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Press Contact: Bob Boal 01253 875754 – Mobile 07835 717025 Sacrifice is honoured: Masons from North Fylde Group joined the crowds gathering in villages and towns across the nation to mark the sacrifice made by fallen brethren and our gratitude for the debt owed to them with poppies and wreaths, solemn hymns and prayers........ Publicity Officer makes the News: The saying is that when the news is slow - make it up, but it was far from being a slow day for John Topping, Publicity Officer for the South Fylde Group, and he was word perfect, as he was installed as First Principal in Thornton Cleveleys Chapter in the rival territory of North Fylde Group...... New Sanctuary Lodge raises £4,000 for charity: Members of New Sanctuary Lodge No 6604 have been busy boys (and girls too) organizing a dizzying array of social events which have raised the magnificent sum of £4,000 which is bound for a carefully selected number of their favourite charities...... Steve and Eric GO! back to school: Masons Steve Marshall and Eric Bridge from Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 went back to school for the afternoon and found themselves taking part in a musical extravaganza with the children and teachers of Red Marsh School...... Half Century for Biscopham Lodge: Biscopham Lodge No 7646 celebrated 50 years in business since its founding on October 6th 1959 with a memorable Golden Jubilee party held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall....... Fred’s fond memories of past 50 years: Fred Dixon was joined by 72 members and guests at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, there to help him celebrate his Golden Jubilee in Freemasonry, 50 years to the day when he joined Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 on October 16th 1959...... Masons take over the Grand Theatre: West Lancashire Masons and their families are in for a special treat on Thursday, December 17th 2009...... Lodge Contacts - versed in Chapter: Although North Fylde Group already has a creditable 40% of its members in Royal Arch Masonry.......... Fleetwood Lifeboat Presentation: The significance of the 9th day of the 9th month of the 9th year of the new millennium did not go unnoticed at Fleetwood Masonic Hall, which hosted a unique evening to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Fleetwood Lifeboat....... Provincial team make first visit to Fleetwood: PGM Peter Hosker and the Provincial team made the first visit of the new season to the North Fylde Group for the Installation of Craig Scott as WM of Broadwater Lodge No 9027............. Masons bowl up help for Rosemere Cancer Foundation: The WM of Fleetwood Lodge No 3711 Andy Curtis and wife Christine visited Rosemere Cancer Foundation in Preston with particular reason to say thanks for the work the charity does........ North Fylde Freemasons visit ‘Secret Millionaire’ project: North Fylde Group of Freemasons made a visit to Donna’s Dream House in Blackpool on behalf of lodges who meet in Cleveleys and Fleetwood to donate £500 towards helping terminally ill children have a special holiday by the seaside.... North Fylde Masons help Brian House: Trinity Hospice’s junior wing, Brian House, received a welcome boost to its fund raising efforts when Masons from the North Fylde Group of Lodges paid a visit to hand over a £500 cheque..... Biscopham Lodge’s Shaun is Director of Directions: Not content with lifting the winner’s trophy at the West Lancashire Masonic Bowling Tournament Biscopham Lodge’s Shaun Haynes is setting out to be a winner for charity. Shaun triumphs in close-run Provincial Bowling Final: The Provincial Grand Finals of the West Lancashire Masonic Bowling Tournament went to a nail biting conclusion at Tarleton Bowling Club with North Fylde Bowling Festival Chairman Roy Howells having good reason to be pleased with the end result..... Chance conversation helps young lifesavers: A conversation in a Fleetwood stationery shop led to much needed assistance for a youngster’s lifesaving and surfing group from West Lancashire masons..... Bowlers help Homes switchover to digital TV: According to tournament chairman Roy Howells, the North Fylde Group annual Masonic Bowling Tournament was, “Blessed with not only good weather, but with good bowling too.” We knew you were coming so…: The North Fylde Group ‘executive team’ and their wives met up with out-going chairman Jack Coates and wife Sylvia for what was billed typically - with Jack’s mischievous sense of humour - as ‘The Last Supper.’ North Fylders pull their weight for charity: North Fylde Group members and their families and friends made the most of their annual Group Walk and Fun Day at West Drive, Cleveleys, Masonic Hall, despite it being a case of ‘never mind the weather as long as we are together’ to raise funds to support the 2010 Festival and Blackpool’s Donna’s Dream House...... Jack bows out as Chairman: North Fylde Group members turned out in strength to celebrate the retirement of John Wright Coates, PJGD, popularly known as ‘Jack’ by the newest Mason to the highest ranking officer - as he stepped down as Group Chairman........... Royal Oak Lodge helps Heroes: It was a case of networking in action at Royal Oak Lodge No 5919 as its new WM Ronnie Coles handed over a cheque for £1,000 to John Russell of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540....... Jim makes Lynn’s wish come true: Jim Barnes, WM of Broadwater Lodge No 9027, made a poignant visit to Trinity Hospice to fulfill wife Lynn’s wish to bring much needed help to the hospice’s fundraising efforts........ Golden Anniversary for Harry: Harry Fairy, PPrJGW, celebrated 50 years of Freemasonry with North Fylde Group AssPrGM Terry Hudson and Group Chairman Jack Coates ................. Fleetwood Carnival and Fleetwood Museum helped by Mount Lodge: In his quest to help local Fleetwood organisations as IPM of Mount Lodge Mike Gaynor met up with officials and volunteers from two of the town’s premier organisations; Fleetwood Museum and Fleetwood Carnival........ Triple Treat for National Coastwatch Fleetwood: Local Lodges were out in force at Fleetwood’s National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) to hand over much needed funds at the Lofthouse Tower on Rossall Point to a strong contingent of the organisation’s watchkeepers......... Mount Masons help Fleetwood Lifeboat: Mike Gaynor, IPM of Fleetwood’s Mount Lodge No 6654, visited Fleetwood Lifeboat Station with a boost for their fund-raising efforts when he handed over a cheque for £250...... All GO at Fleetwood Chapter: Greg Grove the new 1st Principal of Fleetwood Chapter No 3711 had a pleasant duty to perform during a visit to Red Marsh School in Thornton........... Anchorsholme Lodge Donate £1100 to the Rosemere “Ray of Hope Appeal”: On Tuesday 10 March 2009 the Chairman of the North Fylde Group of Lodges, Jack Coates, was delighted to present a cheque on behalf of Anchorsholme Lodge No. 5854 to the Rosemere Ray of Light Appeal .............. Heading for Everest: A Freemason and his friend are to spend 17 days trekking to Everest Base Camp to raise money for two charities............... Special Night for Communications Officers: The Rev Harry Ross was guest speaker at the annual dinner in Leyland for Provincial Communication Officers.............. John MacDonald celebrates 50 years as a Freemason: John MacDonald, of Normoss Round Table Lodge No. 8741, celebrated 50 years as a Freemason on Thursday 15 January 2009 at the Masonic Hall Cleveleys in the presence of WBro Terry Hudson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master......... Brian Wright Celebrates 50 Years in Freemasonry: The Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, said that he has always considered it a privilege to lead the celebrations for a brother who has completed 50 years of service to Freemasonry. Although long service to Freemasonry is becoming much more common, he added that we should never forget that 50 years of service is a very worthy and significant achievement............... PGMs Interview on Radio City - Click here to download MP3 (may take a couple of minutes) Normoss presents £2,055 cheque to Rosemere Cancer Foundation: It’s a regrettable fact of life that one in three of us will get cancer at some time in our lives and no one is more aware of that statistic than the members of Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741............... Target exceeded for RNLI: Our target for the Coast to Coast walk we started and completed this September was £7,500.00. I am very, very happy to tell you that the team managed to raise a staggering £7,976.85! However, because most of you donated on the website there will be an additional amount of £1,235.17 will be added to that total. Therefore, the GRAND TOTAL IS: £9,212.02 ................ North Fylde Group remembers fallen brethren: Masons from the North Fylde Group gathered on Remembrance Sunday to join civic dignitaries, servicemen and members of other local organisations to remember fallen brethren from Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys who perished in battle............. Trevor - Spartan Lodge’s ‘Leonidas’ receives award: The ancient Greeks whose name is synonymous with austerity and privation would have been hard pressed to recognize the celebrations of their namesake Spartan Lodge at their Installation meeting – as well as an honour paid to their very own Leonidas. Geoffs Swan Song: Almoners from the North Fylde, Blackpool and South Fylde Groups turned out in force to attend their annual meeting held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall and to take the chance to bid a fond farewell to their Regional Care Officer Geoff Pritchard.......... A thousand thanks for Trinity: Trinity Hospice received a welcome cash boost from fund raisers based at Fleetwood Masonic Hall on the town’s Esplanade when cheques for £1,000 were handed over......... Onward Lodge’s Andy hikes 192 miles to say “thanks” Andy Potton of Fleetwood’s Onward Lodge No 5540 has a very personal reason to be thankful to the RNLI especially those connected with the rescue attempt in the Morecambe Bay helicopter tragedy on December 27th 2006............ Provincial Grand Master makes Cleveleys Park Lodge first visit: Masons visiting West Drive, Cleveleys, had the unique opportunity of meeting W. Bro. Peter J. Hosker the R.W.Pr.G.M. when he attended the Installation meeting of Cleveleys Park Lodge no. 7540 - the first Lodge he has visited since taking over the Province on July 28th 2008........... Palace date for Cleveleys Park Lodge Mason Bro Danny Carter of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 took part in a 40 mile ‘Ultra Marathon’ to raise money for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. ........... Assistance following flood damage Information was sent to all Provinces in July 2007. Sadly, there has been further serious flooding recently in parts the UK and so a similar need for assistance will, no doubt, once again exist. ........... Cleveleys Park Lodge Danny in ‘Help for Heroes’ Campaign Bro Danny Carter of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 is to take part in a 40 mile ‘Ultra Marathon’ to raise money for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.............. Group Walk and Fun Day at Cleveleys: North Fylde Group were blessed with sunshine for their seventh annual Group walk as members and their families and friends strode out to raise money for worthy causes ............ Entered Apprentice wins North Fylde Masonic Bowling Tournament: The North Fylde Masonic Bowling Tournament took place on Saturday 31st May 2008 in glorious sunshine ............ Chapter and Vice Vice Chairmen from every group on the Fylde coast, as well as new Companions, were out in force at Cleveleys Masonic Hall for the second in the series of Royal Arch Chapter Workshops ............. Grand Occasion: The North Fylde Group was out in force at the April meetings of Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter .........
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Picture: l-r George Brooks, Roy Howells and Group Chairman Harry Cox join the parade at Fleetwood Cenotaph.
Roy Howells lays a wreath on behalf of the group Masons from North Fylde Group joined the crowds gathering in villages and towns across the nation to mark the sacrifice made by fallen brethren and our gratitude for the debt owed to them with poppies and wreaths, solemn hymns and prayers. Local Masons, many of them themselves wearing medals from past conflicts with their poppies, marched to the war memorials in Fleetwood, Thornton and Cleveleys to join other organisations, civic dignitaries and members of the armed forces to stand in silent remembrance. With the conflict in Afghanistan still raging and with local soldiers numbering amongst the casualties there, Remembrance Sunday saw a significantly larger turnout than in recent years. Masons representing the North Fylde Group laid wreaths at the war memorials in Fleetwood and Thornton.
