The Motorway Builder
W Bro Harry L Yeadon, a member of Lodge Amounderness 7105, has recently published a book entitled The Motorway Achievement, a historic account..................<more>

 

Amalgamation of Olympia Lodge No 6512 and Ingol Lodge of St. Margaret No 8544
On the evening of Thursday, 6 October 2005, a ceremony of amalgamation took place at the Masonic Hall, Ashlar House, Preston, between.................<more>

Preston Masters Duck Race ................<more>

West Lancashire Freemason Helping the Community
On Tuesday afternoon, 13 September, W Bro W R Seddon P S G D, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, presented a cheque to representatives of St Christopher’s Church, Lea....<more>

 

Preston Lodge of Sincerity No.8085 - Bowling Day 21/08/05
It was decided earlier in the year to hold a social function over the summer recess so as to be able to keep in touch, and to refresh ourselves both with regards to our upcoming duties..<more>

 

Alf Short Hospice Walk - Cheque Presentations
In June of 2004 Alf Short undertook a heroic charity walk, visiting all sixteen hospices in the Province of West Lancashire and raising, with Gift Aid, a staggering total of £63, 489.....<more>

 

Preston Group Annual May Weekend Trip - Destination Bruges
On Friday 29 April 2005 a group of happy and expectant travellers waited at Ashlar House for the Battersby coach to take them to Bruges. Many of the travellers were the “usual suspects” on what has now become a very enjoyable Masonic tradition................<more>

 

2004/2005 Preston Master Charity Walk
The 2004/2005 Preston Master completed their Charity walk around the rougher and wilder and hillier parts of the Trough of Bowland on Sunday the 26th June......<more>

 

Jubilee Lodge - Summer Sunday Lunch
On Sunday, 19 June 2005, Jubilee Lodge once again organised a Sunday lunch at the Dog and Partridge pub near Chipping. The weather was totally different to that experienced.....<more>

 

Rod and Beryl's Summer BBQ (pdf only)

 

Preston Group Golf Day - 2005
The Preston Group Golf Day was held at Ashton and Lea Golf Club on Tuesday 7th June 2005...................<more>

 

Community Fund Of West Lancashire Freemasons Supporting Local Organisations
On Tuesday afternoon, 7 June 2005, at Ashlar House, a number of cheques were presented to representatives of local organisations who had made applications to the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons for assistance................<more>

 

Preston Group Bowling Tournament
was held on the 8th May at Ashton Bowling Club.....................<more>

 

Swing Your Hips 60’S Night
On Saturday 2 April there was a nineteen sixties themed night at Ashlar House and over one hundred thirty revellers attended..............<more>

 

Winkley Chapter Installation
On Friday 18 March 2005 Winckley Chapter No 5438 held its Installation Meeting at Ashlar House. E Comp P A Renton expertly installed his successor................<more>

 

Diamond Jubilee Celebration
On Monday 14 Februrary, the brethren of Lodge Amounderness visited the Palace, St Annes as guests of St Annes Lodge No. 2457 in order to support the Diamond Jubilee of George Caldwell...<more>

 

Preston Group Dinner - February 2005
The Preston Group Dinner was held on Tuesday 22 February 2005 and the principal guest was V.W. Bro Tom Blackburn..................<more>

 

Community Fund of West Lancashire - Freemasons Assist the Faith and Heritage Appeal - Ribchester
On Wednesday 16 February 2005 the Community Fund Of West Lancashire Freemasons donated a cheque for £1000 to the above appeal. The cheque was presented................<more>

 

The Final Meeting Of Olympia Lodge No 6812 Prior To Amalagamation
The final meeting of Olympia Lodge No 6812 prior to amalgamation with Ingol Lodge of St Margaret No 8544 was held at Ashlar House...................<more>

 

Donation By Festival Lodge No 8123 To Royal Preston Hospital, Medical Rehabilitation Unit
Following a recent extended stay in the newly opened Medical Rehabilitation Unit of Royal Preston Hospital by W Bro Douglas Plank...................<more>

 

Royal Preston Chapter No 333 - Explanarion Of Banners 2005
On Thursday 3 February 2005 Royal Preston Chapter No 333, at its regular meeting, presented an explanation of the Chapter Banners.............<more>

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Masonic Motorway Builder

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W Bro Harry L Yeadon, a member of Lodge Amounderness 7105, has recently published a book entitled The Motorway Achievement, a historic account of the development of the North West motorway network.

Harry was the former County Surveyor and Bridgemaster, for Lancashire County Council and was involved, from its inception, in Britain’s first motorway, the Preston Bypass section of the M6, which was opened by Harold McMillan, the then Prime Minister in 1958.

The full title of his book is The Motorway Achievement, Building the Network: The North West of England. It is the first of a series of publications which will eventually cover the whole of the UK’s motorway network. After many long hours of Harry carrying out research for his books, his work is almost complete, but he will not receive a penny in royalties for his unstinting efforts as all the royalties will instead be generously donated to the Motorway Archive Trust.

The first book in the series is of particular importance, not only because Preston was the first place in the UK to have the benefit to a motorway bypass, but also because the North West in general has a greater concentration of motorways compared to other areas of the UK. There are eighteen separately numbered motorways in the region and they vary tremendously in length from the M6 at 155 miles, down to very short bypass sections measuring only a mile.

When you consider the traffic densities these days it is inconceivable to contemplate our country without the benefit of motorways and the tremendous contribution they have made to our national economy. However, Harry is of the firm opinion that the existing network requires constant updating to ensure the free flow of traffic. He believes this will be achieved by planning and building more new motorways, increasing the number of lanes on existing motorways, and improving link roads to ensure they are commensurate with the volume of traffic entering and leaving the motorway network.

The motorways are a tremendous feat of engineering planning and implementation and to Harry the most impressive aspects of these engineering feats are the Barton high level bridge crossing the Manchester ship canal, the magnificent Thelwell Viaduct and finally the M62 crossing the Pennines between the old rivals of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

So the next time you are speeding away from, or heading towards Lancashire on the M6 motorway, don’t forget to spare a thought for our very own Masonic motorway engineer, W Bro Harry L Yeadon whose dedicated career assisted in making it possible.

