News from around the Province - Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire

Good News always travels fast. Here on these pages you will find a selection of news from around the Province. Many thanks to the individual Groups who have contributed news items to these pages. To see individual news stories from the Groups, see the Group News pages.

A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR JODIE
Living at home with her mum and sister in a pleasant suburb of Wigan is one thing, but having to live along with many homeless people, black and white, young and old, in a tough area of San Francisco is another matter.....<more>

Membership team at Great Eccleston Show
The Provincial membership team commenced its summer programme of attending major events throughout the area at the Great Eccleston Agricultural Show.....<more>

Hilda is 100
The widow of a Westhoughton Freemason received a special group of visitors to mark her 100th birthday......<more>

Queen honours John Lloyd
John Lloyd has been honoured by the Queen in her Birthday Honours List. A member of the Liverpool Cathedral choir since 1938, John was awarded the MBE for voluntary service to the cathedral......<more>

SPECIAL SUPPORT
Special needs pupils at Oakfield School in Hindley Green received support from the West Lancs Masonic Charities to enable its team, the ‘Hindley 6 Ers’ to take part in a table cricket match sponsored by the Lords Taverners......<more>

NEW VISION FOR HOSPICE
Thanks to the generosity of Leigh and Wigan Freemasons, the hospice in Hindley has been presented with a giant 42” HD TV and a sophisticated portable stand and DVD player......<more>

Masonic gathering on board Queen Victoria
Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes enjoys cruising almost as much as he enjoys his Freemasonry, so when he was asked to preside over a Masonic......<more>

Group’s £500 for Tithebarn
Mike Winterbottom, Chairman of the Trafalgar Group of Lodges has presented a donation of £500 to Laurie Scott, Chairman of the Friends of Tithebarn.....<more>

Cash help for community hospital
Freemasons have now donated more than £2,000 to Newton Community Hospital. The latest donation to be presented was for £550 which had been raised by.....<more>

£400,000 for girls and boys
Petitions presented by West Lancashire almoners to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys have resulted in grants being made of nearly £400,000.....<more>

New restaurant opens in Ormskirk
The restaurant formerly known as “Park Hall” has reopened to the public. The bistro is now called the “Old Printworks” as it is believed......<more>

Grand Charity’s £1,132,000 in grants
A total of 23 major grants have been approved at the annual meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The grants have been awarded to.......<more>

Ellie’s on her way to National Youth Theatre
Bispham High School student Ellie Drake is thrilled to have been given a £500 lift to her acting ambitions through support from West Lancashire Freemasons.....<more>

Woolton’s good buddies
The lodges and chapters of the Woolton Group are proud supporters of the ‘Buddy Box’ scheme, helping our Service personnel feel valued........<more>

Garden party raises £850
The 2010 North Shore Lodge Garden Party at the Wesham home of Gordon and June Thomson was attended by 70 members and friends......<more>

TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO RECORDS SURVEY
Secretaries and Scribes throughout the Province gulped audibly when they heard that, as part of the preparations for the 300th Anniversary of Grand Lodge, they were to be asked to catalogue and record...........<more>

A new home for the charity
Since the merger of the seven Provincial charities into the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity a little over two years ago, the charity has been operating from the Masonic Hall at Hope Street in Liverpool........<more>

Grand support for Air Ambulance
Prominent Masons from the Provinces of East and West Lancashire and Cheshire gathered at Manchester's 'other' airport, the atmospheric Barton Aerodrome, to present a cheque from The Freemasons' Grand Charity.......<more>

Phil and Jim at RNLI service
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Phil Gardner, together with Lancaster and District Group Chairman, Jim Wilson, attended the Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication for a new Morecambe Lifeboat.......<more>

Bob is a hero of the community
Bro Bob Roe a member of Warton Lodge and a Carnforth councillor has been commended by Gordon Brown for his long term contributions to the community......<more>

Founder is made honorary member
Warton Lodge No 8411 has made WBro Brian Oddy PJGD an honorary member of the lodge in recognition of his very long service.......<more>

Jim’s special role at presentation
Lancaster Group Jim Wilson had a very interesting day when Torrisholme Lodge No 5245 made a presentation to Morecambe Branch of RNLI and he had “volunteered” to assist in the presentation........<more>

ANNUAL DINNER FOR GRAND OFFICERS
The first Monday in June signals the last engagement of the season for most of the Fylde Coast Grand Officers with the gathering of brethren from the three Fylde groups for the Annual Grand Officers’ Dinner......<more>

SUMMER FAIR SUCCESS
The Friends of Ecclesholme received a welcome boost to their funds thanks to a successful summer fair........<more>

WLFC sponsors David Bellamy School Garden Competition
As part of its aim to provide assistance for educational purposes not covered by the state or local government, and also as part of its Supporting the Community Scheme, the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is sponsoring.......<more>

Callum regains his mobility
A few months ago, it was heard through the grapevine that a young Blackpool man named Callum, who was suffering from a debilitating symptom.......<more>

‘Canalathon’ to help MS Society
On Sunday 20 of June members of Travellers Lodge No 4679 aim to complete a 28-mile ‘Canalathon’ in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society........<more>

Shooting society is still on target
It’s almost 25 years since Tom Blackburn, Frank Cowburn and friends travelled up to Cumbria to compete for the first Watson Eden Trophy.......<more>

Two premier teams in Blackpool
The football world watched with great interest as Blackpool Football Club forged a path into the Premier League........<more>

FRESHFIELDS BEST KEPT SECRET
Virtually all who walk along Blundell Avenue in Freshfield are there for a purpose. It might be to run the dog on the fields to the left or to venture into the pine woods to catch a glimpse of the red squirrels on the right, but very few are aware of what lies beyond........<more>

Cruising down the Ship Canal
The Royal Daffodil will set sail from Liverpool for a special six-hour cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal.......<more>

Fast response after fire disaster
When fire devastated the equipment used by a pre-play group in a church hall West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity was quick to answer a plea for help......<more>

HISTORICAL RECORDS SUCCESS FOR WEST LANCASHIRE
The final results of the Historical Records Survey were announced in the presence of the Pro Grand Master at a meeting held in the Regent Room at Freemasons’ Hall......<more>

Quilts of Valour
Vivian Green has picked up her needle and thread with a new passion after reading an article in a quilting magazine earlier this year. Vivian was inspired by.....<more>

REGALIA SHOP TO OPEN AT HOPE STREET
By September 2010, the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund Committee will have its Masonic regalia shop up fully up and running........<more>

Freemasons are ‘brilliant’
Freemasons are a “splendid group of people – really brilliant” according to the Deputy Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Jim Marsh.........<more>

Photographer praised
The work of photographer George Thornton whose images have appeared across the centre pages of the last two editions of the West Lancashire Freemason has been praised by Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker........<more>

From Floorcloths to Tracing Boards
Bro Derek Gibson the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Harmony No 580 was delighted to welcome Bro Robert Lomas to the regular lodge meeting in April......<more>

Two Provincial Grand Stewards visit St Oswald Lodge
Greg Pinnington from Arthur Stanley Lodge No 3469 in the Ormskirk Group and David Thomas from Peace and Unity Lodge No 3966 in the North Fylde Group travelled to Warrington to attend their first installation meeting.......<more>

WLFC supports Rainbow House
Howard Jones, a Trustee of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, presented a cheque for £4,256 on behalf WLFC to Hayley Scholes......<more>

Elaine offers assistance and support
Elaine Hansen, Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution’s Care Advice Visitor for the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man took time out from......<more>

ARROWHEAD UNIFORM NIGHT
It is the custom of Arrowhead Lodge of Freedom No 8500 to hold a Uniform Night when youth services uniform is worn at its regular meeting in May........<more>

Festival total tops £5,418,000
The brethren of the Province of West Lancashire have been “astonishingly generous” in raising £5,418,004 for the Masonic Samaritan Fund.......<more>

Ladies add ‘more colour and complexion’ to 2010 meeting
In his opening remarks to the special meeting for the 2010 Festival in the Guild Hall, Preston, Provincial Grand Master and Festival President Peter Hosker said; “I welcome you all to Provincial Grand Lodge as we come together........<more>

Wives see wardens invested
It was not only a very special day for Michael Ernest Collins and David Cecil Kavanagh when they were invested as Provincial Grand Wardens it was also a unique occasion for their wives who were able to witness the ceremony........<more>

Prestonian Lecture at Widnes
A meeting of Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters No 9057, held at Widnes Masonic Hall, when there were eight new joining members, saw......<more>

PROVINCE’S NEW GRAND OFFICERS
The Province has 18 new Grand Officers in Craft and Chapter following the annual investiture meetings of Grand Lodge and the Royal Arch.......<more>

A GRAND DAY OUT
Wednesday 28 April 2010 will be a day to remember for four Chorley Group brethren. Three received their first appointments to Grand Lodge with......<more>

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
To recognise his outstanding work for the Chorley Group’s contribution to the 2010 Festival total the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Stuart Thornber, has authorised the presentation of a Special Achievement Award to......<more>

MENSA members learn about Freemasonry
The April meeting of MENSA North West was held at the Eccles Masonic Hall. Regional officer Peter Baimbridge had enquired whether the group could receive a talk on Freemasonry as part of the meeting.......<more>

Fun day out for 16 young carers
The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity funded a trip to Alton Towers for 16 young carers and four staff. The aim of the trip, was to offer the young carers.......<more>

Charity’s ‘KIND’ donation
The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity has made the first donation of £5,000 to KIND (Kids in Need and Distress).........<more>

Living at home with her mum and sister in a pleasant suburb of Wigan is one thing, but having to live along with many homeless people, black and white, young and old, in a tough area of San Francisco is another matter. However, that is the life changing experience Jodie Clark, 18, the daughter of the late Paul Clark a Past Master of Ashton Trinity Lodge, Bryn had on a two-week trip to California, supported by the RMTGB and organised by her local church, The Living Faith (formerly Winstanley Free Methodists).

Her father Paul died of cancer 18 months ago and was a well loved and highly regarded member of Ashton Trinity Lodge.

Jodie spent two weeks in California experiencing at first hand what the many homeless of this particular area of San Francisco have to endure on a daily basis.

Many young people from different parts of the world took part in the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) project and Jodie found it quite an un-nerving experience at first, but as the first week went by she was able to support many of the homeless, most of whom were quite young people with various problems, often drug related.

Jodie and her colleagues went out on to the streets to talk to and support the many young homeless people who really appreciated this support but back at the centre she came into contact with a young man who had been orphaned at a young age, who was later abused both physically and sexually, eventually becoming addicted to ‘crystal meth’, a common drug which plays havoc with young people in the area. He eventually served several years in prison and
on his release he was taken in by YWAM and is now one their best counsellors working alongside the homeless community he was once a part of.

As part of the project Jodie had to take part in the daily routine of providing food packages for the homeless who were given food at the homeless centre, but that wasn’t all. To enlighten the experience she went on a night visit onto the streets to give welcoming hot chocolate to the homeless and along with others spent nearly 48 hours, without washing or changing clothes and sleeping on the bare floor of the centre with just two dollars to survive on.

After the first eight days the volunteers were taken to the awe inspiring Yosemite National Park to experience one of the most outstandingly beautiful places on earth where they reflected on the experience they had just been through.

Jodie said: “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. At first I was very nervous and am normally a quite and quite shy person but this has changed my life and I think I will be a better person for it.”

Her mum Pat said: “Without the support of the MTGB she wouldn’t have been able to make the trip and Paul would have been so proud of what she has achieved with the support of the Masonic charities which were so close to his heart.”

Pat also thanked Lodge almoner, Peter Chrimes for all the support he has given since Paul died and, of course, to the many members of Ashton Trinity Lodge who have always been there to help the family when needed.

The trip will in part contribute to Jodie achieving her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, which she hopes she will complete later this year.

Jodie with a homeless man named Paige who she shared a lunch with in a local park.

The Provincial membership team commenced its summer programme of attending major events throughout the area at the Great Eccleston Agricultural Show.

This programme is a vital ingredient in the Provincial Marketing and Recruitment Plan and a team of group membership officers strongly supported by volunteers were in attendance for the two days of the show.

The Great Eccleston Agricultural Show is one of the premier tractor pull contests in the country and is attended by teams from as far away as Aberdeen and Essex. There is also a wide selection of more traditional show items including shire horses, sheep and poultry.

As usual with these events the weather is a key ingredient and whilst on the Saturday after a damp start it was generally fine the Sunday was more suitable for a sub aqua festival.

The team reports that its efforts was very well received by the public and produced an encouraging number of requests for more information on Freemasonry and how to join.

The team’s thanks go to Sue, Julie and Janice for making such an important contribution to making contact with the wider public.

Dave McKee (left) and Ian Kendrick chat to a couple of visitors to the Masonic stand at the Great Eccleston Agrigultural Show.

The widow of a Westhoughton Freemason received a special group of visitors to mark her 100th birthday.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland went along to present Mrs Hilda Mercer with a bouquet. With him were Raymond Dainty, almoner of St Bartholomew Lodge No 6071, and the local care officer for the Chorley Group Allan Farrington

Hilda is a resident of the Winifred Kettle Home in Westhoughton and was proud to show her Masonic visitors a card she had received from The Queen.

Hilda has been a widow since 1984. Her late husband was a member of St Bartholomew Lodge and was WM in 1971. He served the lodge as almoner for some years.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland is pictured congratulating Hilda Mercer on reaching her 100th birthday. Also in the picture are Raymond Dainty and Allan Farrington.

A member of the Liverpool Cathedral choir since 1938, John was awarded the MBE for voluntary service to the cathedral.