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Publicity Officer makes the News
l-r Peter Elmore receives a cheque for the 2010 Festival from the Three Principals Ron Fenton, John Topping and Bob Stringer The saying is that when the news is slow - make it up, but it was far from being a slow day for John Topping, Publicity Officer for the South Fylde Group, and he was word perfect, as he was installed as First Principal in Thornton Cleveleys Chapter in the rival territory of North Fylde Group. John’s personal choice to widen his circle of Masonic friendships and knowledge by ‘coming north’ to join Thornton Cleveleys Chapter helped underline what a warm welcoming organisation the Royal Arch is and which knows no borders – a theme which was developed throughout the evening. Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Peter Elmore was on hand to see an excellent example of a well staged Installation which saw John installed as First Principal and Ron Fenton and Bob Stringer taking on the role of Second and Third Principals. Mike Fishwick as Installing Officer ably supported by the rest of the Chapter team did a sterling job of work. Even Group Officers Harry Cox, Duncan Smith and Giles Berkley; North Fylde Chairman, Vice Chair and Group Secretary respectively found themselves involved by doing the readings. The Chapter presented Peter with a cheque for the 2010 Festival for which he thanked the Companions on behalf of the Masonic Samaritan Fund and later at Festive Board he encouraged Companions to give the festival a final push as it neared its conclusion. He said that 2010 was also recognized as the “Year of Return to Royal Arch,” and that the Deputy Grand Superintendent had several initiatives currently underway to encourage Companions to bring not only new members but former members along to special evenings to see the changes which have been brought to Chapter and the enthusiasm that abounds. The new First Principal in his response endorsed what Peter had to say about Chapter with John saying he would make it a personal goal to make sure that the Royal Arch got its deserved share of the limelight in his capacity as a Publicity Officer. A very enjoyable evening’s work and banquet saw a raffle fetch £146 which was destined for the Help the Heroes Fund.
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New Sanctuary Lodge raises £4,000 for charity
l-r Alan Dean, Barbara Dunn British Heart Foundation, Sandra Gibbons and David Hodkinson at the presentation of a cheque from New Sanctuary Lodge Members of New Sanctuary Lodge No 6604 have been busy boys (and girls too) organizing a dizzying array of social events which have raised the magnificent sum of £4,000 which is bound for a carefully selected number of their favourite charities. David Hodkinson who is in the Chair of New Sanctuary and lPM Alan Dean say that they are delighted with the response from the lodge’s extra curricular events such as a Morecambe Bay Walk, a ‘Sixties Night’, a Christmas Social and a ‘Ladies’ Evenings’ which attracted 150 attendees. Sporting challenge matches of bowls and indoor sports and golf with friends and rivals Quadrant Lodge from St Annes and Great Eccleston Lodge from Garstang also helped boost the total. The lodge decided that local charities which best serve both the members and the local community would be the beneficiaries of their charitable giving and included Fleetwood lifeboat, Cancer Research, Derrian House, Vine House (cancer after care), the Meningitis Trust, the Alzheimer’s Society, and the British Heart Foundation to share in a total donation of £2950. Barbara Dunn, the fundraising manager for Lancashire for the British Heart Foundation, came along personally to Cleveleys Masonic Hall to thank Dave and Alan for a cheque to her organisation for £600. Sandra Gibbons, whose husband Mike is lodge DC, has particular reason to be grateful for the work of the BHF having undergone triple by-pass surgery. Sandra came along to the presentation to add her thanks in person. The 2010 Festival, Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute and the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys all share in a further donation of £1,050 the lodge is to make. New Sanctuary Lodge have first hand knowledge of the RMTGB in action as Kirby, the daughter of the late Eddie Cranshaw, who was a member of the lodge, has received the care and protection of the Trust since she was eight years old. Now 19 and a first year student at Lincoln University she is currently on secondment in New York studying forensic science crime scene investigation. …Hopefully she will tell us about her adventures in her ‘Bones’ role on her return.
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Steve and Eric GO! back to school
Eric Bridge and Steve Marshall and Red Marsh School head teacher Catherine Dellow join in the concert
Eric and Steve and head teacher Catherine Dellow with a pupil who would rather be getting on with the singing
Ian Squire leads the singing at the Red Marsh School concert Masons Steve Marshall and Eric Bridge from Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 went back to school for the afternoon and found themselves taking part in a musical extravaganza with the children and teachers of Red Marsh School. The pupils were discovering about the customs and costumes of their counterparts in India, China and Iceland and had put their findings to music. Head teacher Catherine Dellow invited their guests to a preview of the children’s concert by way of thanks for a gift the Masons had brought for the school. Steve, who is in the chair of Cleveleys Park Lodge which meets at West Drive Masonic Hall Cleveleys, was at Red Marsh School with Eric to hand over a cheque for £500 for special project. The school is participating in the Great Outdoors (GO!) Project which encourages the children to make use of a brand new play area which is being jointly developed by Red Marsh and near neighbour Great Arley School. Project manager Ian Squire explained that the mission is to create a place where disability becomes invisible and will let people come together to learn, play and enjoy. A ‘Magic Garden’ was created with help from lottery funding which the school won after they reached the final of the People’s Millions scheme. When Cleveleys Park Lodge heard that the next phase of the plan was on the drawing board, that of creating an active sensory zone for the children, they decided to pitch in. The Masons’ cheque will go some way towards obtaining large garden items such as wind pipes, sound rollers and dance chimes and phones in wood and stone which will help children who have difficulty in communicating in a fun way. …And that concert? Steve and Eric wholeheartedly agreed that the sing-along had made their day, “just that bit special.”
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Half Century for Biscopham Lodge
Biscopham Lodge members celebrate their Golden Jubilee with Terry Hudson and other distinguished guests.
Terry and North Fylde Group Chairman Harry Cox congratulate WM Dave Potts on a memorable evening celebrating 50 years since Biscopham Lodge was consecrated. Biscopham Lodge No 7646 celebrated 50 years in business since its founding on October 6th 1959 with a memorable Golden Jubilee party held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall. AssPrGM Terry Hudson together with a glittering gathering of Grand and Provincial Officers was there to commemorate the event and to take centre stage in the proceedings. Terry, in his presentation to the members of Biscopham Lodge, spoke of the sense of achievement and pleasure they undoubtedly felt in celebrating their 50th anniversary and looked back on its formation and consecration. He owned up to remembering several of the founding fathers, in particular Bertie Hamlett, who was the first Lodge Chaplain and who in later years was the driving force behind Fairlawn becoming a Masonic Residential Home. Bertie was also the first Assistant to the Grand Superintendent in Royal Arch ever to come from the Fylde area. After the conclusion of the Second World War when Freemasonry was enjoying a post war boom Biscopham was one of 55 new lodges consecrated in West Lancashire and one of 17 in the Fylde in the 14 years since 1945. This was the answer to the problem of waiting lists of perhaps five years and young Masons facing a twenty year wait to go in the Chair in existing lodges who could barely cope with the demand! In contrast to those heady days the last two new lodges in the Fylde were consecrated 19 and 27 years ago respectively. Terry went on to relate the vibrancy of Masonry in 1959 to what was happening elsewhere and delivered a thoroughly entertaining presentation (and aside quips) from his research on the year. He included such facts as the Fylde coast had nightly queues at its 23 cinemas. Variety shows abounded on the piers and theatre, there were numerous football and cricket grounds, race tracks and even speedway – Bro Don Porter being one of that sport’s exponents at Fleetwood’s dual purpose football and speedway track at Highbury – all of these activities thronged with people; and in this climate of hope and enthusiasm Freemasonry thrived. 1959 saw Alec Guinness knighted, Harold MacMillan led the Tories to their third victory, Peter May’s team surrendered the Ashes in Australia after England had held them for five years, Henry Cooper beat Blackpool’s Brian London to become British and Empire Champion. The film Gigi won an Oscar for best picture. The year saw the passing of such greats as Billy Holiday, Mario Lanza, Cecil B de Mille, Buddy Holly, Mike Hawthorn and Errol Flynn In 1959 the first Mini was launched. John McEnroe and Kevin Spacey were born - as was X-Factor’s Simon Cowell who was born on the same day that Biscopham Lodge was consecrated! “Brethren such was the world into which Biscopham Lodge was born at the consecration which took place at the Norbreck Hydro Hotel on Tuesday 6th October 1959,” Terry said as he asked Assistant Secretary Geoff Hodson to read the consecration minutes of October 6th 1959 following which the Chaplain Charles Tyrell said a prayer for the re-dedication of the Lodge. Terry stressed the importance of encouraging a succession of brethren dedicated to Masonic ideals to work as the lodge had done for 50 years for the continued prosperity of Biscopham Lodge and the Craft in the future. Thanking Terry for his entertaining address to the lodge WM Dave Potts presented the AssPrGM with cheques for £3,000 destined for the 2010 Festival. Shaun Haynes, fresh from a sponsored trek across the Pennine Way swelled the total with a cheque for another £100 and Terry heard that Trinity Hospice had already benefited from the proceeds of the walk by £450 and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Charity by £1,000. Inner Guard Ian Tyrrell was presented with his Grand Lodge Certificate bearing the cherished anniversary date with W Bros Haynes, Kitchener and Steel giving the explanation as Ian’s father, Lodge Chaplain Charles, looked proudly on. To crown the evening there was a sumptuous Golden Jubilee banquet where the health of the lodge was toasted by a variety of speakers. Every diner was sent on their way home with a pen and souvenir magazine charting the history of Biscopham Lodge’s 50 years as a memento of the occasion.
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Fred’s fond memories of past 50 years
Pictures l-r AssPrGM Terry Hudson congratulates Fred Dixon on celebrating 50 Years in Masonry Fred Dixon was joined by 72 members and guests at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, there to help him celebrate his Golden Jubilee in Freemasonry, 50 years to the day when he joined Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 on October 16th 1959. Fred’s confided at the well attended festive board that his proposer had told him two things at his Initiation which had led to all the years of enjoyment of the Craft, He said, “Firstly, you get out of it (Freemasonry) what you put into it. Secondly, primarily you are in it for the pleasure you get out of it. Once it ceases to be a pleasure you get out of it. And here I am 50 years later still a Mason!” North Fylde Group ‘Assistant’ Terry Hudson outlined the life and times of Frederick Kershaw Dixon, PPrJGW, universally known as Fred, to a rapt audience containing a galaxy of Grand and Provincial Officers and a contingent of Acting Officers of the Provincial team. Brethren heard from Terry about Fred’s early days in Thornton where he had attended Baines Grammar School. Thereafter it was the Royal Navy. Four and a half years of service during hostilities saw the vessels he served on amongst other things; make several runs to Dunkirk, help build the troop landing Mulberry harbours and sink a U boat. Fred narrowly escaped becoming a casualty himself when he and a fellow sailor were trapped below decks by a too close explosion of a depth charge. After being demobbed Fred joined ICI Thornton in the Plastics Division (eventually coming across a young Harry Cox – now the present North Fylde Group chairman) where he worked for 34 years before taking early retirement. Fred met wife Jean when she was performing in a show at the Queen’s Blackpool and caught his eye. She went on to become secretary at Flakefleet School, Fleetwood. 57 years of marriage have seen daughter Denise and son Peter (who is also a member of Lodge 3854) in turn present Fred and Jean with four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Terry went on to say that Fred had a long association with St John’s Ambulance Service where he ultimately became Divisional Superintendent and it was through St John’s that he was introduced to Freemasonry by colleagues who were Masons. Fred went through the Chair in 1972 (he says it took a long time back in those days) after taking on several offices along the way and afterwards and as Social Secretary for the group was instrumental in introducing what has become the annual North Fylde Group Ball. Provincial honours came in 1979 with Fred progressing to his present rank in 1993. During the ceremony Lodge Secretary Bob Major read out the Minutes for October 16th 1959 which featured Fred’s Initiation. The Lodge Summons for the same date lists one Bro Raymond Neal as a Lodge Steward who subsequently became Group Chairman and a Grand Officer. Raymond took particular pleasure in delivering an accolade to his old friend and colleague Fred during the evening’s celebrations. The WM Gordon Major presented Fred with an engraved glass plaque and a commemorative 50 Years Service badge on behalf of the lodge. As guest of honour at the celebratory meal Fred regaled members and guests with humorous recollections of his 50 years service. Thanking everyone for coming to help him celebrate he said Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge was acknowledged to be a happy lodge and a family lodge where, as in his own case, sons regularly followed fathers into Freemasonry.