 

W Bro Harry L Yeadon the author of The Motorway Achievement,
Building the Network: The North West of England

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Amalgamation of Olympia Lodge No 6512 and Ingol Lodge of St. Margaret No 8544

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On the evening of Thursday, 6 October 2005, a ceremony of amalgamation took place at the Masonic Hall, Ashlar House, Preston, between Olympia Lodge No 6512 and The Ingol Lodge of St Margaret No 8544 which marked the culmination of many discussions and hard work by all relevant parties.

The Lodge was opened at 1700hrs with the Worshipful Master of Ingol Lodge of St Margaret, Bro G O’Hagan and his team of officers. Once the Lodge business was concluded the Rt W Provincial Grand Master, Bro Colin Penty Wright, accompanied by W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro I W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman and many other distinguished brethren entered and the Lodge room and the ceremony of amalgamation commenced. The Provincial Grand Master led his Provincial team in a very dignified and meaningful ceremony which cemented the amalgamation of Olympia Lodge and Ingol Lodge of St Margaret, who in future will meet under the title of the latter. Olympia Lodge was founded in 1949 and Ingol Lodge of St Margaret in 1974 and the ceremony was a true example of a daughter lodge welcoming back its mother lodge.

At the excellent festive board after the ceremony the toast to the health of the Provincial Grand Master was in the capable hands of W Bro Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. He spoke of the formers commitment to the lodge amalgamation process, his personal dedication to hard work and wished him the best of health for the future.

In his response the Provincial Grand Master congratulated and thanked his team and the members of the Lodge for all their hard work. He congratulated W Bro Seddon and the Preston Group under the Chairmanship of W Bro I W Greenwood and his executive, for guiding the Preston Masons on the right track of amalgamation. He stated that one of the important aspects of amalgamation was that the spirit and principles of Freemasonry are carried forward not just those of the Lodge. He spoke at length on the importance of change in the 21st Century and while standing firm to established principles, not to be afraid of sharing work in order to encourage younger brethren to take an active part in the ritual. On initiatives to improve retention, he spoke of a proposed mentoring system for younger Masons and made reference to a Provincial initiative to assist the efficient operation of Masonic Halls through the possible sharing of best practice, information and the power of collective buying.

Finally he was confident that the Ingol Lodge of St Margaret members were on the threshold of a bright future and wished them joy and success in that future, prior to proposing the toast to the newly amalgamated lodge.

Bro G O’Hagan, Worshipful Master, Ingol Lodge of St Margaret, thanked the Provincial Grand Master for proposing the toast to the Lodge and presented him with a basket of fruit for his wife as a token of appreciation from the Lodge.

The visitors who are currently members of Lodges who do not enjoy large numbers or have not attracted sufficient young Masons, no doubt took heart from the Provincial Grand Master’s words of encouragement that given the right circumstances and a will to change, amalgamation is a possible way to ensure Freemasonry continues to flourish in the future.

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Preston Masters 2004/2005 Duck Race

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On Sunday 10 June 2005 the Preston Masters 2004/2005 organised a very successful duck race and barbecue. Below are pictures of the event and the wining owner.

The anxious crowd observe the steady progress of the competing ducks

Lorraine Cook the very proud wining owner of £100 thanks
to the valiant efforts of duck number 479

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West Lancashire Freemason Helping the Community

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On Tuesday afternoon, 13 September, W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, presented a cheque to representatives of St Christopher’s Church, Lea, who had made an application to the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons for assistance towards their fund raising project to construct a disabled toilet within the church community hall.

At the presentation the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was accompanied by the Preston Group Chairman, W Bro I W Greenwood and W Bro D A Thompson, Local Care Officer. The church officials present were, W Bro Fred Rowcroft, a member of Festival Lodge No 8123 and Church Verger, who had sponsored the application for consideration by the fund and Margaret Clarkson and Beryl Robinson, both Church Wardens.

St Christopher’s Community Hall is a popular venue for a wide variety of activities, including a playgroup, concerts and even hosts a well attended luncheon club. Indeed 42 had dined the previous day to the presentation. In a hall, which is patently the hub of the community, it was recognised that a disabled toilet combining a baby changing facility would enhance the amenity. The total cost of constructing the facility was approximately £5000 and the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons was pleased and proud to contribute £500 to this worthy cause.

The work was carried out by J Lea (Farrington) Ltd and the church representatives were particular pleased with the finished facility and how its designed location fitted in with the existing hall space.

St Christopher’s Parish Church the venue for the presentation

 

W Bro Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master (far right) presenting the cheque
to Margaret Clarkson, Church Warden. Looking on from left to right, W Bro Fred Rowcroft
Church Verger, W Bro D A Thompson, Local Care Officer, W Bro I W Greenwood
Group Chairman and Beryl Robinson, Church Warden.

 

The rear of the Community Hall with the new disabled facility shown far right

 

A view showing the stage in this multi-purpose and well utilised Community Hall

 

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Preston Lodge of Sincerity 8085 - Bowling Day 21/08/05

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It was decided earlier in the year to hold a social function over the summer recess so as to be able to keep in touch, and to refresh ourselves both with regards to our upcoming duties, (Our first meeting of the season is the installation) and of course alcoholically. If perchance we could raise a bit of money for our charities at the same time, that would then be a good result all round.

The Umpires word is final! (Wally Taylor.)

David Barlow suggested a Bowling day, which he was prepared to organise. David did us proud and arranged a super day at the Grapes in Goosnargh We had a knock out competition for singles and doubles, and a Quiz running for the other guests that did not fancy having a go at bowling.

The Winner, Graham Badger (left) receives his prize and trophy from WM Bob Norris.

We had a great day of sunshine to eventually, (after much fumbling, swearing and laughter) whittle the field down to the finalists, Peter Whitehead and Graham Badger. Peter played really well but was eventually beaten 11-9 by a great finish from Graham.

“Best Attempt” Trophy winner Janice Lythgo.

The Umpires decision was definitely final in regards to the award for the “Best Attempt” from a novice bowler. This was awarded to Janice Lythgo who played exceptionally well, winning her first game and giving her opponent in the second round a good run for his money, but eventually loosing.

Quiz Winner, Mandy “Magnus” Nicholson.

The quiz was won by Mandy Nicholson (with a little help from the Grapes pub team methinks!) and was presented with an original David Barlow wine cork arrangement. The doubles competition was won by Geoff and Gill Glover who beat Bob Norris and his daughter Jade. As Bob is the retiring WM and Geoff is WM elect, it seemed a rather fitting gladiatorial result.

