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Preston
Group News
Group’s tribute to Ian
In May Ian Greenwood retired from his position as Chairman of the Preston Group. During his time as a group officer, Ian served as.......<more>
‘Levellers’ have raised £13,000
Every season, the masters of the lodges in the Preston Group form themselves into a team to raise money for charity........<more>
Help for the Samaritans
Festival Lodge No 8123 Charity Steward George Thornhill has presented a cheque from the lodge’s general charity fund for £750 to the Samaritans in Preston......<more>
HEROES REMEMBERED
Preston’s Lodge of Endeavour No 7036 held its annual Festival of Remembrance Meeting in which Freemasons of all sections of the armed services paraded.....<more>
CHAIRMAN’S WALK
Preston Group Chairman Ian Greenwood, accompanied by 18 brethren and ladies and one dog set off from Haslam Park car park on the annual Chairman’s Walk....<more>
Another great night
The 2009 Spring Ball at Preston Masonic Hall was enjoyed by 128 revellers and proved to be yet another success.....................<more>
The 18th century comes to Preston
Lodge of Unanimity No 113 hosted the demonstration of an 18th century lodge meeting by members of Brigantes Lodge No 9734..........<more>
Ball was a great success!
Tickets sold like hot cakes for the Valentine’s Ball at Preston Masonic Hall and additional tables had to be provided...........<more>
Past Provincial Grand Master visits Preston Guild Lodge
Preston Guild Lodge welcomed a distinguished visitor to its dining-in night. Colin Penty Wright, Past Provincial Grand Master.........<more>
PGM at Preston service
The 2008 Preston Group Annual Family Carol Service was held at Broughton Parish Church. This year the group was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master.....<more>
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Group’s tribute to Ian
In May Ian Greenwood retired from his position as Chairman of the Preston Group. During his time as a group officer, Ian served as group secretary and vice-chairman prior to becoming chairman.
To mark Ian's retirement, the membership of the Preston Group of Lodges,and Chapters and some individuals, organised a collection to purchase a suitable gift for him. The generous amount collected clearly demonstrates the affection the members have for Ian and their recognition of the sterling service Ian has given to the Preston Group. The members purchased a lap-top computer and printer; to replace Ian's existing computer which has been heavily used.
Throughout his terms of offices Ian received magnificent support from his wife, Gwynneth. In recognition of her role the group presented her with a state of the art watch. The presentations were made at the annual group officer's dinner.
Ian Greenwood is pictured with his wife with Gwynneth, being presented with the lap top computer by Preston Group Chairman Stan Rigby.
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‘Levellers’ have raised £13,000
Every season, the masters of the lodges in the Preston Group form themselves into a team to raise money for charity.
Some of these groups continue to meet after their respective years in office have finished, and some even go on holidays together, but few actually continue to raise money for charity. However the group formed in the 1995 to 1997 seasons, who call themselves “The Levellers” have continued to raise funds every year since.
This year they have just presented cheques as follows: St. Catherine’s Hospice, £350; North West Air Ambulance, £350; Tender Nursing Care, £350.
This money has been raised over the last 12 months from regular social events, bonus lottery ball draws etc. - and even fines for not wearing the group’s “forget-me-not” badges!
In all this makes a grand total in excess of £13,000 donated to local charities, since the group, which currently comprises of some 14 masons and 14 wives and widows was formed.
Some of group on a recent weekend away.
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Help for the Samaritans
Festival Lodge No 8123 Charity Steward George Thornhill has presented a cheque from the lodge’s general charity fund for £750 to the Samaritans in Preston.
Samaritans is a confidential, emotional support service offered by 17,000 trained volunteers for anyone in the UK and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Volunteers offer support by responding to telephone calls, emails and letters. Alternatively people can drop in to a branch to have a face-to-face meeting. The 201 branches of the service are entirely dependent on voluntary support.
George Thornhill present the cheque to Samaritans’ representative Stephen Hall watched by WM Bill Struthers.
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HEROES REMEMBERED
Preston’s Lodge of Endeavour No 7036 held its annual Festival of Remembrance Meeting in which Freemasons of all sections of the armed services paraded their various colours in the lodge room.
A short “Service of Remembrance” followed, which was conducted by Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev Graham Halsall.
The lodge was then closed, and the brethren retired to the Ashlar House Ballroom for a festive board where they where entertained by a piper during the meal.
It was great to see the ballroom full for dining, and such a wonderful result from the raffles with the Lodge being able to send a donation of £769 to “Help for Heroes”.
The Worshipful Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the Group Chairman were among other Masons who had laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
The piper entertaining at the Festive Board.
A toast with the Worshipful Master.
The wreath laying at the Cenotaph.
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CHAIRMAN’S WALK
Preston Group Chairman Ian Greenwood, accompanied by 18 brethren and ladies and one dog set off from Haslam Park car park on the annual Chairman’s Walk.
The weather was kind being not too hot, but not wet, as the walkers made their way led ably by Lucy the Lakeland Terrier via the Millennium Link of the Lancaster Canal to Salwick where everyone was refreshed at the Smith’s Arms. After a sumptuous lunch they staggered back along the original canal from Lea Lane passing the Cottam Sports centre on the way, before re-entering the park and returning to the start point.
Ian then distributed certificates to the walkers just as the rain started and we departed home, tired but satisfied with our efforts - six miles walked, and over £1,000 for the 2010 Festival.
Among the walkers was Richard Johnson who had recently completed the Salt Lake City marathon for Lifelites, which is the children’s charity supported by the Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, so the shorter effort was a good way of testing that his sore knees had recovered. His efforts to enlist Ian for next year’s event fell on very deaf ears!