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Masons take over the Grand Theatre
West Lancashire Masons and their families are in for a special treat on Thursday, December 17th 2009. Oh yes they are! And it will all be for a very good cause. For the Province has taken over all seven hundred seats, at a specially discounted price, of the Grand Theatre Blackpool, for an exclusive ‘One Night Only’ evening of the fun–filled family pantomime Peter Pan. Proceeds from the evening will be going towards the 2010 Festival and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity will also be a beneficiary. The show stars CBBC’s Barney Harwood (Basil’s Swap Shop) as Peter Pan and the hilarious Steve Royle (BBC Radio Lancashire) as sidekick Smee. Gary Turner (aka Emmerdale’s Latin chef Carlos Diaz) is Peter Pan’s arch enemy Captain Hook and CBBC’s Gemma Hunt as mischievous Tinkerbell, with the comedy acrobats The Nitwits as the scurvy pirate crew. The adaptation of JM Barrie’s magical tale Peter Pan is brought to the Grand by Peter Frosdick and Martin Dodd for UK Productions – the company which has produced some of the most critically acclaimed touring musicals in recent years such as Fiddler on the Roof and Beauty and the Beast. The performance is packed full of magic and mayhem, music and dance, fun and laughter with fabulous costumes and lavish sets and is for boys (and Masons) of all ages who never grew up… and their families and friends too of course. Already PGM Peter Hosker, many of his Provincial colleagues as well as other Masons have booked their seats and hope that as many fellow Masons as possible will be joining them, with their nearest and dearest, to enjoy the tale of bedtime stories and swashbuckling swordplay in Neverland. It’s never too soon to book your tickets. Oh no it isn’t! The curtain goes up at 7.00 p.m. with the show running time 2hours 20 minutes approximately. All seats are at the very special price of £12 (save £6.) To book call the Grand Theatre on 01253 290190 quote your Lodge No and ‘2010 Festival’ or book online at www.worldofpanto.com or visit the new Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre. Group Charity Steward Trevor Hunt is determined to make the show a success within the North Fylde Group. With the Grand Theatre being practically on our doorstep he is currently touring every lodge with details about the pantomime. Tick Tock, Tick Tock... make sure you watch out for him!
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Lodge Contacts - versed in Chapter
Picture: Peter Elmore and Duncan Smith meet up with lodge Contacts to discuss recruitment to the Royal Arch. Although North Fylde Group already has a creditable 40% of its members in Royal Arch Masonry, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Peter Elmore is convinced that many Masons are missing out on a great opportunity by not joining one of the seven Chapters which meet at Fleetwood and Cleveleys. Whilst there are many other Degrees and Orders in Freemasonry, Chapter is seen as the natural sequel to Craft and the completion of pure Antient Freeasonry and the first ‘other Degree’ Master Masons should consider joining. In fact the jeweled Chapter medal which is to be worn by Royal Arch Masons in their Craft lodges indicates the close relationship between Craft and Chapter. In common with the rest of the Province each lodge in the group has appointed Chapter ‘Contacts’ as an intrinsic part of their own particular lodges. The Contacts have a brief to forge links between Chapters and Lodges to encourage MMs to consider taking the next simple step in extending their Masonic knowledge, as well as their circle of friendships, by joining the very colourful Order of the Royal Arch. As the scheme has run its course for a year Peter and Royal Arch Lead, Vice Chairman Duncan Smith, recently called the Contacts together for a meeting in Fleetwood to lay plans and to discuss the future for North Fylde Chapters. Following on from the discussions which took place with the lodge Contacts, amongst a host of other things, North Fylde Craft Masons who are not already ‘Companions’ should not be surprised at receiving new ‘hot-off-the-presses’ leaflets which contain full information on the Royal Arch or an invitation to one of the seven Chapter’s Festive Boards. · To learn more about the Royal Arch the Royal Arch Lodge Contact or Royal Arch Lead in the Group will be pleased to help.
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Fleetwood Lifeboat Presentation
l to r, Peter Connolly, Lynn Connolly, Paul Ashworth (Cox), Mrs Julie Ashworth The significance of the 9th day of the 9th month of the 9th year of the new millennium did not go unnoticed at Fleetwood Masonic Hall, which hosted a unique evening to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Fleetwood Lifeboat. The Mark Master Masons of the two Mark Lodges meeting at Fleetwood, Wyre Mark № 754 and Cleveleys Mark № 1176, with the assistance of the Mark Province of West Lancashire, having previously donated a ‘public address system’ for the new Lifeboat Station opened in 2005, wished to make a significant contribution to the sesquicentenary celebrations and, after consultation with the Cox and crew, it was agreed that a specialist bi-ocular telescope be purchased at a cost of £1,500 to ‘keep watch’ over Morecombe Bay and the Wyre Estuary. The Masons of Fleetwood are never forgetful that theirs is, traditionally, a fishing town nor that the Fylde Coast is surrounded by water on three sides and the local Lodges extend the 9 o’clock toast to absent and seafaring Brethren. Remembering that you dial ‘999’ to summon any of the emergency services, including Lifeboat and Coastguard, the opportunity to thank the Lifeboat Station generally and some members of the crew in particular arose when Fleetwood Lodge № 3711 agreed that their regular meeting on the 9th of the 9th of the 9th could be used for that purpose. Consequently, following a brief business meeting, the Lodge was closed and four members of the Lifeboat crew together with their wives and the wives and partners of the Lodge members and other visitors packed the Lodge room to hear an illustrated lecture by W.Bro John Ogden entitled ‘The Lifeboat Connection’. W.Bro. Ogden, a member of Semper Fidelis Mark Lodge № 880 which meets at St. Annes, the other extreme of the Fylde Coast, originally devised this lecture for the 35th Blackpool & District annual Festival held on 26th April 2005. On that occasion John had focused his lecture on the St Annes lifeboat, on this occasion more detail was placed on the Fleetwood Lifeboat but the emphasis remained on the important part the RNLI has played and continues to play, in the lives of the people of the whole of the Fylde Coast, on some occasions at the expense of their own. After the presentation all retired to the dining room for dinner during which R.W.Bro. Peter Connolly, Provincial Grand Master for the Mark Province of West Lancashire, formally presented the telescope to Paul Ashworth, Cox of the Fleetwood Lifeboat. During his short address R.W.Bro. Connolly made mention of the recent naming ceremony by the Grand Master of the Mark Degree, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, of the ‘Mark Mason’ a Tamar Class lifeboat purchased with the assistance of a £1.6 million donation from the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, which is stationed at Angle. In accepting the telescope, Paul Ashworth thanked the Brethren for all the support given over the years, both to Fleetwood in general and the RNLI in particular. He went on to say that the telescope would make a significant contribution towards saving lives in the area for many years adding that not only will it play a role in the observation of potential life-threatening incidents, but will enable the station to watch over its crew when the lifeboats are launched. During the remainder of the evening there were a number of fund raising events resulting in the presentation of a further sum in excess of £500 to the RNLI.
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Provincial team make first visit to Fleetwood
Picture: l-r PGM Peter Hosker congratulates the new WM of Broadwater, Craig Scott, as IPM Jim Barnes looks on after a job well done. PGM Peter Hosker and the Provincial team made the first visit of the new season to the North Fylde Group for the Installation of Craig Scott as WM of Broadwater Lodge No 9027. The unique occasion was made all the more special as it was Peter’s first visit to Fleetwood as PGM and only his second trip to the North Fylde Group since taking on his present demanding role. Over 100 Masons distinguished visitors and guests witnessed Installing Master Jim Barnes ably assisted by Provincial Senior and Junior Wardens Barry Jameson and David Durling in their respective chairs and Duncan Smith, North Fylde Group’s Vice Chairman acting as Inner Guard, perform a memorable ceremony. Afterwards, following a splendid banquet, North Fylde ‘Assistant’ Terry Hudson paid tribute to the original thinking behind the PGM’s plans for change in the Province and underlined that exciting things were in prospect. In his reply Peter said what a warm Fleetwood welcome he had received. He singled out new Group Chairman Harry Cox commenting what a splendid start he had made to his job. He went on to commend the ‘five year rolling plan’ to brethren which he hoped would take the Province to a new level and made mention of items contained in it such as the marketing and recruitment strategy which was currently underway to attract potential members to the Craft; and the success of exhibitions to that end such as the Southport Flower Show. Mentoring was high on the list he said and how vital it was to support and retain existing members recognizing how diverse the demography and structure of the Province was. He praised North Fylde Group Charity Steward Trevor Hunt to whom he had on a previous occasion awarded a special certificate for his fund raising efforts towards the 2010 Festival and urged members to give a final push to make the festival the success it deserved as it neared its conclusion. Peter congratulated the new WM and said that the team visit had gone well and in conclusion added that he was confident that “tears of sympathy” would have been dropped for some very minor glitches, one of which he owned up to making himself, which had only served to add spice to the occasion.
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Masons bowl up help for Rosemere Cancer Foundation
(Picture shows: l-r Andy and Christine Curtis hand over a BIG cheque to Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s Anne Sweeney) The WM of Fleetwood Lodge No 3711 Andy Curtis and wife Christine visited Rosemere Cancer Foundation in Preston with particular reason to say thanks for the work the charity does. Handing over a £700 cheque to Rosemere’s Community Fundraising Coordinator Anne Sweeney, the couple spoke meaningfully of the care which Christine experienced at first hand over the course of five weeks of life saving treatment she received at the unit’s Cancer Centre. Words like “marvelous” and “wonderful” liberally sprinkled the conversation. Happily now restored to health, Christine resolved to help Rosemere continue helping others and Andy furthered that aim by organizing an event to raise funds for the charity. A successful event at Fleetwood Bowling Club, where Andy is a past president, saw Masons, bowlers, their wives, friends and families give generously during an action packed games evening to raise a total of £1,100 pounds - with the lion’s share earmarked for Rosemere. It’s a sad fact that one in three of us will get cancer at some time during our lives. Effective treatment is a major priority for the NHS but it is expensive and that’s where Rosemere Cancer Foundation comes into its own. The registered charity raises funds for research, patient welfare projects and additional equipment and training throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria to provide the very best care possible for patients wherever they are treated – to which Christine and Andy can personally testify. Anne Sweeney, on behalf of Rosemere, asked Christine and Andy to convey the Foundation’s thanks to everyone who had supported Fleetwood Lodge’s fund raising evening.
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North Fylde Freemasons visit ‘Secret Millionaire’ project
l-r Duncan Smith (Vice Chairman North Fylde Freemasons) Len Curtis (Donna's Dream House) Harry Cox (Chairman North Fylde) Trevor Hunt (North Fylde Charity Steward) North Fylde Freemasons present a cheque for £500 to Len Curtis of Donna's Dream House. Behind is a children's fairground ride - one of the many attractions of the house. North Fylde Group of Freemasons made a visit to Donna’s Dream House in Blackpool on behalf of lodges who meet in Cleveleys and Fleetwood to donate £500 towards helping terminally ill children have a special holiday by the seaside. The house which was formerly a derelict hotel in Chapel Street was set up to remember Donna Curtis who died of cancer in 1996 at the age of 20. The cheque was handed over by North Fylde Group Chairman, Harry Cox and colleagues and was received by Donna’s father, Len Curtis. Len and the Curtis family, true to Donna’s dream wishes, provide free holidays for children with life- threatening illnesses together with their families. Len told Harry that in the 6 years since the opening of Donna’s Dream House over 4,000 families from all over the UK, and further afield too, have stayed in the house’s differently themed apartments. There are a host of attractions for children and their families to enjoy both at the house and in Blackpool with a network of local firms and businesses picking up the costs in support of the scheme. Donna’s Dream House featured in television’s ‘Secret Millionaire’ programme when entrepreneur Gary Eastwood secretly worked with Len as one of the many volunteer staff of the house before revealing his true identity. Financial assistance given by the millionaire has assisted the completion of projects which will further enhance the facilities of the Dream House and helped complete the conversion of a nearby house into a centre for teenagers. Len also has, for the first time, the luxury of an office - one of Gary’s suggestions. The programme has helped flag up the uniqueness of Donna’s Dream House and a future television programme is planned. Thanking Harry and the Masons for their contribution Len said it would help with other projects currently on the drawing board. Click here for pdf Thank you letter from Donna's Dreamhouse
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North Fylde Masons help Brian House
l-r shows Duncan Smith (Vice Chairman) Ian Buck (Trinity Hospice) Harry Cox (Chairman) Trevor Hunt (Charity Steward) and Bob Boal (Publicity Officer) presenting a cheque for £500 to Brian House. Trinity Hospice’s junior wing, Brian House, received a welcome boost to its fund raising efforts when Masons from the North Fylde Group of Lodges paid a visit to hand over a £500 cheque. Helping the hospice is a long standing tradition amongst local Fylde lodges with Brian House especially high on the list as a favourite organisation to support. Volunteer Ian Buck was on hand to give North Fylde Group Chairman Harry Cox and colleagues Duncan Smith and Trevor Hunt, there to represent the group, an insight into the invaluable work which the hospice has been providing, over the 12 years since it first opened, to help care for local children and support for their families. The Masons saw at first hand the range of facilities and the high standard of care given to the young patients and their carers and were truly impressed - and humbled - in equal measure. With the present adverse financial climate affecting donations, on which Brian House relies for its very existence to serve the community, Ian said that the hospice had to pull out all the stops in its fund raising efforts. He thanked the North Fylde Group for their welcome gift on behalf of Trinity’s patients and staff.
