Chairman's Address given at the Group Meeting held on Tuesday 13th October 2009.

I have previously welcomed W.Bro.Geoff Saul to the meeting, following his appointment as Group Publicity Officer, this Office was previously designated as Group Communications Officer and I must at this stage take the opportunity of thanking Terry McGill for his service in that Office. You may not be aware that Geoff, in addition to his service as Group Webmaster, has acted as the Secretary to the 2010 Festival Committee and has had the responsibility of producing and maintaining the records of the Festival.

I would thank you all for your responses to my requests for supporting information that is used in connection with the 2010 Provincial Honours cycle. The nominations have been forwarded to Province. The task of selecting the nominations is not an easy one and for obvious reasons not all the Brethren and Companions for who information was requested have been nominated. I must advise you that the criteria used for recommendation for promotion are the service given since the date of his First Appointment or subsequent promotion. This does result in a certain amount of a competitive element, primarily due to the total number of Ranks that are allocated to the Group. I would once again request that the Group Representatives continue to let me know of any Brother or Companion, in addition to the ones you receive a form for, who you would wish to be considered for promotion.

At the Investiture meetings in April, two of the members of the Preston Group received appointments in Grand Rank. In the Craft our Vice Chairman, W.Bro.Stan Rigby was appointed to the Rank of P.A.G.D.C. and in the Holy Royal Arch, E.Comp.Don Richardson was appointed to the Rank of P.G.Std.B.
I offer my congratulations on these well deserved appointments.

Earlier this year it was deemed necessary to hold a general meeting of all members following the decision by the Management of Preston Masonic Hall to put the Hall on the market for sale. As you are all aware an alternative venue for Lodge and Chapter meetings had been arranged at Wellington Park, Leyland, should the Hall be sold quickly or indeed closed prematurely. In the event two Lodges and five Chapters from the Preston Group have relocated to Leyland, but have retained their membership of the Preston Group, unlike the three Lodges which have relocated to Garstang, which have been transferred to the Lancaster and District Group. The reaction to the possible closure prompted a significant reaction from the remaining Lodges who quite forcibly stated their wish to continue to meet in Preston. I must at this stage pay tribute to the Preston Masonic Hall Management for their response to the problems they were experiencing and to the way they are attempting to overcome these difficulties by reducing operating costs and promoting opportunities to increase income from both Masonic and non Masonic sources. I have over the past five years as Group Chairman; urged Preston Masons to give the maximum support to their Hall, often stating that it was not always appreciated the facilities and services that were available. I now re-emphasise that it is absolutely critical that maximum support is given to the various initiatives that the Hall Management are taking if the Hall is to remain viable.

Before the end of the year it is anticipated, following the appointment of a Provincial Membership Officer, that a similar appointment will be made at Group level. The Membership Officer will be responsible for introducing the concept of marketed recruitment and to seek out opportunities for the promotion of membership of the Craft in the public domain, with particular reference to exhibitions and shows within the Province and other similar opportunities, such as Open Days at Masonic Halls and the subsequent following up of enquiries resulting from such events.

The subject of Mentoring continues to be an important matter and in this respect the Province are holding a Mentoring Conference in January 2010 and I anticipate being able to advise you the outcome of this Conference at our meeting in February.

Earlier this month the first Annual Meeting of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity was held. Each Lodge and Chapter should by now have received a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts. With this copy was also a copy of the Guidelines for applications for non-Masonic Grants, together a non Masonic Grant Application Form. There has been a change in the method of applying for non Masonic Grants in as much as applications can be made direct the Charity without having to be submitted via the Group. I have available a number of copies of these Guidelines for anyone a wishes to have a further copy.

On the 27th October 2009 Preston Group have the honour to be hosting the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. W.Bros Tom Ashcroft. John Sarti and Geoff Saul have put in a tremendous amount of work in organising our involvement in Stewarding the meeting and I would wish to record the grateful thanks of the Group Executive to these Brethren, the respective Team Leaders and all other Brethren who have volunteered their services on the day. It is possible that this meeting will be the last Provincial Grand Lodge meeting to be held at the Winter Gardens. As a consequence of another failure on the part of the Winter Gardens to honour an arranged date for one of the meetings, the Province has decided to find a new permanent meeting place. This is the Norcalympia complex that is located behind the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool.

There are a number of forthcoming events for which I am bringing to your notice and requesting support.

On Thursday December 17th 2009 at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool the proceeds from the performance of the Christmas Pantomime are being donated to the 2010 Festival. The tickets are available at the flat rate of £12, which is saving of £6 for an adult in the better seats and a saving of £2 per child across the entire theatre. The Group Charity Steward will be able to give advice on the booking procedures.

On 6th December the Group are returning to Christ Church Fulwood for the Annual Carol Service. W.Bro.Ian Cuerden is once again organising the Order of Service and our friends from Old Hall Brass Community Band will be performing. I can assure you of a warm welcome at Christ Church Fulwood.

The Preston Group Dinner is being held on 12th January 2010 here at Saul Street when we will welcome the Provincial Grand Master as the special guest. Details of the Dinner will shortly be distributed to Lodges and Chapters by the Group Treasurer. I look forward to the full support of Lodges and Chapters and once again you are encouraged to ensure that a newer member of your Lodge or Chapter is able to attend.

Ian Greenwood
Chairman