The Masonic Hall at Eccles was alive with expectation as light blues from the length and breadth of the Province completed their journey to one of the outposts of West Lancashire to attend the Light Blues’ Forum. The forum is designed to keep ‘newer’ Freemasons up to date with current trends and to explore topics relevant to them, as well as creating a nice friendly environment where they can meet socially with the senior officers of the Province and fellow ‘new boys’ alike.
After coffee and biscuits, everyone was seated in the function suite, which was full to capacity, and what turned out to be an interesting, entertaining and really useful event commenced. Neil Ward opened up proceedings outlining the reason for being at the event and after various domestic matters had been covered, introduced the ProvGM Mark Matthews who delivered his address in a relaxed yet informative manner. Before delivering his key messages, he welcomed and thanked everyone for attending, as it was great to see so many light blues in sunny Eccles, and asked everyone to keep in mind that they are the future of the province, that they are our future masters of lodges, group officials and cabinet members.
Mark stressed the light blues importance in supporting the membership challenge, encouraging them to ask their family members, friends, neighbours and work colleagues to join our wonderful organisation. Mark had an important message to pass on regarding ritual. It was important that light blues shouldn’t be put off or stop attending lodge meetings for fear of standing up in lodge and delivering ritual. Some learn easily. Some find it more difficult. No one should be embarrassed to ask others to assist them and there are always willing volunteers eager to display their skills. Additionally, anyone can greatly assist their lodge by performing nonritual roles. The main thing is feeling supported and enjoying Freemasonry!
Being aware that Chris Butterfield was following him with a presentation on the Royal Arch, Mark was keen to remind light blues that both the Craft and Royal Arch Freemasonry are one organisation and joining the Royal Arch completes the journey of pure ancient Freemasonry. His earnest advice to all members was to join and complete the full Masonic journey before considering joining other Masonic Orders. Another key message was that socialising is very important, and he encouraged the audience to visit other lodges and chapters, be involved in organising and attending lodge and chapter social events, group balls and any other events.
Continuing, Mark then spoke about attending ‘his own lodge’, the Provincial Grand Lodge in Blackpool on 9 May 2025. He then explained that there was a £10 discount on the meal for any entered apprentice, fellow craft or master Mason attending the meeting. Mark also mentioned that a similar meal discount would apply to those attending the Provincial Ball in Bolton.
Throughout the nation, Freemasons are on a daily basis engaging within the community, offering a helping hand and providing support in all kinds of areas. Community engagement, it is one of the central tenets of our organisation. As newer members, a lot can be done to assist this, particularly in terms of increasing our reputation and in attracting potential new members.
In summary, Mark’s message was to keep attracting good men to join us in the Craft, and to join and encourage others to join Royal Arch. Above all, his clear and consistent message is to enjoy Freemasonry! There was then a lengthy question and answer section, with a wide range of topics which were dealt with and generated some valuable lessons and explanations.
Next up was Chris Butterfield, the Deputy Grand Superintendent, who explained the organisation of the Royal Arch and various senior rulers, and its indissoluble link to Craft Freemasonry. With no shortage of humour, he went on to explain the origins of the Royal Arch, the history and further detail on the link to the Craft. It was with enthusiasm that he urged those not yet having considered joining to do so and explained how to go about it.
Ian Stirling, the Provincial Grand Membership Officer for the Royal Arch was also present at the event with his pop-up banner and selection of leaflets on the Royal Arch. A lively question and answer session followed again.
The next speaker was Stewart Cranage, the Provincial Grand Mentor, who in his usual gentle and humorous manner explained the origins of Freemasonry and how some of the rituals came about in early the early years of Freemasonry over 300 years ago.
Stewart shared his own story about joining freemasonry in London, but as a young Freemason after six meetings he had decided to resign from his Lodge
A young Freemason, Adam Walker, then addressed the forum as a member of the Trafford Light Blue Club, Master’s and Mason’s Forum. Adam explained his journey from joining the club and attending the lodge of rehearsal where he learned the importance of ritual and the ceremonial movements around the lodge, in an environment that was supportive and developmental, even when errors are made. The concept of the members is to make the club a safe learning environment, allows them to have guidance from a mentor or more experienced brother.
Adam explained that the club also had a social element to it which involves regular nights out such as curry nights and trips away such as the one to Llandudno last year which enabled the members of the club to engage socially with members of the Craft who hold Provincial rank, who normally they might not meet as they are all members of different lodges. The social element is important to the members as a good pint after a formal meeting is well deserved, to allow them to have a good overall experience of Freemasonry. Adam explained that the light blue club has a constitution and a number of important officers such as a chairman, secretary and treasurer.
Following a question and answer session, in summary Adam said that his membership of Freemasonry and in particular the light blue club has allowed him to go on a journey of self-development which has allowed him to be a better man and a Freemason.
The next speaker was Ben Gorry, the Light Blue Club Development Coordinator, who spoke at length about the history of light blue clubs over the last 20 years in the Province, and the creation of his own role in 2022. Ben said that he was delighted to take on the role and the first six months was an exploratory period where he looked at the six light blue clubs, how they had been set up and how they functioned and communicated. It was clear that only 42% of the Province was covered by these clubs and communication was quite poor, as some young Freemasons did not know about the light blue clubs.
Following work over the last two years, the Province currently has 16 Masonic groups, with 100% coverage of all of these by the current 14 light blue clubs. Ben then explained that the membership team have been looking at support for the light blue clubs and very shortly a series of resources will be made accessible electronically that will assist the clubs in a variety of areas such as; creation of a club, the structure of a club, organising events and socials, visiting other lodges, engaging with community engagement and bringing new members in line with UGLE strategy.
Following a question and answer session, Ben closed his session by asking those present to strengthen the network of light blue clubs, which will allow the clubs to work more closely together with each other. A good idea is the publication of events, lodge visits, charity events, and of course social events.
Peter Lockett thanked all the speakers and attendees for their contributions and attendance during what was a wonderful event. Following his closing remarks, Peter invited anyone who wished to join him in the bar, and he was happy to continue chatting, answering questions and reflecting on a remarkably successful event. Roll on the next one!