that this total reflective the work and drive of Barry. He stated that the Provincial Grand Master and Stuart Thornber the Provincial Charity Steward sent their personal thanks and apologies for being unable to attend in person. He then presented Barry with the Special Achievement Certificate to mark the tremendous charity milestone achieved for the 2010 Festival. Apologies for absence were also given from the group chairman, James Wilson, and a personal letter from him was read to the Lodge by Philip. Barry, expressed his sincere and grateful thanks to the Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Stuart Thornber, saying that he gratefully accepted the award on behalf of everyone who had helped to raise such a magnificent sum for the 2010 Festival.
Barry Robinson is presented with the special award by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Philip Gardner.
Entered Apprentice from 1777 visits Vale Lodge Vale Lodge No. 5256 continued with it’s resurgence this month. They held an Old English Lunch on the 28th February, it could not be an Old English Night as they meet on Saturday lunch time. The WM. Graham Liddy welcomed W.Bro. F.P. Gardner PAGDC, APrGM to the lodge together with the members of Brigantes Lodge No 9734 Demonstration Team. The team consisted of: W.Bro. Richard Johnson, W.Bro. Douglas Lowe, W.Bro. Philip Cragg, W.Bro. Bob Thompson, W.Bro Dennis Whicker, W.Bro. Geoff Waters, W.Bro. Ron Thexton, W.Bro. Philip Rampling, W.Bro. Paul Johnson, W.Bro. B. Erett, W.Bro. B. Hampson.
The ceremony was both entertaining, educational and full of humour showing an Initiation Ceremony and Charge for an Entered Apprentice in 1777. With almost seventy five masons dining the Fines Master W.Bro. Norman Mitchell raked in a considerable amount of cash and the raffle raised three hundred and forty pounds. As previously agreed this was given to the team from Brigantes Lodge They then promptly donated half of it back to Vale to give to the 2010 Festival.
The afternoon’s entertainment was provided by W.Bro. G. Waters and Bro. Nigel Parrish.
Andy Mason celebrates 50 years There was a second fiftieth celebration in the Lancaster and District Group in January, all be it on a lower key than our main story. W.Bro. Andy Mason of the Wyreside Lodge also completed fifty years as a mason. Unfortunately W.Bro. Andy’s health is such that a formal celebration was not possible. He was however presented with his commemorative scroll by W.Bro. Tony Harrison the Group Vice Chairman in the comfort of his own home. The picture shows him with W.Bro. Tony.
W.Bro. Andy was initiated into Wyreside Lodge on the 16th of December 1958, he was honoured by the Province on two occasions being first promoted to PPrJGD and later promoted to PPrGSuptWks. He served in many offices in the lodge being best remembered for the years of hard work he put in when he was Social Secretary. Andy was also a founding member of Scorton Chapter. Outside masonry Andy was a keen crown green bowler and won the Lancaster and District Group tournament on two occasions. He attended St Lawrence C.E. School , Barton and was a Church Warden for many years. Several years ago the lodge honoured Andy with honorary membership and presented him with an inscribed crystal bowl to mark the occasion.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master attends Silverdale On the 13th January the Silverdale Lodge was honoured by the presence of the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. Phil Gardner. W.Bro. Gardner had attended the previous years ceremony in his capacity as Group Chairman, when he had seen Bro. Peter Thompson installed in the masters chair, this time in his new role he saw Bro. Peter install Bro. Alan Dobson into the chair. The quality of the ceremony was outstanding and a testament to the work put in by those involved. The lodge room was filled to capacity making for a very warm afternoon despite the weather outside. The A.P.G.M. received a substantial donation to the 2010 festival from the retiring master.
