West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund Festival 2006
The West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund (WLMCF) Festival 2006 which took place on the 7th of May at the Floral Hall, Southport was a splendid affair ......................<more>

Preston Group Quiz 2006
Quiz night 2006, organized by the Preston Masters, was another great success, raising over £260 for the 2005-2006 Preston Masters................<more>

The Making of a Mason presented by the Oklahoma Indian Masonic Demonstration Team
Indians from the Apache, Shawnee, Choctaw, Keetoowah, Muscogee Creek, Sycamore and Quapaw tribes converged on Preston on Friday 7th April 2006............<more>

Preston Group Dinner 2006
The Preston Group Dinner was held on Friday 24 February 2006 and the principal guest was E Comp S P J Reid, The Deputy Grand Superintendent.................<more>

Jubilee Installation
On Wednesday, 1 March 2006, Jubilee Lodge held its Installation meeting at Ashlar House.....<more>

Jubilee Lodge Sunday Lunch
On Sunday, 19 February 2006, Jubilee Lodge once again organised a Sunday lunch at the Dog and Partridge pub near Chipping.....................<more>

Peace & Unity Supports Air Ambulance
The North West Air Ambulance service provides a most valuable service to the community in Lancashire and the North West.................<more>

Lodge Glittering Star No. 322
The Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of Ireland demonstrates a 1st Degree working at Preston...............<more>

Official Celebration of W. Bro. Norman Hodgson's 50 ye ars in Masonry
On Wednesday, 4 January 2006 at Ashlar House, W Bro Norman Hodgson officially celebrated attaining fifty years in Masonry..............<more>

Preston Group - Annual Christmas Carol Service On Sunday 11 December 2005 the Preston Group held its annual Christmas Carol Service at the new venue of Christ Church, Victoria Road, Fulwood, Preston...................<more>

Preston Masters 2000/01 Annual Lunch
On Sunday, 27 November 2005, the Preston Masters 2000/01 held their annual reunion lunch at the Dog and Partridge, near Chipping..................<more>

Once Again West Lancashire Freemasons Helping in the Community
On Friday afternoon, 18 November, W R Seddon , Assistant Provincial Grand Master, presented two cheques to representatives of St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green and The Women’s Centre.................<more>

Lodge of Endeavour No. 7036 – Rememberance Meeting - November 2005
The Worshipful Master of Lodge of Endeavour No 7036, Bro John Gerald “Ted” Campbell, was piped into the lodge room by W Bro Skillender..........<more>

Halloween Night Party 2005
On Saturday evening, 29 October 2005, the annual Halloween party was held at Ashlar House, Preston. All those who attended were ...................<more>

 

 

 

West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund Festival 2006

The West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund (WLMCF) Festival 2006 which took place on the 7th of May at the Floral Hall, Southport was a splendid affair which more than lived up to previous years. The Floral Hall was again full to capacity, the reception at 4 pm being followed by a five-course meal and live entertainment.

The Festival is normally Chaired by a Group Chairman from West Lancashire but this year, in a departure from previous years, the Festival Chairman was W. Bro. Stuart Thornber, the chairman of the of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund 2010 Festival Appeal Committee.

W. Bro. Thornber proposed the Loyal Toast, and the Toast to West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund was proposed by the R.W. Provincial Grand Master. W. Bro. Thornber responded and was able to announce that pledges and donations to the festival now exceeded £1.5Million.

A “Raffle” which consisted of envelopes containing £5 charity donations was drawn at the end of the meal with prizes of a Television, an in-car GPS Navigation system, £100 worth of Store Vouchers and Summer Show Tickets.

The meal and formalities were followed by an excellent evening’s entertainment consisting of Compère and TV Comedian Mike Kelly, Tenorissimo – the Three Tenors, and The Beetles-UK, a Beatles Tribute band rounding off the evening.