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Biscopham Lodge’s Shaun is Director of Directions
Shaun Haynes and John Lowe Not content with lifting the winner’s trophy at the West Lancashire Masonic Bowling Tournament Biscopham Lodge’s Shaun Haynes is setting out to be a winner for charity. For he and cousin John Lowe aim to walk the entire length of the Pennine Way, enjoy the views they say in their blog and importantly raise funds during a once-in–a lifetime quest. Trinity Hospice, Brian House and its Palliative Care Services are the chosen charities they will support. The pair estimates that it will take 17 days to complete their trek over some pretty testing terrain and to hike the 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm. Shaun who has the self styled title of ‘Director of Directions’ for the trip has assumed responsibility for guiding them safely using the traditional method of guidebook, map and compass. Cousin John arranged the accommodation, route planning and mapping, interestingly using Google. Shaun’s directional skills will be called on regularly as the route is only intermittently signposted as they head in the northwards direction, climbing to 2,930 feet at the highest point on the route, Cross Fell. Both men were born and raised in the foothills of the Pennines at the local beauty spot of Blackstone Edge aka Robin Hood’s Bed and are familiar with the local landscape where they grew up. The Pennine Way runs across the top of Blackstone Edge which gave Shaun and John the idea of doing the walk which will take place in early August 2009. Full details of the walk and how to donate online can be found at www.ourpenninewalk.org
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Shaun triumphs at Tarleton tournament in close-run final
The Provincial Grand Finals of the West Lancashire Masonic Bowling Tournament went to a nail biting conclusion at Tarleton Bowling Club with North Fylde Bowling Festival Chairman Roy Howells having good reason to be pleased with the end result. The annual tournament was hosted by the Ormskirk Group in fine bowling weather watched by the Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker, his Wardens and a host of VIP’s from all parts of the Province, there to enjoy the day. The greens were in tip top condition and called for some very skillful, accurate bowling. North Fylde bowler Shaun Haynes beat tournament favourite, Colin Wood, 21-20 (the score telling the closeness of the result) in the semi final, with North Fylde team-mate Daren Gardner being pipped 21-17 in the same stage by Mike Billinge of the Preston Group to decide the finalists. Five North Fylders including Frank Hayes, John Lambkin and Bob Stringer qualified for the tournament, all meeting with early successes, with Shaun (Biscopham Lodge No 7646) and Daren (Thornton Cleveleys Lodge No 3854) reaching the semi finals. The final itself developed into a classic, competitive, close game that was sheer entertainment for the packed ranks of spectators. But there could only be one winner and Shaun eventually triumphed over his opponent 21-17 to take the tournament trophy. At the presentation ceremony Peter Hosker congratulated Shaun on his performance as he gave him his winner’s medal. In time honoured style Provincial Senior Warden Gareth Royston Jones presented Shaun with the coveted winner’s trophy and prize, with Daren receiving his award from Junior Warden David Winder. The result gave particular pleasure to Roy Howells who said, “It’s the first time since 1980 that a Fylde Mason has won this very prestigious trophy. Then, the winner was Roger Tyson. Before that you have to go back to 1975 to find a Fleetwood/ Cleveleys competitor when the late great Roy Buckley won the trophy. “Our new Group Chairman, Harry Cox is delighted with the result. What a start to his chairmanship!” Roy thanked the North Fylde Group Lodges and Chapters for their sponsorship and financial support and spoke of his eager anticipation of the 2010 Bowling Tournament.
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Chance conversation helps young lifesavers
A conversation in a Fleetwood stationery shop led to much needed assistance for a youngster’s lifesaving and surfing group from West Lancashire masons. A chance chat between Nigel Cunnah, leader of Fleetwood’s Waterfront Life Saving and Surf Sports (WLSSS) and Derek Eaton, secretary of Fleetwood’s Onward Lodge about the difficulties of finding funding for equipment soon found Derek getting involved. A visit to the lifesavers’ HQ near the Marine Hall convinced Derek that the surfers were eminently qualified for help and he contacted West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity representative, Jim Woods. Nigel and the youngsters in turn organized a demonstration for Jim and gave him a list of items they urgently required to help their group flourish. As a result a cheque for £1236 was soon winging its way to help purchase the vital gear. WLSSS has been going for only two years but has already proved a big hit with youngsters from all over Wyre who join from age eight upwards. Though the young surfers have great fun enjoying their sport, safety is paramount as they demonstrated to Jim whilst they showed off their skills using their paddle and surf boards. All the surfers are kitted out in highly visible brightly coloured gear and helmets. They are also closely supervised by the group’s trained lifeguards. Essential classroom training for the sport is given at their Marine Hall base. As the popularity of the sport has grown the WLSSS has taken over the disused premises of the Ladies Bowling Club as a training room. Many of the youngsters are also members of the Fleetwood Lifesaving Club and the WLSSS works closely with Linda Swettenham and Sid Holt who are registered national lifesaving trainers of many years standing who train Fleetwood’s beach and pool lifeguards as well as teachers and trainers involved with any aspect involving open water sports. Thanking Duncan Smith, vice chairman of North Fylde group, Jim Woods and Derek Eaton for their generous support, Nigel Cunnah spoke of his hopes that Fleetwood would one day make full use of its splendid beaches and potential as a “water sports specialist centre” and make the town the envy of any seaside resort in the UK.
Derek Eaton, Duncan Smith (Vice-Chairman North Fylde Group) Nigel Cunnah (WLSSS) and Jim Woods (West Lancs Freemasons' Charity representative)
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Bowlers help Homes switchover to digital TV
According to tournament chairman Roy Howells, the North Fylde Group annual Masonic Bowling Tournament was, “Blessed with not only good weather, but with good bowling too.” And the sun certainly shone on bowlers and family supporters alike at Cleveleys Park Bowling Club as the competition was whittled down to the last remaining pair in an enjoyable relaxed afternoon - with buffet tea provided. The tournament is open to all members of the North Fylde Group – ‘previous experience not necessary with generous handicaps given’ - so says the tournament’s advertising blurb. £354,000 has been raised for charity since the inception of the West Lancashire Bowling Tournament. The eventual winners and runners up from all groups take part in the final play-offs. Last year alone £6,000 was raised by West Lancashire Masonic bowlers with funding coming from Lodge and Chapter donations and bowlers’ entry fees. Roy said a similar sum is expected to be raised this year which will go to the Rosemere Cancer Trust and the Masonic Homes at Ecclesholme and Tithebarn to help implement the switchover of the homes to digital TV. AssPrGM Terry Hudson was on hand to present the trophies. Last year’s winner Daren Gardener (Thornton Cleveleys Lodge) took top spot again with Bob Stringer (Hesketh) coming a close second with both players going through to the final together with the next four runners up. Commenting on the day which saw many of the group officers also taking part Terry remarked that despite the handicaps being given, “They were cannon fodder really against the real bowlers in the group but it was a good day for good sports.” As chairman, Roy who was himself knocked out in the quarter final by the eventual winner, thanked everyone who had taken part in making it a memorable day and reminded contestants and spectators that the final was to be held on July 11th at Tarleton Bowling Club.
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The North Fylde Group ‘executive team’ and their wives met up with out-going chairman Jack Coates and wife Sylvia for what was billed typically - with Jack’s mischievous sense of humour -as ‘The Last Supper.’ Jack who has only recently stepped down as group chairman wanted to thank the assembled team and their spouses for their support over the five years he has held high office and arranged the surprise soiree to do just that at the Clifton Park Hotel, St Annes. Jack singled out each officer in turn to express his gratitude for doing their particular job and didn’t miss the opportunity to acknowledge the valuable role the wives played too. But after the wining and dining was done the tables were turned on him somewhat when he was presented with a cake in the shape of his Grand Officer’s apron, correct in every detail of Past Junior Grand Deacon, which group charity steward Trevor Hunt had had made specially for the occasion. Jack also received a digital camera from the team to compliment the lap top computer and printer he had received from the entire North Fylde Group at an earlier celebratory retirement dinner. New group chairman, Harry Cox, in turn paid tribute to the manner in which Jack had made the group the force it currently was and hoped that Jack would continue to be a regular visitor in North Fylde.
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North Fylders pull their weight for charity
North Fylde Group members and their families and friends made the most of their annual Group Walk and Fun Day at West Drive, Cleveleys, Masonic Hall, despite it being a case of ‘never mind the weather as long as we are together’ to raise funds to support the 2010 Festival and Blackpool’s Donna’s Dream House. Masonic Hall Chairmen Tony Hough and Paul Dunne devised their usual treasure hunt (which as always would not have been out of place as an SAS initiative test) for the teams to wander the highways and byways of Cleveleys. Most returned with a collection of the required obscure objects gathered along the way. Anchorsholme Ladies’ team finally secured a victory which left their male counterparts trailing far behind. Their win was all the sweeter as this was the ninth year in succession they’d taken part in the walk - only coming runners up on previous occasions. The Fun Day and BBQ, between the showers, saw teams compete at skittles, dominoes, darts, snooker, bowls, and boule and, for the first time ever, a tug o’ war event. Group Charity Steward Trevor Hunt ably assisted by a team of helpers organized and oversaw the events. But it was the ladies who saw off most of the challenges from the men; first place in darts went to Janine Munro representing Wyre; Hannah Munro won the skittles - again for Wyre; Dot Hayes (Anchorsholme) beat Sue Kennedy (Wyre) at bowls. The men came into their own at snooker through Craig Scot (Broadwater) and Michael Niesche (Wyre) who triumphed at dominoes. The highlight of the day (apart from a delicious BBQ for the hungry competitors) was undoubtedly the tug o’ war. To quote Wellington, “It was a damn close run thing,” but the Wyre team (who else?) saw off strong challenges from Spartan and Broadwater Lodges making them meet their respective Waterloos. A crowd of spectators cheered their favourites on from the side-lines. After the raffle and other side-show events like guess the weight of the cake and number of sweets in a jar was decided Group Chairman Harry Cox and Trevor Hunt thanked the North Fylders present for their support of the day and for making it a memorable one. The Fun Day raised £1,200 to be divided between the 2010 Festival and Donna’s Dream House.
