Pro Patria, meaning for ‘One’s Country,’ is unique in so much as military service is a qualification for membership and each member is quite rightly proud of his military service and his own unit of the Armed Forces in particular, be it Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force. Pro Patria Lodge No 9952 is peripatetic, whilst registered at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, its meetings can move around the Province by dispensation.
The Pro Patria Lodge 2024 installation was held at The Palace, St. Annes Masonic Hall, in the presence of Peter Schofield, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The master Elect was Roger O’Loughlin, a former RAF, Chief Technician. This was to be Roger’s third term as WM, having served twice in Brotherhood Lodge No 3967, which is his mother lodge in Blackpool.
Sadly, the installing master, Mark Smith, was taken ill and hospitalised just a few days before the ceremony. Mark is currently resting at home and awaiting further prognosis.
In good military style, the lodge quickly adopted the ‘Commando Mindset’ and moved swiftly to adapt and overcome what was a truly testing time. Into the breach stepped Martin Clements to pick up the gavel and act as installing master and carried it off in fine style. A fitting example of the brother who is soon to receive his first appointment as the Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.
In military banter circles it is well known that the RAF do not ‘dig in’ they merely ‘check in.’ And boy oh boy did Pro Patria check in to the unique Masonic hall that is the St Annes Palace, (it was a cinema until 1959).
The lodge director of ceremonies, Phil Houldsworth, was unavoidably detained elsewhere, so the incoming DC, Juan Topping, carrying a ‘Pace Stick’ as his wand of office, conducted the whole ceremony. The lodge was opened at 17:30hrs, that’s 5:30 pm for the landlubbers, with the bugle fanfare appropriately named ‘Pro Patria’. Also, as is usual, the Union Flag was ceremonially paraded into the lodge room. There followed the installing master, his wardens, and officers. The installing master moved swiftly through the business of the lodge up to the ceremony of installation.
Then, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, accompanied by grand officer, Graham Fielding, John Cross the North Fylde Group Chairman, along with Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Tony Jackson, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Mort Richardson, Andy McClements and Phil Renney, both Provincial Grand Stewards and other Provincial grand officers were admitted.
Peter was welcomed by the installing master and offered the gavel, which was politely returned to the WM. Thereafter followed an installation ceremony second to none, given that the installing master, Martin, had but five days to get his head around it all.
Lodge secretary Bob Wareham presented Roger O’Loughlin, then the installing master conducted the ceremony in a most professional and expert manner. Martin, ably assisted by the installing officers, Bill Hembrow of Semper Fidelis Lodge No 4428 as Senior Warden, Graham Kenyon of Brotherhood Lodge as junior warden and Ray ‘Pinky’ Pinkstone, as inner guard.
The address to the brethren of the lodge was then given in a unique yet excellent manner by Ron Strangwick of North Shore Lodge No 7916.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Peter rose to bring the sincere heartfelt greetings, congratulations and best wishes from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, saying that he wished Roger and the members of the lodge a very happy, healthy, and most importantly, an enjoyable year ahead. Peter then turned to the installing master, Martin, saying that if Mark had been present on the evening, he would have taken delight in congratulating him on his work especially given the short notice, similarly to all the brethren who had taken part in the ceremony.
In response, Roger rose and thanked Peter for the good wishes and presented him with a list of charitable donations offered by the lodge, for the very generous value of; £1,000 in favour of the Head Up Charity, a mental health charity for the Armed Forces Community; £500 to Blackpool Young Carers; £400 to the Royal Marines Charity; £250 for each of three local Army Cadet Units; £250 to Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, who abseiled 17 storeys down the Royal Hospital for charity and Martin Clements’ coast to coast ride. A total of £3,150.
Peter responded by saying that this was an excellent example of charitable giving and congratulated the members on providing such a superb donation on behalf of those who we will never know but will ultimately benefit from their very kind generosity.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, accompanied by other grand and Provincial grand officers retired. The WM then concluded the rest of the business of the lodge.
There were 70 brethren that attended the superb festive board, provided by the caterer at St. Annes Palace (Masonic Event Catering) to their usual very high standards, which was greatly appreciated by all present.
It is a Pro Patria tradition at the commencement of the festive board, that a small table is set to one side on which is a single place setting, adorned with the Union Flag, a candle and other meaningful accoutrements and has pride of place. This is to honour absent and fallen brethren who cannot be present but are always there in spirit. Before dining can commence, the senior warden lights the candle that burns throughout the dinner, being extinguished at the close of the day.
It is another tradition in the lodge, when the loyal toast is given, the National Anthem is sung, and the King is toasted with port.
In the response to the grand officers’ toast, Peter added his own personal congratulations both to Roger and the lodge brethren for an excellent evening’s entertainment. He thanked the brethren for their warm hospitality and a very enjoyable night. The WM presented flowers for Peter’s wife Michelle and a bottle of his liking to enjoy at home, after which the candle to absent and fallen brethren was extinguished, and the formalities of the evening drew to a close.
Report by Bob Wareham, pictures credited to Paul Cummings.