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2006 Preston Group Quiz

 

Quiz night 2006, organized by the Preston Masters, was another great success, raising over £260 for the 2005-2006 Preston Masters. This year the quiz was held in the Corinthian Suite, and as the pictures show, it was a packed house! Quizmaster Colin Askam was again ably assisted by his wife Barbara, and this year’s theme of numbers generated a quiz with a mixture of deceptively simple and virtually impossible questions which was every bit as imaginative as previous years.

The interval featured the presentation of cheques to nominated charities by the 2004 – 2005 Preston Masters Group, Cheques being received by Carol Grant for Crossroads (£750), Bridget Almond for Heartbeat (£750), Major J. R. Eskdale J.P. for the Lancashire Army Cadet Force (£750) and W. Bro. Ian Greenwood, Group Chairman, for the Preston Group (£200).

After the second half of a great evening’s head-scratching winners and runners-up emerged, Ribble Lodge No. 4558 winning third prize, Royal Preston Lodge No. 333 second prize, and first prize plus the trophy went to Fraternity Lodge No. 4072

Fraternity Lodge team members collect the Trophy

Concentration from the Quiz Master and his wife

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 The Making of a Mason presented by the Oklahoma Indian Masonic Demonstration Team

 

Indians from the Apache, Shawnee, Choctaw, Keetoowah, Muscogee Creek, Sycamore and Quapaw tribes converged on Preston on Friday 7th April 2006.

However, the Seventh Cavalry was not required on this occasion as the visitors were a most friendly group from the Oklahoma Masonic Indian Degree Team, who were here to give the first ever demonstration of an Indian Third Degree Ceremony at the Masonic Hall, Saul Street, Preston.

Stanley of Preston Lodge No. 2600 hosted the evening, and over one hundred Masons attended, including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Tom Blackburn, and two Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, William R Seddon and Peter J Hosker.

The Indian group were welcomed to Preston, and to Stanley Lodge in particular, by the Lodge’s Worshipful Master, M Threlfall, and the demonstration, entitled “The Making of a Mason” began after a very short Lodge meeting.

A “volunteer” candidate, G Woods, Worshipful Master of Halcyon Lodge was put through the first part of the demonstration ceremony by the team dressed in their normal attire, and then through the much longer second part with the Indian Worshipful Master, complete with a magnificent headdress, and the demonstration team dressed in full Indian clothing.

After a most impressive ceremony, W Bro Woods was presented with an apron and a certificate declaring him to be a Master Mason of Oklahoma.

W Bro T Blackburn was presented with a gavel, which had been fashioned from a field post and decorated by the Indians, and responded by saying how impressed he was by the manner in which the team had carried out their demonstration, and how much he had enjoyed the experience.

W Bro Threlfall, on behalf of Stanley Lodge, was presented with a ceremonial feather in a display case and in turn presented the Demonstration Team with a shield displaying the Stanley of Preston Lodge Coat of Arms.

After an opportunity to have photographs taken with the Demonstration Team following such a unique and memorable event, all retired to partake in a most enjoyable Festive Board.

Indian Team with W.Bro.M Threlfall - W.M. Stanley of Preston Lodge No.2600

Indian Team together with visitors from various Lodges

Indian Team members with Stanley organising committee -
Left to right - W. Bro. C. Miller, W. Bro. R. G. Gates

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Preston Group Dinner 2006

Click here for the pdf print version and more Pictures

The Preston Group Dinner was held on Friday 24 February 2006 and the principal guest was E Comp S P J Reid, The Deputy Grand Superintendent.

Prior to the dinner 31 reigning Masters and First Principals were seated at round tables in groups of approximately six or seven 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 E Comp S P J Reid, The Deputy Grand Superintendent, W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, E Comp S Oldfield, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, W Bro I W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman and Ex Comp E Baxter, Provincial Scribe N. 

The two Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies, W Bro N A Thomas, and W Bro K Walmsley, ensured the whole proceedings ran like clockwork.