A sojourne to Ireland On the Friday 23rd January a small but determined band of Lancaster and District Masons set of on a Masonic adventure. They first travelled north to Cumbria where they were joined by several others, with the party swelled to twelve the minibus in which they were travelling set off for Stranraer. On board was: Michael Gorry, Ken McDonagh, Peter Whaley, Richard Escolme, Bob Roe, Richard Denisson, John Rooney, Brian Cooper, Billy Lennox, Jerry Taylor, John Cotton & Stan Davis. From Stranraer they and the minbus took the ferry to Belfast. They were there to enjoy a Masonic weekend organised by W.Bro Richard Dennison of Heysham Lodge. He did this as a direct result of the success of an Irish Night he set up at his lodge in September. The evening had been attended by Irish Masons invited by W.Bro Richard, and the group were in Ireland in response to an invitation extended by the visitors. The group attended a Burns Supper on the Friday Night in the Masonic Centre, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. On the Saturday they attended Andrew Henderson Masonic Lodge No 512 at the same venue and presented the Worshipful Master of that lodge with a whiskey decanter as a token of appreciation. The officers of Andrew Henderson Lodge posed for a picture with their visitors as can be seen.
Duke Of Lancaster Revive An Old Tradition On the January 21st Bro Nigel Donald Parrish was installed in the chair of King Solomon at the Duke of Lancaster Lodge No1353. The installing Master was W.Bro. Phil Young. However W.Bro Phil allowed W.Bro. Harold Irving to be the Installing Officer. The Principal Guest was W.Bro. Howard Jones,. Assistant Provicial Grand Master.
The festive board was attended by 94 Brethren and an excellent time was had by all as during the Festive Board the WM's health was drunk from the Loving Cup. This tradition was revived after a period of 95 years, and as the picture shows it was very well received. The cup was last used in 1914 and its use probably stopped because of the First World War. It was presented to the lodge by W.Bro George Jackson in 1897 as an expression of appreciation of the pleasure he had derived from occupying the master chair. On this occasion it was filled with port and the masters health drunk with enthusiasam.
In lodge W.Bro Phil presented W.Bro Jones with a cheque for fifteen hundred pounds for the West Lancs Freemasons Charity fund.
Masons In The Community The Lollipop men and women of Lancashire have been going further recently by helping to promote road safety in the classroom. By getting involved in the Right Start Child Pedestrian Training Programme they are helping to educate pupils so that they are equipped to stay safe on the road. Among those ladies an gentlemen is W.Bro. Dan Parks a past master of Runic Lodge, Dan has been on school crossing patrol in Heysham for three years and has been involved in the Right Start Programme at many schools around Morecambe. Dan’s role involves going into schools to take part in discussions with the pupils and talking to them about their role. Following the discussions, staff and pupils then go to the roadside where the school crossing patrol will help them cross the road.
Colin Penty Wright celebrates 50 years On the 28th of January RW Bro Colin Penty Wright celebrated fifty years as a freemason. He did so in the lodge room at the Morecambe Masonic Hall which was full to capacity. The RW Provincial Grand Master Peter John Hosker conducted the ceremony taking the chair of the lodge from the Master of The Poulton le Sands Lodge Bro Norman Howarth. Bro Hosker initially spoke of the pleasure conducting anniversary celebrations gave him, how he had recently lead those for Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Tom Blackburn, Teddy Dickson a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Brian Wright also a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and that tonight, and with the greatest respect to those he had just mentioned, he felt he had now arrived at the very top of the tree. The P.G.M then spoke of the work RW.Bro Colin had done in modernising Freemasonry and adapting it to fit modern life since his appointment in 1997 and how he felt that the Province was now much healthier and stronger than before. He then asked WBro Mark Dimelow the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to place RW.Bro Colin before him that he might address him. The P.G.M then related to those present a brief history of the celebrant. For those of you who were not fortunate enough to be present what follows is a summary of that brief history. Colin was born on 24 October 1935, and educated at the Friends School Lancaster, which later became the George Fox School. The Headmaster of the school was James Dodds Drummond, a member of Rowley Lodge, and also a Deputy DC of the Province. After leaving school, Colin continued his association with the George Fox School through the Old Pupils Association, becoming its President. He was also a governor of the school for many years eventually becoming the Chairman of Governors. His vocation was always the law, and he qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature, spending a lifetime in private practice and holding the position of Senior Partner for many years. During his successful career, he became President of the Lancaster Morecambe and District Law Society in 1974 