An excellent buffet from the Grapes finished the day off, and a great day out was had by all. A great many thanks are due to all the people who donated prizes, helped out, and of course to all the people who attended and supported us. It is hoped that this will now be the first of an annual event.

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Alf Short Hospice Walk - Cheque Presentations

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In June of 2004 Alf Short undertook a heroic charity walk, visiting all sixteen hospices in the Province of West Lancashire and raising, with Gift Aid, a staggering total of £63, 489.

The culmination of this walk for the Preston and Leyland Masonic Groups was a cheque presentation on Thursday 4 August 2005 to St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall. The amounts donated to the hospice’s Janette Appeal were £1000 from the Preston Group, this figure being £822 from the Alf Short Walk donations with the remainder being contributed from the Preston Group Charity Account and £850 from the Leyland Group. The cheques were presented to Jim Brash, the Head of Care at St Catherine’s’ Hospice by the two Group Chairman, Ian Greenwood, Preston Group and Dennis Onslow, Leyland Group. Also at the presentation was Cliff Hughes, Chairman of St Catherine’s Hospice.

The Janette Appeal aims to raise £200,000 for furniture and fittings and coincides with St Catherine’s twentieth anniversary and their endeavours to raise £500,000 to improve the inpatient accommodation.

In addition to the presentation at St Catherine’s there was a second presentation on Tuesday, 9 August at Derian House, this time involving three Groups, Preston, Leyland and Chorley. On this occasion the cheques were presented to Trevor Briggs, General Manager Derian House by the three Group Chairman, Ken Shaw, Chorley Group, Dennis Onslow, Leyland Group and Ian Greenwood, Preston Group. Trevor Briggs gratefully received the Chorley cheque for £1,878, the Leyland and Preston donations of £950 and £822 respectively.

After the presentation Trevor Briggs explained to the three Group Chairman that Derian House admit patients from a large area, which encompasses Penrith in the north to Cheshire in the South with the majority of patients coming from a 45-mile radius. The patient age range is from babies to 21-year-olds and not all are suffering from cancer but many have degenerative diseases.

Trevor thanked the Chairmen for the Masonic support, not only the monetary donations but the time spent by local Masons who maintained computer equipment and other facilities.

In the centre of the two photographs is Alf Short who walked over 200 miles visiting all the hospices in the Province of West Lancashire raising a staggering £63,489. The left hand photograph shows Trevor Briggs, General Manager Derian House (second frm left) holding cheques presented by, from left to right, Ian Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman, Denis Onslow, Leyland Group Chairman and Ken Shaw, Chorley Group Chairman. The right hand photograph shows Jim Brash, Head of Care, St Catherine’s Hospice (centre) receiving cheques for the Janette Appeal from Dennis Onslow, Leyland Group Chairman and Ian Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman (right)

 

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PRESTON GROUP ANNUAL MAY WEEKEND TRIP – DESTINATION BRUGES

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On Friday 29 April 2005 a group of happy and expectant travellers waited at Ashlar House for the Battersby coach to take them to Bruges. Many of the travellers were the “usual suspects” on what has now become a very enjoyable Masonic tradition here in Preston: the annual May Weekend coach trip. The coach duly arrived and to everyone’s surprise this year we had a new driver John instead of Malcolm who had transported the party for many miles on the last two annual trips. Admittedly quite a few of those miles were in the wrong direction! John on the other hand looked exceedingly competent and the observant amongst us clocked that the coach was fitted with satellite navigation.

There were twenty-two travellers giving everyone plenty of room to spread out on the coach and once all the cases were on board we set off at 0930am on the first leg of the journey to Hull and the waiting ferry. The coach was equipped to dispense beverages on demand and combined with having an onboard toilet there was no need for a comfort stop on the way. During the journey to York our in-house jovial courier, Mel Cross, brought around boiled sweets and outlined to the passengers the arrangements for their meals on the ferry and the entertainment that had been organised for the Saturday night.

We arrived at York for lunch at 1125hrs and after a couple of hours sightseeing in this beautiful old city we set off for the ferry at 1600hrs. During the afternoon it was amazing the number of times the various groups in the party accidentally bumped into other party members in the extensive number of hostelries around the centre of the city. To my knowledge no one accidentally bumped into another party member in York Library!

We arrived in Hull at 1800hrs and by 1850hrs we were in the bar onboard as the ship, The Pride of Bruges, set sail. Boarding the ferry was very slick and very quickly everyone was settling into their allocated cabin. There was only one hitch and that was another couple already occupied the cabin allocated to Keith and Pat Astbury. Keith is reported to have said to the male interloper “Make my day”. Sporting his ten-gallon hat he would have looked every inch the Masonic answer to Dirty Harry! Fortunately the ship’s crew quickly resolved the situation and it gave the party a topic of conversation over the evening meal. After dinner most of the party enjoyed a drink in the many well-appointed lounges, with lots of distractions to while away the time. The wind was very light and therefore the North Sea was as calm as a millpond.

We were gently awakened at 0600hrs for breakfast by the ships PA system. The breakfast was as excellent as the evening meal the night before, beautifully cooked and presented. The winds were still very light as we approached Zeebrugge, which resulted in poor visibility owing to the mist hanging over the sea. We arrived at Zeebrugge at 0810hrs and disembarking was as smooth as the boarding at Hull. The party was on the coach and ready to roll by 0840hrs and as we drove inland the mist began to dissipate and the cloud lifted as the May sunshine broke through.

The majority of the party elected to spend the day in Brussels visiting the sites and shopping but some were dropped off in Bruges to take advantage of a full day looking around the old city. Those that opted for the latter were treated to a sun drenched tour of a city full of beautiful and historic buildings and architecture combined with a practically motorised vehicle free environment. Instead of the roar of modern traffic there was the relative quiet of cyclists and the therapeutic clip clop of the many horse drawn landaus slowly and leisurely progressing around the inner city. Combining this with the peace and quiet of the numerous canals that flow through the city navigated by slow moving tourist barges the experience was truly uplifting for the spirit. If the tourist fancied a small libation there were plenty of street cafes to slate ones thirst.