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North Fylde Group members turned out in strength to celebrate the retirement of John Wright Coates, PJGD, popularly known as ‘Jack’ by the newest Mason to the highest ranking officer - as he stepped down as Group Chairman. The Savoy Hotel, Blackpool, saw 160 colleagues, friends and members of the North Fylde team old and new gather to wish him a well deserved retirement from high office, a post he has held since 2004. After a sumptuous banquet his successor, new Group Chairman Harry Cox, paid tribute to Jack’s style of leadership and tracked his Masonic life and times from his initiation in 1967 into the Lodge of Good Hope to the present when he was honoured at United Grand Lodge in April of this year with the very high rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon. Harry made mention of some of the challenges which had faced his friend Jack during his tenure as Chairman - not least of all the influx of Lodges and Chapters from the old North Blackpool Group seeking a new home when they lost their old base at the Imperial Hotel. Under Jack’s guidance the integration of the incoming lodges was successfully achieved with many of the former Blackpool lodges seamlessly settling in at Cleveleys Masonic Hall. In his humorous response Jack said, as a Yorkshireman, he had initially seen his task as, “Doing missionary work in Lancashire,” but soon came to value the friendships that he made in the group. He took the opportunity to thank his predecessors for their support singling out several past Chairmen and ‘Assistants’ and thanked them for their contributions in making the group the successful organisation it currently was. He also wished the new team well saying how pleased he was that the group was in safe hands. He looked forward to being a ‘back-bencher’ he said and intended to have a rest to allow the new team to get used to their duties undisturbed but, paraphrasing Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “I’ll be back!” Harry left Jack in no doubt that the group wanted him to stay in touch as he presented the outgoing Chairman with a laptop computer and printer. Jack also received a suitably engraved decanter and glasses to enjoy his favourite tipple whilst relaxing at home. The 2010 Festival was not forgotten in the midst of the festivities and received a cheque for £2010 which Jack presented to Group Charity Steward, Trevor Hunt. A raffle on the evening fetched the magnificent total of £750 and, as if it was to show the unique bond that exists between the Fylde Coast groups, David Randerson, himself the newly appointed Chairman of the South Fylde Group was the lucky winner carrying off the top prize of a flat screen television.
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It was a case of networking in action at Royal Oak Lodge No 5919 as its new WM Ronnie Coles handed over a cheque for £1,000 to John Russell of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 for the Help for Heroes fund as one of his first duties following his Installation. Representing Officer Keith Jackson was presented with cheques for a miscellany of good causes bringing Royal Oak’s charitable donations to a magnificent total of £4180 on their special night. John Russell, receiving Royal Oak’s cheque, told members and their guests about Danny Carter, a member of Cleveleys Park Lodge, who is a serving soldier in Afghanistan. Bro Danny is a member of a bomb disposal unit specializing in defusing terrorists’ devices. His unit suffered casualties during a recent tour of duty and as a result of what he saw Danny and a colleague did a sponsored grueling 40 mile run round a special course near Coventry to raise money for the Help for Heroes fund. Several lodges in the North Fylde Group supported his efforts with Royal Oak choosing their Installation evening to make their generous donation. Help for Heroes is a registered charity founded by an ex soldier and his wife who were concerned at the lack of support for wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Following media publicity ordinary people doing extraordinary things like sponsored swims, running marathons and treks like Danny’s have helped raise over £20 million for the fund which goes towards treating and helping Britain’s wounded servicemen in a variety of ways. Thanking Royal Oak for their donation John said that whilst it was cause for debate whether wounded soldiers should be funded by charity he could assure the lodge that their gift would be put to very good use. North Fylde Group Charity Steward, Trevor Hunt, was also on hand to receive a cheque for £1,200 for the 2010 Festival which Keith Jackson transferred to him directly on behalf of the lodge. Trevor in turn presented Royal Oak’s new WM with the lodge’s Gold Patron award.
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Jim makes Lynn’s wish come true
Jim Barnes, WM of Broadwater Lodge No 9027, made a poignant visit to Trinity Hospice to fulfill wife Lynn’s wish to bring much needed help to the hospice’s fundraising efforts. Lynn sadly succumbed to her illness earlier this year and as a patient over many months at Trinity she and Jim saw at first hand the excellence of the palliative care the nurses and staff provide which Jim says, “Far and away exceeded any expectations I had and it will always stay a special place of fond memories for me.” Lynn had previously organized Jim’s lodge Ladies’ Night which went ahead exactly as she had planned and the event was an unqualified success raising £850 for the hospice. The star attraction of the evening was a group of which Lynn was an enthusiastic member, the Preston Red Rosettes Ladies Barbershop Singers. The singing group, which numbers some 50 members, as fundraisers par excellence and great supporters themselves of Trinity donated their evening’s fee to bring the grand total to £1,000. Accompanied by daughter Jane who, like her mum, is a special needs teacher, Jim and a contingent of Red Rosettes handed over the combined total to the hospice’s Community Fundraiser, Lisa Martin. Jim and Lynn, who was also a member of Fleetwood Masonic Hall Ladies’ Committee, have been responsible for raising an amazing £5,000 for Trinity and MacMillan Nurses in the course of the past two years. Jim is not done yet and plans further visits in the near future with further donations for Trinity. And funds are urgently needed for Trinity which celebrates 25 years anniversary of care in the Fylde in July 2010. The bill for the year is £6 million of which £4 million comes from donations from the local community. Thanking Jim and the girls for their donation, Trinity Community Fundraiser Lisa, whose mother is matron of the hospice, told the fundraisers that with the credit crunch hitting funds hard the hospice was having to pull out all the stops to organize cash raising events such as the Illumathon when ‘ladies walk the lights fantastic’ with an all female sponsored midnight walk through Blackpool’s famous illuminations on Saturday 5th September this year. She added that men are also welcome and are required to cheer the girls on and for marshalling duties! · www.illumathon.org.uk gives further details of Trinity’s 2009 midnight walk through Blackpool’s Illuminations.
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Harry Fairy, PPrJGW, celebrated 50 years of Freemasonry with North Fylde Group AssPrGM Terry Hudson and Group Chairman Jack Coates who had made the trip to Harry’s home in Cleveleys to mark the milestone event. Harry who is 93 years young was not well enough to go along to his mother lodge, Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540, and so Terry and Jack, together with lodge almoner Frank Westhead, made sure the golden anniversary did not go untoasted by taking the celebrations to him. Terry passed on the good wishes of the PGM and presented Harry with a certificate to commemorate his long service to Masonry as Jack, Frank and Harry’s wife Kathleen drank a toast to his health. Cleveleys Park Lodge made a gift of a carriage clock and specially engraved plaque to mark the occasion. Harry has the unique claim to fame that he was the first initiate of the lodge to become WM since it was consecrated in 1958. He became WM in 1969. Harry also enjoys his Chapter Freemasonry and is a PPrGSN and an honorary member of Thornton Cleveleys Chapter. He is also a Past Principal of Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals. Over the years at Cleveleys Park Lodge, amongst other jobs, he has been secretary and treasurer and was involved in helping to manage West Drive, Cleveleys, Masonic Hall. His son Edwin and his grandson have followed in his footsteps by becoming Masons in Cheshire. Wife Kathleen is delighted to add to the story that she and Harry have been married for 71 years… and three months! They have two daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Harry is a local man who was educated at Baines Grammar School and who joined Brown and Jackson of Fleetwood as a quantity surveyor after leaving the army at the end of the war. He saw active service in the army in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Harry was so taken with Taormina in Sicily that he and Kathleen have holidayed there several times over the years. The celebrants spent a very pleasant morning reminiscing about the good old days.
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Fleetwood Carnival and Fleetwood Museum helped by Mount Lodge
In his quest to help local Fleetwood organisations as IPM of Mount Lodge Mike Gaynor met up with officials and volunteers from two of the town’s premier organisations; Fleetwood Museum and Fleetwood Carnival. Mike gifted £250 from the lodge to Museum Trust Chairman Keith Porter and volunteer members of his committee to assist with ongoing projects which include the restoration of a salvaged trawler currently languishing in the museum’s yard. The museum which features an array of artifacts from Fleetwood’s seagoing heritage is a favourite attraction for visitors and local schools alike. Museum Chairman Keith thanked Mike for his support which he said was much needed in the current economic climate. Also benefitting from a further £250 donation from Mount Lodge was Fleetwood Carnival Chairman Keith Urwin and committee member Sam Denney. Fleetwood Carnival is a fun annual event which has been part of the local scene since time immemorial and involves whole swathes of local organisations from the town who take the opportunity to showcase what they do. Proceeds from the Carnival, which is a big fund raising day, go towards providing treats for the town’s senior citizens. Although the event does not take place until June 20th there is a plethora of items to organize by the hard working volunteers. Keith and Sam reckon that the 2009 Carnival will be the biggest yet and were delighted to receive Mike’s welcome cash boost and thanked Mount Lodge members for their generosity.
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Triple Treat for National Coastwatch Fleetwood
Local Lodges were out in force at Fleetwood’s National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) to hand over much needed funds at the Lofthouse Tower on Rossall Point to a strong contingent of the organisation’s watchkeepers. Mike Gaynor IPM of Mount Lodge No 6654 presented a cheque for £250 and colleague Dave Shaw, who is Treasurer for both Onward Lodge No 5540 and Progress Lodge No 4120, also donated £200 from each of those lodges to Deputy Station Manager Jack Duxbury. Locals, holidaymakers and golfers alike see the tower at Rossall point as a well known feature dominating the coastline but few appreciate the invaluable work which goes on there. For there, daily, during daylight hours 24/7 NCI volunteers serve the community protecting life and property from their lofty eerie observing an area of the sea stretching as far as Barrow shipyards. The watchkeepers, visually or by radar, log shipping leaving and entering Fleetwood and passing on its way to the Isle of Man, Ireland and elsewhere. They are in constant communication with the Coastguard in Liverpool. They can, when necessary, call in assistance from Fleetwood lifeboat to rescue mariners from broken down vessels and unwary visitors to the beach who get cut off by the incoming tides - something which has happened several times already this year. Mike and David’s choice of the NCI as their local charity to support was much appreciated by Station Manager Berry Ratner and his colleagues and in thanking the Masons for their gifts said that the cash was already earmarked for new optical equipment and improvements to the tower’s facilities.
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Mount Masons help Fleetwood Lifeboat
Mike Gaynor, IPM of Fleetwood’s Mount Lodge No 6654, visited Fleetwood Lifeboat Station with a boost for their fund-raising efforts when he handed over a cheque for £250. RNLI Coxswain Paul Ashworth gave Mike a tour of the station to demonstrate the range of facilities which are used to help mariners who get into difficulties in the Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay. The tour was made complete when Mike was allowed aboard the RNLB vessel William Street to make the presentation as our picture shows. Mount Lodge annually raises funds from a host of social activities to help local Fleetwood organisations in particular. Mike who has all sorts of involvement in local sea-faring activities felt that he could make no better choice than the RNLI. Coxswain Ashworth has already got a project in mind to spend the money on in improving public access to the Lifeboat station.