John, who is 82, says: “I joined the choir in 1938, aged 10. At the cathedral, when boys leave the choir after their voices break, they can join what is called the ‘Cross Guild’ which is an association founded by Dean Dwelly, the first Dean of Liverpool. The aim is to maintain contact with the ex choristers and for them to continue to take part in the ceremonial and processional parts of the religious services, mainly on Sundays. It is a unique organisation. I have been a member since I left the choir, an association going back 72 years. I act as the Beadle, who carries the mace and leads the processions.”

The Cathedral remains a big part of John’s life. In his time, John has seen six Deans pass through the role. He was married to his first wife, Nancy there – she sadly passed away in 1983. His two daughters Heather and Wendy were christened and married there along with his grandchildren.

Latterly John and his new wife Mo were married at the cathedral five years ago this month.

John has been fortunate to see many large services taking place including participation by eminent and interesting people including royalty.

John met and chatted with the Queen at the Maundy Service a few years ago and on another occasion spoke to Prince Charles.

John was initiated into Liverpool Mercantile Lodge in 1977 and was WM in 1983. He was appointed PrGSuptWks in 1992 and in 1998 was promoted to be a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

John joined the Chapter of Perseverance in 1987 and served as its First Principal in 1994. His first Provincial appointment in the Royal Arch was in 2001 as a PPrAGDC and he was promoted to be PPrAGSoj in 2009.

John Lloyd who has been made a Member of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Special needs pupils at Oakfield School in Hindley Green received support from the West Lancs Masonic Charities to enable its team, the ‘Hindley 6 Ers’ to take part in a table cricket match sponsored by the Lords Taverners.

The team from Oakfields won the regional final at Old Trafford in April and went on to the final event at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London finishing third.

To enable the team to travel to London West Lancs Masonic Charities donated £280 to offset some of the cost of overnight accommodation.

The team were Elizabeth Clementson, Lee Ann Barnes, Stephen Dale and Karren Brown.

Thanks to the generosity of Leigh and Wigan Freemasons, the hospice in Hindley has been presented with a giant 42” HD TV and a sophisticated portable stand and DVD player.

Corporate director Alan Baron said: “This will be a terrific boost for us. A large mobile TV will be ideal. As well as our day hospice for showing DVDs to patients, it will be a great aid for showing training videos to hospice staff, volunteers and other health professionals who come to the hospice for specialist training.”

Tony Bent, Chairman of the Leigh Group who donated the TV said: “Wigan and Leigh Hospice provides a vital service for our community and we are delighted to be able to once again support them.”

The special stand and DVD player was donated by Ashton Trinity Lodge in the Wigan Masonic Group

Tony Clarke, Master of Ashton Trinity Lodge added: “The care provide by the hospice is second to none and in these difficult financial times we are delighted to help the staff with the best training aids to ensure the standard of care is maintained. We are also delighted if it will help patients on their visits to the hospice.”

Pictured, left to right, are: Sarah Barringer, a placement trainee, Tony Bent, Sister Yvonne Tague, Tony Clarke, Len Hart and at the rear Malcolm Parr (Leigh Group Vice-chairman) and Geoff Sheppard (charity steward of Ashton Trinity).

Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes enjoys cruising almost as much as he enjoys his Freemasonry, so when he was asked to preside over a Masonic gathering on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria, life just doesn’t get much better!

The gathering was held at sea when brethren with wives/partners totalling 27 attended and were honoured by the presence of Captain John Wright, who was delighted to receive a donation of £185 from all present, which will go to his charity, the RNLI.

David was ably assisted by Bootle Group Secretary - Ray Barrow (far right in photograph with wife Jackie) who was by chance on the same cruise and acted as Director of Ceremonies.

Mike Winterbottom, Chairman of the Trafalgar Group of Lodges has presented a donation of £500 to Laurie Scott, Chairman of the Friends of Tithebarn The presentation took place at the annual meeting of the Friends.

Prior to presenting the cheque Mike Winterbottom and Steven Walls Secretary of the Trafalgar Group were given a guided tour of the home and grounds.

They met many of the residents and enjoyed conversations with them. The overall impression gained by the chairman was of a very happy and harmonious environment in which all of the residents enjoy their days.

In an effort to reduce costs in conjunction with future developments plans for Widnes Masonic Hall renewable energy sources are being investigated.

The first stage of this plan took place when the hall Chairman, Peter Browne, group chairman, David Redhead and Tommy Glynn of St Paul's Lodge, attended an open day at Rivington in Lancashire to examine the possibility of using a renewable energy wind turbine to offset the cost of electrical energy being used in the Widnes Masonic Hall.

The turbine in question was capable of an output of 11KW, more than enough for the needs of Widnes Masonic Hall and all surplus energy feed back into the grid system would attract a feed-in tariff of 26.7p/kwh. Unfortunately, during the discussions with Segen, the authorised distributor and installer, about the requirements and operation of a wind turbine it became clear that such a scheme would not be viable and other options need to be explored.

One such option would be the installation of solar panels to produce 7.2kw of electricity at a cost of approximately £32,000, which is around £15,000 cheaper than the cost of a wind turbine and would give a payback in about 10 years after which Widnes Masonic Hall would have no electricity bill. Surplus energy from this system would attract a feed-in tariff of 36.1p/kwh.

Peter said that we must explore all options to maintain the viability of Widnes Masonic Hall well into the future and if this means generating an income from a renewable energy source alongside developments to attract outside functions then it can only be good for Widnes Masonic Hall and its members as it will go a long way towards keeping the capitation costs down.

Widnes Masonic Hall Chairman Peter Browne (left) and Widnes Group Chairman David Redhead at the wind farm in Rivington in Lancashire. (Picture supplied by Tommy Glynn of St Paul's Lodge)

The latest donation to be presented was for £550 which had been raised by a St George’s Day event in Warrington Masonic Hall.

The cheque was presented by Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell to hospital matron Sue Winstanley and Florence Fairhurst who is assistant treasurer of Newton Community Hospital Welfare Assocation.

There is a strong link between Warrington Group Freemasons and the hospital as Norman Pritchard, Bob Williams and Arthur Hamblett are all members of the welfare association.

Sue Winstanley said the support from Freemason had been “magnificent” and pointed out that previously Birchwood Lodge had made donations totalling £600, Academy Lodge had given £700 and Willows Lodge and Newton Lodge had each given £100 and there had been a further £100 individual donation.

Organisers of the St George’s Day event – Alan Greggs, Peter Whalley, Dave Whitmore, Chris Eyres and Tony Kolita – select a different charity each year to benefit from their fund-raising. Because Norman Pritchard has assisted so many lodges they decided to ask him where he would like the money to go to and he selected the hospital.

The hospital is based in Bradley Road, Newton-le-Willows, and cares for 23 in patients for rehabilitation and sub acute care of people too ill to be cared for at home. It also has an out patient department as well as providing outreach services for people in the area who have been discharged from hospital.

Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell presents the cheque to Sue Winstanley and Florence Fairhurst.

Petitions presented by West Lancashire almoners to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys have resulted in grants being made of nearly £400,000 in the last financial year.

A total of 161 petitions for 83 girls and 78 boys resulted in grants totalling £399,579. Of this total £384,879 was in the form of maintenance grants and £14,700 in Talent Aid.

Since 2002 the total amount of grants made to beneficiaries under the wings of West Lancashire almoners has been £4,349,213.

Some of the grants are for girls and boys who no longer live in the Province but whose petitions are handled by West Lancashire almoners. In fact, local almoners care for two families in overseas Masonic Provinces, one in Andalucia and another in Toronto.

The restaurant formerly known as “Park Hall” has reopened to the public. The bistro is now called the “Old Printworks” as it is believed the Ormskirk Advertiser previously occupied part of the site which is now the Ormskirk Masonic Hall.

The restaurant occupies the ground floor of the hall and has been opened under the management of Jim Yates and Paul Breeze, who also run their own catering business called the Thyme Out Food Company.

Jim and Paul invited guests along to an official launch night where they were served hot canapés and Pimm’s. Jim said: “The launch party could not have gone any better “As well as the hot canapés we served mini main courses, such as Lancashire Hot Pot and fish pie. The last guest left well after midnight.”

Jim and Paul first became involved in the restaurant after Freemasons asked them to become emergency caterers after the previous franchisee decided to close the business in February.

After that had gone well the Ormskirk Masonic Hall Association asked the pair to consider taking on the franchise which they were happy to do.

The Old Printworks is opposite Morrison’s Supermarket, Park Road, Ormskirk. It opens from 9.30am and serves a brunch menu which includes: smoked salmon with truffle scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast. Lunch is served from 12 noon and offers a wide range of homemade food made with ingredients that are sourced locally, where possible.

A total of 23 major grants have been approved at the annual meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The grants have been awarded to worthwhile projects and causes in the areas of medical research, youth opportunities and vulnerable people.

The largest individual grant of £250,000 was awarded to SSAFA Forces Help as part of a new national initiative, to be distributed to branches throughout England and Wales.

A grant of £40,000 is made to the Association of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus to fund a research project at the University of Sheffield into the use of inutero MRI scans to identify babies with abnormal brain development. Currently ultrasound scans are used, but there is evidence that in utero MRI will show more. About 1,100 spina bifida pregnancies still occur each year in the UK and the charity provides support and information for families about the disabilities caused by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The association is based in Cambridgeshire. http://www.asbah.org/

A grant of £100,000 payable in equal installments over two years is made to fund Dr Alastair Cole’s research into the use and side affects of alemtuzumab in treating multiple sclerosis. The research project was established to create a new drug treatment for early stage MS but it is also showing interesting results relating to the development of other auto-immune diseases. The project is based in Cambridgeshire.

There is a grant of £20,000 to help fund the Young Addaction Aspire pilot. The charity believes that young people who abuse drugs and alcohol respond well to treatment when it is tailored to their needs and that money is better spent on early intervention rather than expensive residential rehabilitation. The pilot will be working with young people in Cornwall and Lancashire offering a 12-week Aspire Foundation Course to cover personal development and a community project using local partners. The project is based in Cornwall and Lancashire. http://www.addaction.org.uk/

This £50,000 grant is to fund the further roll-out of the Centrepoint Partnering Project for homeless young people. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity originally funded the project as a pilot scheme. The project now operates in seven regions providing free capacity building to support voluntary sector homelessness charities and consultancy and advice to larger organisations. The project is spread across the country. http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/

An £83,000 grant is to fund the Do Something: Out of School project. The project will provide a programme of community based activities including cricket, dance, film-making etc to 2,000 smaller voluntary youth clubs and will be funded by a partnership between the Lord’s Taverner’s, The Foundation for Sport and Arts and The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The project is spread across the country. http://www.clubsforyoungpeople.org.uk/

Funding amounting to £50,000 is given for a new Skill Force team in the Solent, covering Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth and Havant. Skillforce helps young people to earn vocational qualifications and to develop life skills through structured classroom and outdoor activities in which instruction and mentoring is provided mainly by ex-armed forces personnel. http://www.skillforce.org/

A £50,000 grant is made to fund a specialist nurse advisor and head of patient services for bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and 36,500 people are diagnosed each year. The charity delivers a telephone and web-based service as well as providing free informative publications and is based in Middlesex. http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/

A £15,000 grant is made to Breast Cancer Haven to fund a clinical nurse specialist in Hereford. The charity runs havens in London, Leeds and Hereford supporting people with breast cancer. All services are provided free of charge and each year 420 cancer patients attend at Hereford. http://www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk/

A grant to fund a new Cardiac Risk in the Young vehicle to carry cardiac screening equipment for use by volunteer cardiologists at events. The charity raises awareness through a programme which screens 7,000 young people each year. One in 300 will be found to have a serious condition and eight apparently healthy young people (under 35) die of an undiagnosed heart condition each week in the UK. http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

A grant of £20,000 is made to the Challenging Behaviour Foundation to fund the Family Support Officer who provides information and advice directly to families and provides input into national strategies, The charity supports about 1,400 families who care for disabled people who have extreme and challenging behaviour. http://www.thecbf.org.uk/

A grant of £30,000 to Connect will fund a quarterly newsletter containing information, tips and advice for people with aphasia. Aphasia is a speech and communication disorder that results from damage to the brain. Aphasia usually occurs after a stroke but it can also be caused by brain injury or tumour and 250,000 people in the UK have aphasia. NHS patients may be offered short-term speech therapy after a stroke, but do not receive any long-term help with communication disabilities. http://www.ukconnect.org/

A grant of £35,000 for the Council for Care is to support the national advice service for the elderly and part-fund the salary of a new fund-raiser. The advice line deals in detail with 2,500 enquiries plus 500 written enquiries each year and produces factsheets on a variety of relevant issues for older people. The new fundraiser will develop the charity’s capability to raise money from individual donor’s and legacies. http://www.counselandcare.org.uk/

A £25,000 grant to Dogs for the Disabled will fund a programme highlighting the benefits of a trained dog for families with an autistic child. The charity has previously provided eight trained dogs to families with autistic children with positive results but this project will help many more families and will be delivered in partnership with the National Autistic Society. The charity requires 50 enquiries of interest each week and aims to reach 320 families. http://www.dogsforthedisabled.org/

A grant of £30,000 to the Down Syndrome Education International is to fund the see and learn project. The project builds on step-by-step activities and materials to help children achieve better reading, language, number and memory skills. All programmes are available to families free of charge on-line and the website has 20,000 regular visitors. http://www.downsed.org/en/gb/default.aspx

A grant £35,000 to Music in Hospitals is to fund Making Musical Memories, a series of concerts for older people in healthcare settings. The charity uses 300 professional musicians to deliver concerts in day care centres, hospitals, nursing and residential homes improving the quality of life and well being of those attending. Most healthcare centres contribute to the cost of concerts, but when cuts have to be made cultural activities are often targeted first. The charity therefore provides 48% of its concerts free of charge. http://www.music-in-hospitals.org.uk/

