I would take this opportunity to place on record the thanks of the Group to W.Bro.Peter Walker for his services as Group auditor for the past eleven years.

W.Bro.Derek Thompson is retiring as Local Care Officer for the Preston Group at the end of the present Masonic season. Derek was appointed to this office when the new Care structure was established in 2003 and previous to that appointment he held the position of Group Charity Delegate from 1997. Derek has served the Group in a most diligent and caring manner and for that I must personally thank him most sincerely. At the present we are awaiting confirmation of the Brother who will replace Derek as Local Care Officer.

At the same time I would also advise that the Regional Care Officer, W.Bro.Jim Wilson is also retiring from office and I would also thank him for his support to the Group.

I am delighted at the increase in the number of Initiates in the Group. To date in the current Masonic season there have been fifteen and I know that there are others in the pipeline. We must continue to look after these new members so as to ensure the future of our Lodges.

I am still disappointed at the number of recent resignations of Brethren and Companions in the Preston Group. As I have stated at previous Group meetings, I assume that many are as a result of the recent increase in dues. I have in the past stated my opinion on the value of Freemasonry, and again would ask Brethren to give serious consideration before resigning.

As I mentioned at the last Group Meeting, the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E.Comp.Steven Reid is keen to introduce a number of initiatives to encourage an upsurge in the Holy Royal Arch. To assist this in the Preston Group, Our Group Vice –Chairman, Stan Rigby has taken on the responsibility to promote the Royal Arch. In the near future many of the new initiatives will be introduced. One we are keen to introduce immediately is for each Lodge to identify a W.Bro.or Brother who is a Royal Arch Mason and for him to act as a contact in the Lodge and for his name to be printed on the summons. Many Lodges currently include a note stating that information on the Royal Arch can be obtained from the Secretary and in a number of instances the Secretary himself is not a Royal Arch Companion. A request for this has already been made to Lodges, can I ask for the Group Representatives of Lodges to ensure that this is implemented as soon as possible?

We anticipate that a suitable presentation will be prepared on the subject of the Holy Royal Arch and the contact Companion could arrange for a lecture to be given in his Lodge.

I would once again request that your Lodges and Chapters give full support to Preston Masonic Hall. You are all aware that the Preston Masonic Hall Refurbishment Fund Committee exists to raise money to be spent on providing 2 additional amenities at the Hall for the benefit of the members who use the Hall. Most of the income to the Refurbishment Fund is currently raised by the PMH 500 Club. It has recently been decided to increase the scope and membership of the Refurbishment Fund Committee and to arrange social events. It has been the experience recently that several Social events organised by individual Lodges have had to be cancelled due to lack of support. Therefore the Refurbishment Fund Committee has decided to organise a number of Social events in conjunction with the Preston Masters, whereby all members of Lodges and Chapters and their friends are able to attend. The first of these events is a Valentines Ball that is being held tomorrow, the 17th February. I am pleased to advise you that the event is almost a sell out. The next event will be 60’s night to be held on 2nd June and will be followed by a Halloween Party on 30th October.

I trust that the benefit of such events will be appreciated and fully supported by the members.

My next remarks are specifically directed to the three Lodges who currently are meeting at the Harris Park Conference Centre. The Centre is being sold by the University and it anticipated that the sale will be completed during February. Can I personally request that you consider moving back to meeting at the Masonic Hall when your respective leases expire, instead of seeking an alternative non Masonic venue? I understand that there were various reasons why your Lodges decided to move away from the Masonic Hall and I am sure that many of these can be resolved and subsequently overcome.

Enclosed with the recent issue of “The West Lancashire Freemason” was a copy of the Partners, Families & Friends leaflet. The Province has made available additional copies of the leaflet in order that it can be used by Brethren for the purpose of promotion and explanation of the Craft to their friends and families. An ample supply of the leaflets is available this evening for you to take away and distribute to the members of your respective Lodges and Chapters. Additional copies will be available in future from the Group Secretary.

With reference to activities in the Group, I can inform you that another extremely successful Carol Service was held in December at Christ Church Fulwood, where we once again 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 this years Service will be held at St John’s Church, Broughton on Sunday 9th December. Ian Cuerden I know will welcome any new members for the choir particularly ladies.

The Group Dinner is being held on 23rd February and I look forward to seeing you on that occasion, when the Guest Speaker will be W.Bro.Chris Connop, PAGPurs, who is the Media Manager for United Grand Lodge.

Finally I would wish to refer to the 2007 Provincial Honours. A full list of the Preston Group Craft and Royal Arch honours has been placed on the Group notice board. We offer our congratulations to all recipients and in particular to those who are to receive Acting Ranks. These are:

Craft:
W.Bro.Rev.Graham Halsall- Provincial  Deputy Grand Chaplain.
W.Bro.Kenneth White- Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.
W.Bro.Stephen Bolton- Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer.
W.Bro.Terry McGill- Provincial Grand Steward.

In addition to the Acting Ranks we received sixteen first appointments and twelve promotions

Holy Royal Arch.:
E.Comp.Ray Lamb- Provincial Grand Standard Bearer.
In addition to the one Acting Rank we received six first appointments and seven promotions.

For your information we will be commencing the 2008 honours cycle in the coming April. Can I once again request that the information you provide is fully comprehensive as this information is used in the formulation of the recommendation of the nominated Brethren and Companions?

Ian Greenwood
Chairman

 

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