At 1600hrs the coach returned from Brussels and the party were reunited at the Hotel Portinari in the T Zand Square just outside the centre of Bruges. By coincidence the whole of T Zand Square was occupied by a state of the art fairground with thrilling rides and many sideshows. Some of the party were concerned that the noise of the fairground might interrupt their slumber but their fears proved groundless.

The rooms were clean and functional and after freshening up the party assembled in Reception ready for the coach to transport us the evening venue were we would be wined, dined and entertained. The nightclub was called Celebration and was located in the Sacred Heart deconsecrated church. This gave the Medieval Theme of the evening a real atmosphere. The evening was based on a re-enactment of the wedding of Charles the Bold and Margaret of York on 3 July 1468. Actors played the parts and proceedings were augmented by wine, beer and a splendid banquet. To further enhance the atmosphere there was a handling display featuring birds of prey, a jester, a snake charmer, a female fire juggler, an act featuring whips and a mock sword battle. What more could anyone want?

The following morning, Sunday, the team breakfasted at 0800hrs and by 0930hrs we left Bruges on the way to Ypres stopping at the Tyne Cot Cemetery on the way. We arrived at the First World War cemetery shortly before 1100hrs. I have read newspaper articles, books and seen many documentaries on the First World War but nothing brings home the scale of the carnage like a visit to a cemetery such as Tyne Cot, the largest British war cemetery in the world. Sir Herbert Baker designed Tyne Cot CWGC Cemetery. There are 11,908 graves registered within the cemetery. Of this total seventy percent are unknown and bear the sad epitaph “A Soldier of the Great War known unto God”. On the wall at the back of the cemetery are the names of 34,927 soldiers who have no known grave and died from August 1917 to the end of the war. The names are a continuation of the names inscribed on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Inside the cemetery two mourning angels kneel on top of dome-covered pavilions at either end of the memorial wall, highlighting the harrowing nature of the conflict in this area, Passchendaele. The two pavilions were built over German blockhouses. Two remaining German blockhouses can be seen, one to the right of the entrance gate and one to the left through which the Cross of Sacrifice can be framed and is much photographed. Pillboxes were extensively used in the Passchendaele area because the water table was so near to the surface. In these circumstances it was better to build above rather than below ground. The British however seldom constructed concrete pillboxes, on the basis that the war must be an offensive one, with pillboxes signifying a war of attrition. One explanation of the name “Tyne Cot” is said to originate from a reference by Northumberland Fusiliers during the war to the likeness of the German pillboxes to Tyneside cottages.

The memorial in the middle of the cemetery states “This was the Tyne Cot Blockhouse captured by the 3rd Australian Division – 4th October 1917”. All the gravestones representing the fallen soldiers from all parts of the UK and the Empire face the memorial.

The coach arrived in Ypres shortly before midday and the party took the opportunity to walk around the historic town. The highlights were The Cloth Hall with its square belfry tower, Saint Martinus and Saint Nicholas Cathedral and the Menin Gate on the road into the town centre, which contains approximately 55,000 names of soldiers killed in the war. The Menin Gate is famous for the local Fire Service playing the Last Post at the gate every evening at 2200hrs. Unfortunately our schedule did not allow for us to experience this very moving ceremony.

Late in the afternoon the party returned to the hotel to freshen up before sampling the delights of Bruges’ restaurants and night life.

After a full and satisfying breakfast on the Monday morning we set off for Lille shortly before 0930hrs and arrived an hour later having had a smooth passage across the border. The day was warm and sunny and most enjoyed strolling around the town admiring the architecture and rounding the short stay off in the town square with a delicious meal and a refreshing drink.

At 1400hrs we left Lille for the hypermarket and a heavy dose of retail therapy particularly on the drinks front!

In the late afternoon we left the hypermarket and headed for Zeebrugge in order to catch the evening ferry back to Hull. The group once again was very fortunate, being treated to a smooth and uneventful crossing of the North Sea.

We arrived at the King George Dock, Hull, at 0745hrs the following morning and many admired the manoeuvrability of our vessel as it edged its way down the entry canal that could have only been a couple of feet wider than the vessel.

After disembarking at Hull and boarding the coach it was all speed to Preston. It was sad that yet another splendid long weekend, this year in Bruges, had come to an end but already big Mel Cross was sounding out the troops for a long weekend destination in 2006 and Cologne in Germany was looking favourite.

The intrepid explorers together with the hero of the weekend, John
the driver on the extreme right

 

Our floating hotel while crossing the North Sea

 

Shopping heaven for the “Chocaholics”

 

 

 

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2004/2005 Preston Master Charity Walk

The 2004/2005 Preston Master completed their Charity walk around the rougher and wilder and hillier parts of the Trough of Bowland on Sunday the 26th June. Our route master, who also goes by the name of Attila the Hun, took us on the 6 plus mile route march with much gusto. There was no place for slackers on this walk! By the time we had finished, we were all several pounds lighter and well worn out.

Talking of being several pounds lighter, we raised around £1000 for the four local Charities which, when combined with our other fundraising events, will be donated in the spring of 2006.

The four Charities, who will receive an equal amount each, are (1) Army Corps Drums (2) Friends of Maplewood House (3) Ribble Valley Cross Roads and (4) Preston Heartbeat.

We thank all those who sponsored us and look forward to our next event which is the BBQ and Duck Race on Sunday 10th July.

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Jubilee Lodge - Summer Sunday Lunch

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On Sunday, 19 June 2005, Jubilee Lodge once again organised a Sunday lunch at the Dog and Partridge pub near Chipping. The weather was totally different to that experienced at the summer lunch last year. Last year it was uncharacteristically wet and windy even though the event was held in July. This year the temperature and humidity were high and those who had chosen chilled melon as a starter were definitely onto a winner.

The event was well attended with sixty four sitting down to dine which included Brethren, wives and partners, friends and family, including a significant number of well behaved children. The diner’s ages ranged from the very young to the not so young. The meal and the service, as on previous lunches held at the Dog and Partridge, was excellent.

After the meal the Worshipful Master of Jubilee Lodge No 5555, Bro Geoff Brown and his wife Margaret, together with their grandson Nathan, presented the raffle prizes and the raffle raised a splendid £125.00 for good causes.

To conclude the lunch W Bro Geoff Brown thanked all for attending, and thanked W Bro Keith Walton for yet again organising such a splendid lunch. He extended the Lodge’s thanks to the Dog and Partridge staff for making the meal such a memorable event and wished the diners a safe journey home.