and President of the Association of North West Law Societies in 1983. Colin’s interests and activities include Walking, Gardening, Cars and Motoring, the Abbeyfield Society and Housing for the Elderly, Amateur Dramatics and the Sefton Road Drama Group, Scouting, and the Church. In particular, he has a special love of Classic Cars and his pride and joy is a 1956 Singer Hunter, which he has owned since 1976. In 1960 Colin was elected a Deacon of Sefton Road Congregational Church and later ordained as an Elder in the United Reformed Church following amalgamation of the Congregational Church and the Presbyterians. He served there for 25 years, including 15 years as Treasurer. Although a difficult decision, his greater empathy with the Anglican Church meant that 5 years ago he began to attend Holy Trinity Church at Bolton le Sands. Both Colin and his wife Kathryn are now sidesmen. He was Confirmed in November of last year, is now seriously looking at taking up the relevant training to become a Pastoral Assistant. The PGM then moved to Colin’s Masonic career. Colin was initiated into Poulton Hall Lodge No 6647 on 17 December 1958, at the age of 23. He became its Master in 1974. He is a joining member and past Master of three lodges, namely, Setantia Lodge of Installed Masters No 7755, Lathom Lodge No 2229, and Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters No 9357. It took him just eighteen years to rise from his first acting rank in the Province to Provincial Grand Master. His first step on the Provincial ladder was a high one his first acting rank was Provincial Senior Grand Warden. In 1983 he was appointed to Grand Rank, namely PAGReg, often referred to as the lawyers rank. Colin was Group Vice Chairman in the Lancaster and District Group from 1983 to 1986. In 1986, the then PrGM Alan Fletcher Ferris appointed him as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for the Lancaster and District Group and the Furness and South Lakeland Group. This resulted in a promotion in Grand Rank to PSGD in 1988. In 1995, he was appointed by the then PrGM Kenneth Moxley as his Deputy. A further Grand Rank followed that appointment, namely PGSwdB in 1996. In 1997, following the retirement of Kenneth Moxley, the Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, appointed Colin as the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire. In the Royal Arch, Colin was exalted into Sandylands Chapter No 5702 in 1965, becoming its First Principal in 1977. He is a joining member of Setantia Chapter of Installed First Principals No 7755 and Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals No 8966, and is a Past First Principal of the latter. In 1982, he received his first acting rank in the Royal Arch, namely PrGSN, and then in 1984 he was appointed in Supreme Grand Chapter to PAGSoj. For two years from 1993 to 1995 he was the Deputy Grand Superintendent and in 1994 he received the acting rank of Grand Sword Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter. In 1997, the First Grand Principal, Comp His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent appointed him as the Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of West Lancashire. In other Orders, he has reached high rank. 31 Degrees in Rose Croix, Past Great Almoner in Red Cross, Past Great Registrar in Knights Templar and Grand Rank in the Order of the Secret Monitor. In Mark Masonry he has been Acting Grand Overseer in 2005 and Acting Grand Junior Warden in 2007. The PGM concluded by saying, “Colin Wright has done more for the Province of Lancashire than any other Brother past or present and I suggest that his record and achievements will stand comparison with any other Provincial Grand Masters for this Province. I have said on many occasions that by the life each of us leads, will Freemasonry be judged. We have just heard about the life that you have led, and Colin Penty Wright, as a man and a mason, we salute you”. The festive board was held at the Lothersdale, and was excellent. The toast to WBro Colin was proposed by his old school friend WBro. Geoff Cousen, who it turns out had been a school prefect, and to prove it had brought his old prefects cap. Geoff’s toast was both amusing and sincere and was very well received by all those present. RW.Bro Colin then responded, thanking all those who had helped him through the years and talking of the pleasure masonry had given him. The PGM then presented RW.Bro. Colin with a specially produced book to commemorate the occasion which had been compiled and produced by another of his old school friends WBro. Ernie Greenhalgh.
F.Philip Gardner - APrGM, Peter John Hosker PGM, Colin Wright, Jim Wilson group chairman
Lancaster Castle Lodge master presents £ 1,750 W.Bro Peter Whaley the Immediate Past Master of The Lancaster Castle Lodge No5952 presented two cheques to the charities of is choice in early January. The money was raised during his year as master and was the final disbursement of a fund that totalled almost five thousand pounds. Cancer Reasearch North West was presented with a cheque for one thousand pounds, which was received on their behalf by Mr Phil Whitworth. And The North West Air Ambulance received a cheque for seven hundred and fifty pounds which was received by Mrs Jackie Northover the Assistant Chief Executive of The N.W.A.A. The presentation took place at Rowley Court Masonic Hall Lancaster.