PHAB is to receive a grant of £10,000 to fund Inclusive Living Experiences at outdoor activity centres for disabled children. 130 children aged 14-18 attend projects in Cumbria, Derbyshire and Hampshire. It gives parents of disabled children a respite break or allows them to holiday together as a family. http://www.phab.org.uk/

A £50,000 grant for The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution will contribute to the welfare fund. RABI is a grant-making charity which supports members of the farming community who are suffering hardship. RABI has 12 regional welfare officers who visit and assess applicants and the charity supported 1,668 beneficiaries in 2008 with £1.9m of grants, welfare advice and practical support. http://www.rabi.org.uk/

The Severn Area Rescue Association receives £21,000 to fund the extension of Chepstow Station. SARA is an independent lifeboat and land search rescue operation. http://www.sara-rescue.org.uk/

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help receives £250,000. This is a new grant to help fund regional branches in supporting service personnel and their families. http://www.ssafa.org.uk/

A grant £15,000 is to support the children of Special Boat Service Assocation members. The Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS) is the lesser known sister unit of the British Army’s Special Air Service Regiment (SAS). The SBS is a special forces unit which carries out special operations at sea, along coastlines and on river networks but is also highly skilled on dry land. Recent operations have taken place in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

Victim Support receives £20,000 to fund training of volunteers in the south west region to enable them to support victims of serious crime. The charity provides support and information for victims of personal crime and volunteers need specialist training to help them to deal with domestic violence, sexual abuse, murder and racist cries. Each category has a tailored four day course. http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

A grant of £20,000 to Vitalise is to subsidise respite holidays for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their carers at a residential centre in Nottingham. The whole centre is reserved for the specialist weeks and the carers are able to socialise and go on outings while knowing that their partner is being properly cared for. The charity provides services for disabled people in five residential centres and focuses on those with high dependency needs. http://www.vitalise.org.uk/Home-Page.aspx

Winston’s Wish: £25,000
A grant of £25,000 to Winston’s Wish will fund a senior counsellor. 24,000 children in the UK are bereaved of a parent each year. The counsellor helps families bereaved through homicide or suicide and will work directly with 80 families each year. The counsellor also answers calls on the national helpline and emails on the website. The helpline supports about 3,500 families and professionals each year. http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/

Bispham High School student Ellie Drake is thrilled to have been given a £500 lift to her acting ambitions through support from West Lancashire Freemasons. Sixteen year old Ellie is the only young person on the Fylde Coast to have been successful in securing a position within The National Youth Theatre. Bispham High School - Arts College specialises in Performing Arts and had played a significant role in supporting and guiding Ellie to this stage in her life. More than 4,300 auditions were held at 32 venues across the country for a limited number of places.

John Topping, Deputy Headteacher said: “When I heard that Ellie needed £1,000 initially to get on the residential course during August 2010 I immediately put an application in to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and stressed the youth opportunities dimension that would benefit Ellie. I asked for £500 and we got the full amount. I am confident that Ellie will give regular feedback and hopefully an ‘Ellie’s Blog’ will feature on our various websites.”

Ellie said: “I am most grateful to the Freemasons for their generous support and I look forward to raising the additional amount through various fund-raising events.”

Ellie (second from left) practising her Shakespearian Hamlet is pictured with (left to right) Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Mark Oliver, course director for drama and John Topping, deputy headteacher

The lodges and chapters of the Woolton Group are proud supporters of the ‘Buddy Box’ scheme, helping our Service personnel feel valued whilst serving in Afghanistan.

The scheme was started by the Province of Yorkshire West Riding and was imported to Liverpool by Woolton Group Chairman, David Hawkes, following a chance discussion with their Provincial Mentor (at a National Mentoring event at which David was representing West Lancashire).

It is a very simple scheme that can be carried out by lodges and/or individuals as required. All Lodge members have to do is put a couple of extra items into their shopping and give these to their lodge co-ordinator.

The lodge co-ordinator fills the shoeboxes, parcels them up and takes them to the local Post Office. The shoe boxes are sent via BFPO, free of charge (so long as the parcel is less than 2kg), to the address that accompanies the soldier’s details.

A Buddy Box is a shoe box or similar container, which is filled with up to 2 kg in weight, with what we would say are very day to day items, but which are in fact luxuries to these men and women.

The scheme also suggests that you include a ‘personnel letter of support’, addressed to the individual, with every box and over time we also try to tailor-make the box to the individual’s requirements. This letter of support is extremely important to the people receiving the boxes.

A pairing is made for the duration of a tour – normally about six months and people tend to send at least one box a month. If you are fortunate enough your recipient may send a reply but we have to remember these are very busy people, in a strange country carrying out a dangerous job and they may not always have time to do so.

If you are interested in supporting the scheme please contact, in the first instance, Dave Wood, the group charity steward for the Woolton Group at davej.wood@btinternet.com

The 2010 North Shore Lodge Garden Party at the Wesham home of Gordon and June Thomson was attended by 70 members and friends. Money was raised by donations, a grand raffle, ‘guess the weight of the cake’ and a balloon race .

A splendid total of £850.00 was raised - £425 will be donated to Christies Cancer and the other half to The Alzheimers Society.

Organiser Gordon Thomson said: ‘”I would like to thank Alan Burton for his gift of pies, pasties, cakes and scones. To Ray Lamb for the balloons and gas for the balloon race. To friends and neighbours for the loan of chairs and tables and to everyone for attending and making it a most enjoyable day.”

Pictured, seated in the centre, are Leon Tax seated with Nigel Tyney and stood, left to right, are Gordon Thomson, June Thomson, Diane Sims, Robert and Sims (WM).

Secretaries and Scribes throughout the Province gulped audibly when they heard that, as part of the preparations for the 300th Anniversary of Grand Lodge, they were to be asked to catalogue and record the condition of all their lodge and chapter records – right back to when they were founded!

In a Province the size of West Lancashire, this was clearly going to be a very demanding task, but a year later Fred Lomax and his team of local coordinators can only feel great satisfaction at the outcome: over three quarters of the lodges and chapters of West Lancashire cooperated with the project. As a result there is now a centrally based record of the existence of Freemasonry within our communities for some 250 years, and a priceless source of reference and information for those with a legitimate reason to research it. All achieved in one year’s very hard work by the team and, of course, by those brethren and companions who undertook the work in their lodges and chapters.

The survey brought up some very useful issues concerning the preservation of records – not least (and contrary to what we might expect) how short-lived electronic storage is felt to be. As a consequence, Fred will be chairing a seminar at Bryn Masonic Hall in September 2010 on the subject of looking after records which he hopes will be helpful now that lodges and chapters are more aware of the importance of preserving their history and heritage. More details will be published later in the year.

Fred Lomax is pictured at the special reception in conversation with the Pro Grand Master, Peter Lowndes.

Since the merger of the seven Provincial charities into the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity a little over two years ago, the charity has been operating from the Masonic Hall at Hope Street in Liverpool. Because, however, of limitations imposed by space, location and accessibility and the need to plan for the future, the charity has been considering the merits of moving to a different location.

The downturn in the commercial property market, which has made many premises available at reduced costs, coupled with extremely poor returns on bank deposits, has presented the opportunity to purchase a property better suited to the charity’s needs both as an operational base and as an attractive investment. The ability to purchase the property is yet another benefit made possible by pooling the funds of the merged charities.

On 21 June the charity took possession of a three-year-old purpose-built office located at the Paramount Business Park in Huyton, East Liverpool. The property provides considerably more space, is ideally situated close to the M57/M62 junction enabling easier access by the 22 team members attending each week, has lower ongoing costs and the potential for a considerable increase in value. Unlimited access to the office by the charity’s team and facilities for visitors which have not been available at Hope Street will enable the charity to improve the service it provides.

Meeting and seminar facilities will be available for the Provincial Grand Almoner and Provincial Grand Charity Steward and their teams and as such it is hoped that the building will be regarded as a focal point for all three arms of the Province’s Care Structure.

The new home for the charity, as well as being an excellent investment, will be a pleasant place in which to work and should reinforce the image of the charity as an organisation of which members of the Province can be justifiably proud.

The charity is most grateful to the management of Hope Street for the services it has provided for the charities in the past and is pleased that during recent years it has been able to make a useful contribution to the hall’s income.

It is expected that the charity will start to operate from its new home in early August. Until further notice all correspondence should continue to be sent to Hope Street.

Prominent Masons from the Provinces of East and West Lancashire and Cheshire gathered at Manchester's 'other' airport, the atmospheric Barton Aerodrome, to present a cheque from The Freemasons' Grand Charity, on behalf of all three Provinces, totalling £12,000. This generous donation is part of the total figure of £ 0.5 million given by The Grand Charity during the past four years, providing funding to every Air Ambulance in England and Wales.

Flying more than 19,000 missions every year (averaging three a day in the case of our local Air Ambulance) and costing millions of pounds, air ambulances are considered to be the busiest voluntary service in the country. The money to fund this important work is met almost entirely by donations from organisations such the Freemasons of West Lancashire and the general public.

Speaking about the donation, Michael Hill, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, said: “Air Ambulances play an important role in ensuring people get the medical help they need as quickly as possible. For those in life-threatening situations this can dramatically improve their chance of survival. West Lancashire and The Freemasons' Grand Charity are delighted once again to be supporting our local Air Ambulance and these wonderful people who have kindly welcomed us today and who provide this invaluable service.”

Photographs show the cheque presentation to Ms Linda Brislin of the NW Air Ambulance management; a demonstration of some of the emergency kit by a paramedic to Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Michael Hill and Derek Thornhill (East Lancashire) and a happily unsuccessful attempt by Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee to hijack the helicopter! The photographs were supplied by Chad Northcott, Chairman of the Cmmunications Committee for East Lancs

Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Phil Gardner, together with Lancaster and District Group Chairman, Jim Wilson, attended the Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication for a new Morecambe Lifeboat and the opening of the new Hovercraft Station on Morecambe Promenade.

They were invited by the RNLI as the Freemasons of the Lancaster and District Group have, over the last few years, given generous financial support to the new home for the hovercraft.

Phil Gardner said: "Jim and I felt very proud to be representing the many Freemasons who did not hesitate to dig deep into their pockets when a call for assistance was made by the local RNLI. It is also heart-warming to see how many of our members and their families are involved with fund-raising year in, year out, for the RNLI.”

Bro Bob Roe a member of Warton Lodge and a Carnforth councillor has been commended by Gordon Brown for his long term contributions to the community.

Bob, who is on Carnforth Town Council and Lancaster City Council, was invited to a special “Heroes of the Community” reception for individuals who have contributed extensively to public life. Eighty local councillors were invited to the champagne reception at Downing Street, where they met various Members of Parliament and the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah.

Bob said: “Mr Brown thanked me for the work I had done in Carnforth and said he was grateful for all my efforts over the years. He was very friendly. He seemed like a very pleasant man. It was an excellent day and I was very proud to represent Carnforth.”

Bob was given a tour of Downing Street and later met Geraldine Smith, who was MP for Morecambe, as her invited guest to the Houses of Parliament.

Bob has been a member of Carnforth Town Council for 25 years and he has served on Lancaster City Council for three years. His record of service to the community is very impressive. He is a director of the Carnforth Station Trust which has successfully restored and developed the historic station at Carnforth. He was Chairman of the Carnforth Area Regeneration Partnership. He has been instrumental in preserving the Carnforth Connect bus service which is a special service running between Carnforth and the surrounding villages, and he has been heavily involved in setting up the town of Carnforth’s youth and community centre.

Pictured, left to right, are Sarah Brown, Bob Roe, Councillor Pat Woofe, Geraldine Smith and Gordon Brown.

Warton Lodge No 8411 has made WBro Brian Oddy PJGD an honorary member of the lodge in recognition of his very long service. Brian is one of two surviving founders who are both still members of the lodge and was an officer of the lodge continuously from its consecration in 1972 to 2008.

Brian was initiated into The Lodge of Friendship No 4199 in 1957, and was a founder member of Warton Lodge in 1972. He was WM of The Lodge of Friendship in 1965 and then held the office of chaplain in that lodge. He received Provincial honours in 1972, serving as Provincial Grand Chaplain and was promoted to the Grand Rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon in 1993.

Brian was born in Morecambe and schooled in Lancaster. He served as the vicar of the parish of Warton from 1964 to 1998. He is well known, and highly thought of throughout the Province.

Pictured with Brian Oddy are Past Provincial Grand Master Colin Wright and Tom Holdroyd.

Lancaster Group chairman Jim Wilson had a very interesting day when Torrisholme Lodge No 5245 made a presentation to Morecambe Branch of RNLI and he had “volunteered” to assist in the presentation.

The lodge had, after consultation with the local branch of the RLNI decided that it would provide a spinal board and a very expensive set of automatic focusing binoculars for this essential local charity to assist it in the very valuable work it does.

Jim had volunteered to be strapped into the spinal board to demonstrate its use and as can be seen from the photograph below he really enjoyed the experience. Also in the photograph are Jimmy Nisbet, Dennis Butterfield, Paul Turner (helmsman) Jim Wilson, Harry Roberts (lifeboat commander) Michael Guy (lifeboat operations manager) and Mike Taylor (WM).

A new annual grant initiative has been announced by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity - £250,000 to a major national charity.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help is to receive the first grant. The money is to be divided and distributed to branches throughout the country, providing funding at a local level.

