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North
Fylde Group News
Andy battles to hit £5,000 target
Although still desperately trying to raise another £750 to hit his latest charity target of £5,000, Andy Potton of Onward Lodge on the North Fylde Coast is......<more>
Fun Day for North Fylde Group
North Fylde Group celebrated its annual Fun Day blessed by the same sort of glorious sunshine which saw neighbouring Blackpool FC gain.......<more>
Special edition for museum
Group Publicity Officer for the North Fylde Group, Bob Boal found himself in the news when a rare first edition of local newspaper........<more>
Shaun runs in Great Manchester 10km
Shaun Haynes of West Lancashire Century Lodge 2349 in the North Fylde Group completed the Bupa Great Manchester Run bang on target to raise........<more>
Shaun’s trek helps guide dogs
North Fylde Group’s very own action man Shaun Haynes of West Lancashire Century Lodge No 2349 has handed over a cheque to the Guide Dogs for the Blind as the result of a gruelling hike along the Pennine Way.......<more>
Lyndsay runs in Malta Marathon for Help for Heroes
Anchorsholme Lodge No 5854 was delighted to get involved in the Help for Heroes campaign when they heard that lodge member John........<more>
Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 venture over the Border
Six members of Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 ventured over the border to visit Robert Burns Lodge 440 to celebrate Burns Night in Glasgow......<more>
Fleetwood Masonic Hall joins in Heritage Week
Fleetwood Masonic Hall which is situated on the town’s Esplanade with panoramic views of Morecambe Bay is to open its doors to the public as part of National Heritage Week which takes place from September 9 to 12, 2010.........<more>
Grand time at Anchorsholme Chapter
Anchorsholme Chapter which meets at Cleveleys Masonic hall in the North Fylde Group had a ‘grand’ time at the chapter’s Installation......<more>
Shaun’s in Great Manchester Run
North Fylde Group’s very own action man, Shaun Haynes of West Lancs Century Lodge No 2349 is taking part in the 2010 Bupa Great Manchester Run on 16 May.....<more>
Time for another trek
Andrew Potton of Onward Lodge No 5540, Ken Hart and six other ‘idiots’ decided to hike the Wainwright Coast to Coast trail in order to raise money for.......<more>
Deputy PGM visits North Fylde Group
A very special ‘Brethren to Dine’ evening took place when Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brian Gillbanks, other Grand Officers and members of the Provincial team attended North Fylde Group’s annual dinner at Fleetwood’s Masonic Hall.....<more>
Santa receives summons for West Drive
Father Christmas replied to the summons he received and made a visit to Cleveleys Masonic Hall - to the delight of almost 100 children.......<more>
Terry presents grant to Trinity Hospice
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson took on the role of Father Christmas on behalf the Freemasons’ Grand Charity with a pre-Christmas gift, a cheque for.......<more>
Normoss Round Table boosts Rosemere’s total to £26,000
Sue Thompson, chief officer for Rosemere Cancer Foundation attended personally at a special dinner held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall by Normoss Round Table Lodge.....<more>
First 25 years of North Shore Chapter
First Principal Roland Alderton and Co-Principals John Herdman and Jason Dell of North Shore Chapter No 7916 welcomed a galaxy of Grand Officers and guests....<more>
Norcliffe boosts Festival total by another £6,000
Norcliffe Lodge’s newest contribution to the 2010 Festival at their Installation meeting held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, “will bring an ear to ear grin to........<more>
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......<more>
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......<more>
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.......<more>
Half Century for Biscopham Lodge
Biscopham Lodge No 7646 celebrated 50 years in business since its founding on October 6th 1959 with a ........<more>
Lodge Contacts - versed in Chapter
Although North Fylde Group already has a creditable 40 per cent of its members in Royal Arch Masonry, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principal......<more>
Provincial team makes first visit to Fleetwood
Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker and the Provincial team made their first visit of the new season to the North Fylde Group for the Installation of.....<more>
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........<more>
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.......<more>
North Fylde Masons help Brian House
Trinity Hospice’s junior wing, Brian House, received a welcome boost to its fund-raising efforts when Freemasons from the North Fylde Group........<more>
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.......<more>
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.....<more>
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.’...........<more>
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.........<more>
Jack bows out as chairman
North Fylde Group members turned out in strength to celebrate the retirement of John Wright Coates........<more>
Royal Oak Lodge helps ‘Heroes’
It was a case of networking in action at Royal Oak Lodge 5919 as its new WM Ronnie Coles handed over a cheque for £1,000 to John Russell......<more>
Jim makes Lynn’s wish come true
Jim Barnes, WM of Broadwater Lodge 9027, made a poignant visit to Trinity Hospice to fulfill wife Lynn’s wish............<more>
Triple treat for Coastwatch
Local Lodges were out in force at Fleetwood’s National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) to hand over much needed funds............<more>
Lodge helps carnival and museum
In his quest to help local Fleetwood organisations as IPM of Mount Lodge Mike Gaynor met up with officials and volunteers........<more>
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...........<more>
All GO at Fleetwood Chapter
Greg Grove the new First Principal of Fleetwood Chapter No 3711 had a pleasant duty to perform during a visit to Red Marsh School in Thornton........<more>
Further funding for 2010 at Fleetwood
Some 85 Brethren attended a splendid Installation ceremony at Fleetwood Lodge to witness Jason Dell install his successor.........<more>
£1100 for Ray of Hope Appeal
The Chairman of the North Fylde Group of Lodges, Jack Coates, was delighted to present a cheque for £1,100 on behalf of Anchorsholme Lodge.......<more>
£2,000 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation
It is a regrettable fact of life that one in three people will get cancer at some time in their lives and no one is more aware of that statistic than the members of Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741.......<more>
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.......<more>
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Andy battles to hit £5,000 target
Although still desperately trying to raise another £750 to hit his latest charity target of £5,000, Andy Potton of Onward Lodge on the North Fylde Coast is already planning another big fund-raising effort in 2012.
