Widnes Masonic Hall, Kingsway, Widnes was the venue for the celebration of Brian Tiley 50 achieving years in Royal Arch Freemasonry in Widnes Chapter No 2819. The chapter was opened in due form by the three principals and then Stewart Cranage, the representative of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, was admitted into the chapter accompanied by David Atkinson, the Mersey Valley Group Chairman and other distinguished companions.
After being formally welcomed, Stewart Cranage took the chair of the first principal and requested the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Robb Fitzsimmons please place our celebrant Brain Tilley in the agreed position in the chapter. The Widnes Chapter’s warrant dates to May 1901 which makes it 124 years old. What a wonderful achievement and it is obvious that all the members are proud of the success and longevity of this fine chapter and without doubt Brian, over his 50 years, has played a major role in maintaining that success and it was exactly 50 years since Brian were exalted into this fine chapter on 16 September 1975.
In his opening remarks, Stewart explained that being a member of the ‘50s Club’ isn’t something that one is invited into, one obtains this membership by right. The companion who will receive the accolade on this evening, noticeably, over the years has been a very quiet man, going about his business in a retiring but highly efficient manner. Brian is a person who has enjoyed so much of his Freemasonry, (he did mention that he joined just a matter of days before he got married), it is very clear that he is person who holds dearly his friends and family.
Stewart continued by giving some history of Brian’s life, saying: “Brian you were born in August 1937, at your grandmother’s home in Bedford Road Bootle. Later you were to go to the family home on Longton Lane Rainhill. Your father Thomas was a known as a ‘turner’ who operated a lathe or a milling machine and later became site foreman at Everite. Your mother May Edna, who originated from Bootle was a secretary. You have two sisters, Hazel and Pat.
Your first school was in Rainhill, then at age 11 you went on to Wade Deacon Grammar in Widnes and eventually left with seven ‘O’ levels all science based which in fact prepared you for your very first step in your distinguished career. Brian your first job was with McKechnie Chemicals, known to many in Widnes which was formed when the directors of the United Alkali Company based in Runcorn decided to form a smelting business which was to be called McKechnie Brothers and they opened the new factory in Widnes.
Your career commenced when, at the age of 16 Brian, when you were indentured by the company. (Masonic/Guilds connection) This was the company’s way of ‘tying’ you in for four years and by doing so guaranteed themselves your talents. Brian you were very happy at McKechnie, they were a good company, ensuring you received a rise in pay every year as well as giving you a day in the week to take further education at Widnes Technical College and you also did three nights per week at the college as well. Your wages were more than the shift workers in the factory. Your job was that of a non-metallurgical analyst.
You recall that like all young chemists you were made aware that fine powder was dangerous and volatile (but to and enquiring mind like you that also meant fine powders could be exciting), as a young chemist you wanted to make fireworks and create other minor explosions, and you did not stop from experimenting. One day your friends thought that you had finally succeed in making the best firework ever. You did succeed; you were, with fond memories and humour, able to explain this to me in some detail when we met, the bangs, the flames. I know you were bitterly disappointed that unfortunately the emergency services arrived before the grand pyrotechnic finale and put a stop to your scientific research, sorry I mean entertainment.
After four years you decided to move on. Your indentures were expired, so at about the age of 20, you made the move to Pilkington’s Glass in St Helens. Your position there was as an analytical chemist. At the age of 21 you attained the qualification of Graduate of the Institute of Chemistry. Then later went on to Manchester University to complete a PhD course in boron chemistry. The American Air force provided the funding for this course. When you came back from University to Pilkington Glass you were moved to the research laboratories at Lathom.
During that time your first wife Anne, sadly died. Some years later you met Beryl. You married Beryl on November 8, 1969. You have three children. Ruth, from your first marriage, and later Andrew and David. Between them over the years they have presented you with four grandchildren. You are extremely proud of them all.
You worked at Pilkington Glass as Senior Research Chemist until your retirement and you still try to keep up some of the interests and hobbies that you have had over the years. In the earlier times you were involved in running a swimming club and you were also secretary of the church’s men’s club which was attached to St James Church in Eccleston Park, which included going bowling, fishing, and arranging trips out. You were also church warden for 10 years at Saint James Church in Eccleston Park. It was a position that you found most interesting and, in your words, a ‘real eye opener’.
You were initiated into Bold Lodge No 7583 on February 5, 1969, being proposed by your father Tom Tilley and seconded by Edward Hughes senior. After working your way through the various offices, you became WM of Bold Lodge in December 1988.You agreed to take the secretary’s position. Brian, you didn’t realise then, but you were to remain in that post until the lodge surrendered its warrant in 2014. A total of 26 years, think we need a paramedic for our scribe Ezra, that means he may have another 24 years to beat that track record.
You were exalted into Widnes Chapter on 16 September 1975 (exactly 50 years ago this very day), after being proposed by John Mawdsley who was a local stonemason. You became first principal in 1992. You have held the offices of ADC and DC. You then took on the position of scribe Ezra in 2004, having been persuaded to do so by Rod Lightfoot, which you filled for 7 years until 2011. You were appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in May 1999 and then promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in May 2006. Brian I will now call on the Mersey Valley Group Chairman, David Atkinson, to read and then present your anniversary certificate.”
Stewart’s full script about Brian’s history can be read by, clicking here.
The chapter was then closed indue form by the three principals and the companions retired to the festive board where Brian enthralled everyone with his anecdotes from his time in Widnes Chapter.