The members of the Lodge of Triumph No 1061 were pleased and honoured to receive a visit from Mark Matthews, the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire. Mark was supported on this occasion by a substantial bevy of Provincial grand officers for what was to be a grand occasion.
The purpose of Mark’s visit was to open a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge and invest Dave Barr as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master following the retirement of his predecessor, the very hard-working Duncan Smith. Mark was supported by a very strong team which included both Provincial Grand Wardens, Mark Humphrey and Mike Silver; three Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Peter Schofield, Malcolm Bell and David Thomas; the Provincial Grand Chaplain Rev Canon John Hall; Provincial Grand Registrar John Gibson; Provincial Grand Secretary Peter Taylor along with his deputy Mick Southern; Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald and his deputies Ryan Modlin and Rob Fitsimmons; Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Martin Clements; Provincial Grand Deacons Keith Bennett and Peter Rowan; Provincial Grand Pursuivant Adam Simpson and Provincial Grand Steward Jason Emsley.
All three Fylde Coast group chairmen were also present in the persons of Ben Gorry, John Cross and Steve Jelly, along with several senior members of their group executives. This list goes on, with Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Randerson and no less than seven other grand officers not already named. Several members of the Fylde light blues were in attendance, including Andrew Greenlees, WM of Royal Oak Lodge No 5919, who replied for the visitors during the lodge proceedings. Phew! It was quite a turnout and no mistake.
The lodge was opened by the WM Will Buchanan Jnr (his dad is also a lodge member) and the customary business was briskly dealt with and the lodge was opened up to the third degree. At this point Barry Fitzgerald was admitted and he advised that the Provincial Grand Master demanded admission. The WM politely acquiesced and the Provincial team entered the lodge. The WM welcomed Mark Matthews into the lodge and offered him the gavel, which on this occasion was accepted and the ProvGM took the chair, instructed his officers to take post, then opened a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge.
A deputation was then formed with the WM bearing the AProvGM’s chain and retired in order to bring Dave Barr into the meeting. The ProvGM gave an opening address and called upon Peter Taylor to read the charter and John Hall for the benefit of Masonic prayer. Dave Barr then knelt at the pedestal and recited his obligation, after which the ProvGM regaled him with his chain of office.
With the business of Provincial Grand Lodge completed, it was closed by the ProvGM and he recalled Will Buchanan to the chair to continue Lodge of Triumph business. This included a comprehensive almoners report from Graham Smith and a collection of alms from the brethren. The risings were then taken and following the first rising the ProvGM, his team and the grand officers retired, accompanied by South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry.
On the second rising, Jeff Lucas congratulated the lodge brethren on a fine event on behalf of the Provincial grand officers and on the third rising, Andrew Greenlees responded on behalf of the visitors. The lodge was then closed and the brethren retired to the bar and thence to the festive board.
A fine repast was provided by Lee Munro and his catering team for 67 diners and the atmosphere was very pleasing. The customary toasts were observed and in response to the toast to his health, Mark Matthews spoke about the Royal Arch, the need to get back to Masonic basics, such as supporting social events and ladies’ evenings. He also announced the dates of the next full meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on 9 May 2025 and the next Provincial Grand Chapter on 17 September 2025.
Mark also mentioned the next Grand Ball to be held at Bolton Wanderers Football Stadium on 7 March 2025, which would be themed around the Royal Arch. He also reminded the brethren about the work of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and urged them to approach the charity if they or any other brother were in need of help. He concluded by inviting all present to continue enjoying their Freemasonry and to go out and encourage others to join our Order.
Ben Gorry was then called upon to toast the health of Dave Barr and in doing so Ben spoke of the vast experience that Dave has amassed since he was initiated into the Lodge of Triumph on 12 April 2001 by lodge stalwart John Topping. Having been through the chair in several lodges and chapters, Dave received his first appointments in both degrees as a Provincial Grand Steward. He went on to become Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah, then Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals in chapter, culminating in his appointment to Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2021. This was followed by his appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the Craft in 2024. Ben also spoke of the vast support Dave receives from his immediate family as well as that from the wider Masonic family. He concluded by praising Dave for being a shining example for all to follow.
In his response, Dave thanked the ProvGM for his trust and support and pledged himself to a faithful discharge of his new duties. He gave due thanks to several brethren who had given him support and encouragement during his Masonic career, these included John Topping and Brian Pearson from his lodge; also past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Steven Reid, Leon Tax, Terry Hudson, Harry Cox, David Winder, David Randerson and Duncan Smith. Dave particularly thanked the WM, not only for agreeing to host this event but also for taking on the role of secretary for the evening, it was no small feat for anyone to do both jobs on the same night!
As ever, there was a raffle, which raised the princely sum of £365, added to this was £100 from the lodge lottery and £204.27 was collected in alms, all of which will boost the running total of charitable giving for the year by the sum of £669.27. An excellent and triumphant evening was brought to a close by John Nicholls who proposed the tyler’s toast.