Andy’s father Stephen was killed in the Morecambe Bay helicopter tragedy on 27 December 2006.
Explaining his fund-raising efforts and why he embarked on them, Andy said: “Once I realised the heroic efforts of three lifeboat stations during the night of the accident and after I found out that the RNLI can only operate on charitable donations I decided to hike a long distance route in memory of my father and to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
“After attempting and failing to complete the Coast to Coast trail in 2007 Bro Ken Hart sent me an email to say that he would drive me up to the start of the Coast to Coast, shadow me each day in his car and then have a small campsite set up each evening; as long as I wanted to attempt the trek again in 2008. I let his offer become known and more people volunteered to walk thus Ken soon found himself in charge of an eight seat bus and chef to six hungry walkers – we completed the Wainwright Challenge in 2008 and raised just over £10,000.00 for the RNLI.
“When it was decided that we would take part in another long distance walk and we had picked the West Highland Way I confess that I remember, albeit in a hazy alcoholic glow, thinking that 95 miles was a lot less than the previous 192 miles we walked in 2008. In fact, this was evident in all of our planning, preparation and practice prior to heading up to Scotland on Sunday 25 May 2010.
“However, the conditions we faced in 2008 were vastly different to those in April this year. We had a lot less rain but our ascents were bigger and the pathways were miles and miles of uneven rock strewn roads. The landscape itself was more mentally challenging as the barren highlands left little for observation and so we each turned into nomadic recluses as we tramped our way through Scotland.
“Yet, several weeks later, all of the negative points seemed to have dissipated and all I can remember is the huge amount of fun we had during the course of the week. We were lucky in our accommodation and the weather was not overly harsh. Our group remained the same, with only a few minor alterations, which meant that our bond of friendship still remained strong as we all shared a common purpose.
“Unfortunately we did suffer several set-backs during the walk. One of the walkers had to miss two days due to straining his Achilles tendon, another continued to walk despite having to have a large piece of skin removed from the base of his foot and I now have to have a course of physio as well as wearing orthopaedic insoles... Most worryingly, Bro Paul Dunne failed to meet us at the end of one of the walks and he hasn’t been seen again since J
“Despite this we have already decided on our 2012 fund-raiser and we have raised a good amount of money. As of 26 May 2010 the total stands at £3250, including gift aid, and we hope to raise £4250 once the last two walkers add their sponsorship. This amount is superb and the brethren of West Lancashire have risen to the occasion admirably – despite the conflicting requirements for the 2010 Festival.
“We will be £750 short of our original £5000 target which can still be achieved as people can still donate online at www.justgiving.com/spotton or can contact me via the Onward Lodge Secretary. People can also read a much more informal and tongue-in-cheek daily blog of the walk on www.justgiving.com/spotton.”
Below are Andy’s photographic record of the fund-raising effort.
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Fun Day for North Fylde Group
North Fylde Group celebrated its annual Fun Day blessed by the same sort of glorious sunshine which saw neighbouring Blackpool FC gain entry into the Premier League the previous day.
Masons and their families and friends flocked to Cleveleys Masonic Hall to take part in all manner of events ranging from tug-o’-war, bowls, boule, snooker, dominoes and darts to the more sedate pursuits of guessing the weight of a cake, naming a toy tiger, the number of sweets in a jar and taking part in the ubiquitous raffle and enjoying the BBQ - all in the name of charity.
Group charity steward Trevor Hunt and his team laid on, supervised and refereed the events (there was even one steward’s enquiry in the tug-o’-war) which took place during the afternoon and a great day out was enjoyed by all.
Although the tug-o’-war teams suffered somewhat in the sweltering sunshine, by contrast the bowlers were cool and collected at their more genteel sport. The snooker players and darters ignored accusations of misspent younger days as they went about their earnest business in the shade adjacent to the busy bar.
One of the highlights of the day came midway when it was announced that North Fylders were to be given the opportunity to get their own back on Trevor Hunt for plaguing them for the past five years of the 2010 Festival. There was a queue round the block to pay 50p a go to pelt the charity steward with wet sponges when he was pilloried helplessly in a set of stocks.
Trevor took it all in his stride and at the finale announced that Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 1 team had narrowly emerged champions of the day pipping last year’s winners Wyre Lodge by one point and coming only two points in front of T and C No 2 team. Anchorsholme Lodge’s team triumphed in the tug-o’-war.
North Fylde Group Chairman Harry Cox presented the winners with their trophies and congratulated them, then went on to draw the winning tickets in the raffle. Trevor paid tribute to his team of helpers who had made the day a huge success thanking also all the lodge teams who had taken part and the brethren and their families and friends who had supported the day.
Harry Cox presents overall winners Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 1 team with the trophy.
Anchorsholme Lodge tug-o’-war team winners with Harry Cox.