The toast to the principal guest was proposed by E Comp S Rigby, First Principal of Winckley Chapter No 5438. He drew an analogy between Rembrandt’s painting, “Anatomy Lesson of Professor Nicholaes Tulp (1632)” which was depicted on the reverse side of the place cards, and Freemasonry.  The portrait is a favourite of E Comp Reid and forms the basis of one of his lectures.

E Comp Reid responded with great eloquence and appropriate humour.  He thanked E Comp Rigby for his very original, thoughtful and well constructed toast.  He continued by addressing some of the issues that had been raised at the meeting prior to the festive board and thanked all the participants for their wholehearted contributions.  He extolled the virtues of the Craft and the Royal Arch and encouraged more to join the latter as the combined experience was well worthwhile and had the capacity to lift ones life to a higher plain.  He touched on the Preston Group being forward thinking and congratulated the Group for their management of amalgamations in order to tailor the number of lodges to the current membership.  He referred to the close relationship between Freemasonry and charitable acts and requested all to support the New Masonic Samaritan Fund 2010 Festival.

Finally he thanked E Comp Rigby, who in his role as Group Secretary, had organised a wonderful evening and combined this with thanking W Bro Ian Greenwood, Group Chairman and the other Group Officers for their hard work and wished Freemasonry in general and Preston Group in particular all the very best for the future.

Ex Comp E Baxter, Provincial Scribe N, proposed the toast to the Preston Group of Lodges and Chapters and W Bro Greenwood, Group Chairman responded.  He referred to the success of amalgamations and echoed E Comp Reid’s comments in encouraging more to become members of the Royal Arch.

He thanked E Comp Reid for attending and extended his thanks to E Comp Rigby for organising the evening and to the two Directors of Ceremonies for their assistance.  Finally he presented a bouquet of flower to the principal guest for his wife.  E Comp Reid thanked W Bro Greenwood for the kind thought and commented on the timely nature of the flower presentation, as it was his wedding anniversary on the 1 March.

The evening concluded with the Tyler’s Toast.

E Comp S P J Reid, The Deputy Grand Superintendent (far left)

(For more pictures see the PDF file at the start of the article)

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JUBILEE LODGE No 5555 INSTALLATION

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On Wednesday, 1 March 2006, Jubilee Lodge held its Installation meeting at Ashlar House.  W Bro Geoff Brown was the Installing Master and W Bro Keith Ackers was the Master Elect.  This important day in the Lodge’s calendar was made all the more auspicious by the attendance of 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.

At the subsequent Festival of St John the response to the toast to the Grand Officers and the toast to the health of the Provincial Grand Master was in the capable hands of W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.  In his response he congratulated Bro Keith Ackers, Worshipful Master and wished him a happy and enjoyable year.  He also congratulated W Bro Geoff Brown, Installing Master and the other officers on the manner in which the ceremony had been conducted.

He then proceeded with his toast to the health of the Provincial Grand Master and outlined the very heavy workload associated with that office.  He thanked the Provincial Grand Master for initiating and implementing the new care structure, the Charity Steward structure and his advocacy and support of Lodge amalgamations.  He concluded by wishing the Provincial Grand Master the best of health in order to carry out his heavy workload and that he remain our Chief for many years to come.

Rt W Provincial Grand Master, Bro Colin Penty Wright, responded by thanking both W Bro Seddon and the brethren of Jubilee Lodge for the way he had been received.   He humorously added that it was unusual to hear such kind things being said by one lawyer about another.

He, like the proposer of the toast, commented on the quality of the ceremony and congratulated all who had taken part.  He stated that Freemasonry was to be enjoyed and he most certainly enjoyed being Provincial Grand Master and what a privilege it was to be supported by such a good team.  He congratulated W Bro I W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman, along with his officers for serving Preston well.

He noted it was the first time since Jubilee Lodge No 5555 was consecrated, some seventy-one years before, that a Provincial Grand Master had attended the Lodge’s Installation and he thought it a pity that his predecessors had missed out on such an enjoyable event.  He had observed Jubilee Lodge to be happy, flexible and competent and while the Lodge was not large, there was now the prospect of candidates on the horizon and he was sure they would be well cared for.