Richard, who is currently the Worshipful Master of Unanimity Lodge 113, asked the organisers for that race number, and they granted his request. Richard raised more than £400 plus Gift Aid for 2010, and more than £500 for Lifelites again plus Gift Aid.
Lucy the Lakeland Terrier and the other walks gather at the Park Gates ready for the start of the walk.
Walkers take a short break on the footbridge.
Richard Johnson at the end of the marathon.
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Another great night
The 2009 Spring Ball at Preston Masonic Hall was enjoyed by 128 revellers and proved to be yet another success for the Refurbishment Fund and the Preston Masters.
After an excellent meal from chef Alistair Godfrey everyone danced the night away to the sounds of the ‘50s and ‘60s courtesy of live band The Fabulous All Stars.
The only interruption to the music was the drawing of the raffle by Preston Masters representative Peter Sorsby. The raffle raised over £250 for charity.
At the end of the evening Preston Group chairman Ian Greenwood expressed his thanks to everyone for their support of the event, and to the organisers for a splendid night.
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The 18th century comes to Preston
Lodge of Unanimity No 113 hosted the demonstration of an 18th century lodge meeting by members of Brigantes Lodge No 9734. In attendance were Assistance Provincial Grand Master Leon Tax, and Group Chairman Ian Greenwood, as well more than 60 members and guests, including some Fellowcrafts and Entered Apprentices. The lodge has a warrant dating from 1767, and the demonstration was set in 1777, so only a short time after the warrant was being first used.
The Kendal-based Brigantes team first demonstrated their lodge meeting and First Degree ceremony in 2006, and this was their 14th performance – having been to lodges in Cumberland and Westmorland, East and West Lancashire, and Scotland. All of the cast were in costume, and the meeting and ceremony were based on lodge minutes from that era, the Books of Constitutions of the time, and the contents of various exposures printed during the 18th Century. The lodge in the demonstration was based on a Whitehaven lodge that started in 1761, but which died before the union of the Grand Lodges in 1813.
All of the cast are members of Brigantes Lodge, and include the WM of 113, Richard Johnson, and the WM of Union Lodge 129, Dennis Whicker – 129 being the mother lodge of Brigantes Lodge. The cast had visited Vale Lodge No 5256 in Lancaster on the previous Saturday which was their Old English day, making a busy extended weekend. Both lodges and audiences enjoyed the demonstrations, and the visits usefully raised more than £700 for charity, which has always been one of the main reasons for bringing the demonstration team together in the first place.
If any other lodge would like to invite the team to visit them, contact Richard Johnson at dr.richardjohnson@btinternet .com to arrange a date – it could be a pleasant way of raising some more money for the 2010 Festival.
Members of the Brigantes team and guests at the special meeting.
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Ball was a great success!
Tickets sold like hot cakes for the Valentine’s Ball at Preston Masonic Hall and additional tables had to be provided.
On the night, Guests were given a Bucks Fizz on arrival and every lady was presented with a Red Rose. After a welcome, 88 brethren, partners and friends, drawn from 11 of the Preston Group Lodges enjoyed a superb evening.
Hearts were the theme on the tables and everyone enjoyed a superb themed meal prepared to the highest standard by our chef, Alistair. Following a Champagne Raffle, everyone revelled in the live musical entertainment provided by "Souled Out."
Thanks are due to David Parker for publicity and for driving ticket sales, and to Peter Sorsby for the organisation of the entertainment and raffle.
As well as providing a great night out for everyone attending, the Valentine’s Ball raised almost £700 for Preston Masters’ Charities.
Having a ball at Preston.
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Past Provincial Grand Master visits Preston Guild Lodge
Preston Guild Lodge welcomed a distinguished visitor to its dining-in night. Colin Penty Wright, Past Provincial Grand Master, visited the Lodge to express his special thanks to Bill Seddon, who had retired as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
During his time as Provincial Grand Master it was always his custom, on the retirement of any of his Assistants, to visit them in their own Lodge to personally express his thanks for their support and for their work on behalf of Freemasonry. He was generous in his praise of Bill Seddon, who is well-known and respected in the Preston Group as a tireless supporter of Preston Freemasonry. Everyone attending was very happy to see his work acknowledged on this way.
The Lodge meeting was followed by a dining-in with the traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding and mince pies. After the meal everyone enjoyed an excellent programme of entertainment led in his own inimitable way by John Baron.
Colin Penty Wright thanks Bill Seddon.
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PGM at Preston service
The 2008 Preston Group Annual Family Carol Service was held at Broughton Parish Church. This year the group was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, and his wife Julie.
After a short programme of entertainment by Old Hall Brass, the Vicar of Broughton Parish Church, the Rev Sidney Fox welcomed everyone to the church, and led the service, which was once again planned and organised by Ian Cuerden. There were excellent contributions from the choir, augmented this year by the Elizabethan Singers, and the Old Hall Brass Ensemble enhanced the congregation’s enjoyment of the programme,
At the end of a splendid afternoon the Preston Group Chairman, Ian Greenwood, thanked the vicar and church authorities for their welcome and co-operation, and the organisers for arranging and planning another memorable introduction to the festive season. He also mentioned what a pleasure it had been to have the Provincial Grand Master and Mrs. Hosker at the service, and also ‘Teddy’ Dickson who, in his 90th year, gave one of the readings. After the service refreshments were served in the new church hall, during which there was an excellent demonstration of bell ringing.
Next year the Service will return to a former venue, Christ Church, Fulwood.
Old Hall Brass entertain the congregation before the start of the service.
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