Everyone agreed that it had been a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and it was decided to organise a repeat of the event in October this year.

The venue for the day “The Dog and Partridge” Chipping

 

Bro Geoff Brown, The Worshipful Master, Jubilee Lodge No 5555
and his wife Margaret and family

 

A full dining room

To see more pictures, click on the PDF icon at the start of the story

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Preston Group Golf Day - 2005

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The Preston Group Golf Day was held at Ashton and Lea Golf Club on Tuesday 7th June 2005.

The weather for the day was clear blue skies reaching into the 70’s in the afternoon, with not even a breath of wind; in short absolutely perfect for the 23 golfers who took part. The course too was in excellent condition and credit and thanks for this must go to Ashton and Lea Golf Club for once again allowing the Group to host the golf day at their club and allow the use of all club facilities.

Of course apart from enjoying a wonderful day, the event raises monies for the West Lancashire Masonic Golf Society, which is a feeder to the main charities. This year, as always, thanks must go to the Lodges and Chapters of the Preston Group who made individual donations amounting to £112, with a further £200 being raised from the event itself. This charitable amount will eventually be distributed to good causes and perhaps those Lodges and Chapters who did not contribute this year would give consideration to making a donation of £10 to £12 in 2006.

The format of the day is a ‘Stableford’ competition, with full handicap being allowed. Golfers of all abilities are warmly encouraged to take part and to just have a good time, while raising monies for charity. All golfers are encouraged to attend irrespective of whether they are a seasoned golfer or a mere beginner. The section is always keen to encourage new members to the society.

The main competition is for the Preston and District Masonic Golfing Society Trophy. This year, W Bro Frank Cook won the competition with a wonderful score of 43 points.

W Bro Peter Hadfield was runner up with an excellent score of 41 points and third was W Bro David Winder with 36 points. The event is also a qualifier for the Provincial Golf Finals day, which this year will be held at Widnes Golf Club on 10th August. The following Brethren have qualified.

W Bro Stuart Wells (winner of the Eric Wells Trophy)
W Bro Frank Cook
W Bro Peter Jan Hadfield
W Bro David Winder
W Bro Peter Johnson
W Bro Jim Ainsworth (after C P O)

The card play-off (C P O) for the final team place was to be decided on the back nine holes and this was initially between four competitors, but three of the four had the same score on the back nine. The last six holes were then considered as stipulated in the rules of golf and W Bro Jim Ainsworth won his place in the team.

A further competition, which is played for on the day, is the Preston Master’s Millennium Trophy, which is available to current Masters and Immediate Past Masters to enter. This year W Bro David Winder with a point’s score of 36 won the Trophy.

The Eric Wells Trophy is also presented on the day and is a competition played among group members, on a knockout basis, over the year. W Bro Stuart Wells was this year’s winner and as such automatically qualified to play in the Provincial Golf Competition for the Preston Group Team. Stuart played W Bro Peter Hadfield in a closely contested final held at the neutral venue of Preston Golf Club and overcame an early 3-hole deficit to finally prevail on the very last hole. Stuart Wells used his skill to prevail and there was no suggestion that Masonic nepotism was involved in winning the Eric Wells Trophy! The knockout format is a great opportunity to meet fellow Masonic golfers and enjoy new golfing venues in the process.

At the Annual General Meeting, which was held after the event, the Chairman, W Bro Colin Carefoot thanked all for their attendance on what had been a thoroughly enjoyable day. He invited all who had played to encourage new members to come and take part.

This article was kindly submitted by W Bro Dave Winder.

Here are some images of the day but to see a larger selection, click on the PDF icon at the start of the story

W Bro Colin Carefoot (centre), Chairman of the Preston Group Masonic Golfing Society, W Bro Ross Proctor (left), Secretary and W Bro Dave Winder (right), Treasurer on the tee early to ensure the day got off to a smooth start.

W Bro Tom Blackburn (centre), President of the Preston Masonic Golfing Society, W Bro Bill Huck (left) and W Bro Mike Wiggins (right) ready to attack the course.

Bro Ted Cowperthwaite, Vice President of the Preston Group Masonic Golfing Society and a stalwart organiser of the competition for many years.

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COMMUNITY FUND OF WEST LANCASHIRE FREEMASONS SUPPORTING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

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On Tuesday afternoon, 7 June 2005, at Ashlar House, a number of cheques were presented to representatives of local organisations who had made applications to the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons for assistance towards their fund raising projects.

The cheques were presented by W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master who was accompanied by the Preston Group Chairman, W Bro I W Greenwood

W Bro Seddon thanked the representatives of the various recipient organisations for attending and outlined to the representatives the geographical area served by the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons and explained that the boundaries were those of old Lancashire, prior to the political re-organisation. He further stated that the fund catchment area encompasses over 500 Lodges and the Community Fund Committee meet regularly to decide which worthy causes are to receive donations. The causes are often brought to their attention by Masonic Brethren.

W Bro Seddon pointed out that all the deserving causes had to be voluntary organisations and commented on the diversity of the organisations represented at this particular presentation.

He then proceeded to present the cheques to the following representatives:-

• Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue representative, Mr Paul Durham, Fundraiser, was presented with a cheque for £1000. W Bro Seddon informed those present that their rescue work was wide ranging and that they had been involved in the recent rescue operation of the Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay. The donation will assist in the construction of a new headquarters building north of Preston near the Broughton motorway junction. W Bro Frank Moss, a member of Lodge of Endeavour, No 7036, nominated the organisation.

• St John’s Church, Broughton, representative the Rev Becky Hollis, Curate, was presented with a cheque for £1000. W Bro Seddon informed those present that the donation will contribute towards the new organ appeal for the church. He added that the Brethren of Ashlar House are very much aware of the splendid choir the church possesses and the contribution the choir makes to the Christmas celebrations in the banqueting hall. Such a splendid choir deserves the very best quality organ. W Bro John Broster, a member of Lodge of Unanimity No 113, nominated this particular good cause. His wife Mary accompanied him at the presentation ceremony.