He, together with Grand Lodge, supported the current trend of sharing the work, which was seamless when done well.  He commented that in the busy world we live in, it is not always possible for new Masons to find the time to learn large tracks of ritual and not all have the ability to do so.  In his opinion brethren miss out if a ceremony falters, and benefit when the work is shared and carried out competently.  Sharing the work will encourage “new blood” to progress and does not detract from the core values, but ensures Freemasonry will blossom.

He informed diners that the response to the 2010 Festival had been good and thanked Jubilee Lodge for contributing to that worthy cause. 

Finally he thanked the two Provincial Directors of Ceremonies for their assistance and support throughout the day.  He encouraged everyone to attend the Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting in May and wished Jubilee Lodge well for the future.

The Senior Warden proposed the toast to Jubilee Lodge and W Bro Geoff Brown proposed the toast to the newly installed Master W Bro Keith Ackers who suitably responded.

The evening ended as always with the Tyler’s toast after a very memorable and enjoyable day.

The Rt W Provincial Grand Master, Bro Colin Penty Wright (left of centre, back row), Bro Keith Ackers, Worshipful Master (right of centre, back row), W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro I W Greenwood, Preston Group Chairman and other distinguished Masons together with the Brethren of Jubilee Lodge No 5555.

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Jubilee Lodge Sunday Lunch

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On Sunday, 19 February 2006, Jubilee Lodge once again organised a Sunday lunch at the Dog and Partridge pub near Chipping.  The event was well attended with sixty three sitting down to dine, which included Brethren, families and friends, whose ages ranged from two and a half to over eighty years young.  Considering the number dining, the staff was yet again attentive and served an excellent meal which was enjoyed by all.

After the meal the Worshipful Master of Jubilee Lodge No 5555, Bro Geoff Brown and his wife Margaret, presented the numerous raffle prizes. 

To conclude the lunch W Bro Geoff Brown thanked all for attending and for making the raffle such a great success.  He thanked W Bro Keith Walton for organising such a splendid event and extended the Lodge’s thanks to the Dog and Partridge staff for making the meal such a memorable and enjoyable occasion.

Below is a series of photographs of those who attended and the smiles on the many faces indicate the enjoyment and pleasure that pervaded the whole function.

Raffle Time – The Worshipful Master, Bro Geoff Brown (far right), his wife Margaret (second left), together with W Bro Keith Ackers, Worshipful Master Designate (second right) and the function organiser W Bro Keith Walton (far left) helping conclude an enjoyable day by drawing the well supported raffle.

See more pictures with the PDF version at the top of the article

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Peace & Unity Supports Air Ambulance

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The North West Air Ambulance service provides a most valuable service to the community in Lancashire and the North West.  It is one of the many good causes in the community that Freemasons are pleased to support.

On Monday, 6 February, the oldest Masonic lodge in Preston, Lodge of Peace & Unity, founded in 1797, continued this support when their Master, David Thomson and a group of members presented a cheque for £750 raised by the members to Mrs Jackie Northover, on behalf of North West Air Ambulance, at their helicopter base at Blackpool airport.

David Thompson stated that the lodge members were happy to support the essential work they carry out for the people of the North West.  Mrs Northover responded by saying that she was extremely grateful to the Lodge of Peace & Unity of Preston for their support in helping them in raising the £1.3 million pounds required each year to keep their air ambulance service operational for the benefit of the people in this region.

Presentation to Mrs Northover, Air Ambulance (left) by David Thompson, Master, Lodge of Peace & Unity (centre), together with Alan Drinkall, Lodge Charity Steward.