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Photograph shows: Fleetwood Chapter’s Greg Grove hands over a £200 cheque to Head Teacher Catherine Dellow as children from Red Marsh School and Communication Officer Bob Boal look on. Greg Grove the new 1st Principal of Fleetwood Chapter No 3711 had a pleasant duty to perform during a visit to Red Marsh School in Thornton. After a tour of this celebrated special school and meeting with the children, their teachers, helpers and mums, Greg was delighted to hand over a cheque for £200 to help towards Red Marsh’s new scheme called GO! Head teacher Catherine Dellow and project coordinator Ian Squires explained that GO! came from the initials of the Great Outdoors project and it is all about transforming a bleak outdoor area between Red Marsh School and neighboring Great Arley School into an environmentally friendly place for the children - and the community as a whole. The new area which is already a work in progress since January 2009 will have a number of zones for play, sports, a sensory ‘magic garden’, horticultural and relaxation - many of which are the children’s own ideas. The school featured on television, radio and the press in their bid to enter, successfully, into the GO! Project for essential funding. The imaginative playground, once completed, will allow young people to interact and develop essential skills for life and, as head teacher Catherine Dellow told Greg Grove, who was most impressed with all that he’d seen, “Will be a place where disability becomes invisible and will let children come together to learn to play and enjoy.” Secure donations can be made online to further help the school at www.doingdepartment.org
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Anchorsholme Lodge Donate £1100 to the Rosemere “Ray of Hope Appeal”
Left to right: John Wilkinson (Charity Steward), David Maddison (Master), Jack Coates (Group Chairman) and Paula Richardson (Rosemere Fund Raising Manager). On Tuesday 10 March 2009 the Chairman of the North Fylde Group of Lodges, Jack Coates, was delighted to present a cheque on behalf of Anchorsholme Lodge No. 5854 to the Rosemere Ray of Light Appeal based at Preston Royal Infirmary. He was accompanied by the Master and Charity Steward of Anchorsholme Lodge, Brothers David Maddison and John Wilkinson, respectively. Both the Group Chairman and Master had previously received treatment from the Rosemere Centre and were grateful for the way in which they had been cared for. The Rosemere Cancer Foundation is the North West’s equivalent to Christies and is a centre of excellence for the treatment of cancer. It is managed by a committee of clinicians, cancer managers, lay people and volunteers. The Rosemere Ray of Hope Appeal aims to raise £650,000 to provide Image Guided Radiotherapy equipment to give thousands of people from Lancashire and South Cumbria a chance of life after cancer. Currently the Appeal has raised £533,471 and their immediate challenge is to raise the last £100,000 before 31 March so that they can start treating patients using Image Guided Radiotherapy techniques on 1st April! The fund raising representative from Rosemere, Paula Richardson, was delighted to receive the cheque and thanked all the Brethren for their efforts. We wish Rosemere the best of luck in their endeavours and we have no doubt that there will be further cheques to follow. Duncan Smith, Group Secretary.
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Pat Deaking and Russ Smith are pictured with Dilip Gurung, a former Gurkha Colour Sergeant, owner of Gurkha restaurant in Blackpool. A Freemason and his friend are to spend 17 days trekking to Everest Base Camp to raise money for two charities. Pat Deakin, a member of Norcross Round Table Lodger No 8741 and his friend Russ Smith are hoping their trekking in Nepal will raise at least £10,000 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation and CLIC, Caring for Children with Cancer. The two friends, who are both 38, are paying all their own expenses so that every penny pledged in sponsorship will go to the charities. They have put in hours of training to prepare for a programme of hiking that will test their stamina and energy in April. Pat, who works on an offshore drilling platform off the north of Shetland, is confident that they will be successful and reach Everest Base Camp which is 18,000 feet above sea level. “We are both looking forward to the trek and are confident we will make it to the base camp,” said Pat. “We just hope enough people will sponsor us to make a big difference to the two charities.” Pat and Russ are hoping for a bumper fund-raising night on 14 March when they are staging a Big Charity Night in the Norbreck Castle Ballroom, Blackpool. There will be a three-course meal and entertainment by Tony Jo, Rupert Fabulous and the Singing Guitars and DJ Ian Tolley. There will be a raffle and auction at the event for which tickets cost £25 or £200 for a table of 10 if booked before the end of February. Anyone wanting to attend should contact Pat on patd_@hotmail.com. Pat and Russ have a website about their charity trek, www.russandpatmounteverest.com.
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SPECIAL NIGHT FOR COMMUNICATION OFFICERS
The Rev Harry Ross was guest speaker at the annual dinner in Leyland for Provincial Communication Officers. He spoke about his dealings with journalists from television, radio, newspapers and magazines from all parts of the world during the investigation into the murder of young Everton soccer fan of Rhys Jones. It was also a night of celebration when Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Moore told those present that David Durling, the Communications Officer for the South Eastern and Eccles and District Groups, was to be the next Provincial Grand Junior Warden. He congratulated David who thanked all present for their congratulations and good wishes. The main business of the evening was starting to plan the next edition of the West Lancashire Freemason which is due to be distributed at the beginning of April.
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John MacDonald celebrates 50 years as a Freemason
Left to right: Melvyn Willett (WM Normoss Round Table Lodge), Terry Hudson and John MacDonald. John MacDonald, of Normoss Round Table Lodge No. 8741, celebrated 50 years as a Freemason on Thursday 15 January 2009 at the Masonic Hall Cleveleys in the presence of WBro Terry Hudson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. John was born on 7 May 1935 in Lea, Preston, and was the eldest son of John and Edith MacDonald. John’s father was born in Elgin, Morayshire and initially trained as a baker but migrated south in search of alternate employment arriving in Lancashire to join the Police Force. John was educated at Springview Junior School and then Hindley and Abram Grammar School. At the age of 16 years he entered the Royal Navy as an apprentice artificer thus initiating a fascinating and rewarding career spanning over 24 years. Memorably his first ship was the destroyer HMS Diana, on which he sailed to take part in Operation Mosaic, a joint operation between the British and the Australian governments involving the testing of a 15 kilotonne atomic explosion over the Montebello Islands, situated off the North West coast of Australia. Throughout the tests HMS Diana stood by, sealed as best as possible, with the mission of sailing into the fallout zone to test the effects of a nuclear attack on naval operations, specifically upon the ship itself and on its 308 strong crew. Following his retirement from the Navy John bought the Post Office and Stationers in Norbreck village which he ran for 16 years until 1991 before retiring. In retirement John’s main hobbies, other than Freemasonry of course, have been gardening and dancing with his dear wife Mary, whom he met at the Embassy Ballroom in Wigan and whom, at the age of 22, he had the good fortune to marry and with whom he has lived happily for over 51 years. John and Mary were blessed with three wonderful children, Karen, Fiona and Grant, who between them have presented them with six super grandchildren who manage effortlessly to bring great joy and sunshine into their lives. John’s father was a man of firm but fair principles which led him to become a Freemason, and in due time, a Past Master of Borsdane Lodge No 6460 in Hindley, and a PPrJGD of the Province of West Lancashire. John’s father became his Proposer into Borsdane Lodge No 6460 and his Seconder was Dr C K MacKinnon. He was Initiated on 8 January 1959 as one half of a double Initiation ceremony, Passed to the Second Degree in Borsdane Lodge on 12 March 1959 and, uniquely, Raised to the Third Degree in the United Brethren Lodge No 1923 in Malta whilst being stationed there. John has always maintained his membership and continued to support his Mother Lodge by attending most of their meetings. His interest in Normoss Lodge was stimulated by the fact that his first assistant in his new venture as a Postmaster was a lady called Betty Hoggard, whose husband Brian was to become the first Initiate of the Lodge. As a consequence John was invited to the Consecration and subsequently became one of six Joining Members at the first meeting of the Lodge. His Proposer into Normoss Lodge was Les Whitby and his Seconder, Bernard Rhodes. He was Installed into the Chair of Normoss Lodge in 1984 and his contribution to the Lodge has been quite remarkable, being in office continuously since 1987, with spells of 4 years as ADC, 4 years as DC, 2 years as Asst Sec, 4 years as Charity Steward and 5 years as Almoner. He received his first appointment to Provincial Rank in 1993, PPrSGD and was promoted in 2001 to the very high rank of PPrJGW. The Royal Arch did not escape John’s attention, and he was exalted into Anchorsholme Chapter No 5854 in 1978, becoming its First Principal in 1990. In 1996 he received the acting Provincial Rank of PrGStdB and in 2000 he was promoted to PPrDGSwdB. WBro Hudson concluded the proceedings in the Lodge Room by offering John his warmest personal congratulations on achieving such a wonderful milestone in his masonic career and Terry considered it both a privilege and a pleasure to be present and to have been able to take part in such a happy and rewarding evening.
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Brian Wright Celebrates 50 Years in Freemasonry
The Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, said that he has always considered it a privilege to lead the celebrations for a brother who has completed 50 years of service to Freemasonry. Although long service to Freemasonry is becoming much more common, he added that we should never forget that 50 years of service is a very worthy and significant achievement. On this occasion the celebrant was a good friend and brother, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Brian Wright. He said that it was very pleasing that so many were present to salute and pay tribute to Brian. The Provincial Grand Master asked for Brian Wright to be placed before him so that he might address him. He spoke of them having been friends for many years and for four years, 2003 to 2007, in this great Province of West Lancashire he and Brian worked together as APrGMs. It therefore made it a special pleasure to lead the celebrations at this event. Brian was born on 12 February 1935, the year in which King George and Queen Mary celebrated their Silver Jubilee. Brian is, of course, a true ‘Sandgrown ‘Un’, being born and raised in Blackpool. The PGM had read somewhere that for visitors, the sound and smell of Blackpool can mean many different things, but for a Sandgrown ‘Un, it will always be home. Brian was educated at Baines Grammar School and had the special distinction of being head boy. It ceased to be a grammar school in 1977, and it is now called Baines’ School. The PGM was advised that such was the importance of the school, that the name change only came about after an Act of Parliament. The PGM was educated down the road at Kirkham Grammar School and he played with an oval ball, unlike Baines who played with a round ball. Clearly this is where Brian’s love of Blackpool Football Club began. Academic success at Baines Grammar School resulted in Brian going up to Bradford University, a University whose mission statement says simply - ‘Making Knowledge Work’. Certainly Brian’s knowledge and hard work enabled him to graduate in pharmacy. In 1958, Brian qualified as a member of the Pharmaceutical Society, after which he practised as a pharmacist in Grange Park, Blackpool from 1959 to 1987. He subsequently set up a joint practice with his brother in King Street until his retirement in 1998. The PGM had met Brian’s brother on a number of occasions in another service organisation namely Rotary. He became a leader and had given outstanding service above self and rose to the high office of district governor. Brian is married to Corrine and have one daughter and one step-daughter. His extended family now consists of a grandson and a granddaughter. The PGM commented that it is interesting that in the same year that Brian qualified as a member of the Pharmaceutical Society, 1958, he came into Freemasonry. Brian was then 23. He was initiated into Mereside Lodge No 6360 on 6 October 1958. The PGM added that it was not altogether surprising that Brian joined the Craft as both his father and grandfather were both prominent local Masons and both held Provincial Rank. Brian resigned his membership of Mereside in 1972. At the age of 27, in 1962, Brian became a founder of Baines Lodge No 7844. He was the youngest founder. At the other end of the scale, the senior founder was James A Walton who became an APrGM in 1966, with responsibility for the Eccles Group. It was he who recruited several old boys, including Brian, to form the lodge. James Walton’s son David held the high office of Second Provincial Grand Principal in the Royal Arch Province of West Lancashire and his other son, the late Tony Walton became the West Lancashire Provincial Grand Master in the Mark Degree. Brian became the Master of Baines Lodge in 1968. There are only two surviving founders of this lodge, namely Brian and Dennis Tofts, the present DC of the Lodge. Brian became a joining member of Senatores Lodge of Installed Masters No 8966 in 1989, and a joining member of Lathom Lodge No 2229 in 1999. Brian was made an honorary member of Emblem Lodge No 6727 and an honorary member of North Shore Lodge No 7916, although he was a subscribing member of both lodges for a number of years. The PGM reported that from 1989 to 1998, a period of nine years, three different groups had much to thank Brian for. First, in 1989, he became the South Fylde Group Secretary. Secondly, in 1991, he became the Vice-chairman of the South Blackpool Group. Thirdly, in 1994, he was appointed to the office of Group Chairman of the North Blackpool Group. In 1998, Brian was appointed to the office of APrGM by Colin Wright. The PGM stated that Brian was an important member of Colin’s team hence the reason for Colin wanting to be at this event; to support Brian as he had supported him. Brian’s Masonic honours in the craft are many. In the Province, PPrJGD in 1976 and PPrJGW in 1988. In Grand Lodge, PAGDC in 1992 and PSGD in 1999. In the Royal Arch, Brian was exalted into Blackpool Chapter No 1476 in 1964 and its First Principal in 1973. He served as a DC for a number of years. Brian was a founder of Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals in 1985 and its first Principal in 1998. He was also a founder of Blackpool Chapter of Sincerity No 4175 in 1988, and now an honorary member of that Chapter. He was also a joining member of Quadrant Chapter No 8044 in 1988. Brian’s Masonic honours in the Royal Arch are many: In the Province, PrGStdB in 1984, PPrPGSoj in 1988 and PPrGSN in 1992. In Supreme Grand Chapter, PGStdB in 1994 and PAGSoj in 2004. The PGM and Brian are both members of the Arnold Moreton Mark Masons Lodge No 1649 in the Province of East Lancashire and Brian was its Master in 2004. Like the PGM, Brian has enjoyed the hidden mysteries of nature and science including the ancient art of playing golf on the Fylde. The PGM said that everyone knew Brian and everyone thinks of Brian as his friend. He commented that there are many reasons for this and mentioned a few, namely that Brian is a very approachable person; he possesses a friendly and engaging manner; and most importantly he has worked ceaselessly for Freemasonry on the Fylde. Because of Brian’s nomadic service to Freemasonry, which the PGM believes is unique, he has visited every one of the craft lodges on the Fylde. During the four years when he and the PGM were both APrGMs, the PGM enjoyed Brian’s warm and loyal friendship, and his infectious personality. He especially recalled Brian’s determination, as a member of the finance and administration committee, to ensure that the finances of the Province were put and kept on a sound basis – something that has been built upon to this date. The PGM said that it is important that we all leave a legacy and Brian can be extremely proud of his good works and his legacy as a Man and as a Freemason.