Over the past year The Grand Charity has received numerous requests from individual members asking us to donate to charities supporting the Armed Forces. The Council selected SSAFA Forces Help as the first recipient of a grant under the new initiative to support its excellent work in helping current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The members approved the grant of £250,000 for SSAFA Forces Help at the annual general meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The aim of this grant is to support local branches, allowing them to decide how they spend their money. The Grand Charity believes that the people on the ground know best where to direct these funds, which will assist hundreds of servicemen and women past and present, and their families. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is dedicated to finding new ways of grant-making, in order to provide maximum benefit to people in need.

The first Monday in June signals the last engagement of the season for most of the Fylde Coast Grand Officers with the gathering of brethren from the three Fylde groups for the Annual Grand Officers’ Dinner at the Palace Suite, Garden Street, St Anne's on Sea.

The event was founded by John Funk in 1978, as an end of season get together of all the Fylde groups’ Grand Officers to dine and further cement friendships with colleagues on the coast old and new.

This year there were 26 brethren under the sway of this year’s chairman Terry Hudson. They enjoyed a delightful evening together and happily still in the presence of the founder of this event John Funk who later in the summer will celebrate his 104th birthday and still enjoying his 78th year of membership of the Craft.

Terry concluded the evening, by thanking everyone for supporting the event again this year and welcoming two new members to the club with their appointments to Grand Rank - Peter Greathead from North Fylde and Mike Goodwin from South Fylde.

Twenty-five Investitures are held each year: one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and the remainder at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. If the Queen is unable to conduct the Investiture herself, she will be represented by The Prince of Wales or another member of the Royal Family. Up to 120 recipients attend each Investiture. On 2 June 2010, I had the honour to attend Buckingham Palace to be invested as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – in short the OBE. There are, in fact, three categories in the Order, namely, Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE).

The three guests that I was allowed to take consisted of my wife Julie, my daughter Joanne and my granddaughter Alexa. After entering Buckingham Palace, we were taken to the magnificent rooms on the first floor. The guests were shown to their seats in the Ballroom, where the Investiture was to take place, and the recipients were directed to The Picture Gallery. The Picture Gallery is situated at the very centre of the Palace and is used as a principal reception room. Curiously, although the pictures are of outstanding quality – by Holbein, Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and others – they seem simply to compliment the glorious surroundings of The Picture Gallery itself.

We, the recipients, were addressed by the Lord Steward, The Earl of Dalhousie, who immediately advised us that the Queen would be conducting the investiture – this is only revealed to the recipients at the last moment. We were then instructed on protocol and procedure. At 11.00am, the recipients were led to a room on the south side of the Ballroom and placed in order in readiness for the ceremony.

The Queen entered the Ballroom attended by two Gurkha Orderly Officers – a tradition begun in 1876 by Queen Victoria. She ascended and stood on the dais at the west end of the Ballroom. On duty, also on the dais, were five members of the Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard, which was created in 1485 by King Henry VII after his victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field. This makes them not only the oldest Royal Body Guard but also the oldest military corps still existing in the United Kingdom. The Queen was escorted by the Lord Steward and assisted by Officers of the Queen’s Household and the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, and the Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood

After being formally announced, each recipient came forward, gave the Queen a bow or a curtsy and then approached the dais. As the Queen invested each recipient she spoke to them. In my case, I was particularly asked about my regeneration work in Preston.

The recipients came from all walks of life and received civil, military and service honours and awards. It was an eclectic mix of recipients who were honoured, ranging from several officers and soldiers who had served in Afghanistan, those who had served their country and their communities in various ways, and celebrities such as Star Trek’s Patrick Stewart, Simon King from Springwatch (one of my favourite programmes) and Jenson Button.

Investitures are a wonderful ‘British’ ceremonial practice in which the Monarch salutes and honours her subjects. ‘2 June 2010’ is a day that I shall never forget and I was so pleased and proud to have shared it with Julie and our family.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker proudly shows his OBE after being invested by Her Majesty The Queen.

The Friends of Ecclesholme received a welcome boost to their funds thanks to a successful summer fair.

The fair, in Eccles Masonic Hall, was opened by Jim Sutcliffe, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Province of East Lancashire.

When opening the fair Jim urged everyone to “spend, spend, spend”. He described Ecclesholme as “a wonderful facility” and praised the work of the Friends of Ecclesholme for providing additional facilities for the residents.

Mike Goldsbrough, Chairman of the Friends of Ecclesholme presents a bouquet to Maureen Sutcliffe watched by East Lancashire Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jim Sutcliffe who opened the summer fair.

There were bottles galore on the stall run by Ian Paisley of Bridgewater Lodge in the Eccles Group.

Friends of Ecclesholme president Gerald Bullough and his wife (pictured) always grow plants to sell at the summer fair and again they provided a splash of colour.

West Lancashire Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and his wife, Doreen, try their hand on the “find the square” stall run by Bill Isherwood of the Widnes Group.

Malcolm Warren find a customer in Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham.

As part of its aim to provide assistance for educational purposes not covered by the state or local government, and also as part of its Supporting the Community Scheme, the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is sponsoring the David Bellamy School Garden Competition at the Southport Flower Show. This competition aims to encourage primary school children in years five and six to take an interest in gardening and their environment.

Around 1,000 schools in the North West have been invited to enter the competition and have their pupils produce designs for a garden with the theme “coast”. The sponsorship will fund the construction of the two winning garden designs by a professional landscape gardener and prizes of £500 for each of the winning schools to enhance their school grounds with further prizes of £50 for other finalists.

The gardens will be seen by up to 80,000 people attending the show and Professor David Bellamy and the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, will be involved in the presentation on 19 August. The competition will generate publicity for the schools and help to promote Freemasonry as part of the community. The charity has agreed to sponsor the event for at least four years.

This year’s show will run from 19 to 22 August 2010. The charity has been able to arrange for Freemasons and family members to attend the show this year at a discounted rate for tickets purchased up to 30 June 2010.

Tickets are available at a cost of £14 each, a £2.00 discount on the standard advanced ticket price of £16.00 (children under 16 are admitted free with an adult). The full ticket price is £21 on the gate (£18.00 concessions). The discounted tickets are available quoting promotional code “freemasons” and can be purchased by phone via Ticketmaster on 0844 847 1555 or online at www.southportflowershow.co.uk. The usual handling charge will apply.

Experts are predicting an explosion of colour in Britain's gardens this year following the coldest winter in 30 years - and Southport Flower Show which is the UK's largest independent flower show will be the perfect place to celebrate and enjoy the natural spectacle.

Attracting around 75,000 visitors, Southport Flower Show is the largest independent flower show in the UK - and the most diverse. The four-day event features the very best in horticulture and garden design as well as gourmet foods and entertainment. Visitors will be surrounded by over a million blooms and the stunning grand floral marquee will be packed with spectacular displays from some of the country’s top independent growers.

Inspirational show gardens with unique features, exquisite furniture and plants will leave visitors buzzing with ideas on how to transform their own garden, whatever its size. There is also a dedicated allotment section for those who want their gardens to be productive as well as pretty.

Shopping desires will also be well served with a diverse range of exhibitors offering everything for the garden, the home, arts and crafts, clothing, footwear and much more.

Preparations for the 81st Southport Flower Show are well under way. This year’s show has the theme ‘Coast’ to celebrate the stunning seaside location in England’s classic resort.

New for 2010, the Food Village will be brimming with quality local and organic produce and fine wines. In the demonstration area, local chefs will be cooking up delicious summer recipes to tantalise the taste buds.

Celebrity garden experts and Southport Flower Show patrons Diarmuid Gavin, Sir Roddy Llewellyn, Professor David Bellamy and Professor Stefan Buczacki will be on hand to offer tips and guidance.

For a touch of glamour and a sparkling reception, there is Ladies’ Day (Friday, August 20) where broadcast journalist Rachel McTavish will compere. Nationally renowned florist Jonathan Moseley will be demonstrating the latest in floral design and Hilary Cookson of fashion store Maureen Cookson, of Whalley, Lancashire, will stage the fashion show.

The gala preview evening (Wednesday, August 18) is a unique summer event not to be missed. This black tie function is a highlight of the summer social calendar and will commence with a champagne reception in the grand floral marquee where you can view the spectacular displays immediately after the judging has taken place, making this an exclusive experience.

David Jackson, Chief Executive of the Southport Flower Show, said: “Our 2010 show promises to be full of interest, inspiration and involvement. We are working hard to ensure that there is a wealth of attractions across the four days and something for everyone to enjoy.”

With entertainment all day in the arena and at the bandstand, free entry for children, lectures, talks and demonstrations, some of the country’s favourite celebrity gardeners on hand with advice on making the most of your garden and a warm welcome the Southport Flower Show is the perfect summer event.

A few months ago, it was heard through the grapevine that a young Blackpool man named Callum, who was suffering from a debilitating symptom, had reached a stage where he could no longer physically move his wheelchair and in consequence had lost all mobility.

This lodge being a member of the Blackpool Group of Freemasons, decided to do something about the problem.

Under the guidance of Alan Davies and other prominent members of the lodge they decided to raise enough money to purchase a fully automated electric wheelchair, which could facilitate Callum’s problems.

The Freemasons of Clifton Lodge raised a magnificent sum of £1500-00p. They then wrote to all the lodges in the Blackpool Group and the sum was raised to approximately £3500 but this was still well short of the required amount.

So they applied to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and after careful consideration the Charity committee agreed to double the amount to a staggering £7400, to allow the wheelchair to be purchased.

Presenting the wheelchair Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson said what a pleasure and honour it was to meet Callum. He hoped that Callum would have many years of pleasure from the mobility he could now experience. He thanked Carla, (Callum’s mum) and the family for bringing Callum to the hall for the presentation.

Also in attendance was the regional fund-raising manager, Ashley Westpfel, representing Whizz-kids, a national charity which helps children just like Callum.

He had made a special journey from London just for the presentation, and was returning back the next day.

Ashley said how very impressed he was with the Freemasons of Blackpool, not only with the magnificent sum raised, but as it was his first visit to the town he had felt a genuine warmth of welcome.

After the presentation, Callum’s mum, Carla said, that when Callum had lost all mobility the family was at its wits end. This new wheelchair is just amazing, for Callum to have a return to mobility has given him back his pride and just as importantly he has regained his independence. The chair is just an amazing piece of equipment. She said she cannot thank the members of Clifton Lodge, the Blackpool Freemasons and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity enough.

After the presentation everyone was invited up to the top lodge room in the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, where Terry gave a short explanation of its function and the roll of Freemasonry in the community.

Callum in his new chair with the old one at its side. Also pictured are Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Callum’s mum Carla, and Alan Davies of Clifton Lodge.

Pictured, left to right, are Terry Hudson, Alan Davies (Clifton Lodge), Carla, Callum and Ashley Westpfel from Whizz-Kids

On Sunday 20 of June members of Travellers Lodge No 4679 aim to complete a 28-mile ‘Canalathon’ in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The sponsored walk is the idea of the WM Neil Blundell who has a close friend that suffers from this condition and it was his wish during his year in the chair of the Warrington lodge to try to raise some money for this charity.

Neil will be ablly supported by lodge brethren Phil Gilgour and Barry Cocoran in the walk along the Bridgewater Canal, which starts at about 7.00am in Leigh and through Salford, Sale, Altrincham, Lymm before finishing at a watering hole about 12 hours later in Walton near Warrington.

Here family and friends can join the walkers for a celebratory meal and first aid.

It’s almost 25 years since Tom Blackburn, Frank Cowburn and friends travelled up to Cumbria to compete for the first Watson Eden Trophy; now an annual event. The society has always been on a firm footing from being led for many years by these two stalwarts in Freemasonry to the energetic Brian Jackson, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch, to its current chairman Eddie Caulfield, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

The society continues to hold the Provincial Shoot each May and competes in the Inter-Provincial Shoot each October. Throughout the year there are friendly shoots at various grounds around the Province whilst every third Wednesday each month sees members shooting at Kelbrook Shooting Lodge. The society is also fortunate to be invited to field teams at high profile charity shoots like the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and the Countryside Alliance northern heats.

Many will remember that the Province of West Lancashire started a National Shooting Competition at Hoghton Tower back in 2000. That competition is still going strong with the Metropolitan Lodges of London hosting this year’s event at E J Churchill Shooting Ground in Buckinghamshire in June.

The membership of 78 continues to support Masonic and non-Masonic charities with children’s charities in West Lancashire a firm favourite. In fact, in the last five years alone more than £46,000 has been donated to many grateful recipients with Brian House in the Fylde and Zoe’s Place in Liverpool both children’s hospices being popular choices. The society is grateful for the support it receives from the lodges and chapters throughout the Province and is also proud to be a Gold Patron of the MSF 2010 Festival.

For details of forthcoming events please see the shooting section on the Provincial website.

The football world watched with great interest as Blackpool Football Club forged a path into the Premier League.

This could only have been made possible by good management, hard work and a dedicated team, with a complete devotion to the cause. The results have spoken for themselves.

Ron goes by the title of Fylde Masonic Almoner, a position given to him by Ken Moxley as far back as 1990. This position is unique, as no other Province in the country holds a similar position.

As the Fylde Masonic Almoner the area covered is wide ranging, starting at Knott End, on the River Wyre taking in Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lytham St Anne’s and then moving inland as far as Newton-with-Scales. This adds up to a total of 18 miles of costal frontage.

If we take Knott End as the furthest point North, St Anne’s as the furthest South and Newton-with-Scales the furthest point inland, then as a rough estimate, this area covers more than 140 square miles.

Also, with up to 40 widows, brethren and children under his care the immensity of the work load begins to unfold.