 

Presentation group with members of the Air Ambulance staff (far right)

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Lodge Glittering Star No. 322 - The Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of Ireland demonstrates a 1st Degree working at Preston

Background

Lodge Glittering Star is an Irish Military Lodge dating back to 3rd May 1759. Sad to say it remains as one of only two Military Travelling Warrant Lodges still working today. The other Lodge being St. Patrick’s Lodge, No. 295. That lodge too is under the Irish Constitution and dates back to 1758.

The Province of Worcestershire came to the aid of Lodge Glittering Star. On Saturday the 19th of March 2005, Brethren from far and wide came to support Worshipful Brother Major Stanley Alan Lates, OSM P.Prov.G.M. (Warks) UGLE, being Installed into the Chair of the Lodge, at The Masonic Hall, Halesowen.

It was the Irish invention of the Warrant, which made the erection of travelling lodges possible. There was little doubt that, to the soldier Mason the Warrant of his Lodge held a place in his heart, second only to the Colours.

On Monday 23 January 2006, Ribbleton Lodge No.6386 hosted the travelling team of Lodge Glittering Star No.322 and W.M. Brother Major Stanley Alan Lates OSM P.Prov.G.M. (Warwickshire) conducted a very interesting 1st Degree ceremony to a well attended lodge. A thoroughly interesting and enjoyable insight into the Irish Constitution.

*** Lodge Glittering Star will be visiting Lodge of Harmony No.220 in Liverpool on Wednesday 22 February 2006 to conduct a similar ceremony

W.M. Brother Stanley Alan Lates (centre left)
with the travelling team of Lodge Glittering Star.

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Official Celebration of W. Bro. Norman Hodgson's 50 years in Masonry

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On Wednesday, 4 January 2006 at Ashlar House, W Bro Norman Hodgson officially celebrated attaining fifty years in Masonry and in recognition of his contribution to Jubilee Lodge No 5555 was elected an honorary member of the Lodge.

The guest of honour was W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, together with W Bro I W Greenwood, Group Chairman, along with Officers of the Preston Group and other distinguished Brethren.

At the festive board W Bro I W Greenwood proposed the toast to the health of W Bro W R Seddon and he responded.  Bro G T Brown, Worshipful Master, Jubilee Lodge No 5555 proposed the toast to the health of W Bro Hodgson and presented him with a token of appreciation from the Lodge and flowers for his wife Joyce.

W Bro Norman Hodgson responded and he reminisced on his early days as a member of Jubilee Lodge and thanked all who had attended for making it such a memorable night.

The raffle raised £73 for charity and was fittingly won by W Bro P T Lundy, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, who had made a tremendous contribution to the smooth running of the celebration.

W Bro W R Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master (left)
with W Bro Norman Hodgson (right)

From left to right – W Bro I W Greenwood, W Bro W R Seddon Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Norman Hodgson, Bro G T Brown, Worshipful Master, Jubilee Lodge No 5555 and W Bro P T Lundy, Past Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies

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Preston Group - annual Christmas Carol Service

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On Sunday 11 December 2005 the Preston Group held its annual Christmas Carol Service at the new venue of Christ Church, Victoria Road, Fulwood, Preston.  The church was full to capacity with freemasons, families and friends.

The guest of honour being V W Bro T Blackburn, P.G.Swd.B. Deputy Provincial Grand Master, together with W Bro W R Seddon, P.S.G.D, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, E Comp S Oldfield, P.G.Std.B, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, along with Officers of the Preston Group.

The Vicar of Christ Church, the Rev'd Brian McConkey, welcomed the congregation to Christ Church, enlightening all of his family connections with freemasonry in Ireland. Continuing with a humorous reference to being a life long supporter of Manchester United, hoping that the service would finish before his team kicked off in their game against Everton, scheduled to be televised later that afternoon. He proceeded to conduct a most delightful service.

The choir, assembled by W Bro Ian Cuerden, led the singing of favourite carols accompanied by the organist, Cedric McIllwaine. The whole being complemented by the musical accompaniment of the Old Hall Brass Ensemble.  Three readings were delivered, by Bro David Coulston, Worshipful Master, Lodge of Endeavour No 7036, W Bro Michael Threlfall, Master, Stanley of Preston Lodge No 2600, concluding with the final reading given by the Vicar.