Peter Whaley presents cheques to representatives of Cancer Research North West and North West Air Ambulance
Former Chairman celebrates 50 years On the 12th December W.Bro Geoffrey Pearson Cousen P.J.G.D of Runic Lodge celebrated 50 Years in Freemasonry. The occasion was attended by many masons and was presided over by W.Bro Phil Gardner the Assistant Provincial Grand Master. W.Bro Geoff has had a long and distinguished career in masonry and a remarkable life in general, and it was obvious the W.Bro Gardner derived much pleasure in relating this to those present. For those of you who were not fortunate enough to be present what follows is a summary of what the A.P.G.M told those who were there. Geoff was born in Bradford in 1932, a Yorkshire lad – his sister Barbara was born 3 years later and the family moved to Morecambe in 1937. He attended the Friends School in Lancaster, as did a few others present that evening, and his Headmaster was the legendary W.Bro.James Dodds Drummond who was also the District Scouts Commissioner. Geoff was a keen sportsman at school, playing cricket for the First XI and winning the Gymnastics Trophy. Geoff left school and in 1950 joined the family firm in Bradford, a firm of wool merchants created by his father in 1937, where he worked until the demise of the wool trade. W.Bro Geoff then worked as Company Secretary and Manager of Fleetbest Ltd of Morecambe and eventually Office Manager of R.G.Greenwood at Carnforth. In 1955 he met his wife Brenda and married her at St John’s Church, Heysham in 1959. Geoff has three children, David a lawyer in Manchester, Michael who is Northern General Manager with Subaru and Susan who as regular readers of the publication will know is a keen long distance runner. W.Bro.Geoff was initiated in to Runic Lodge in December 1958, and he worked his way up through the Lodge offices to become Worshipful Master in 1973. Five years later he not only became the ADC of the Lodge but was appointed to that very distinctive Provincial Rank of Steward, an office traditionally given to only those who show tremendous promise for the future. How right it proved to be in his case. Geoff became Lodge DC from 1980 and continued until 1986, when he was invited to become Group Secretary. In 1988 he became the Group Vice Chairman, and in 1996 The Group Chairman and he served in that role for 8 years. All Group Officials work hard but the position of Chairman demands special skills of leadership, clear thinking, patience and tolerance, attributes which Geoff has aplenty. The hard work put in by Geoff was recognised by those in high office and he was promoted to the rank of PPrJGW in 1987. He became a Grand Officer in 1989 being appointed to the rank of PAGDC and was promoted again in 1998 to the rank of PJGD a very high rank which is rarely achieved. He was the Founding DC for Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters and continues to play a very active part in the life of that Lodge, and he is a member of Setantia and Quingenti Lodges. The A.P.G.M spoke of the pleasure it had given him when Geoff had accepted his invitation to serve as Senior Warden of Quingenti during his year as Worshipful Master of that special Lodge. Despite all his many other commitments in masonry W.Bro Geoff is also an Honorary member of St Michaels on Wyre Lodge and of Knott End Chapter. His achievements in the Royal Arch match those in the craft. He was exalted in to Heysham Chapter in 1965 and became First Principal in 1986 . He achieved PPrGSN in 1998 and Grand Rank, PGStdB in 1991 and the very high Rank of PAGSoj in 1999. All tremendous achievements. W.Bro Gardner said he owed Geoff a personal debt of thanks for the opportunities he had given him in his Masonic life. From his earliest days in Freemasonry he had received tremendous support and encouragement from him, and that his wise counsel was always much appreciated . The A.P.G.M. spoke of how as Group Chairman W.Bro Geoff had invited him to be the Group Secretary and how he went on from there to become Vice Chairman and Chairman, he thanked him for his support and said how proud and honoured he was to call him a friend, and to be able to share this celebration with him. He then invited the Group Chairman W.Bro Jim Wilson to read the presentation scroll before he presented it to W.Bro Geoff
Brian raises money through his hidden talent W.Bro Brian J Pinder of St Michaels on Wyre Lodge is presently raising money for New Start the registered charity for the Wythenshawe Hospital Transplant Unit at Wythenshawe Manchester.
