Following the usual formalities, the lodge was raised to the third degree when Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington entered and announced the presence of David Thomas, Assistant Provincial Grand Master who awaited without and demanded admission to the lodge. The WM of Rufford Lodge No 7217 Brian Southworth acknowledged the demand replying that the lodge would be pleased to receive him.
David processed into the lodge in time to organist Doug Little’s graceful rendition of the ‘Triumphal March’ from Aida. David was accompanied by grand officers Philip Gunning, Malcolm Alexander and the group chairman Graham Chambers, together with acting Provincial grand officers Martin Stewart and Dean Walters and acting Provincial deacons Rob Midgley and Gary Evans. Following his initial welcome, Brian offered the gavel to David who, due to the importance of the occasion, accepted and occupied the chair of King Solomon.
Following the greetings and salutations, the lodge was returned to the first degree and the tyler was admitted. The celebrant, Francis Aspinall, was gently escorted to his seat facing David who remarked cordially on the great service Francis had given to Masonry and passed on to him his own and the very best wishes of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews on his achievement and his valued commitment to the Craft over the past half century.
David then went on to present the highlights of Francis’s very successful, happy and eventful life. Francis was born a country boy in May 1937, the second of nine siblings at Gesterfield Farm in Halsall, but moving when he was two years old to Causfield Farm Rufford some eight miles away. His Father having to use only a horse and cart to transfer themselves and all their worldly possessions. Likewise, he would deliver vegetables very early to Liverpool’s North Market, often allowing the horse to find its own way home through the back lanes whilst he slept off his generous breakfasts. Something the constabulary took a dim view of resulting in a presentation at court and an equally generous fine of 2s 6d, or 121/2 pence in modern money.
Francis, when aged 14, was impatient to leave Ormskirk Grammar School, but was only permitted to do so by the headmaster dependent upon his finding employment. This he did within 24 hours and he began work the following day at Hesford’s as an apprentice to the agricultural engineer, Sam Rotheram, who was to become a highly respected and lifelong friend. He was later taken on as a time served mechanic by the owner now lovingly referred to as, ‘Old Man’ Charlie Hesford.
It was whilst attending night school at Southport Technical College that he met his wife, Margaret Tunks, who became his soulmate, workmate and partner. They married in April 1959 which was the beginning of their 63-year partnership. They began working as drivers for Margaret’s father’s firm, Holmeswood Coaches Ltd, which at the time had five wagons and five coaches providing business transport and charabanc tours of Britain and later Europe. In 2003 they began to collect their coaches from Portugal and Spain, making over 150 similar journeys with Margaret as co-driver such that by the 2020’s the firm had developed into a transport giant with over 100 coaches in five depots throughout the north west. Yet in spite of working 60 years with the company, followed by retirement and it being run by his three capable sons, Duncan, Mark and Colin, Francis still diligently visits head office twice daily to continue to maintain and improve its operations.
Over their 63-year marriage, Margaret and Francis dedicated themselves to their family, business and each other, which has produced dividends for both themselves and the wider community. Such that, in 2019 they were both very proud to receive congratulations from Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of their diamond wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, two years ago Margaret died suddenly from a stroke. But with the help and support of treasured friends and family, the joy given by his children, grandchildren and his first great grandchild Harry who, he describes as: “The finest light in his life”, he can now reflect upon great experiences, memories and joys of their well lived lives.
Francis was initiated into St Michael’s Lodge No.5756 in January,1975 becoming master in 1991 and 2018 and was promoted to the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. Unfortunately, the lodge closed in 2023 but he continued in Rufford Lodge, which he had joined in 1994 and had been elected as master in 1998. In Royal Arch he achieved the rank of, Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah and is a founding member of St. Michael’s Chapter No 5756.
The presentation being ended, David asked group vice chairman Stephen Dunn to read aloud Francis’s anniversary certificate, following which he was slowly conducted to his seat to the organist’s jaunty rendition of, ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’
Brian then resumed the WM’s chair and the lodge’s business continued with propositions, first risings and the honouring of the charities which raised £195. David together with the grand officers and acting Provincial grand officers, then regressed from the lodge and were joined at the festive board shortly afterwards by the brethren following their completion of lodge business.
At the festive board, Graham Chambers proposed the toast to David who rose and spoke of the pleasure he always had when celebrating such anniversaries and remarked upon how well attended the celebration was and thanked them all for their presence and hard work during the event, but most of all, he thanked the celebrant for his great service to Freemasonry, the community and his charitable works.
Later, in response to David Rawcliffe’s toast, Francis rose and spoke of his great gratitude for the attendance of so many and also of the 63 years of happiness he and Margaret had together and of the many adventures they’d had, yet throughout the entirety of their 100s of working journeys, he said they had only two mechanical breakdowns and never once got lost, so they must have been getting something right. He thanked David for toast and the brethren for the way they had received it. There followed a loud applause and honours were then given. The evening coming to a close when David Rawcliffe gave the tyler’s toast and all departed in harmony and peace.