The Rev'd Brian McConkey's delivery of the Christmas address was thoughtful and readily received by the congregation. 

The Service concluded by the Group Chairman, W Bro I W Greenwood, thanking the Vicar and Church authorities for their cooperation in allowing the service to take place and V W Bro T Blackburn for his support, not only on this occasion, but for many years previous.  He continued in thanking the organist Cedric McIllwaine, The Old Hall Brass Ensemble, and W Bro Ian Cuerden along with the choir for their contributions in making the event such a great success.  He also extended thanks to the Preston Masters 2000/01 and their ladies, in organising the refreshments, which followed in the Church hall and informed the congregation that there would also be a “Fair Trade” stall organised by Margaret Harrison. 

At the suggestion of the Vicar, the collection was donated to the Tom Wade Appeal.  Tom is a four-year-old parishioner of Christ Church and has severe Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and is profoundly deaf.  In contrast to his very poor physical ability, he is very mentally alert, sociable and desperate to be able to interact more with the world around him.  He has been accepted for a newly developed Neuro-Respiratory Therapy, based in Sussex, which is enabling children like him to gain control of their bodies, improve feeding ability, speech, eye-sight and to reduce the incidence of seizures.  The aim is to raise £10,000 over three years to enable him to access this treatment and the congregation contributed generously to this very worthy cause.

(The collection raised the magnificent sum of £ 480 towards the appeal)

The new venue, Christ Church, Fulwood, bathed in glorious winter sunshine

The “Fair Trade” stall in the church hall organised by Margaret Harrison with a very distinguished customer contemplating a purchase.

The Chairman of the Preston Masters 2000/01, Rod Thompson, being served a cup of tea by Murray Cameron, the year’s Treasurer, together with Dave Winder and the 2000/01 Master’s ladies who organised the refreshments after the service.

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Preston Masters 2000/01 Annual Lunch

Click here for more pictures and the pdf print version

On Sunday, 27 November 2005, the Preston Masters 2000/01 held their annual reunion lunch at the Dog and Partridge, near Chipping. The event was well attended by thirty-four Masters and their partners and as expected the food, as well as the company, was excellent. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and at the end of the meal Rod Thompson, on behalf of all present, thanked Olive Wilding for organising such a splendid function.

Below are a few photographs of a very enjoyable afternoon. (More pictures are available on the PDF version using the link above)

 

 

 

The star organiser of the event, Olive Wilding,
accompanied and assisted by husband Merrick

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Once Again West Lancashire Freemasons Helping in the Community

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On Friday afternoon, 18 November, W R Seddon , Assistant Provincial Grand Master, presented two cheques to representatives of St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green and The Women’s Centre, who had made applications to the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons for assistance towards their worthy projects.

At the presentation the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was accompanied by the Preston Group Chairman, I W Greenwood, and D A Thompson, Local Care Officer.

Prior to the cheque presentation, Mr. Seddon explained the purpose of the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons and how it contributed exclusively to non- Masonic causes and how many organisations had benefited from its charity. For the benefit of the recipients he defined the geographical boundaries of the West Lancashire Province and further explained that a committee met three times a year to allocate funds. The Preston Group concentrated on sponsoring worthy causes in and around Preston and was proud and pleased that the two charities represented today had been successful.

Mr. Seddon, in his own words being “old fashioned”, presented the first cheque for £720 to Catherine Turner, a former Manager of the Women’s Centre facility. The current Manager unfortunately was unwell and therefore unable to attend, but perhaps it was fortunate that Catherine received the cheque, as she was the one who initiated the enquiry leading to the application for consideration by the fund. The Women’s Centre is located on New Hall Lane, Preston, and the donation will go towards refurbishment of the Centre.