Christmas is a busy time for us all but even more so in Ron’s case, it takes him three weeks to get round, visit and distribute gifts to all the Fylde widows. He also makes regular visits four times a year to everyone in his care making sure that birthdays and anniversaries are not forgotten.

It could be said that Ron goes well beyond the call of duty, but luckily he is well assisted by his wife, Philomena.

Philomena is a qualified Health visitor, a SRN, a qualified District Nurse, plus a qualified midwife. The advantage of Philomena’s attendance is priceless especially if one of the widows is unwell and only wishes to discuss her problem with another woman. With Philomena’s medical knowledge the wheels of bureaucracy can be made to turn a little faster and help and a speedy relief brought about.

In many cases loneliness is a major factor and the highlight will be a visit from this dedicated couple. Sometimes they are called out in the early hours if one of the people in their care is feeling unwell, and, they respond without hesitation.

They even organise funerals when no family is available, and have successfully represented widows in legal matters.

Part of the duties of the Fylde Almoner is to prepare a regular report on all the widows, brethren and children under his care.

These reports are sent to, the Provincial Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Almoner, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and all the group chairman in the Fylde area.

In 2009 this report covered an in-depth analysis of 24 widows, brethren and children, including their health, wellbeing, financial status and educational requirements.

For the benefit of the widows, brethren and children Ron deals with the Grand Charity, Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, RMBI, Samaritan Fund and our own West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

To keep up to date Ron attends seminars on DSS Benefits and Welfare Rights. As he points out, the law is changing all the time and these seminars keep him up to speed with what is going on, so that help and advice can be offered immediately.

He also attends the Samaritan Fund AGM, and the WLFC annual meeting. Each year he attends the AGM’s of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, plus the North and South Fylde Groups of Lodges.

Ron also said that he is prepared to give talks in any lodge on his work as the Fylde Masonic Almoner and the Masonic charities, adding, that after these talks it is surprising how many lodge almoners and brethren contact him for advice at a later date.

The list of lodges and Provinces covered by Ron makes for interesting reading. There are Lodges in our own Province of West Lancs, lodges in London, South Manchester, Durham, Scotland, Yorkshire, Shropshire, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Cheshire and even as far a field as Canada.

Twenty years ago, when Ron was offered the job of Fylde Masonic Almoner he was given a list of seven duties, but we only need look at the first two to see that this wonderful, caring and dedicated couple are working beyond any call of duty required of them.

- To relieve distressed Freemasons and / or distressed widows of Freemasons in all cases of emergency.

- To assist in the administration of grants and annuities from other Provinces and Constitutions.

Outside of Freemasonry Ron has been a Governor of Lytham St Anne’s Technology and Performing Arts College for the past 11 years, and he was also a Fylde Borough Councillor for eight years.

Virtually all who walk along Blundell Avenue in Freshfield are there for a purpose. It might be to run the dog on the fields to the left or to venture into the pine woods to catch a glimpse of the red squirrels on the right, but very few are aware of what lies beyond. Here it becomes narrower and darker; little more than a wooded country lane finished off with two sturdy stone gate posts.

Driving through the entrance, however, an expansive area of modern, bright and airy buildings appear. These are the grounds of Saint Joseph’s Adult Services; part of the Francis Taylor Foundation, which has become a centre of true excellence for the care of adults with severe physical and mental disabilities. It is the only service of its kind operating within the North West.

The first impression one gets on entry to this haven of respite is the intense feeling of being enveloped in a large warm blanket of love, compassion and happiness. Everywhere one turns there are smiling faces – carers and cared-for alike all smiling and truly enjoying this wonderful experience.

Walking around the grounds one begins to realise the immense dedication to detail that has gone into the planning of this complex from the Aladdin’s cave-like sensory rooms to the positively tropical atmosphere of the hydrotherapy pool. All achieved to produce the maximum stimulation and relaxation therapy for all residents and day visitors. Much of this has only been achieved by the sheer determination, guts and foresight of all the staff at St Joseph’s, led by Sister Eileen and the fund-raising efforts of the Friends of St Josephs led by their co-chairpersons, Alan and Sue Pendleton.

So it was to this oasis of inspired experience that a small band of Southport Freemasons gathered for a very special event; the opening of a large new conservatory. As a Trustee of the West Lancashire Freemasons Charity, Chris Hamilton had been invited to officially open the site. Last year the WLFC made a major grant of £5,000 towards the construction of the conservatory. This was the largest single donation toward the project and Chris readily accepted the honour of this privilege on behalf of West Lancashire Freemasonry.

The large new conservatory will serve many functions from staff meetings to residents’ Christmas parties as well as a pleasant and peaceful area for parents and friends to socialise with the residents and day guests. There are also plans afoot to relocate the very popular Cathy’s Corner Café to this area.

St Joseph’s, situated in Formby Merseyside, has been open since 1912 when it was purchased by the religious order “The Poor Servants of the Mother of God”. They are still the governing body today, but now operate as “The Frances Taylor Foundation”.

In 1959 St Joseph’s specialised in supporting children with a mental handicap. Since 1987 following changes in the law, St Joseph’s has been caring for 36 adults with profound learning and physical disabilities. Also on site is a large day centre that serves the surrounding community and offers daily respite for more than 40 families. St Joseph’s is the only place within the North West that offers a service for these special people, whose very complex needs also include severe health problems.

The “Friends of St Joseph’s” which is a voluntary fund-raising group, set up some 35 years ago for the benefit of the residents and day people who use St Joseph’s Adult Services. The funds raised are used to provide additional amenities and opportunities that contribute to their quality of life.

Examples of the projects that “The Friends” have raised funds for include, garden furniture, a barbecue area within woods but accessible by wheelchair along a woodland pathway, a sensory garden, hydrotherapy pool and many other smaller treats.

This wonderful organisation depends entirely on donations and grants? Donations can be forwarded to Alan and Sue Pendleton at 29 Osbourne Road, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 2RJ or telephone 01704 577849.

Chris Hamilton opens the new conservatory accompanied by Alan Pendleton, co-chairman of the Friends of St Joseph’s.

The sheer delight and excitement is reflected on the face of David Pendleton, one of the day visitors, as he enters the conservatory for the first time.

The Royal Daffodil will set sail from Liverpool for a special six-hour cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal.

John Hammond has arranged the special cruise with all profits going to Masonic charities.

The Royal Daffodil will take up to 300 passengers and so far 200 people have booked for the trip on Saturday, 17 July.

The boat will depart from the Seacombe Ferry Terminal at 1.00pm and the cost for the trip is £30. Passengers are advised to be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure.

There will be a special guide giving a commentary during the trip to point out places of interest and giving the history of the canal’s construction.

There will be a fleet of buses to return passengers to their starting point at the end of the cruise.

John said: “It will be a truly memorable journey along the 35-mile stretch of canal. It includes a lively commentary giving a revealing insight into the facts, the history and the dramas of one of Britain’s major waterways. The cruise takes in spectacular scenery leaving its passengers with an awe-inspiring sense of how its construction shaped the city of Manchester and the North West of England.”

Although there is a licensed bar and snack bar on the boat, cruisers can take their own picnic baskets.

To find out more about the cruise or book a place contact John Hammond on 01257 401155 or email him on jh83@blueyonder.co.uk

When fire devastated the equipment used by a pre-play group in a church hall West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity was quick to answer a plea for help.

Now things are looking a bit better for the group which meets in the hall at St Stephen on-the-Cliffs Church, Blackpool after a cheque for £1,200 was handed over by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson.

The first thing that greets visitors when they enter the church hall is the noisy laughter of happy children in play, but this hides a sinister problem that awaits when they enter the main hall. The main hall was the scene of the fire, and on entering the strong acrid smell of smoke leaves a foul taste in the mouth.

St Stephen on-the-Cliffs provides pre-play group facilities for up to 25 children with ages ranging from two to five years.

On a fateful day in April of this year all the play equipment was carefully put away in the main hall store rooms. Who could have predicted that every item would be lost to fire?

When the fire took hold it devastated the whole end of the main hall, not only the children’s play things but the walls, ceiling and the beautiful wooden parquet flooring, which was only three years old. This loss was not only down to the flames but a lot of water damage had been caused.

The fire assessors had linked the damage to a cordless phone, which, when left unattended had caught fire.

Lost in the fire were children’s toys, educational books and learning equipment, paints and drawing materials, tables, chairs even the play group computer.

The church of St Stephen on-the-Cliffs is attended by some well known Blackpool Freemasons and a call was made to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

It responded immediately and a cheque for £1200 was produced to help cover the loss.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson attended a meeting with Canon Andrew Sage, the children’s supervisor Vicki Horn, the rest of the helpers and children to present the cheque.

Terry was taken aback when he witnessed for himself how this small but vital community service had survived. Vicki Horn assured Terry that although everyone was very upset, they had kept running. Even that morning some new pieces of play equipment had just arrived.

Canon Sage thanked Terry and the Freemasons for all their help and also responding so quickly to the problem. The money would be put to great use. He also pointed out that as it is always the way with the insurance companies, nothing had yet had been settled, so the main hall would be left unserviceable for some time into the future.

Terry left the building to the sound of the children thanking him and the Freemasons of West Lancashire with three cheers.

Canon Sage, Terry Hudson, Vicki Horn, helpers and children with one of the new pieces of equipment.

The final results of the Historical Records Survey were announced in the presence of the Pro Grand Master at a meeting held in the Regent Room at Freemasons’ Hall.

West Lancashire was represented by the Provincial Co-ordinator Fred Lomax and he is able to report that 76.5% of lodges and chapters in the Province returned surveys.

Considering that West Lancashire started very late into the project, the figures were achieved in only seven months which can only be attributed to the hard work, dedication and commendable negotiating skills of the 18 assistant co-ordinators from across the Province.

Nationally 6021 returns were received from the Provinces in England and Wales and this vast body of data represents an unprecedented source of information on surviving Masonic records in England and Wales on their location and physical condition.

The Province submitted 431 returns which is 77.5% of lodges and 73.6% of chapters with an overall percentage of 76.5% against the national average of just 62%.

A total of 366 or 85% of the Province’s returns were sent electronically and 65 or 15% on paper. Overall the survey recorded 63% electronically and 37% paper returns.

The results of the survey will be lodged in the National Archives and will be made available for public consultation. Any enquiries for access will initially be made to the Library and Museum at Freemasons Hall, London and only when these sources have been exhausted will an approach be made to individual lodges and chapters. Any access by researchers to records held by lodges and chapters is entirely at the discretion of the individual lodges and chapters.

The records will also be incorporated into a publication celebrating the 300th anniversary of Grand Lodge.

The next phase of the project will be to advise lodges and chapters on storage preservation and conservation of their historic records. An announcement regarding these aspects will be made at the start of the new Masonic season.

Pictured are project manager Len Reilly with Fred Lomax, West Lancashire Provincial Co-ordinator at Freemasons’ Hall.

Vivian Green has picked up her needle and thread with a new passion after reading an article in a quilting magazine earlier this year. Vivian was inspired by the story of Jean Morris, of Osbaston, Monmouth who founded the UK Quilts of Valour branch of the charity after meeting Catherine Roberts at a quilting show in Houston, Texas, USA in 2007. Catherine’s son had been deployed to Iraq for a year and she set up a group honouring servicemen injured in Iraq and Afghanistan by presenting them with specially made quilts.

The main aim of the UK branch is to donate quilts to injured service men and women to show that we support them and to thank them for their service to their country.

Vivian has been appointed the West Lancashire drop off point for the quilts to then be sent on to Jean Norris in Monmouth, Wales. The quilts are then distributed to the recipients from there.

The quilts take many hours to make and all the materials have to be 100 percent cotton because of the blast injuries the troops are suffering. Because the quilts are quite expensive to produce, Vivian makes craft items such as hand bags, lap quilts, wine bottle waistcoats, peg bags, gardener’s aprons and many other items, which Vivian and her husband Ken sell at local markets.

Ken is a member of Harrock Lodge 8233, in the West Lancashire Group of Lodges. They are both members of Leyland Masonic Fellowship and Vivian regularly has a stall at the coffee mornings and other Leyland Group events in order to sell the craft items she makes in order to buy the materials for the quilts.

A total of 300 quilts have been donated so far to injured solders coming back from Afghanistan. Covering most of the Regiments in the 11th and 19th Brigades.

Anyone wishing to help with donations or materials or are interested in joining the quilting club can contact Vivian by telephone: 01772 424831 or email vivian.green@blueyonder.co.uk

Vivian with the South Ribble Mayor and Mayoress on Worden Park, Leyland over the last Bank Holiday where she had a stand to sell her crafted items to raise funds to buy the materials for the quilts and to raise the profile of the charity.

By September 2010, the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund Committee will have its Masonic regalia shop fully up and running. The stock includes other items of Masonic interest as well as Craft, Royal Arch and side degrees regalia, both new and pre-owned. Whatever your requirements, please give the Hope Street Shop a chance to quote you a price.

The profit on all of the items will be donated to the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund, and with few overheads, the price to you is likely to be considerably cheaper than available on the open market. This will be especially attractive to those seeking full Provincial regalia.

A small sample of some of the items available are on display in the cabinets in the lounge at Hope Street, but the main shop will be situated in the basement. Eventually, the committee hopes to have a web-page with promotions and special deals.

The committee would greatly appreciate donations of no longer wanted regalia or similar items in saleable condition. All proceeds will be sold solely for the benefit of the Hall Building Fund to maintain and improve the home of Liverpool Freemasonry. Please contact Derek Cadwallader on 0151 924 9532 for all shop enquiries.

Shop organizer Derek Cadwallader shows some of the available items to Liverpool Masonic Hall Chairman John Roberts.

Freemasons are a “splendid group of people – really brilliant” according to the Deputy Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Jim Marsh.