Vice chairman Duncan Smith leads the ‘Misfits’ team
Pilloried - Trevor Hunt gets a soaking.
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Special edition for museum
Group Publicity Officer for the North Fylde Group, Bob Boal found himself in the news when a rare first edition of local newspaper, Fleetwood Weekly News, was unearthed by a reader who passed it on to him.
Bob, who is a former general manager of the newspaper decided to present the No 1 issue to Fleetwood Museum and together with granddaughter Brooke handed the precious copy over to assistant keeper of the museum Lynn Asghar and museum chairman Keith Porter.
On hand to witness the presentation made by Bob’s granddaughter, who is a pupil at Flakefleet Primary School in Fleetwood and whose grandmother discovered the 26 year old edition, was Weekly News journalist Richard Hunt who covered the story. Judith Brooks who is secretary of the museum trust and who co-incidentally is as well a former manager of the newspaper also saw the paper handed over.
Bob who is a member of Anchorsholme Lodge No 5854 and Scribe E for Fleetwood Chapter said he was delighted to hand the copy of the tabloid dated September 8 1984 for future generations to see its origins and the events happening in the town at that time. The paper had its beginnings when a longstanding rival local newspaper, Fleetwood Chronicle, was closed after serving Fleetwood for 125 years.
Fleetwood Museum has been making the news itself with the unveiling of a magnificent stained glass window which was previously installed in the sixth form study of the old Fleetwood Grammar School in 1964. The window is a memorial to former pupils who lost their lives in World War Two. The window was rescued to be stored in the County Museum HQ in Preston and is a now a focal point of Fleetwood Museum’s new coffee house which was opened in April 2010.
Pictured, left to right, are: Keith Porter, Lynn Asghar, Bob Boal, Richard Hunt, Judith Brooks and Brooke Boal with rare edition of Fleetwood Weekly News.
Brooke Boal presents Lynn Asghar with the first edition in front of the museum's magnificent new stained glass window.
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Shaun runs in Great Manchester 10km
Shaun Haynes of West Lancashire Century Lodge 2349 in the North Fylde Group completed the Bupa Great Manchester Run bang on target to raise cash for charity. Shaun had set himself a target of under 55 minutes to do the 10 km and achieved this with a final time of 54 minutes and 34 seconds!
Shaun is delighted that he has already received £285 in sponsorship and says that when gift aid is included it will take the sum to more than £350 which he is donating to the Stroke Association.
Shaun decided to raise funds for the association in memory of his mother, Joyce, who sadly succumbed to cancer in 2008. Joyce suffered a stroke when 59 and after her recovery gained a great deal of support from the local Stroke Association in her home town of Rochdale. Shaun’s aunt who has also suffered a stroke is still actively involved as a member of the association.
His fund-raising efforts will help the organisers to give support to other stroke victims and fund research into the illness.
The next leg of Shaun’s running takes place in September when he competes in the Great North Run half marathon where he intends to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/Shaun-Haynes-WLC2349
Shaun in his Stroke Association kit after the Great Manchester Run.
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Shaun’s trek helps guide dogs
North Fylde Group’s very own action man Shaun Haynes of West Lancashire Century Lodge No 2349 has handed over a cheque to the Guide Dogs for the Blind as the result of a gruelling hike along the Pennine Way.
Shaun and his cousin John Lowe completed the 268-mile long trek from Edale to Kirk Yetholm as a sponsored event to raise cash for the charity - a tale which has previously graced the news pages of the Masonic websites.
Shaun resolved to take on the trek as his cousin is partially blind, having lost an eye as a result of a game of ‘cowboys and indians’ that went wrong, and sadly ending with John’s right eye being damaged irreparably just at the time when he was starting school.
Though planned visits to Spalding where John lives have had to be postponed several times due to snow earlier in the year the pair finally got together with Mary Clarke, representative of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, to present her with a cheque for £1,286.
Much of the cash was raised at Biscopham Lodge’s 50th birthday celebrations as well as other sponsorship from North Fylde Masons.
Shaun who was last year’s winner of the West Lancashire Masonic Bowling tournament is also taking part in the Great Manchester 10km race on behalf of the Stroke Association, the Great North Run half marathon later this year in aid of Macmillan Nurses and has applied to take part in the London Marathon in 2011 which will again be on behalf of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Donations can be made on www.justgiving.com/Shaun-Haynes2349 to support the Stroke Association or on www.justgving.com/Shaun-HaynesWLC2349 to support MacMillan Nurses.
John Lowe, Mary Clarke and Shaun Haynes with some very well behaved furry friends
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Lyndsay runs in Malta Marathon for Help for Heroes
Anchorsholme Lodge No 5854 was delighted to get involved in the Help for Heroes campaign when they heard that lodge member John Powell’s granddaughter, Lyndsay, was taking part in the 2010 Landrover Malta Marathon to raise funds for servicemen and women wounded in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Anchorsholme Lodge which meets at Cleveleys Masonic Hall donated £500 to the Help for Heroes fund and thanks to donations from lodges in the Fylde this total has risen to over £800 and counting.
John’s granddaughter, Lyndsay Delaney, is a serving soldier with the military police and has recently returned from Afghanistan to her base in Ulster. She has already raised a total of £1077, with more sponsorship still to come, from the gruelling 26.2 mile marathon. Lyndsay did the marathon, the 25th annual event of its kind, in a very creditable 3 hours and 38 minutes and was one of 300 runners who took part representing a whole spectrum of charitable organisations.