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Normoss presents £2,055 to Cancer Foundation
It’s a regrettable fact of life that one in three of us will get cancer at some time in our lives and no one is more aware of that statistic than the members of Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741. Former lodge member, Norman Bradshaw, was a stalwart supporter of Rosemere Cancer Foundation and regularly ran in marathons and events to raise funds for them until he too was afflicted by cancer - with the additional care that the Foundation provides swinging into action to help him. As a result Normoss have for the past several years centered their fund raising efforts on helping Rosemere as their chosen charity. At a special presentation dinner held at West Drive Masonic Hall, Cleveleys, members, guests and their ladies saw Sue Thompson, chief officer of Rosemere accept a cheque for £2,055 from Blackpool comedian Tony Jo together with WM Melvin Willett and Charity Steward David Reddy. Sue thanked the lodge for their gift and went on to explain that her organisation was linked to Preston Royal Hospital and was dedicated to raising funds for research, patient welfare projects and additional equipment and training to help local people being treated not only at Preston but at local Cancer units throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria. “Cancer treatment is a major priority for the NHS but it is expensive with little left over for what might be considered non-essential items.” Sue said. “Rosemere aims to provide for those additional items that often make a difference to the lives of patients after cancer.” Rosemere has a target of raising £500,000 in 2007/8. Foot(hill) note - Pat Deakin, a member of Normoss Round Table Lodge and pal Russ Smith will spend 17 days trekking in Nepal before climbing to Mount Everest base camp to raise ‘a mountain’ (Pat’s words) of funds for Rosemere. All of the intrepid pairs’ expenses have been paid so all monies raised from sponsorship; a planned sportsman’s dinner, race night etc will go directly to Rosemere. Pat and Russ’s target figure is £25,000 with £6,000 pledged already. See www.russandpatmounteverest.com for full details on how to sponsor the pair.
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Our target for the Coast to Coast walk we started and completed this September was £7,500.00. I am very, very happy to tell you that the team managed to raise a staggering £7,976.85! However, because most of you donated on the website there will be an additional amount of £1,235.17 will be added to that total. Therefore, the GRAND TOTAL IS: £9,212.02 Ladies and gentleman I would like to offer you sincere thanks from the other members of the team: Adam Simpson, Simon Mason, Joan Roquet-Jalmar, Kevin Hoines and Ken Hart. Furthermore, I would like to give my most heartfelt thanks for your support since I began fundraising in May 2007. Without your support and generosity we could not have reached the awesome amount. My thanks to each and every one of you. Andy Potton
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North Fylde Group remembers fallen brethren
Masons from the North Fylde Group gathered on Remembrance Sunday to join civic dignitaries, servicemen and members of other local organisations to remember fallen brethren from Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys who perished in battle. Group Chairman Jack Coates was joined by a strong contingent of Masons from Thornton and Cleveleys to march in the parade to lay a wreath on behalf of local Freemasons at Thornton cenotaph. Vice Chairman Harry Cox and Group Secretary Duncan Smith together with many Fleetwood Masons paraded with the Mayor of Wyre, Gordon McCann, to perform like service at the cenotaph in Fleetwood’s Memorial Park. Many of the Masons who took part in the Remembrance Sunday parade are ex-servicemen themselves - as was evidenced from the medals they wore with pride, as well as their poppies - when they came to give thought for comrades who did not return from the great conflicts.
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Trevor - Spartan Lodge’s ‘Leonidas’ receives award
The ancient Greeks whose name is synonymous with austerity and privation would have been hard pressed to recognize the celebrations of their namesake Spartan Lodge at their Installation meeting – as well as an honour paid to their very own Leonidas. The PGM Peter Hosker was on hand at Cleveleys Masonic Hall to congratulate Spartan Lodge No.8048 in general and one particular member for an outstanding effort in supporting the 2010 Festival. Spartan’s current total raised is an incredible £25,000 - far and away making them a Gold Patron of the Masonic Samaritan Fund - and, to add to the festival tally, outgoing WM Richard Ellis presented Peter with another cheque for….£2010! It is no coincidence that this magnificent total has been achieved by Spartan Lodge as, numbered amongst its ranks, is none other than fund raiser extraordinaire Trevor Hunt, North Fylde Group’s Charity Steward. Trevor is the acknowledged driving force which has placed the Group into pole position in the Province with £250,000 raised to date. In recognition of Trevor’s sterling efforts Peter was asked by the 2010 Festival Chairman, Stuart Thornber, to present Trevor with a unique Certificate of Achievement which the PGM duly did to the delight of the Spartans and the great surprise of the recipient. In typically modest fashion Trevor received his certificate and took the opportunity to pay tribute to the team effort which had lead to the accolade thanking the Group Chairman Jack Coates, his own immediate ‘boss’, Ted Rhodes, the Group’s Charity Stewards and every Mason in North Fylde who had supported him. Afterwards Trevor who styles himself, ‘Earn it,’ as a foil to Local Care Officer, Edwin Fisher, who he nicknames, ‘Spend it,’ said that the secret to Spartan Lodge’s success was the number of members who were Grand Patrons of the Festival as well as giving generous support to the lodge’s social and fund raising events.
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Roy Pyne PrGAlmoner (shaking hands with Geoff Pritchard) presenting Geoff with his gold watch. Almoners from the North Fylde, Blackpool and South Fylde Groups turned out in force to attend their annual meeting held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall and to take the chance to bid a fond farewell to their Regional Care Officer Geoff Pritchard. Geoff - affectionately known as ‘Sticks’ - told the Almoners and Charity Stewards who were also at the meeting that he was stepping down after six years in the job and that their annual get-together was his ‘swan song.’ Later in the year Geoff told the Almoners, highly experienced Jim Woods, former Care Officer for the now defunct North Blackpool Group and the ‘Wednesday man’ at Liverpool Office -as contact office manager - would be assuming the mantle of Regional Care Officer for the Fylde groups. Geoff introduced the guest speaker John Williams, Development Director of the Masonic Samaritan Fund who told the Almoners that he was there primarily to encourage them to spend money supporting those Masons and their families in medical need. John gave an enthralling talk on the work of the Samaritan fund citing examples of how it had helped individual Masons and their families and gave graphic details of the resources on offer and the criteria required applying for support from it. He chided the Almoners that the Fylde groups were: “either very rich or very healthy” and that in comparison to the other 46 Provinces applications were less than the take-up elsewhere and he encouraged them spread the message about the fund as widely as possible. Geoff Pritchard after thanking John for his thought-provoking presentation took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Almoners’ team, the Group Chairmen and the Care Officers for their support during his six years as Regional Care Officer. Fellow R.C.O. Roy Pyne of the Liverpool and Bootle Groups presented Geoff with a gold watch as a memento.
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Karen Moore, Jacqueline Martland, Margaret Brayshaw, Alison Tait and Lynn Barnes (seated) of Fleetwood Masonic Hall Ladies Committee with Beverley Whittaker Fund Raising Administrator Trinity Hospice.
Duncan Smith (North Fylde Group Secretary) and Jim Barnes of Broadwater Lodge presenting cheques to Beverley Whittaker of Trinity Hospice. Trinity Hospice received a welcome cash boost from fund raisers based at Fleetwood Masonic Hall on the town’s Esplanade when cheques for £1,000 were handed over. Fleetwood Masonic Hall Ladies Committee and Broadwater Lodge combined forces to present their gift to Beverley Whittaker, Fund Raising Administrator at the newly refurbished Trinity Hospice, Low Moor Road, Bispham. Jim Barnes, WM of Broadwater Lodge No 9027 and wife Lynn have a particular reason to be grateful to Trinity as Lynn recently spent eight weeks being cared for there and the couple know from first hand experience the invaluable services the hospice provides. So when Jim was asked to nominate his favourite charity by the lodge for his year in high office he had no hesitation in opting for Trinity with a cheque for £250. After hearing about Broadwater Lodge’s donation and the reasons for it Fleetwood Masonic Benevolent Association added another £100 to the total. The circle of giving was completed when the Ladies Committee, of which Lynn Barnes is a member, decided they too wanted to help the hospice. Their gift of £650, which had been raised at a very successful summer barbeque, swelled the total to £1,000. On behalf of Trinity Hospice Beverley Whittaker thanked Fleetwood Masons and the Ladies Committee for their generosity. She said: “Trinity relies for its very existence on donations from the community it serves. It is heart warming and so very reassuring that local people such as yourselves look on us as their own favourite charity to support.”
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Onward Lodge’s Andy hikes 192 miles to say “thanks”
Andy Potton of Fleetwood’s Onward Lodge No 5540 has a very personal reason to be thankful to the RNLI especially those connected with the rescue attempt in the Morecambe Bay helicopter tragedy on December 27th 2006. For on that fateful evening a Scotia helicopter crashed into the Irish Sea taking with it the lives of seven men, including Andy’s father Stephen Potton. Steve, who was also a member of Onward Lodge, was chief pilot of the Blackpool-based helicopter. In Andy’s own words: “No-one knew if the men had survived but the RNLI didn’t waste time speculating. Three Lifeboat stations answered the call as well as the RAF and the Centrica Life Raft and immediately set out to bring those men home. “Fleetwood lifeboat stayed out for 24 hours battling harsh weather in the dead of night. For me it was the longest night of my life. “Even when it was apparent the victims had indeed lost their lives the volunteers of the RNLI continued the search; continued to fight to bring home the bodies of the men. “Their dedication gave me the chance to grieve and say farewell to my Dad and give thanks in a dignified and appropriate manner for being part of his life.” That is what determined Andy to raise money for the RNLI to repay a debt of gratitude. He chose the grueling Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk to complete his special mission. The euphemistically named ‘walk’ is 192 aching miles beginning at St Bees in the Lake District and ending at Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire across moorland, coastal cliffs and mountains. Andy attempted to do the hike alone in 2007 but had to call matters to a halt due to:”awful map reading, poor planning and bi-lateral ligament damage on the second day.” Happily with the company of six friends and with better planning and support the intrepid team completed the trek in 12 testing days. Andy’s diary records a step by step full account on his website www.justgiving.com/potton. This site also gives details of the invaluable work the lifeboat crews provide in keeping our coasts safe. To date Andy’s fund raising efforts have raised a magnificent £6,120 of a £7,500 target. Andy is hopeful of meeting if not beating the target set by October 2008, when he intends to hand over a cheque to his favourite charitable organization. He pays tribute to the support he received from fellow Masons: Ken Hart, the team’s driver and ‘morale’ officer due to his words of encouragement; Chris Jones, chief chef and clothes washer, Paul Stevens for organizing equipment and driving Chris to join the team and back again one weekend (this despite Paul’s wife having only just come out of hospital following an emergency op-because he’d promised!) and Shahid Rashid for the loan of his ‘extensive family tent’ for the same weekend. And of course Andy is immensely grateful to all the people who have already given so generously towards his fund raising efforts.