• St Anthony’s Brownie Guides’ representatives, Mrs Helena Gray, Leader and Mrs Margaret Donnelly, Assistant Guider, were presented with a cheque for £600. W Bro Seddon extolled the Brownie organisation and the marvellous work they do in teaching various skills and nurturing self confidence in seven to ten year old girls. Margaret’s husband, Bro Peter Donnelly, a member of Lodge of Good Fellowship No 5901, nominated their cause.

All of the recipients thanked the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons for their generous donation and particularly thanked the Masonic Brethren who had advanced their cause for consideration.

 

W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master (far right), presented the cheques to Mrs Helena Gray, Leader and Mrs Margaret Donnelly, Assistant Guider (third and second from the right respectively) representing St Anthony’s Brownie Guides, the Reverend Becky Hollis (second from left) representing St John’s Church organ appeal and Mr Paul Durham, Fundraiser (far left) representing the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue.

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Preston Group Masonic Bowling Tournament
Sunday 8th May 2005

One of the most pleasing aspects of the day was the excellent turnout of competitors and spectators, in fact, double the amount from last year.

Due to the number of competitors, 4 mini leagues were played instead of the usual 2. The winner of each league then went forward to play in the semi finals.

Both semi finals were very close affairs with Maurice Walling succeeding in overcoming a strong challenge from Peter Watson and Malcolm Cooley defeating Bill Hardacre with a display of accurate medium length bowling.

The final was a highly competitive occasion, but played in a sporting and friendly spirit by two players who had not contested the final before. Malcolm built up an early lead of 10–5, but Maurice started to claw his way back with a superb exhibition of long length bowling.

Eventually he pulled away and won 15–11

Our President Gordon Payne presented Maurice with the Group Bowling Silver Cup and Presidents Prize. The losing finalist and semi finalists also received prizes. Everyone agreed that it was great to have a new name on the cup

A very well supported raffle took place and our thanks go to the ladies for helping out with the sale of tickets.

We were delighted to see in attendance our Preston Group Chairman Ian Greenwood, our Group Secretary, Stan Rigby and Treasurer Ian Cuerden

The 2006 event has been provisionally booked for Sunday 7th May

Article contributed by Mel Johnson, Group Bowling Secretary

Some of the ladies who assisted with the raffle ticket sale

 

The day enjoyed good weather and a good turn out

 

Keen competition from the participants

 

Gordon Payne Preston Group Vice Chairman (Centre) together with the eventual winner Maurice Walling (right) and Malcolm Cooley (left) the other finalist.

 

Maurice Walling (left) and Malcolm Cooley (right) in the final

 

A fine display of bowling and raffle prizes

 

Gordon Payne (left) presenting Maurice Walling (centre) with the Group Bowling trophy.
Peter Watson, one of the semi-finalists (right) looking on

 

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Swing Your Hips 60’S Night

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On Saturday 2 April there was a nineteen sixties themed night at Ashlar House and over one hundred thirty revellers attended. Many of those who attended joined in the spirit of the night and went to considerable trouble to dress accordingly.

The compere for the evening was Bro Peter Fountain, Worshipful Master of Festival Lodge No 8123. The evening was divided into four parts, a carvery and buffet meal, the presentation of charity cheques by the Preston Masters 2003/4, a raffle and finally a sixties music disco with DJ Johnny Pearson.

The Chairman of the Preston Masters 2003/4, W Bro Terry McGill presented the cheques to the following recipient organisations:-

• £750 to SPACE (Soft Play Area Controlled Environment) an organisation based in Ashton, Preston, which opened in 1993. They provide play facilities for children with severe learning difficulties. The cheque was gratefully and thankfully received by W Bro Leslie Cunliffe, P Pr J G W.

• £750 to the Glass House Appeal, which is raising money for a dedicated day treatment room for outpatients who receive drug treatment. Janet Nuttall and Sam Crayston received the cheque as trustees of the appeal. In her response Janet thanked the Masters for such a generous donation and explained that her husband was one of the patients who would benefit from receiving drug treatment in a dedicated room rather than on a ward. The required project appeal total is £100,000, of which £50,000 is to be raised from family and friends and the remainder from corporate sponsorship. As well as a trustee Sam is one of the hard working clinical nurses who assist the neurological patients.

• £650 to the Preston Group Charity. The Preston Group Chairman, W Bro Ian Greenwood, P A G D C, received the cheque and in his response explained that the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons was very much orientated to large projects, whereas the Preston Group Charity is available to respond with minor assistance to local charitable requests. An example quoted was the recent purchase of furniture for a day room in the Medical Rehabilitation Unit of Royal Preston Hospital.

• £750 had previously been presented to aid the Broughton Parish Church Organ Appeal.

Terry McGill with the Glass House Appeal Trustees
Janet Nuttall (left) and Sam Crayston (right)

 

Terry McGill with the SPACE representative Leslie Cunliffe

 

The Preston Group Chairman, Ian Greenwood, (second from right), together with Terry McGill, Preston Masters Chairman 2003/4 (second from left), Dave Winder,
Secretary (extreme right) and Geoff Haynes, Treasurer (extreme left)

 

The star raffle prize of a small colour television combined with a DVD was won by Joan Wood the wife of W Bro Brian Wood, P Pr J G W.

After the raffle the evening continued with a wealth of hip swinging foot tapping music and disco dancing provided by the Johnny Pearson Disco.

A selection of pictures from the evening is shown by clicking here (you must see them!!)

Here is a flavour of what to expect

Paul Bastow (left) and Bernard Snape (right) nostalgically recreating the Beatle era

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Winckley Chapter No.5438 Installation

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On Friday 18 March 2005 Winckley Chapter No 5438 held its Installation Meeting at Ashlar House. E Comp P A Renton expertly installed his successor, E Comp S N Rigby, who is the Preston Group Secretary, into the First Principal chair. The Co-Principals also installed their successors and at the end of the meeting all who took part where congratulated by the visitors on a very competent dignified and enjoyable ceremony. Special congratulations were extended to the Director and Assistant Director of Ceremonies and to J Norman Allen, who is over 90 years of age, but still delivered a superlative Address to the Principals.

The guest of honour was E Comp T Hudson, Second Provincial Grand Principal, who was accompanied by E Comp I W Greenwood, Group Chairman, and other distinguished officers of Supreme Grand Chapter.