Lyndsay had originally intended to take part in the London Marathon but her duties unexpectedly took her to Afghanistan as part of a multi-national force to replace fellow soldiers who had fallen victim to sniper fire and suicide bombers. She took the opportunity to join a team of other female soldiers to take part in the Malta Marathon in her own off-duty time on her return from Afghanistan running Help for Heroes.
North Fylde Group Chairman, Harry Cox, IPM of Anchorsholme Lodge, Alan Mullaney and proud granddad John Powell were all on hand to see Lyndsay receive her cheque from the lodge.
Lyndsay Delaney with her medal from the Malta Marathon
left to right: John Powell, Lyndsay Delaney, Alan Mullaney and Harry Cox with Anchorsholme Lodge’s cheque for Help for Heroes
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Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 venture over the Border
Six members of Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 ventured over the border to visit Robert Burns Lodge 440 to celebrate Burns Night in Glasgow.
Lodge secretary Bob Major together with colleagues Simon Tattersall, Mark Evans, Sandy Walls, Mel Sapey and Daren Gardner after booking into their hotel, took a taxi to the Masonic Hall in Church Street, Bailleston, Glasgow, where they were met and made most welcome by their Scots hosts.
Following the lodge business the haggis was piped in with due ceremony and the address to the ‘great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race’ was given by past Master Robert Kennedy. After what proved to be a splendid meal the bar was opened and the ‘Sassenach’ visitors were pressed to sample all manner of alcoholic beverages. The lodge members put on a great evening of entertainment with past Master Peter Mitchell rendering all 356 lines of Tam O’ Shanter to the delight and entertainment of their guests.
Bro Edward Boult, past Masters Willie Wastle and Bro George Martin recited Holy Willie’s Prayer and although the brethren from Thornton and Cleveleys found it just a tad difficult to follow, as it was done in broad Scots, it was still very entertaining. The brethren of Thornton and Cleveleys were presented with ties of the Robert Burns Lodge and were instructed by the WM Iain Edgar they were to be worn on future visits. At 3 am it was decided that hotel beds were beckoning and appropriate excuses were made, as well as declarations that a great night had been had by all.
After a few hours sleep a visit to Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh (as featured in Dan Brown’s the Da Vinci Code) was next on the agenda. The visitors enjoyed exploring the chapel and took the Masonic tour. They found that Rosslyn was surrounded by scaffolding and a false roof as a new lead roof is being installed as well as other works for the chapel is undergoing a huge re-furbishment. Internally the visit certainly proved an eye opener and a credit to the work of the masons in the 15th and 16th centuries. The scaffolding is due to be removed during the summer of 2010 and the Thornton and Cleveleys members would certainly recommend the Masonic tour of Rosslyn to anyone visiting Edinburgh.
Following the tour which lasts around one and half hours it was time for the ‘T and C’ brethren to head back over the Border again and reflect on what had been an enjoyable two days.
Pictured left to right: Thornton and Cleveleys’ Mark Evans, Sandy Walls, Bob Major, Simon Tattersall, Daren Gardner and Mel Sapey on their visit to Robert Burns Lodge, Glasgow.
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Fleetwood Masonic Hall joins in Heritage Week
Fleetwood Masonic Hall which is situated on the town’s Esplanade with panoramic views of Morecambe Bay is to open its doors to the public as part of National Heritage Week which takes place from September 9 to 12, 2010.
Following an approach by Fleetwood Civic Society which has been successfully organising Heritage Week locally for several years, Fleetwood Masonic Hall committee gave their blessing to join in the occasion which will showcase many places of interest in Fleetwood.
Plans have been laid to welcome Fleetwood folk to the ‘open doors’ event at No 32 the Esplanade. Visitors will be treated to a guided tour of the building and museum by Masonic Hall president Jack I’Anson, hall chairman Paul Dunne and team who will give an insight into Masonry in Fleetwood as well as the building’s history - which started off life as an orphanage.
The volunteers from the Hall committee and from the lodges and chapters which meet at Fleetwood Masonic Hall will also be pitching in over the heritage weekend to answer questions and conduct the many expected visitors round the hall’s facilities and supply refreshments. Group Membership Officer Jim Barnes will also be on hand to field enquiries about joining Masonry.
Fleetwood Masonic Hall will feature in a brochure planned by the Civic Society which will give details of all the participating organisations and places of interest. The tour of places to visit will be opened by the mayor of Wyre Borough and will include Fleetwood Lifeboat station, Coastwatch station, Rossall School (which is laying on a ghost tour) and other schools, the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood Football Club, Fleetwood churches, Fleetwood’s lighthouses, as well as host of other places of interest. Other organisations are expected to sign up to the event following publicity in local press and radio.
Heritage Week steering group, which also includes Fleetwood Masons Peter Tebbs and Bob Boal, hard at work planning the event.
When the boat comes in. View of Morecambe Bay from the Masonic Hall.
House on the hill. Dreamy spire of Fleetwood Masonic Hall.
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Grand time at Anchorsholme Chapter
Anchorsholme Chapter which meets at Cleveleys Masonic hall in the North Fylde Group had a ‘grand’ time at the chapter’s Installation
Group charity steward Trevor Hunt sang the praises of Anchorsholme Chapter No 5854, which is already a Grand Patron of the 2010 Festival, at its installation and was joined in the chorus by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Chris Hamilton there to represent the Grand Superintendent at the installation of new First Principal, Peter Stewart Smith.
