Chairman's Address given at the Group Meeting held on FRIDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2010.

The letters to Brethren and Companions being offered first appointment or promotion to Provincial Grand rank were posted on the 15thJanuary 2010. A full list of the Preston Group Honours has been posted on the Group Notice Board. We offer our congratulations to the Brethren and Companions of this Group and in particular the following who have received Acting Rank:

Craft:
W.Bro.P.L.Nicholson-Provincial Junior Grand Deacon.
W.Bro.S.Doyle -Provincial Grand Steward.

Holy Royal Arch:
E.Comp.M.F.G.Jones- Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
E.Comp.N.S.Clarkson,- Provincial Grand Steward

I trust that these particular Brethren and Companions continue the practice that has been established over the past few years and attend Lodge and Chapter Installations and other special occasions, thereby enhancing their special year.
In total the Preston Group received the two Craft Acting Ranks, six First Appointments and ten Promotions. Notable in the promotions is that of W.Bro.Derek Thompson, who is to be promoted to high Rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, a truly deserving Honour in recognition of his service to the Preston Group, and to Ribble Lodge.
It is noticeable that the number of promotions is lower than those we have received in the past, this being due to the reduced membership in the Group following the transfer of three Lodges to the Lancaster Group.
In the Holy Royal Arch, the Group received the two Acting Ranks, seven First Appointments and five Promotions.

I believe it would be worth reminding you that service to the Lodge and Chapter and other Masonic service are the essential criteria when assessing Brethren and Companions for a Provincial appointment or promotion. In the case of a promotion the service is principally that that has been given or is giving only since his last appointment or promotion. It is important to ensure that the Brethren all have the opportunity of giving this service and that Brethren do not hold on to an office for long periods thus denying other Brethren the opportunity of giving service.

I would wish to place on record my thanks to the Lodges and Chapters for the tremendous support we received at the recent Group Dinner. In particular the Question and Answer session was very encouraging and I received letter from the Provincial Grand Master stating how impressed he was in the quality of the questions. I believe we convinced him that Freemasons should take part in the procession at the Preston Guild in 2012.

As you are aware the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on Saturday 8th May, here at the Guild Hall, sees the culmination of the 2010 Festival. As it is expected that the attendance will the highest for many years, admission to the meeting will be by ticket only. Each Lodge in the Group has been allocated two tickets with a request that any unwanted tickets are returned to me for further distribution. At the meeting the only appointments that are being made are to the Brethren receiving Acting Rank or promotion to PPrSGW. Also at the meeting a representative Banner from each Group in the Province will be paraded. Representing the Preston Group will be the Banner of Ribbleton Lodge; this will be carried by a Master Mason of that Lodge. For the first time a number of ladies will be attending the meeting.

I was hoping that at this meeting we would be able to receive a short presentation from W.Bro.Michael Threlfall, the recently appointed Group Membership Officer, however another Masonic commitment this evening prevents him from attending, therefore this presentation will be given at the October meeting.

I am aware that the future of Preston Masonic Hall continues to be a concern for many Brethren. I must pay tribute the rejuvenated Hall Management who are working hard on our behalf to keep the Hall viable. As I said at the Group Dinner every effort should be made to support the various events that are being staged to generate extra income and any assistance that could be given to bring in non Masonic income would be appreciated. One item of good news was the return of The Lodge of Good Fellowship to the Hall from Harris Park.
The PMH 500 Club has been operating for the past ten years and the income from this has enabled many amenities to be provided for the benefit of the members who use the Hall. Please encourage your members to join this Club if they are not already members.

With reference to activities in the Group, I can inform you that another extremely successful Carol Service was held at Christ Church Fulwood in December, where we received a warm welcome. My thanks go to all who assisted in making the Service so successful and in particular to W.Bro.Ian Cuerden who arranged the Order of Service and recruited the choir members. I can inform you that the Service this year will again be held at Christ Church Fulwood on Sunday 5th December.
The Group Quiz is being held on Friday 26th February under the auspices of the Preston Masters.

As you are all probably aware E.Comp.Ray Martland is shortly to retire as Assistant to The Provincial Grand Principals in order to take up the appointment as Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for the Chorley and Leyland Groups, this following the retirement through ill health of W.Bro.Frank Wilkinson. I would wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the Members of the Group Executive to thank E.Comp.Martland for the advice and tremendous support he has given to the Group. E.Comp.Martland came into the Group from outside the Group but quickly established himself by his dedication to the Holy Royal Arch in this Group. He has attended many Royal Arch meetings and Installations and has attended every bi monthly meeting of the Group Executive and all the Group Representatives meetings since his appointment. The Holy Royal Arch is flourishing in this Group and much of this is due to E.Comp.Martland’s efforts. We wish him well in his new appointment.

Finally Brethren this is probably my last Group Representatives meeting that I will be attending as Group Chairman, as I am due to retire at the Provincial Grand Lodge in May. At present my successor his not been announced, but I would wish him every success in the future and trust that you all give him the level of support you have given to me during my six years as your Group Chairman.

Ian Greenwood
Chairman