Brian is currently a patient there, and being a keen guitarist decided to put his talent to good use. In November 2008 he went to a recording studio and recorded a CD entitled “Hits of the Shadows”. He funded this project himself and is selling the CDs at £5 - the full £5 going to the Charity. He has already sent the charity £600 from sales
The Masonic Hall at Garstang has a stock of the CDs and if any Mason is visiting a Lodge there he can support Brian and his charity in purchasing one. Brian is a very capable guitarist and has been raising money for various charities for some years using his guitar. A couple of years ago when he was Mayor of Garstang, Croston House Cancer Care Centre, Garstang and The British Lung Foundation both benifited considerably from his efforts.
Carnforth Council's Masonic Mayor On Sunday 8 June 2008, W Bro Tony Johnson, who is this year's Mayor on the Carnforth Council celebrated the start of his year of office with a church Service at the Parish Church, Christ Church in Carnforth. W.Bro Tony is a past master of Warton Lodge and has for many years be involver with the development and promotion of Carnforth. The service was attended by a masons from Carnforth, Warton and Silverdale Lodges.
Pictures show Tony with his chain of office and with his wife Andrea.
Wild West Murder in Lancaster On the 6th of September Lancaster Castle Lodge held a murder mystery night in the Rowley Court Masonic Hall Lancaster. The evening was organised the Worshipful Master Bro Peter Whaley, and involved a group of professional actors acting out a murder in front of suitably dressed guests who were challenged to solve the crime. The event was set in the “wild west” and so all those who attended were required to dress accordingly, as the pictures show they truly entered into the spirit of the event. The evening had two aims to entertain those present, and to raise money for charity, it was highly successful on both counts. There being very keen competition between the teams to solve the crime and the raising over three hundred pounds for charity on the evening. The winning team who scored an unbelievable thirty points out of thirty, comprised the Worshipful Master Peter, fellow Castle member Andy Kapotchie and their wives, this did lead some to shout fix but the result still stood.
The picture shows the winners with the actors. The evening marked the first social event covered by the new caterers and the food also proved a great success.
Group Ball held at the Midland The 14th of June saw a major shift in the Masonic social calendar for the first time in a very long time the Group Ball was not held at the Carleton. Instead the occasion was celebrated at Morecambe’s newest venue the Midland Hotel. The tickets were in great demand with around one hundred and eighty in attendance. It was a bold gamble by the Group officers to take the decision to move the event from The Carleton, and many people did not believe that the Midland would be ready in time. It was, and the evening was a great success. The restoration of the hotel has returned the beautiful art nouveau building to its former glory, and it provided a splendid back drop to a great evening. The evening saw the new Group Chairmen W.Bro Jim Wilson welcome all the guests and thank then for coming in such good numbers, he also welcomed his predecessor W.Bro Phil Gardner who was there in his new role as the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Lancaster and District Group. The Director of Ceremonies for the evening was W.Bro Steven Jennings the DC of Wyreside Lodge, and he undoubtedly had the most difficult job of the evening. The public address system proved to be one of the minor teething problems which the hotel had not over come, and he struggled to make himself heard over a boisterous audience who were obviously intent on enjoying the evening.
W.Bro Jim Wilson and W.Bro Tony Harrison with their wives
Silverdale Lodge hold successful BBQ On Sunday 27th July the members of Silverdale Lodge and their families and friends gathered to enjoy a Summer Barbeque at the home of Tony & Joan Jackson in Bolton le Sands on Sunday 27th July. The event was organised by the Lodge Social Committee and proved a great success. The weather was superb and the warm sunshine and surroundings were enjoyed by all, as was the excellent food which can be seen being cooked by the expert hands of W.Bro Alan Procter and W.Bro Peter Davies. On a very warm day the bar proved popular, as did the raffle, games, and the cake stall. As an entertaining extra for younger visitors a cool paddle and plunge was provided in the temporary pond set up for catching toy ducks.
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