Cllr Marsh made the remark after hearing of more than £30,000 being presented to charities in the Leyland area by Freemasons and receiving £250 for the Mayor’s Charity.
A “Giving Day” was held at Wellington Park, Leyland, to present cheques to various local charities on behalf of the Leyland and District Group of Lodges and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

Cllr Marsh revealed that his father had been a Freemason and that in his early days he had heard of the efforts made by Freemasons for charity but that this was the first time he had witnessed at first hand just how generous they are.

He said after the cheque presentations: “What a splendid group of people you are. You are really superb – brilliant.”

It was the first “Giving Day” in the Province of West Lancashire and representatives of all the charities to receive donations were welcomed by Peter Hadfield, Chairman of the Leyland and District Masonic Group of Lodges. The recipients were introduced by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland.

A talk on how charities benefit from Freemasons was given by Roy Skidmore, chief executive of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity who urged all charities to make applications for assistance for special projects.

Stewart Seddon, vice chairman of the Leyland group, paid tributes to charity steward Glynn Wrennall for his “sterling efforts” in organising the Giving Day.

Stuart said: “It is incumbent on us all to seek to look after those less fortunate than ourselves. Today has been a true Masonic initiative displayuing a genuine humanitarian gesture which is intended to further cement the bond between Freemasonry and the community in which we live.

“I hope, at least, that we have dispelled one of the popular myths that Masons only look after their own. Indeed Freemasonry nationally is the second largest supporter of non-Masonic charities, the National Lottery taking top billing.”

Galloway’s Society for the Blind received £200 from Leyland Lodge No 4249 and £200 from the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for a ‘computer sound card’ to enable it to produce digital recordings in the ‘Talking Newspaper Studios’. Bob Olive, the Worshipful Master of Leyland Lodge presented the cheque to Peter Taylor for Galloway’s Society for the Blind.

Sue Ryder Care (Based at Cuerden Hall) received £500 from De Bon Cuer Lodge No 6984 and £500 from WLFC totalling £1,000 to purchase a specialist ‘seating system’ for one of their residents. Bill Shuttleworth, the WM will presented the cheque to Emma Russ.

St Catherine’s Hospice has in the last year received £700 from Carnarvon Lodge No 2376 along with matched funding of £700 from WLFC for the purchase of a specialist bed and mattress. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity has also made a donation of £3,341 which was a part of £650,000 committed to the hospice movement throughout the UK. At the Leyland presentation it received £100 from Farington Lodge No 7277, £300 from Phoenix Lodge of Installed Masters No 9206 and £400 from WLFC totalling £800 to purchase a motorised reclining chair and to replace worn out seating. Presenting the cheque was Frank Farnworth, charity steward of Phoenix Lodge and the cheque was received by Lorraine Charlesworth from St Catherine’s Hospice.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation received £850 from Tarleton Lodge No 7871 and £800 from WLFC totalling £1,650 to help secure funding for eight cancer patients from four support groups across the region to attend a national conference for Cancer Self-Help Groups in Manchester in July. Andrew Newsom, the WM of Tarleton Lodge presented the cheque to Ann Sweeney from Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Derian House Children’s Hospice: During the past year Derian House has received£700 from lodges within the Leyland and District Group and from The Grand Charity £1,761. At Wellington Park Darient House received £100 from Farington Lodge No 7277, £500 from St Ambrose Lodge No 8251, £300 from Phoenix Lodge of Installed Masters No 9206 and £900 from WLFC totalling £1,800 to refurbish a child’s bedroom and the installation of a hoist. Presenting the cheque was the charity steward of St Ambrose Lodge, Tony Blundell and receiving ithe cheque was Ian Mintoe from Derian House.

North West Air Ambulance: In December The AirAmbulance received £12,000 from the Grand Charity and at Leyland’s Giving Day it received £2,100 from Longton Lodge No 6237, £200 from St Leonard’s Lodge No 6132, £200 from Farington Lodge No 7277 and £2,500 from WLFC totalling £5,000 to purchase a ‘Life Pac 12’ Defibrilator for use on the helicopter. Martin Moreland, WM of Farington Lodge, with a representative from Longton Lodge presented the cheque to Linda Bryslin.

On behalf of The Leyland and District Masonic Group Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland had the great pleasure to present £250 to the Deputy Mayor and his wife, Councillor and Mrs Jim Marsh to be given to their nominated charity.

Representatives were also present of four other charities who had received their cheques in advance of the day: Tender Nursing Care, £500; The Princess Royal Trust for Young Carers, £250; The North West Cancer Research Fund, £800 and The Rainbow Charity, £250.

The total donations to non-Masonic charities during the past 12 months from the Leyland and District Masonic Group, including matched funding from West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and The Grand Charity, is £30,102.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland, the Deputy Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Jim Marsh and other charity representatives who received cheques at the Giving Day in Layland Masonic Hall.

Roy Skidmore, chief executive of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity talks to representatives of local groups about how Freemasons help local charities.

Pictured below are the presentations of cheques to charities at the Giving Day.

The work of photographer George Thornton whose images have appeared across the centre pages of the last two editions of the West Lancashire Freemason has been praised by Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker.

At the Final Team Dinner for the regional and group charity stewards and Festival Appeal Committee to celebrate the conclusion of the 2010 Festival Peter gave those present a sneak preview of the latest edition of the magazine.

Across the centre pages is a photograph taken by George giving a full view of the Guild Hall, Preston, as Peter approached the stage to open the special 2010 Festival meeting.

Peter said that one of George’s “wonderful, wonderful” photographs taken at his installation and which appeared in last year’s West Lancashire Freemason now takes pride of place his study. The image has earned praise from Freemasons in all parts of the country.

He said the special photograph from the present edition will “very shortly” also be on the wall of his study.

He said George was to be congratulated on producing these very special images for the magazine.

A professional photographer, George is a member of Optima Lodge No 6101 in Warrington.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker shows the centre page photograph which appears in the latest edition of the West Lancashire Freemason to those present at the Final Team Dinner in Wellington Park, Leyland.

A total of £62,400 has been awarded in minor grants to twenty-five national charities. They are the latest awards through The Freemasons’ Grand Charity Minor Grants scheme which provides support for smaller charities active in the areas of youth opportunities, vulnerable people and medical research.

	Charity	Amount
1	Alström Syndrome UK Providing support for people with Alström Syndrome and their Carers'.	£1,000
2	Association for Children’s Palliative Care Charity aims to achieve better quality care for all children and young people with life-limiting conditions.	£2,500
3	The Back-Up Trust Provides a range of services for people with Spinal Cord Injury as well as their friends, family and volunteers to encourage independence, self-confidence and motivation following a life changing injury.	£2,000
4	The City of London Migraine Clinic A research centre and outpatient service.	£2,000
5	CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) Providing free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK.	£3,500
6	Children’s Liver Disease Foundation Supporting families of children and babies with liver disease and promotes and funds research into cause and treatments .	£3,500
7	Daytrippers Helps children with disabilities, life limiting and terminal illness, to enjoy amazing experiences that might not otherwise be available to them.	£3,500
8	Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International Provides help and support to disabled parents and prospective parents by the provision of accessible information.	£2,000
9	Disability Law Service Providing information and advice to disabled and deaf people.	£3,000
10	Duchenne Family Support Group Providing a national support network for families affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.	£2,000
11	Envision Providing educational support and adult volunteers in schools to help young people aged 16-19 design and lead their own projects in key areas of youth volunteering, sustainability, citizenship and social enterprise.	£3,000
12	HemiHelp Provides services for children with congenital and acquired Hemiplegia and their families.	£3,000
13	Island Trust Motivates disadvantaged young people through sailing.	£3,000
14	JustDifferent JustDifferent helps create positive social attitudes towards disability and difference among children and young people.	£2,500
15	Jumbulance Trust Providing transport to enable severely disabled and sick adults and children to travel on holidays and day outings.	£4,000
16	Kids VIP Helps to improve contact between children and their imprisoned parents/siblings.	£2,000
17	London Narrow Boat Project Canal boat holidays for young people.	£2,000
18	National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome Provides help, information and support to Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) sufferers and their families. It also promotes a better understanding of PMS and its treatment by the medical profession.	£1,000
19	National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries Provides information and support to toy and leisure libraries in the UK.	£1,500
20	OCD Action Providing support and treatment for people affected by OCD.	£2,000
21	POD Charitable Trust Entertaining children in hospitals, (magicians, musicians, etc).	£2,400
22	Queen’s Nursing Institute Provides support for community nurses and promotion of best practice and innovation.	£3,000
23	REACT – Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with potentially terminal illness Helping children with life limiting illness.	£3,000
24	Sand Rose Project Provides a free break at a house in Cornwall for families who have suffered bereavement. People are referred by agencies, support groups, hospices etc.	£3,000
25	Survivors of Bereavement by suicide Provides support to people who have experienced death by suicide amongst their family and friends.	£2,000
	*TOTAL*	£62,400

Bro Derek Gibson the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Harmony No 580 was delighted to welcome Bro Robert Lomas to the regular lodge meeting in April. Derek had asked Bro Critchley (the lodge Inner Guard) to invite Robert to give a talk in the lodge, after Bro Critchley had told him about the time he heard Robert give a lecture in the Orwell Pub in Wigan. The lecture focused on the symbology in Rosslyn Chapel. However, Robert had recently published his latest book “Turning the Hiram Key” and he also discussed this during the lecture. Bro Critchley had told Derek that he had found the talk was so inspiring it had provided the final push he needed to join freemasonry.

Dr Robert Lomas is a Professor at Bradford University and is an expert on Symbology and Symbolism. Robert is also an international author who has written many books on Freemasonry and other related topics. He is the highest ever selling Masonic author. He has published nine books related to Freemasonry: The Invisible College, Freemasonry and the Birth of Modern Science, The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century, The Hiram Key, The Second Messiah, Uriel's Machine, The Book of Hiram, Mysteries of the Ancient World and The Holy Grail.

More than 70 Brethren, including Assistant Provincial Grand Masters John Moore and Jon Clipsham, and Norman Hunt (Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master) along with many other Grand and Provincial Grand officers attended the meeting to hear the lecture entitled ‘From Floorcloths to Tracing Boards, Six Hundred Years of Masonic Symbolism’.

Robert started the lecture by asking the brethren “what is Freemasonry” he went on to discuss the Kirkwall Scroll, which has hung in Kirkwall Masonic Hall for centuries.

Robert informed the brethren that the scroll measures 18 feet 6 inches in length, and 5 feet 6 inches in width. He said it is made of strong linen, and consists of a full width of cloth in the centre with a divided width sewn along each side. Robert said that carbon dating results from material taken from the scroll shows the outside of the scroll dates from the late 18th century, the second piece from the central panel dates from the late fifteenth century.

The scroll occupies the west wall of the Lodge room in Kilwinning, however the height of the room is not sufficient to show the whole scroll at one time. He said it is painted in oil; the emblem down the centre being mainly in pale blue, but the top panel shows some attempt to imitate nature, the hills being brown, the sea green, the trees brown, and ground reddish, Eve and the animals and fishes pink. On each side of the centre strip runs a ribbon of three colours ‑ blue, yellow and green ‑ the blue being inside. On the left side the rivers and cities are green, the trees and hills brown, and the same may be said of the other side, the tents and symbols being, however, blue. The margin all round is a dark slate colour. Robert said his researches had revealed that in the eighteenth century the lodge received the gift of a symbolic floorcloth from one William Graeme. Whether this "floorcloth" was actually the Kirkwall Scroll he said is still hotly debated today.

Robert said the Kirkwall Scroll was the earliest example of a Masonic floorcloth and showed the Masonic scenes displayed on tracing boards in lodges today. He went on to discuss the origins of the tracing board in the lodge room which dates back to 1781 when The Lodge of Harmony was formed. The tracing board has been framed in the last 50 years to protect it as it is made of cloth and is very fragile.

During his talk Robert also discussed Lodge Mother Kilwinning No 0 which he said his researches showed that minutes of Aberdeen Council speak of a lodge of masons meeting in Aberdeen in 1483 several hundred years before the Grand Lodge of Scotland was formed.

Robert ended the lecture by saying that he had a gained a better understanding of the universe and faith in society and he hoped he had helped the brethren to make their daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.

Derek thanked Robert for giving the lecture which he was sure the brethren had enjoyed. felt it would be good for the brethren (many of whom will have read Roberts books) to have the opportunity to hear him first hand.

Robert then answered several questions from the brethren and then signed books for the brethren.

At the festive board Derek thanked Robert on behalf of all the brethren for agreeing to attend the lodge meeting and for giving the excellent lecture.

Pictured with the Lodge of Harmony Tracing Board are, from left to right: Jon Clipsham, Robert Lomas, Derek John Gibson (WM) and John Moore.

Greg Pinnington from Arthur Stanley Lodge No 3469 in the Ormskirk Group and David Thomas from Peace and Unity Lodge No 3966 in the North Fylde Group travelled to Warrington to attend their first installation meeting as Provincial Grand Stewards at St Oswald Lodge No 5170.

Greg and David were taken through their paces in preparation for their role by Kevin Poynton who was acting as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies for the installation ceremony.

The principal guest was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd who is responsible for the Warrington, Woolton and Widnes Groups.

It was also a special meeting for Derek Hunt. Derek is the Provincial Publicity Officer for the Province of West Lancashire and he is the first Warrington Freemason for five years to be honoured with Grand Rank. Derek is a member of St Oswald Lodge and this was the first meeting he has attended since he was invested by the Grand Master, the Duke of Kent, as a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies at the annual investiture meeting of the United Grand Lodge of England in Freemasons’ Hall, London.