Companions from all over the Fylde joined Anchorsholme members to witness a faultless installation ceremony which proved an entertaining event for all who attended. Glowing plaudits were liberally sprinkled in the responses afterwards which went the way of Installing IPZ Brian Vaughan, outgoing DC John Chesters and all who took part.
Chris Hamilton received a further cheque for £400 to pass on to group charity steward Trevor Hunt to swell the total already raised by the chapter for the 2010 festival appeal.
Afterwards as members and guests enjoyed a celebratory banquet Chris said in his address that in view of their generous support of the 2010 Festival Anchorsholme required little persuading to continue supporting the festival. After the 2010 appeal has concluded however he urged companions to switch their fund-raising skills to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
As a trustee of the WLFMC he gave his audience an overview of the aims of the charity which has already given grants of over £600,000 to Masons and their dependents as well as to non Masonic organisations. WLFMC will support needy causes and match-fund grants for cash raised by lodges for justifiable projects up to a figure of £5,000. Chris recommended ‘Giving Days’ where all the charities which were to receive cheques would be invited together to a presentation event.
The charity was also supporting the Southport Flower Show over the next five years by sponsoring the David Bellamy Schools’ Garden project and that there was also another Masonic presence in the shape of an exhibition stand at the show. As charity by tradition begins at home Chris said that in 2011 there was to be Provincial campaign to support Masonic halls.
Chris congratulated Anchorsholme members who had received promotions in the latest list and Second Principal Ken Haworth who later this year will celebrate 50 years in Masonry.
Group chairman Harry Cox and Anchorsholme Chapter’s Principals with Chris Hamilton at the installation meeting.
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Shaun’s in Great Manchester Run
North Fylde Group’s very own action man, Shaun Haynes of West Lancs Century Lodge No 2349 is taking part in the 2010 Bupa Great Manchester Run on 16 May. He is doing the 10 kilometre run to raise funds for the Stroke Association in memory of his mother, Joyce, who sadly succumbed to cancer in 2008.
Shaun remembers his mother giving of her time freely and selflessly; always being concerned about the welfare of others and doing good in the community of her home town Rochdale. For her civic minded contribution to the town she was nominated for the Woman of the Year Award in 2006 and her achievements were highlighted in an article in the Observer
She suffered a stroke at age 59 and after her recovery gained a great deal of support from the local stroke club in Rochdale. Shaun’s aunt who also suffered a stroke is still an active member of the stroke club. His fund-raising efforts will help the organisation to support other stroke victims and fund research into the illness.
Shaun is no stranger to making all out efforts to raise cash for charity and last year he and his cousin John Lowe did a sponsored 268 mile trek along the Pennine Way from Edale to Kirk Yetholm to help Trinity Hospice, Brian House and the hospice’s Palliative Care Services.
Shaun is also a very fine bowler and beat off strong competition to lift the winner’s trophy in the 2009 West Lancashire Masonic Bowling Tournament. He also has plans to do a further run for charity in the London Marathon in April 2011 if he can secure a place.
Between events he thoroughly enjoys his Masonry and is an accomplished organist. He is busy swotting up the traditional history which he will be delivering at his lodge on the evening they celebrate their Old English Night.
The Great Manchester Run will be broadcast live on television and Shaun’s progress can be followed live on the internet through his shaunhaynesgb@btinternet.com link by use of up to the minute technology.
Further details on helping the Stroke Association and how donations can be made to support this charity can be found at www.justgiving.com/Shaun-Haynes2349.
Shaun Haynes
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Time for another trek
Andrew Potton of Onward Lodge No 5540, Ken Hart and six other ‘idiots’ decided to hike the Wainwright Coast to Coast trail in order to raise money for the RNLI in 2008. Thankfully and with only a few mishaps along the way, they managed to complete the 192-mile trek and raise more than £10,000 for their chosen charity.
After completing the arduous walk (one day early) they went to the pub, congratulated each other and solemnly vowed never to do anything quite so stupid again. Therefore, it is something of a mystery as to why they have all agreed to walk the West Highland Way during the last week of April this year.
Once again they will be walking to raise money for the RNLI and as their mileage has been halved to 95 miles they have decided to reduce their sponsorship target accordingly to £5,000. They aim to complete the West Highland Way in five days and raise money specifically for Fleetwood RNLI and the RNLI as a whole (there will be a 50/50 split).
The team this year will be without one of the walkers in 2008 (he’s too old to carry on) and without one of the cooks. However, they have gained a new chef (Sandra Potton), an additional driver (Paul Dunne) and a replacement hiker.
Brethren, know why Andrew is so keen to raise money for the RNLI. His father was one of the men killed in the Morecambe Bay Helicopter Tragedy on 27 December 2006. Without the valiant efforts of Fleetwood RNLI Sandra, Andrew and his Dad’s family would not have had an appropriate opportunity to bid him farewell on his next journey.
Anyone wanting to support the walk should go to: www.justgiving.com/spotton
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Deputy PGM visits North Fylde Group
A very special ‘Brethren to Dine’ evening took place when Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brian Gillbanks, other Grand Officers and members of the Provincial team attended North Fylde Group’s annual dinner at Fleetwood’s Masonic Hall.