Mr. Seddon then presented the second cheque for £1000 to John Rawcliffe, Church Treasurer at St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green. The donation will help in the funding an annexe to the church, which will have a separate entrance and will be used, when completed, as a community centre. In addition to this, the police and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau will use the annexe; thus providing the residents of Wrea Green with a much needed communal facility. The total cost to complete the project is £235,000.

At the end of the presentation ceremony, both recipients thanked the West Lancashire Freemasons in general and the Preston Group in particular for the generous donation.

 

W Bro Seddon (far right) with Catherine Turner, representing The Women’s Centre and W Bro Greenwood (second from left) with John Rawcliffe, Church Treasurer for St Nicolas Church, Wrea Green. W Bro Thompson, Local Care Officer (far left) making up the group.

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Lodge of Endeavour No. 7036 – Rememberance Meeting - November 2005

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The Worshipful Master of Lodge of Endeavour No 7036, Bro John Gerald “Ted” Campbell, was piped into the lodge room by W Bro Skillender, Grassendale Lodge No 4808, Liverpool, in full Scottish regalia, at 1840hrs and the Lodge was duly opened. After the Lodge business W Bro Ted Campbell greeted W Bro William S Huck, P S G D, Past Assistant Grand Master of the Province of West Lancashire, the guest of honour and welcomed him to the remembrance meeting. The Lodge was “Called Off” and the Masonic hosts met their non-Masonic guests at the lodge room door and accompanied them to their seats.

There was then a procession of representatives of the Services escorted by colours led by the piper W Bro Ian Skillender. The Worshipful Master then greeted the non-Masonic visitors and gave a brief history of the instigation of the Endeavour Remembrance meeting for the benefit of the visitors.

There then followed very moving and informative dedications to the Civilians, Army, Royal and Merchant Navy and Royal Air Force personnel who took part in theatres of war particularly the Second World War. The dedications were made all the more poignant by the sound of firework explosions in the area around the Masonic Hall.

The Rev Cannon K J Phillips, P A G Chap, conducted the Act of Remembrance Service, and there were two particularly moving moments when the bugler played the Last Post followed by the silence and when the piper slowly circled the Lodge playing a lament.

The non-Masonic visitors then retired from the Lodge and it was “Called On” to complete the business of the evening.

The Worshipful Master was piped into the Festive Board and the King’s Division Normandy Band provided the music during the latter half of the meal. The diners were also treated to a tremendous display of precision drumming by the Lancashire ACF Cadet Corp of Drums. The Lodge organised a conventional raffle and a special West Houghton raffle, which raised £250. The proceeds of the raffles and the charity collection taken in lodge will be donated the War Widows Charity.

At the end of the evening the Worshipful Master thanked all for attending and the piper played a selection of favourite pipe tunes culminating with him traditionally parading along the table tops and finally being presented with a quaich containing a generous tot of whisky by W Bro Ted Campbell who shared the toast in a similar quaich.

Everyone who had attended considered it to have been a worthwhile and enjoyable evening.

(To see more pictures, click on the PDF Version link at the top of the article)

The Worshipful Master, Bro Bro John Gerald “Ted” Campbell (right) with his brother Fran, a member of Emblematic Lodge No 3123.

The Worshipful Master, Bro Bro John Gerald “Ted” Campbell (Left) with the piper, W Bro Ian Skillender, Grassendale Lodge No 4808, Liverpool.

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Halloween Night Party 2005

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On Saturday evening, 29 October 2005, the annual Halloween party was held at Ashlar House, Preston. All those who attended were treated to a fabulous night of enjoyable entertainment and fun. The raffle raised over £200 for charity and Peter Fountain on behalf of the Preston Masters 2004-2005 wishes to take this opportunity to thank the Masonic Hall staff and the DJ, Johnny Pearson for their sterling efforts in putting on such a fantastic evening.

For those who were unable to attend the photograph below will give a flavour of what you missed and encourage you to book early for the event next year!

 

To see more of the pictures, use the PDF link at the top of the story

 

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