Pictured, left to right, are: Derek Hunt, David Thomas, Dennis Rudd and Greg Pinnington.

Howard Jones, a Trustee of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, presented a cheque for £4,256 on behalf WLFC to Hayley Scholes, Development Manager for The Legacy Rainbow House. The charity based in West Lancashire provides services for children with disabilities, brain injuries and life limiting conditions.

The donation will help fund the cost for four children to attend a weekly, three hour conductive education session for the next 12 months. These sessions are subsidised by The Legacy Rainbow House, and parents are required to pay a proportion of the cost but due to the current economic climate some parents are struggling to pay. The donation from WLFC will allow these parents to continue sending their child to The Legacy Rainbow House.

The weekly conductive education sessions help children, who have a wide range of disabilities, to achieve their Individual education plans. This includes learning tasks such as sitting, standing, walking, talking, dressing, eating and drinking, and other tasks that are taken for granted by able bodied people.

After Howard presented the cheque, he and his wife Pat were given a tour of the Legacy Centre by Katherine Nelson, who is a project officer for the charity. They then met Joe Mawdsley who founded Rainbow House in 2001.

Rainbow House specialises in providing services for children with brain injuries, disabilities and life limiting conditions. An holistic approach to rehabilitation is used - known as Conductive Education - which aims to teach children life enhancing techniques, through education, recreation and sports, so that they can live more independent lives within the community.

Hayley Scholes of The Legacy Rainbow House said; “We thank the West Lancashire Freemasons for their very generous donation and for all their hard work in fundraising. The donation will make a real difference to the lives of the children it supports, without this these children would not continue to develop their independence skills.”

Rainbow House was originally founded to provide services for children in Lancashire, however demand has grown rapidly and the charity now serves more than 170 children from across the United Kingdom, and offers a range of outreach services.

Howard Jones presents the cheque to Haley Scholes watched by some of the children.

Elaine Hansen, Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution’s Care Advice Visitor for the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man took time out from her extremely busy schedule to meet lodge charity stewards and almoners from the North Fylde, Blackpool and South Fylde groups.

A packed meeting (despite Blackpool FC being in the play-offs for promotion to the Premier Division!) held at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, heard at first hand from Elaine - who works with the Provinces of Cheshire, Cumberland and Westmoreland, East Lancashire, West Lancashire, Isle of Man, North Wales, Shropshire and Staffordshire (North) - comprehensive advice about caring for the needs of Masons and their families. She cautioned the almoners never to make assumptions about people requiring their services particularly about matters financial and cited some salutary examples to reinforce her case.

The almoners and charity stewards were told how the RMBI and its sister charities the Masonic Samaritan Fund, Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys and the Grand Charity gives their support to Masons and their immediate families.

The theme of her talk ranged on diverse matters from RMBI Homes (17 throughout the country) and the likes of pre-admission assessments, respite care, dementia support, and holidays, as well as getting down to the ‘nitty gritty’ of filling in benefit and application forms to obtain care.

She offered to work closely with almoners even to the extent of accompanying them on home visits to see to the welfare of people under their care to dispense confidential assistance and support. Elaine’s help and guidance she explained was “only a phone call away.”

Regional care officer Jim Woods introduced Alan Pugh, a Welfare Rights Officer from Blackpool Borough Council, who expanded on Elaine’s theme by giving an insight in to benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit and the vagaries of claiming these allowances to help local people in need of them and how they helped make a difference.

Jim Woods thanked both of these speakers for their comprehensive coverage of their subjects. He went on to speak about a high profile case which the media had picked up on, of Calum, a local Blackpool boy who had contracted a rare debilitating disease which required a special wheelchair costing £7,400. Through the fund-raising efforts of local Fylde Masons half the required sum had been raised and Jim pledged that the Grand Charity would make up the difference and he thanked local Masons for their generous response to the appeal.

He turned to the 2010 Festival and though he said league tables were not what the festival was about he was proud to announce that the three Fylde groups had come first, third and fourth in the fund-raising stakes with a total raised between the three groups of £842,000. He congratulated group charity steward Trevor Hunt in topping the poll with a magnificent £324,000 from the North Fylde Group.

Jim also mentioned a scheme for young carers which had been launched at Provincial Office after a moving presentation by some youngsters and that £5,000 per annum for five years had been pledged in support of the scheme.

North Fylde Group Chairman, Harry Cox, closed the meeting thanking all the speakers for the quality and content of the sound advice they had given and he thanked the charity stewards and almoners for turning out in such numbers in support of the evening.

Harry thanked Elaine especially for making the trip to Cleveleys and presented her with a bouquet.

Fylde Care Officers Mike Goodwin, Jim Woods, Peter Mann and Edwin Fisher with North Fylde Group Chairman Harry Cox at the RMBI meeting.

Saying it with flowers – Harry Cox presents Elaine Hansen
with a bouquet to say thanks.

It is the custom of Arrowhead Lodge of Freedom No 8500 to hold a Uniform Night when youth services uniform is worn at its regular meeting in May.

The lodge derives its membership from brethren who have been involved with unifromed youth organisation such as Scouting, the Boys‘ Brigade, Sea Cadet Corp etc . Quite a few of those attending wore their uniforms. This year by Dispensation from the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and by permission of the Scouting authorities the meeting was held at Bispham House, the residental training centre on the Bispham Hall Scout Estate on Crank road, Billinge Higher End, Wigan.

A lodge room was set up in the central hall of the centre. The main business of the lodge proceedings was an explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board by Phil Dobson of Borsdane Lodge No 6460. The lodge works the Emualtion Ritual which does not usually include this Tracing Board and the explanation admirably given was enjoyed by all present.

For the festive board those present retired to the dining room of Bispham House where some of the wives of members Monica Allen, Sandra Barnes and Barbera Shaw, had laid on a substantial cold buffet. As well as the traditional toast list and replies entertainment was provided with folk and campfire songs and thoroughly enjoyed by Rod North and Sid North of Penisular Lodge No 5914 (Cheshire).

Traditionally the lodge collects funds at this meeting for the Arnold Singer Memorial Fund, a relief chest at the Grand Charity (UGLE) from which substantial donations are, from time to time, made to uniform youth organisations. A total of £4,375 has been distributed to uniform youth organisations since this fund was set up in 1995 in memory of the Founding Master of Arrowhead Lodge of Freedom No 8500 in 1995 the late Arnold Singer. On this occasion £280 was collected for the fund from the collection, a Dutch auction and a suplus from dining fees. A donation of £100 was made to the Bispham Hall Scout Estate from the lodge’s 50-Fund.

The brethren of the Province of West Lancashire have been “astonishingly generous” in raising £5,418,004 for the Masonic Samaritan Fund.

The final total for the 2010 Festival was announced by Richard Douglas, Chief Executive of the Masonic Samaritan Fund at a special meeting of the Province in the Guild Hall, Preston.

The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master, Bro Geoffrey Peter Lowndes, said the brethren of the Province had been “astonishingly generous” in their support for the Festival.

The President of The Masonic Samaritan Fund, VWBro Hugh William James Stubbs, described the total as “fantastic”.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker said raising the money for the Festival was Freemasonry at “its very best”.

A special edition of the West Lancashire Freemason is being printed containing more stories and photographs from the 2010 Festival Weekend of Celebrations. The magazine will be posted as soon as possible to all of West Lancashire’s Freemasons. Following its publication more stories and photographs will appear on the website.

Peter Hosker presents the cheque for £5,418,004 to Hugh Stubbs at the meeting in the Guild Hall.

In his opening remarks to the special meeting for the 2010 Festival in the Guild Hall, Preston, Provincial Grand Master and Festival President Peter Hosker said; “I welcome you all to Provincial Grand Lodge as we come together to celebrate our 2010 Festival for the Masonic Samaritan Fund. In particular, may I say how pleasing it is to have our ladies in attendance today, adding even more colour and complexion to our meeting.

“Before entering, I have already opened Provincial Grand Lodge in a separate room, in conjunction with a quorum of members of my Provincial Team. For the sake of regularity, there were also witnesses in attendance from the Chorley and District Group who are today hosting this occasion. I can report that we have duly undertaken the necessary business of the Province and such business will be properly recorded in the Provincial Minutes of this meeting. In addition to the 2010 Festival, I will invest my acting Provincial Officers for the year, together with the investiture of some five Brethren who are to receive the highest Provincial Rank that I can confer.

“ Ladies, Gentlemen and Brethren, since our last meeting in October 2009, many of our colleagues both in Grand Rank and Provincial Grand Rank have departed this life and been called to higher service. The list includes a very distinguished leader and good friend of this Province namely VWBro Eddie Houghton, past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who died last Monday. Our thoughts go to the families and friends of those we have lost and I invite you to stand with me for a moment in memory, respect and tribute to departed merit.”

Peter said: “MW Pro Grand Master Bro Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, may I welcome you once again to the Province of West Lancashire. You do us honour by your presence and I trust that you will enjoy your visit. I also welcome Bro Hugh Stubbs, the President and Chairman of the Board of Management of the Masonic Samaritan Fund, the Chief Executive of the Fund Mr Richard Douglas, and the many members of the Board of Management of the Fund.”

The Provincial Grand Master then delivered an explanation of the Province’s group system and announced the procession of banners.

Each of the 24 groups in the Province was represented by a banner which was carried in by a representative of the group who was accompanied by his group chairman.

Once the banners were in place the Provincial Grand Master said: “Ladies, Gentlemen and Brethren, only two weeks ago at Grand Lodge, certain distinguished brethren of our Province were most deservedly appointed to or promoted in Grand Rank.

“Appointed Grand Orator, Bro Kai Hughes; appointed PJGD, Bro Jonathan Clipsham and appointed to PAGDC: Bros David Arrowsmith; John Dutchman-Smith; David Fairclough; Michael Goodwin; Peter Greathead; Ian Higham; Derek Hunt; Peter Taylor and Stephen Walls.

“Promoted to the rank of PJGD: Bros Alan Byers; Paul Shepherd and Stuart Thornber.

“We thank them for the work which has resulted in their preferment and congratulate them on their new ranks.

“I now wish to invest those Brethren whom I have appointed to acting Provincial Grand Rank for the ensuing year. I hope that my acting Provincial Officers will take the opportunity of being as active as possible during their year of office. I also wish to invest those five Brethren whom I have promoted to PPrSGW. The rank of PPrSGW is the most senior Provincial rank and very few such ranks are awarded each year and then only to Brethren who have given outstanding service. Those who have been awarded a past Provincial rank will be honoured at our November meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge.”

A section of the audience at the special 2010 Festival Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire – including many ladies.

It was not only a very special day for Michael Ernest Collins and David Cecil Kavanagh when they were invested as Provincial Grand Wardens it was also a unique occasion for their wives who were able to witness the ceremony.

The investiture of acting Provincial officers was part of the special meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge to celebrate the 2010 Festival at which a number of ladies were present including Linda Collins and Sylvia Kavanagh.

Michael, who was initiated in the Province of Cheshire in Oxton Lodge No 3462 in 1974, is the new Provincial Grand Senior Warden. His first provincial rank in Cheshire was as a PPrJGD and he was later promoted to PPrJGW. He joined Liverpool Mercantile Lodge in 2005 and has served as WM for two successive years. He was appointed Provincial Grand Registrar for the Province of West Lancashire in May 2009. A retired solicitor, Michael is 64 and lives in West Kirby. It will be quite a year for Michael for he is still ADC of Oxton Lodge which will celebrate its centenary in November.

David, 62, is a human resources consultant and was invested as Provincial Junior Grand Warden. He was initiated into Anderton Lodge No 8470 in 1986 and served as WM in 1994. He was promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 2003. David was exalted into Horwich Chapter No 2324 in 1989 and was installed as First Principal in 2003. David, who lives in Lostock, was appointed as a Provincial Grand Steward in the Royal Arch in 2006.

Michael was born in Liverpool, educated locally in Maghull at junior school then at Caldy Grange Grammar School on the Wirral. He still maintains a connection with the school as a member of the Old Boys’ Committee. He continued education at Leeds University where he obtained an LLB Honours Degree. Michael was articled to a firm of Merseyside solicitors and qualified in 1969. After his articles he remained with that firm and became a partner in 1971 remaining with them until his retirement in 1996.

On retirement Michael maintained and expanded his interest in low cost housing as chairman of a housing association in Liverpool and vice chairman of another association with interests in a wider Merseyside environment and Oldham. He has been a board member of Liverpool Shipping Staffs Association, a charity based in Liverpool and founded in 1904 and has been chairman and a trustee of that body for the last 10 years.

On the domestic front following the death of his first wife Joyce in 2001 he married Linda in 2006 acquiring in the process a step-son, Robert, who lives and works for the National Trust in Gloucestershire.

His main interests (nowadays in a watching capacity) are cricket as a long standing member of Lancashire CCC, Rugby Union and golf. Along with his wife Michael has an interest in antiques especially in his case early 19th century porcelain. He has more than a passing interest in local history both of the Wirral and indeed Merseyside in general and over the years has been and remain an avid reader of any book he can lay his hands on. He is a great enthusiast for foreign travel especially cruising with Linda in addition to which last year he had an interesting holiday back packing in Rumania, Moldavia, Ukraine and Hungary.

Michael said: “I feel very privileged to have been appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden for the coming year and look forward to expanding my travels with as many trips as possible to visit lodges and meet brethren throughout the Province. I am sure it will be a great experience.”

David is an experienced human resources professional with more than 30 years experience within major unionised environments in the food and pharmaceutical industries in the UK, Europe and North America.