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Provincial Grand Master makes Cleveleys Park Lodge first visit
Masons visiting West Drive, Cleveleys, had the unique opportunity of meeting Provincial Grand Master, Peter John Hosker when he attended the installation meeting of Cleveleys Park Lodge no. 7540 This was the first Lodge Peter has visited since taking over the Province on July 28th 2008. As Cleveleys Park Lodge entered its 50th year since its consecration, almost a hundred brethren took part in a ceremony rarely enacted out-with of Provincial Grand Lodge. As the Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial team, obligated and invested W. Bro. Leon David Tax PSGD as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, with the occasion witnessed by brethren from all over the Province as well as from many other parts of the country. This memorable event saw Peter Hosker accompanied by the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Frank Wilkinson and North Fylde Group’s own Terry Hudson. W Bro Geoffrey Lee, the Provincial Grand Secretary, read the Patent of Appointment delighting the brethren with the time-honoured “et cetera, et cetera, et cetera,” in his own inimitable style. W Bro Tax, who had been unavoidably absent from the July meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, confirmed his willingness to be re-appointed as an Ass.PrGM re-affirmed his obligation and was duly invested. Peter paid tribute to Leon’s many accomplishments and activities (which he humorously told the newly invested Ass.Pr.G.M. ran to two pages against his own one page, including the very important and demanding job he had held as Group Chairman. His enthusiasm for Masonry had been quickly recognized from the time he had first become a W.M. and had led to rapid promotion to his present High Office in 2005. Peter also extended his thanks to Leon for agreeing to continue as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, acknowledging the important role that he and his colleagues played in the smooth running of the Province. After Leon took his Chair, the pressing requirements of the Province meant that Peter and the Provincial team had to depart to fulfil their duties elsewhere. After wishing the Lodge well for the future they left the members of Cleveleys Park to the other important part of the day, to Install W Bro J Haines PPrJGD as WM for the ensuing year. This was accomplished in exemplary fashion by the immediate past and installing Master W Bro John Russell PPrJGW, who as the last remaining Founder of Lodge No. 7540, has been WM on no less than four different occasions! W Bro Leon gave a very meaningful ‘Address to the Brethren’. He also received cheques from the new WM on behalf of the Lodge, amounting to £1000, for local non-Masonic charities. The Ass.Pr.G.M. thanked the lodge: “On behalf of the people who would benefit most from the Lodge’s generosity”. At Festive Board Cleveleys Park members and their many guests feted both the new WM and W Bro Leon in high style as well as congratulating the members who had taken part in the ceremony for the sterling performance of their duties. W Bro Leon told brethren about the continuing importance of the 2010 Festival which he said stood currently at an astounding £3.6million and amongst other things he drew attention to the plethora of information to be found about West Lancashire Freemasonry on the provincial website. He also spoke of his pleasure in being supported by what he termed, “A tsunami of Grand Lodge Officers.” He explained that was because with Grand Lodge Officers, like with a tsunami - brethren were apprehensive about them coming - but delighted when they had gone; quickly adding, “Delighted in that that they had witnessed a successful day”. And indeed a successful and very full day it had been and one that the members of Cleveleys Park will long remember.
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Palace date for Cleveleys Park Lodge Mason
Bro Danny Carter of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 took part in a 40 mile ‘Ultra Marathon’ to raise money for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. Danny who is a serving soldier with No 11 Explosives Ordinance Disposal Regiment has recently returned home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan where he was serving as a member of a bomb disposal team; the team’s specialty being the defusing of terrorist devices. Danny has been invited to attend an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The officer commanding his unit is being decorated and the members of the team who were involved in the particular operation have been invited to accompany him. Danny and another soldier from his unit recently did a 40 mile Ultra Marathon which required the participants to navigate a 40 mile circular route around Coventry’s rural belt. The pair were in full kit and carried weighted back packs. Danny told Bob Boal, North Fylde Group’s Communication Officer, that: “The most difficult part for me was at the 33 mile point where I hit the ‘wall’ and had to complete the last seven miles on autopilot. My mind was going 10 mph faster than my legs would let me!!” But, finish the marathon both soldiers and were glad the race had been completed. The aim was to raise money for injured soldiers returned from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and to buy items which are not provided by the M.O.D. This is being done through the auspices of the registered charity ‘HelpforHeroes Fund.’ Full details of this vital and worthy cause are to be found on Danny’s website www.justgiving.com/dannycarter40miles for anyone who would like to give their support. Danny’s brother Masons at Cleveleys Park Lodge have already pledged £50 to start the ball rolling in the North Fylde Group. Danny would also like to mention that Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at Norcross, Blackpool, are continuing to raise a significant amount of money –in excess of £250 at the last count for the event.
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Assistance following flood damage Information was sent to all Provinces in July 2007 regarding assistance following flooding. Sadly, there has been further serious flooding recently in parts the UK and so a similar need for assistance will, no doubt, once again exist. The Council of The Grand Charity wishes to assist Freemasons and their dependents where circumstances permit and hopes that applications will be processed swiftly, once actual need is established. Although your Province may not be affected on this occasion, there may be other situations that require some form of urgent help. These will be considered in the same way. If you would like to talk to a member of staff before making a written application, please do not hesitate to telephone The Grand Charity office. 8 September 2008
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Cleveleys Park Lodge Danny in ‘Help for Heroes’ Campaign
Bro Danny Carter of Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 is to take part in a 40 mile ‘Ultra Marathon’ to raise money for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. Danny who is a serving soldier with No 11 Explosives Ordinance Disposal Regiment has recently returned home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan where he was serving as a member of a bomb disposal team; the team’s specialty being the defusing of terrorist devices. Danny has been invited to attend an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The officer commanding his unit is being decorated and the members of the team who were involved in the particular operation have been invited to accompany him. Danny and another soldier from his unit are going to do a 40 mile Ultra Marathon on Sunday 7th September 2008. This requires the participants to navigate a 40 mile circular route around Coventry’s rural belt. The aim is to raise money for injured soldiers returned from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and to buy items which are not provided by the M.O.D. This is being done through the auspices of the registered charity ‘Help for Heroes Fund.’ Full details of this vital and worthy cause are to be found on Danny’s website www.justgiving.com/dannycarter40miles for anyone who would like to give their support.
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Group Walk and Fun Day at Cleveleys
North Fylde Group were blessed with sunshine for their seventh annual Group walk as members and their families and friends strode out to raise money for worthy causes Donna’s Dream House, Brian House Children’s Hospice and the Masonic Samaritan Fund. Group Charity Steward, Trevor Hunt, put a new spin on the day’s proceedings with testing challenges in addition to the treasure hunt which devious duo Tony Hough and Paul Dunne, the chairmen respectively of Cleveleys and Fleetwood Masonic Halls, devise annually. Trevor put teams of lodge members through games of skill (and misspent youth) including darts, horseshoes, snooker, bowls, putting and skittles. A queue for the barbeque (and at the bar) bore testament to the excellence of the fare on offer to recharge flagging energies. The walkers had to solve treasure hunt clues as they explored unknown highways and byways of Cleveleys and return, like Indiana Jones, with mysterious objects such as rubber bands, feathers, different coloured stones, wild flowers etc located on their travels. One of the most difficult and coveted objects to find believe it or not - what with the smoking ban and smokers being these days an endangered species - was match sticks! Persistence and perseverance triumphed in the end and the walkers, through sponsorship, raised £2,000 for the chosen charities with the barbeque and team games adding a further £2,500. At the prize presentation at day’s end, Group Chairman, Jack Coates, who himself took part in the fun and games, thanked all the participants for their support and generosity as well as the organizers Tony Hough, Paul Dunne, Trevor Hunt and all their cohorts of helpers for all their sterling work.
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Entered Apprentice wins North Fylde Masonic Bowling Tournament
The North Fylde Masonic Bowling Tournament took place on Saturday 31st May 2008 in glorious sunshine and was well attended by masons and their families. Around twenty bowlers took part in an excellent competition which was won by Brother Darren Gardner, an entered apprentice from Thornton Cleveleys Lodge, who only became a member in May. WBro John Eastwood from Pharos Lodge was the runner-up. After the Final the Brethren and their families and friends enjoyed a wonderful buffet following which our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Terry Hudson, presented the successful bowlers with their prises. The top six bowlers will now go on to represent the North Fylde Group in the Provincial Finals which will be held at Fleetwood Bowling Club on 5th July 2008 hosted by the South Fylde Group and I am sure they would welcome as much support as possible. Those in the know have predicted that Brother Gardner will be hard to beat and we all wish him the best of luck and hope that he can bring the cup back to the North Fylde Group. The North Fylde Tournament would not run as smoothly as it does without the efforts of the Chairman of the Bowling, WBro Roy Howells and his team and the Group is as always grateful for all their efforts. Proceeds from the Provincial Final will be donated to the masonic care homes, Tythebarn and Ecclesholme and other masonic charities.
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Vice Chairmen from every group on the Fylde coast, as well as new Companions, were out in force at Cleveleys Masonic Hall for the second in the series of Royal Arch Chapter Workshops organized by E. Companion Peter Elmore, the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals. The object of the exercise being to promote a greater knowledge and understanding of the Royal Arch and its relationship with Craft Masonry through discussion and debate; there was plenty of opportunity for that throughout the evening. The principal speaker to the well attended meeting was the, aptly named, E Companion Peter Mason, former Group Chairman of Lancaster and District, who is an acknowledged authority on the Royal Arch and author of several books and treatise on his specialist subject. He opened the evening’s proceedings with a power point presentation on the Royal Arch certificate itself. As truth to tell, sadly, these certificates only rarely see the light of day after they are presented and signed at the Scribe E’s desk it was illuminating indeed to hear from E Companion Mason the story of the often hard-fought history of the certificate and the origins and meanings of the wording and symbolism contained in the certificate. Peter Elmore followed opening the debate further on the origins of Chapter and there was lively discussion twixt the two Peters on matters such as whether Wales or Ireland played the greatest part in expanding the degree in relation to Craft Masonry. Thereafter Companions together with their respective Vice Chairmen adjourned to brain storm what they had heard and returned to pose questions raised with responses fielded by E Companions Elmore and Mason. All in all it was universally agreed it had been, as expected, an enjoyable and entertaining evening with the end result an all important ‘advancement in knowledge.’ Picture: Peter Elmore, Peter Mason and Vice Chairmen of the Fylde groups and Royal Arch Companions enjoying the Chapter Workshop at Cleveleys Masonic Hall
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The North Fylde Group was out in force at the April meetings of Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter to support Brethren and Companions receiving appointment and promotion to their new ranks. At the meeting of United Grand Lodge the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, presided and invested our Vice-Chairman and Regional Charity Steward, WBros Harry Cox and Ted Rhodes, as Past Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies. Our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Terry Hudson, was promoted to the very high rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon and WBro Eric Picton received Past Junior Grand Deacon. Following the investiture the members of West Lancashire met up at the Park Inn where they enjoyed an excellent meal and refreshments after which they were joined by members of the Province of East Lancashire. The following day saw the meeting of Supreme Grand Chapter which was presided over by the Most Excellent Pro First Grand Principal, The Most Honourable the Marquess of Northampton, who invested our Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, EComp Peter Elmore, as Past Grand Standard Bearer and promoted EComp Chris Band, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, to the high rank of Past Assistant Grand Sojourner. The night before the Grand Lodge meeting, members and their wives took the opportunity of ‘grabbing’ a show, the majority opting for “Mama Mia” with others selecting “The Jersey Boys” and “Phantom of the Opera”. All in all it was a very enjoyable few days and a very successful occasion for the North Fylde Group. Long may it continue!
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