Though an Open Forum part of the proceedings had to commence, for a short while anyway without the guest of honour, who was delayed by various road and tram works currently plaguing Fleetwood, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson abetted by Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Peter Elmore and Group Chairman Harry Cox ably fielded questions posed by an audience of almost 100 North Fylde Masons.
Brian arrived to give his apologies, views and forthright answers in the Q and A forum which ranged widely over many topics. These included Saturday installations, mentoring, membership, Masons parading at the 2012 Preston Guild, Lewis Masons, the new venue for Provincial Grand Lodge, charity - and inevitably Trinity Hospice and those paintings; to what Brian considered to be the biggest change in Freemasonry during his soon-to-be-celebrated half century in the Craft. The answer to that one was “openness”.
At a packed festive board Tony Walters of Norcliffe Lodge gave what he termed a “fleeting glimpse” into the 50 years since Brian was initiated into Compass Lodge to the present day. In his reply Brian said that he had enjoyed serving the Province over the many years and that it was “a privilege and a pleasure.” He thanked the members of North Fylde Group for the interesting topics they had brought up during the forum.
He considered the approach to mentoring now being taken was essential in the task of looking after and retaining new members and that it was as vital, as in the case of lodge Almoners, that lodges appointed the right man for the job.
As to membership he acknowledged how Masonry was looking to the future by attracting, in particular younger men, to join through the medium of the internet which was he said, “how the modern generation lives and breathes.” Some 20 applications a week came via Liverpool Provincial Office.
He said that the days of the secret society which we were once perceived to be was changing and though we were now looked on as a charitable organisation and more open – which was part of the way of where we wanted to be - significant changes had been made in how we were judged in the 50 years he had been a Mason.
Brian went on to congratulate group charity steward Trevor Hunt and the group for supporting the 2010 Festival by raising £302,000 up to press.
Provincial Grand Junior Warden David Durling in his toast to the North Fylde Group spoke of the numbers of promotions which the group had enjoyed in the latest list. He remarked on the excellent condition of the group’s Masonic halls the magnificent 2010 Festival total and that, all in all, he concluded that the group was in excellent shape which was music to the ears of group chairman Harry Cox who welcomed the DPGM and the Provincial team to Fleetwood and the group’s 5th annual dinner. He thanked Brian for the part he had played in the Q and A forum. Harry paid tribute to the officers of his group team which he said were dependable and approachable in every department.
Most lodges and chapters he said reported increases in membership with some lodges sharing, where there was a wealth of candidates, with other lodges to do Second Degree ceremonies so inter-lodge visiting was also on the rise. He asked for a last final effort towards the 2010 Festival and praised the efforts of Trevor Hunt and his friend Edwin Fisher the local care officer who worked closely together. He also said how grateful he was for the help given by Terry Hudson and to his predecessor Jack Coates who had handed over a group in such good order.
North Fylders and guests tuck in at North Fylde Group’s fifth annual dinner.
Top table guests including Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brian Gillbanks.
North Fylde Group Chairman Harry Cox toasts the health of visitors to Fleetwood.
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Santa receives summons for West Drive
Father Christmas replied to the summons he received and made a visit to Cleveleys Masonic Hall - to the delight of almost 100 children who were there for the annual Christmas party held by the lodges, host lodge Thornton Cleveleys No 3854 in particular, which meets at West Drive, Cleveleys.
The children aged from babes in arms to nine years old arrived in plenty of time for the noon start (as the very best summons always state) and were soon tucking into the sandwiches, cakes and pop on offer and so mouth-wateringly displayed for them on groaning tables arrayed round the hall.
All Star Mobile Disco supplied the entertainment and soon had delighted kids and their mums and dads (and their mums and dads) on the dance floor strutting their stuff and joining in the fun to fill the long wait (till 1.30 pm) when Santa was due to arrive.
Group Chairman Harry Cox and his wife Carol popped in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas as the party got underway. They were not the only welcome guests to arrive as Father Christmas aka WBro Royston Hartley and his helpers Tigger aka WBro Eric Peat and the Lion (with a very big heart) alias WBro Bob Major next put in an appearance - and they were loaded with presents for well behaved children.
Every single child received a super gift from Santa and his aides courtesy of donations from Cleveleys lodges and lots of fund-raising activities coming from their hosts Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge.
Santa posed for pictures as the games and entertainment continued and the mums and dads got their chance to join in the fun as a marathon raffle got underway.
Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge secretary Bob Major said that the children’s party has grown in numbers every year since it was revived in 1995 after it had sadly fallen into decline and as it is financed purely from the raffle and Santa’s trail on the day as well as donations from lodges all donations were very gratefully received.
Bob paid tribute to all the lodge members and their wives who had helped with preparing the food, choosing the presents and running the raffle etc. Eric Peat and his wife Barbara and Bob and wife Edith have been the organizers for more years than they care to remember but despite worries that there will be enough money in the kitty at the end of the day, when they see all those happy smiling faces on the day, Bob says, “It is well worth all the effort!”
Father Christmas Royston Hartley and children with the ‘real’ Bob Major over his right shoulder.
Halle and Brooke Boal tell Santa what they really, really, want for Xmas.
Lion (with a heart) Bob Major and Tigger, Eric Peat with some of the children at the Xmas party.