After Maghull Grammar School he graduated in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London, subsequently becoming a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. He has an impressive record of implementing change and has played a major role in improving company performance by improving the ability to react to customer requirements. In recent years he has managed major outplacement projects at the Britannia Building Society, United Glass and Akzo Nobel, providing career-counselling services to employees at all levels. He regularly works with groups in workshops as well as providing support on an individual basis for clients from “blue chip” companies such as BAEsystems, Kellogg, Nestle, Unilever, Shell, BP, Gillette, Corus, Abbey National and Reality to name just a few.

Outside work and Freemasonry, he is a Licensed Reader in the Church of England and a keen amateur cook. His steak and kidney pies are much in demand. Life is not always a bowl of cherries, however, as he is a long time Bolton Wanderers season ticket holder!

Happily married to Sylvia for 37 years, they have two sons, Neil and Mark, who are themselves happily married. David is extremely proud of his one-year-old granddaughter, Tilly Mae and is looking forward to the end of August when a second grandchild is due to arrive.

Michael Collins and David Kavanagh with their wives Linda and Sylvia after the investiture.

A meeting of Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters No 9057, held at Widnes Masonic Hall, when there were eight new joining members, saw a large number of brethren, both old and young, being educated and at times amused, by Bob Sillett as he gave his 2008 Prestonian Lecture, “The Language of the Ritual”. By giving the lecture in this manner Bob fulfilled the directive given by William Preston two centuries ago that the Prestonian Lectures should not only educate but should also entertain.

This lecture, which was developed by Bob after many months of research in the Grand Lodge Library and searching the internet, takes us on a very interesting journey through the centuries, from as far back as possibly 2000BC and the origins of the English language to the origins of Freemasonry and origins of the ritual and the language of the ritual used today. It was most enlightening to find that some of the words we use today in our ritual can be found in one of the oldest Chinese Classics, ‘The Great Learning’ which was written around 500BC. Along with the Bible, words we use can be found in works by Shakespeare, Milton and Chaucer to name but a few.

Bob has delivered this lecture many times in countries all over the world and raised more than £45,000 for the Downs Syndrome Educational Trust, from whom his grandson, Samuel Thomas Berryman Sillett and many more children like Samuel are deriving great benefit and help.

The Province has 18 new Grand Officers in Craft and Chapter following the annual investiture meetings of Grand Lodge and the Royal Arch.

The meetings were held at Freemasons’ Hall, London. The Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, presided at the Craft investiture when Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham was appointed as a Past Junior Grand Deacon and Kai Hughes (University Lodge of Liverpool No 4274) became the Grand Orator.

Invested as Past Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies were: David James Arrowsmith (Horwich Lodge No 2324), John Stewart Dutchman-Smith (Anderton Lodge No 8470), David Charles Watkin Fairclough (Prescot Trinity Lodge No 3401), Michael Franklyn Goodwin (Melita Lodge No 6783), Peter Greathead (Norcliffe Lodge No 7371), Ian Higham (Anderton Lodge No 8470), Derek Hunt (St Oswald Lodge No 5170), Peter Michael Taylor (St Ambrose Lodge No 8251) and Stephen Lawrence Walls (Temple Lodge No 1094).

Promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacons were: Alan Byers (Westhoughton Lodge No 4215), Paul Sheridan Shepherd (Liverpool Mercantile Lodge No 4319) and John Stuart Thornber (Ansdell Lodge No 3607).

The Royal Arch meeting was held the following day and appointed as Past Grand Standard Bearers were: Edwin Baxter (Hamer Chapter No 1393), Harry Cox (Anchorsholme Chapter No 5854), Anthony John Edden (Swinton Chapter No 6100), Philip Harry Gunning (St Michael’s Chapter No 5756), Trevor Rimmer (Scarisbrick Chapter No 2295), Samuel Frederick Robinson (King’s Chapter No 3101) and James Howarth Wilson (Rowley Chapter No 1051).

Promoted to the rank of PAGSoj were: Alan Byers (Westhoughton Chapter No 4215), Peter Connolly (Chapter of Liverpool No 292) and Harold Rowlands Saunders (Furness Chapter No 995).

The photographs below were taken at the reception and banquet of The Grand Festival in the Grand Connaught Rooms following the meeting of the United Grand Lodge.

Wednesday 28 April 2010 will be a day to remember for four Chorley Group brethren. Three received their first appointments to Grand Lodge with the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and the fourth was promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon.

It is most unusual, and perhaps unique, for three brethren from the same group to receive Grand rank together. All were very well deserved and all for different services to Freemasonry.

David Arrowsmith of Horwich Lodge has been group secretary for 10 years and retires on 8 May after giving magnificent service. John Dutchman-Smith of Anderton Lodge has been treasurer for the 2010 Festival for the Samaritan Fund and is also treasurer of the West Lancashire Freemasons Charity. Ian Higham, also of Anderton Lodge, has served the Province as a Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, both in Craft and Royal Arch.

No-one was surprised to learn that Alan Byers had been promoted in Grand rank. Alan, a member of Westhoughton Lodge, has been a stalwart of Westhoughton Freemasonry for many years and was a founder of Anderton Lodge, of which he is still an honorary member. Alan retired in 2009 as Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals in the Royal Arch and his unstinting work in that capacity was also recognised with promotion to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner.

John Robson said: “I don’t suppose we shall see another such multiple celebration in the Chorley Group. Congratulations to them all. We look forward to seeing them in their new regalia.”

Pictured, left to right, are: John Dutchman-Smith, Peter Taylor (Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2006 and Leyland Group Secretary), Peter Greathead (Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2006), Ian Higham. David Arrowsmith, Alan Byers, Jon Clipsham (Assistant Provincial Grand Master) and Mike Goodwin (Fylde Local Care Officer).

To recognise his outstanding work for the Chorley Group’s contribution to the 2010 Festival total the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Stuart Thornber, has authorised the presentation of a Special Achievement Award to the group charity steward, Malcolm Warren.

Malcolm has worked tirelessly for the Festival and many other causes since becoming group charity steward in 2007.

The photograph shows the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Ray Martland, presenting the Award to Malcolm, watched by the Group Chairman, John Robson.

Malcolm’s other pet cause is the Friends of Ecclesholme, of which he has been secretary and a staunch supporter for many years. He has also done excellent work on behalf of the Province in obtaining sponsorship and advertisements for the West Lancashire Masonic Year Book.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Ray Martland, presents the Special Achievement Award to Malcolm watched by Chorley Group Chairman, John Robson.

Ecclesholme will be holding its summer fair on Sunday, 6 June starting at 2.00pm.

This event will be opened by James Sutcliffe Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Province of East Lancashire. Also in attendance also will be one of West Lancashire’s Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Jon Clipsham.

There will be various stalls selling home baked cakes, home grown bedding plants, bric-a-brac, books, Masonic gloves, ties, cufflinks etc. as well as a tombola, raffles, fancy goods, games to play, jewellery and many other interesting items for sale. The event usually lasts for two or three hours and is a very enjoyable afternoon and most beneficial to Ecclesholme itself. There is ample car-parking space and there is a which also serves soft drinks.

The event is hosted by the Eccles Group and is held at Eccles Masonic Hall, Elm Bank, Half Edge Lane, Eccles, M30 9BA.

Regional officer Peter Baimbridge had enquired whether the group could receive a talk on Freemasonry as part of the meeting. The recently appointed group membership officer, Frank Woodcock, quickly engaged the services of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham to assist in giving a lively and entertaining talk to the group which draws membership from people whose IQ is the top 2%.

The talk, which covered the origins, aims, principles of the Order; the structure of United Grand Lodge of England and our Province; charities, as well as famous Freemasons, prompted many challenging questions from the MENSA members, which were fielded by the Jon assisted by the Eccles Group Chairman, Stuart Shea with openness and good humour.

The hour-long talk and presentation was followed by a tour of the lodge room. After explaining the role of the tyler and giving three distinct knocks, Jon led the group of more than 50 into the lodge room, where they were surprised to find the WM and Warden’s chairs occupied, by Keith Dunbar (IPM Andrew Lodge), Frank Woodcock (Lodge of Hope) and Craig Sutton (JW of Andrew Lodge).

A further 40 minutes of lively discussion ensued, with many questions on the symbolism of the lodge room and its furniture being skilfully answered by Jon, Stuart and the group publicity officer John Tooley.

The talk closed with applause from the MENSA members and an enquiry about membership from a 23-year-old Manchester man.

The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity funded a trip to Alton Towers for 16 young carers and four staff. The aim of the trip, was to offer the young carers respite from their caring roles over the school holiday period. Luckily the sun shone all day, and in spite of a power cut at the theme park, a great time was had by all as the pictures and comments below show. For many it was their first time at the theme park and as the visit was great success it is hoped that another visit can be arranged soon.

The visit to Alton Towers was delivered as part of West Lancs Young Carers Easter Holiday Activity Programme, consisting of two music workshops at The Engine Rooms, and two art workshops at Point 6 Youth Club in Skelmersdale.

West Lancs Young Carers is based in Skelmersdale and aims to provide support for all the young carers in West Lancashire. They achieve this in a variety of ways including one-to-one support, group/respite work, advocacy and residentials.

West Lancs Young Carers also work in partnership with other organisations in order to provide support for families of young carers and the person being cared for.

Often young carers lack the opportunity to access other social groups due to their caring responsibility by supporting young carers to facilitate social inclusion, to enjoy and achieve, stay safe, be healthy, achieve economic well being and make a positive contribution.

One of the main aims is to provide opportunities for young carers to get away from their caring responsibilities and to have fun.

If you would like to find out more about West Lancs Young Carers or you think you know a young carer who needs help email Kate at kate@youngcarers.info

Hex was really good because the room was spinning round and it felt cool. We liked the spinning round bit.

The Charlie and The Chocolate Ride was fun—I enjoyed everything about it And the Aquarium. Looking at all the fish and sharks and getting your hands cleaned by the shrimps!

The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity has made the first donation of £5,000 to KIND (Kids in Need and Distress).

Situated in Back Canning Street, just a stone’s throw from the Masonic Hall in Hope Street, KIND is a children’s charity that works with thousands of children, young people and their families across Liverpool and greater Merseyside, pioneering new and imaginative ways to help them cope with many forms of disadvantage through education by offering learning and skill development opportunities:

The SEED centre is a ‘green’ building constructed from recycled materials. Photo electric cells and solar panels provide electricity. Rainwater is collected for re-use in the centre and the garden; a small energy generating wind turbine also helps to bring the learning experience to life.

Stephen Yip, KIND’s founder, explains the philosophy behind the centre’s support for disadvantaged children and families: “Every child deserves the same opportunities and if we can give them hope when all seems lost, happiness when there is only sadness and belief when there is only doubt, then together we can create a better future for all.”

Children who attend KIND come from a range of different backgrounds, with varying needs and are all given a chance to see that both they and life do have more to offer and also that people do care.

Colin Rowling and Les Moore from the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity are pictured with staff and children at KIND when the £5,000 cheque was presented.

Quadrant Lodge had donated an incredible £40,000 to the 2010 Festival during the last five years.

On a beautiful spring day on the Fylde Coast some 91 brethren gathered at the Palace, St Anne's on Sea for Quadrant Lodge’s Installation meeting.

Worshipful Master Arthur Halstead assisted by Past Masters of the lodge had the pleasure of installing Senior Warden and Mason Wheeler into the Chair in a splendid ceremony, the beauty of which was added to by the impressive and charming explanation of the working tools delivered by three junior brethren of the lodge, Kevin Porter, Paul Little, and Ben Gorry. Charity steward John Chapman proposer and good friend of the new Master crowned the ceremony with an impressive address to the Worshipful Master.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the Worshipful Master presented yet a further magnificent donation to the 2010 Festival in the sum of £6,500 to Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stanley Oldfield. Stanley rapidly handed the cheque to 2010 Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber who thanked the lodge and added that this further payment would raise the total donated by Quadrant Lodge during the five-year appeal to more than £40,000, by any standards an incredible achievement.

A wonderful festive board followed at which the Worshipful Master reinforced his determination to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors to bring credit and success to the lodge in a happy and hopefully productive year that lay ahead. The evening was brought to a close with the announcement that the raffle for Masonic Charity had raised the magnificent sum of £360.

Ian Ward (South Fylde Group Vice Chairman), Stanley Oldfield, WM Mason Wheeler presenting cheque to Stanley Oldfield and 2010 Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber.

The Friends will stage their Annual Golf Day at the Huyton and Prescot Golf Club, Hurst Park, Huyton Lane, Liverpool, L36 1UA on Friday 14 May.

The cost will be £35 for the day, which includes the 18-hole golf competition and presentation dinner in the evening. As in previous years, the presentation dinner will be open to none golfers at a cost of £17.

Tee-off times commence at 1.00pm, with the presentation dinner starting at 7.45pm.

For further information or to make a booking, please contact Geoff Gill 07875 361488 or Phil Patullo 07979 569648.

A Sunday Lunch is to be held on 25 July at the United Reformed Church in Blundellsands

The Autumn Dinner Dance is to be held on 30 October at Childwall Golf Club following the success of last year.

Provincial Grand Chapter was held for the first time at the Norcalympia (pictured above).

Grand Superintendent Peter Hosker said: “The Provincial Team and I were apprehensive about our move to Norcalympia for our Provincial Grand Chapter meeting. However, everyone worked very hard to make sure that the meeting was a happy and successful occasion, and it was - indeed, I believe that this is an exciting venue for our meetings.

With modern lighting and technology, the meeting was made quite special and I hope that all the celebrants enjoyed being in 'the limelight'. Together, the meeting at Norcalympia and the banquet afterwards at the Hilton combined to make it a memorable day for all of us.”