E Comp T Hudson responded at the end of the meeting on behalf of the Provincial Grand Superintendent and was presented with charity cheques to the value of £1000. The organisations that benefited from this exceedingly generous donation were as follows:-

• £250 to the North West Air Ambulance ( Lancashire )
• £250 to Galloway's Society for the Blind
• £500 to Marie Curie Cancer Care in memory of E Comp Frank Sanderson

At the subsequent festive board E Comp Hudson responded on behalf of Supreme Grand Chapter and his response was both witty and informative.

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DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION FOR
W BRO GEORGE CALDWELL Jnr P PR J G W

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On Monday 14 Februrary, the brethren of Lodge Amounderness visited the Palace, St Annes as guests of St Annes Lodge No. 2457 in order to support the Diamond Jubilee of George Caldwell Jnr. Steven P J Reid, Assistant Provincial Grand Master officiated. This was quite appropriate has he had been the Principal Guest at Lodge Amounderness' Installation at the end of January 2005.

George Caldwell is a joining member of Amounderness and has served the Lodge as Worshipful Master as well as Assistant Director of Ceremonies for a number of years. As a token of appreciation he was presented with a beautiful cut glass decanter with an engraved collar. The Lodge wished him well for the future and hoped that he would continue his sterling efforts in volunteering to cover the various positions within the Lodge as and when called upon. A veritable everlasting Provincial Grand Substitute!

On another matter, the incoming Worshipful Master, Peter J Walker continued the Lodge's unusual charitable efforts by selecting a charity near to his heart to receive a cheque of £250. He selected "Namaskar - Inde Enfance Education" a French based charity dedicated to the education of youngsters in the Tamil Nadu area of India. Mme Odile Dumoulin-Orsini, the organiser residing in Cogny, France, sent a delightful letter of appreciation to the members and intimated that although this amount of money would help to care for the needs of up to five children for a year, it might be better applied on a capital project to install a solar generator for the greater good of all. Considering the hours of sunlight in that part of the world, it would seem a very cost effective exercise. Perhaps it could be seen as Freemasonry helping once again, considering recent tragedies, in a universal role.

This article was contributed by W Bro Ian Cuerden, Preston Group Treasurer

The selected photographs, recording the celebration, were kindly provided by W Bro Virendra Khanna

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Preston Group Dinner - February 2005

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The Preston Group Dinner was held on Tuesday 22 February 2005 and the principal guest was V.W. Bro Tom Blackburn, P G Swd B, Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

Prior to the dinner the reigning Masters and First Principals were seated at six tables in groups of approximately five or six and the distinguished representatives took it in turn to visit each table in order to discuss any Masonic issues the Brethren/Companions wished to raise. The distinguished representatives this year were V W Bro T Blackburn, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W R Seddon, Asst Provincial Grand Master, S Oldfield, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, I W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman, R A Graham, Provincial Senior Grand Warden, E R Skidmore, Provincial Junior Grand Junior Warden. The two Directors of Ceremonies, P T Lundy and P Elmore, choreographed the whole proceedings.

The toast to the principal guest, V W Bro T Blackburn, was proposed by M R Threlfall, Master of Stanley Lodge, No 2600. V W Bro Blackburn responded in his own inimitable eloquence style. He spoke of the Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge and the speed with which they reacted to the recent Tsunami disaster. Donations were made through the Red Cross in aid of the Tsunami Appeal. He also made reference to the Alf Short Hospice Walk in June 2004, the funding of a display trailer for the Air Ambulance, the improvements in the care structure, which included the appointment of J S Thornber as Provincial Grand Charity Steward and the importance of Lodges and Chapters keeping Group Chairman informed of donations to non-Masonic charities. He suggested that perhaps these donations could be consolidated into a single event evening were all the donations would be presented on the same night.

V W Bro Blackburn touched on the retention work that was being done under the banner of the New Zealand Project and the splendid success of the lodges that had, and were planning, amalgamation.

His response encapsulated many of the brethren’s thoughts on Freemasonry today and he expressed his views, and opinions, with great sincerity.

E. R. Skidmore, Provincial Junior Grand Warden, proposed the toast to the Preston Group of Lodges and Chapters and Ian Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman, responded. At the end of a very enjoyable evening Ian Greenwood presented V W Bro Blackburn with a token of the Group’s appreciation of his attendance at the function.

V W Bro T Blackburn , Deputy Provincial Grand Master	W. R. Seddon , Assistant Provincial Grand Master (right)
S Oldfield, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals (right)	I W Greenwood, Group Chairman
R. A. Graham, Provincial Senior Grand Warden	E R Skidmore, Provincial Junior Grand Warden
Peter Elmore and Paul Lundy, Provincial Deputy Director of Ceremonies	I W Greenwood, Group Chairman and P J Hadfield, Vice Chairman
Presentation to V W Bro T Blackburn by W Bro I W Greenwood, Group Chairman.

 

 

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Community Fund of West Lancashire - Freemasons Assist the Faith and Heritage Appeal - Ribchester

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On Wednesday 16 February 2005 the Community Fund Of West Lancashire Freemasons donated a cheque for £1,000 to the above appeal. The cheque was presented to Reverend John Francis, Rector of St Wilfrid with St Saviour, Stydd, by William R Seddon, P S G D, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, who was accompanied by Ian W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman, D A Thompson, Local Care Officer and A L Davies, who instigated the suggestion that this cause was worthy of support.

Ribchester Church receives no financial help from the Government directly or indirectly. The congregation of this small country parish must itself raise all the money needed to pay the annual running costs of the church. At the same time they have the responsibility, unique in the Diocese, of maintaining two Grade I Listed mediaeval buildings: the Parish Church of St Wilfrid and the Chapel of St Saviour, Stydd. Such a task is obviously beyond their means.

At St Wilfrid’s water is penetrating the building in many places. Some of the damage is obvious even to the casual observer. The most insidious and dangerous water ingress is in the tower and through the roof. Most urgent action must be taken to prevent even more serious decay.

The work now necessary is of a quite different sort to that funded by the 800 appeal some twelve years ago.

The last major works at St Saviour’s, Stydd, were carried out eighty years ago. Today the North wall is slowly, but inexorably, collapsing. Large cracks can now be seen. As the wall moves outwards, the support for the roof is gradually being withdrawn. Unless action is taken, the building will simply fall down. The church is all that remains of an early monastic community founded here in the Twelfth Century. It was later owned by the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

Without the repairs now necessary, St Wilfrid’s would no doubt limp into dilapidation and the church that has served the people of the village for over eight hundred years would be lost and could never be replaced.