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Terry presents grant to Trinity Hospice
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson took on the role of Father Christmas on behalf the Freemasons’ Grand Charity with a pre-Christmas gift, a cheque for £4,943, for Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Centre in Bispham, Blackpool.
On hand to receive the donation was Jane Molyneux, newly appointed that day as Trinity’s Fund-raising Director and Lisa Martin Community Fund-raiser and to whom Terry explained that the cheque formed part of a £38,000 grant divided between the 14 hospices in the Province of West Lancashire. Jane and Lisa were delighted to hear that Trinity had received the top grant of £4,943 which had come from varying amounts ranging from £1,008 upwards.
Terry said that over the past 25 years more than £8million has been gifted to hospices by Masons across England and Wales through the Grand Charity in recognition of the vital services hospices provide in helping those affected by life threatening and terminal illnesses. He said that the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, was himself an avid supporter who was well aware that the grant was not the full story and that lodges in the Fylde regularly gave Trinity their support in addition.
Jane Molyneux replied that the Grand Charity grant was greatly welcomed at the end of a difficult financial year and that she was grateful for the continuing assistance that local lodges gave to Trinity and its junior wing Brian House.
Terry learned that 2010 was to be a special milestone year for Trinity as well as West Lancashire Freemasons as it reaches its 25th year of service to the Fylde. Plans are well underway for various special fund raising events to take place and following on from successes earned in hospices elsewhere in the country, in January Trinity is to launch its own Lottery. Terry said he was sure that Fylde Freemasons would be signing up to have a flutter in the lottery.
Terry Hudson hands over a cheque from the Grand Charity to Trinity Hospice’s fund-raisers Lisa Martin and Jane Molyneux
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Normoss Round Table boosts Rosemere’s total to £26,000
Sue Thompson, chief officer for Rosemere Cancer Foundation attended personally at a special dinner held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall by Normoss Round Table Lodge No 8741 to thank lodge members, their ladies and guests for their most recent donation to the foundation.
She told WM Steve Fradgeley and guests that the £2,000 cheque she was there to receive brought the total giving from lodges in the Fylde to a very creditable £26,000 over four years of support of Rosemere and was a welcome start to Christmas, the season of giving.
Normoss for the past four years has chosen Rosemere as its favourite charity due to the efforts of the keen supporter the late Norman Bradshaw a member of the lodge who ran in marathons to raise funds for the foundation, until he himself succumbed to cancer. As a tribute to him the lodge continues with the work he began. From various fund-raising events organised by social secretary Dave Reddy, the lion’s share coming from a summer BBQ at the home of DC Ray Hargreaves and his wife Liz, the lodge gifts tits donations to the foundation.
In her after dinner speech Sue put into perspective just how much care can be derived from £26,000 annually to the Preston based Rosemere Cancer Foundation which serves not only Preston but the rest of Lancashire and South Cumbria. £26,000 is exactly the amount that has been invested this year in the oncology department for major research into prostate cancer. Huge advances have been made in identifying the gene which causes it. The same sum saw ground breaking research in complementary therapy to help patients recover from the side effects of cancer treatments; or the ‘cool cap’ system which helps patients keep their hair during radiation treatment; or providing the services of a care worker for a year. The foundation was grateful and indebted she said for the continued support given by local Masons.
Sue also singled out Normoss Lodge’s Pat Deakin who confessed, when prompted, to taking a “wee walk” up Mount Everest and raising £4,000 in the process for Rosemere. Pat owned up too to his next venture where he will be taking up the Trek4Life challenge in Alaska in 2010, again to raise money for Rosemere.
Sue said that Norman Bradshaw would be very proud that the work he started off was now very firmly in the hands of the members of Normoss Round Table lodge.
A very enjoyable evening was rounded off with entertainment by Blackpool comedian Tony Jo.
Pictured, left to right, are: Ray Hargreaves, Steve Fradgeley, Sue Thompson of Rosemere Cancer Foundation, comedian Tony Jo and Liz Hargreaves at the presentation dinner.
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First 25 years of North Shore Chapter
First Principal Roland Alderton and Co-Principals John Herdman and Jason Dell of North Shore Chapter No 7916 welcomed a galaxy of Grand Officers and guests to an evening in celebration of the Chapter’s ‘first’ 25 years. This was the theme which founder EComp Brian Parkin PGStdB expanded on when he gave an anecdotal history of the Chapter during the Silver Jubilee celebrations as did EComp the Rev Graham Halsall, Provincial Grand Chaplain in his Oration.
Second Provincial Grand Principal Chris Band, there to represent the Grand Superintendent, accepted the Chapter’s Sceptre to address the 65 members and guests and catalogued some of the things which were happening elsewhere in 1984 when North Shore Chapter was consecrated. Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, the miners’ strike was in full swing, Band Aid was raising money for Africa with ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’, pound notes were withdrawn from circulation, three American Banks failed …and founder Brian Parkin was aged 51. Chris spoke too of his great pleasure at officiating at the silver anniversary celebrations.
Unfazed that a clue had been given as to his age, Brian Parkin delivered a history of the Chapter - hoping he had cut out “the boring bits” to make his story interesting - in which endeavour he succeeded admirably to the delight of his audience.
The germ of the idea for a new Chapter came in 1982 from EComp Ismail Gibrail who instructed Brian that the then Grand Superintendent, Alan Fletcher Ferris, had said that the Chapters in the Fylde required one Chapter for every three lodges. As the North Blackpool Group “was lacking in these proportions” approval had been given for a new Chapter to be formed and Brian was simply told, “See to it please” and so the long road to the consecration of North Shore Chapter had its first tenuous beginnings.
Happily all the main constituents fell into place and taking the name and number of sponsoring North Shore Lodge on November 23, 1984, 250 Companions booked in for the meal at the Washington Suite at the Imperial Hotel Blackpool - with many more attending just to see the ceremony! The consecration was conducted by Alan Fletcher Ferris and a splendid Oration was given by the celebrated EComp Brian Oddy the Third Provincial Grand Principal.
Brian outlined many of the happenings over the years since the consecration including the move from the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, to West Drive, Cleveleys, adding that the Chapter was in the habit of recording as an add-on to the minutes little humorous anecdotes of incidents which had occurred and were fondly remembered by him in his research into the Chapter’s history.
Brian was followed by EComp Rev Graham Halsall who gave a stirring Oration to the Chapter reflecting on the satisfaction which belonging to the Royal Arch gave Masons by completing what had begun in the Master Masons’ degree by taking the fourth Masonic degree or step. He congratulated the Chapter on its well deserved celebrations. He added that after 25 years of existence North Shore, to quote Churchill, had reached “perhaps, the end of the beginning” and could look forward to the prospect of the years ahead having established such firm foundations.
Roland Alderton presented Chris Band with a £1,200 donation for the 2010 Festival making the Chapter a Grand Patron following which Companions and guests retired to continue the Silver Jubilee celebrations at a sumptuous festive board.
Group Chairman Harry Cox, First Principal Roland Alderton, Second Provincial Grand Principal Chris Band, H John Herdman and J Jason Dell enjoy North Shore‘s 25 years celebrations.
Founders Tony Ansell, Brian Parkin, John Shrewsbury, Leon Tax and Edmund Lawrence celebrate 25 years with pride.
Pleasant duty done speakers Brian Parkin and the Rev Graham Halsall.
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Norcliffe boosts Festival total by another £6,000
Norcliffe Lodge’s newest contribution to the 2010 Festival at their Installation meeting held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, “will bring an ear to ear grin to Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber,” was what representing Officer David Randerson had to say when he accepted a cheque for the stupendous sum of £6,000 from IPM Richard Walker Taylor on behalf of the lodge.
So keen was the lodge to hand the cheque over to WBro Randerson Group Chairman of the South Fylde Group, there to represent the Provincial Grand Master, that the presentation was made to him as soon as he sat down following his official welcome to Lodge 7371.
David told the many visitors to Norcliffe that this latest donation to the festival brought the total gifted by the lodge for the 2010 Festival, over the four and a half years since it started, to a magnificent £20,000. Another £250 cheque was also given to David which was destined for Trinity Hospice and he thanked the lodge on behalf of the eventual recipients for their generosity.
The Installation of Bro John Farrell as Worshipful Master proceeded without a hitch as WBro Richard Walker Taylor as Installing Master, supported in fine form by the officers and brethren of Norcliffe Lodge, went about their appointed duties. Especially singled out for praise were Bros Hardy, Winterbottom and Maycock who presented the Working Tools to the new WM. The Director of Ceremonies, Neville Smith had very obviously, rigorously, put his charges through their paces at rehearsal.
Afterwards at a sumptuous installation banquet David Randerson spoke of the many close links which existed between his own South Fylde Group and North Fylde and how he looked forward to making trips north over the Blackpool ‘border.’ He spoke about the many initiatives currently underway concerning such things as membership, publicity, mentoring and the new venue for the Group Ball at Bolton. He highlighted the information about the Province’s five year rolling plan which was available on the West Lancashire website and that the website itself was being updated as had United Grand Lodge’s.
Turning to the new WM John Farrell and the lodge’s tremendous contribution to the festival David acknowledged the part that the super-fit former rugby playing WM played in raising funds for charity. Having recently completed a north-bound epic expedition which raised £8,500 for charity 61 year old John had again taken up the challenge and was going to do the return trip and walk, swim and wade travelling south from Blackpool North pier to Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey by the most direct route possible. This means swimming across the Rivers Mersey, Dee, Conway and other smaller rivers to perform his mammoth task to support the 2010 Festival, Masonic and other charities. David wished him every success and hoped that Masons would give him the support he deserved.
As a further clue to the fund raising abilities of Norcliffe Lodge a bottle of malt whisky donated by the WM raised £333 from a Westhoughton raffle due to the persuasive talents of social secretary Ralph Miller.
left to Right Trevor Hunt (Group Charity Steward), David Randerson (South Fylde Group Chairman) John Farrell (WM) Richard Taylor (IPM) and Ralph Miller (Social Secretary).
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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.
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.
Left to Right 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.
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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.
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 several ‘Ladies’ Evenings’ - one of 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 Director of Ceremonies, 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.
Picture: left to right Alan Dean, Barbara Dunn (British Heart Foundation), Sandra Gibbons and Dave Hodkinson at the presentation of a cheque from New Sanctuary Lodge
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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.
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 their 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.”
left to right Eric and Steve and head teacher Catherine Dellow with a pupil who would rather be getting on with the singing
Eric Bridge and Steve Marshall and Red Marsh School head teacher Catherine Dellow join in the concert
Ian Squire leads the singing at the Red Marsh School concert
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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.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, 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 | 