So important is the work on both churches that English Heritage pledged one third of the estimated cost. However this pledge was conditional upon the church authorities finding the other two thirds. The total cost was estimated at £300,000, therefore another £200,000 had to be found from alternative sources. To meet their obligations they had to raise this money by pledge or donation not later than December 2004. Thanks to many generous donations, including that from the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons, this target has been reached.

 

Display board in the church charting the appeal

 

Notice on the display board stating the terms of the English Heritage grant

 

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THE FINAL MEETING OF OLYMPIA LODGE No 6812 PRIOR TO AMALGAMATION

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The final meeting of Olympia Lodge No 6812 prior to amalgamation with Ingol Lodge of St Margaret No 8544 was held at Ashlar House on Thursday 10 February 2005. The lodge was opened at 1830hrs and was well attended by over sixty brethren.

The principal guest was William R Seddon, P S G D, Assistant Provincial Grand Master who was accompanied by Ian W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman, Gordon Payne, Senior Vice-Chairman and Peter J Hadfield, Vice Chairman, together with many other distinguished masons.

W Bro E Lowes, P Pr S G D, the Worshipful Master, in his opening remarks decreed that all present should not consider the meeting as a sad occasion but a joyous one. During the meeting W Bro G W Saul, P Pr J G W, acting Senior Warden, presented an emotive short address on the history of the lodge which was well received by the brethren present.

There was a particularly poignant moment at the end of the meeting when W Bro Lowes rolled up the Warrant of the Lodge and presented it to W Bro Seddon for onward transmission to Grand Lodge for endorsement. W Bro Seddon in his response reaffirmed that the Master of the amalgamated lodge would have a duty to ensure that, after endorsement, the Warrant would be proudly displayed in the lodge room at future amalgamated lodge meetings.

Finally W Bro Lowes presented W Bro Seddon with a cheque of £500 for the 2005 Festival Appeal.

At the subsequent festive board W Bro Seddon encouraged the Olympia members not only to be proud of their past achievements but to look forward to a strong and bright future as an amalgamated lodge. W Bro Lowes responded by giving a firm commitment that all the members of Olympia Lodge would give their wholehearted support to the amalgamation venture.

Members of Olympia present at their last meeting before
amalgamation with Ingol Lodge of St Margaret.

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Donation By Festival Lodge No 8123 To
Royal Preston Hospital, Medical Rehabilitation Unit

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Following a recent extended stay in the newly opened Medical Rehabilitation Unit of Royal Preston Hospital by Douglas Plank, a member of Festival Lodge No 8123, it was decided by his lodge, to donate certain items of furniture to the sparsely furnished Day Room. The facility was originally based at Sharoe Green Hospital but in May 2004 the purpose built unit was opened on the main site. The unit comprises of three wards, Barton with 22 beds, Bleasdale with 22 beds and Fell View, which specialises in stroke cases, with 18 beds. The patients are referred to the unit from the main hospital via the unit’s Consultants and can stay in the unit for as long as necessary. It was through this process that W Bro Plank spent several weeks in Barton Ward and observed that the Day Room, which only contained four chairs and a table, required some extra comforts.

A combination then of Festival Lodge, Preston Group, and individual efforts succeeded in furnishing the room to a very comfortable standard. The items of furniture were purchased from Argos who when informed of the worthiness of the recipient also made a contribution.

On Thursday 10 February Ian Greenwood, Group Chairman, George Wood, MBE JP and Steve Bolton, IPM Festival Lodge No 8123, visited the unit to officially hand over the furnished Day Room and to symbolically unveil a small commemorative plaque on the wall. The Ward Manager, Judy Gill and her staff met, and thanked them, on behalf of the unit for such a generous contribution to the welfare of the patients and the ambiance of the room. Unfortunately Douglas Plank, who was the prime mover of this charitable effort, was unable to attend owing to illness.

George Wood, who constructed a bird table for the unit courtyard and Jim Hewitt, who donated two of his excellent paintings, made individual contributions to the charitable effort.

Royal Preston Hospital, Medical Rehabilitation Unit

 

Nurses central control station for the facility

 

George Wood with Judy Gill, Ward Manager, standing next to the donated bookcase

 

From left to right W Bro George Wood, Judy Gill, Ward Manager,
Ian Greenwood and Steve Bolton

 

The donated corner unit

 

The group admiring the bird table made George Wood in the courtyard of the facility

 

One of the pictures donated by Jim Hewitt

 

A small plaque on the wall of the Day Room to commemorate the donation

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Royal Preston Chapter No 333 - Explanarion Of Banners 2005

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On Thursday 3 February 2005 Royal Preston Chapter No 333, at its regular meeting, presented an explanation of the Chapter Banners.

Interest was first created in presenting an explanation of the Chapter Banners back in 1970 when Ex Comp S Lucas P Pr G S N obtained a copy of the lecture from a source in East Lancashire and thought it might be something the Chapter would be interested in presenting. More importantly it would enable a large number of junior Companions to take part in a Chapter working and act as a vehicle to explain and display the Banners that are on view at every Chapter meeting.

Having thoroughly read the lecture, Ex Comp Lucas noted that some of the banners depicted in the original displayed quite a different scene to the ones on display in Preston Chapters. Using the Old Testament as his source of information, he then set about rewriting the text.

When this was sorted out he arranged for fourteen junior Companions each to introduce and describe a different Banner. There was also an introduction and summing up at the end, together with an explanation of the four principle Banners behind the three Principals Chairs. In the long tradition of the Chapter none of this was read and all those who took part had to learn their presentation piece.

From 1970 Ex Comp Lucas organised one evening each year to display and describe the Banners and this created so much interest that the lecture has been given annually ever since. Ex Comp Lucas organised and took part in the lectures for the first eighteen years and was followed by Ex Comp Collier for the next ten years. Subsequent to him Ex Comp H Moulding, Ex Comp Saul and now Ex Comp Johnson have continued the tradition.

Over all these years the event has enjoyed the company of many visiting Companions who have all said how much they enjoyed the experience. So much so that some of them went back to their own Chapters and arranged something similar.

 

Royal Preston Chapter No 333 Banners Team 2005, led by H M Johnson, ADC

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