The biannual Leigh Group Dinner was held at Leigh Masonic Hall. The principal guests on this occasion were Frank Umbers, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province and Malcolm Bell the AProvGM for the Wigan and Leigh Group, who were supported by many distinguished guests from within the Province. The Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin was the DC, with Garry Smith was the ADC.
Andrew Savage from the Lodge of Valour No 4322 gave the most interesting life story of Frank, with his many accolades in his work life and Masonic career in Freemasonry. What Andrew spoke of was just a snapshot of Frank’s Masonic accolades. Andrew also mentioned that a new military lodge is to be formed in the group lodge.
Frank gave a wonderful outline of how the Province had maintained itself in difficult times and how the membership of the Royal Arch had greatly improved over the last year. He mentioned John Selley who was the new Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals of the Royal Arch.
Jonathan Heaton, the Leigh Group Chairmen, had mentioned it was an absolute pleasure to be chairman of the group for the last seven years and how pleased he was with the group and its directors, also on how efforts were being made in getting extra revenue for Leigh Masonic Hall funding. Jonathan was delighted with the Royal Arch members from various lodges from within the group, especial from those younger brethren who had recently became master Masons.
Mike Silver gave the most incredible and informative history of the Leigh Group from its early beginnings of Freemasonry, with the first lodge recorded in Leigh dating back 293 years to 1732 with the unnamed Lodge No 87 meeting at the New Kings Arms on Market Place. To put this into context, Freemasonry has been operating effectively in Leigh for almost as long as our Grand Lodge in London and this adds extra sparkle to the history and heritage of this very proud group.
Neither the lodge or the location exist anymore, but with seven Craft lodges and two Royal Arch chapters, it may be the smallest group in our Province but still one of the strongest, friendliest and most supportive groups around. The ‘Masters circuit’ is admired by all and is something he would love to see happening again across the entire Province, saying: “Long may the Leigh Group continue to lead the way and offer that beacon of light to all in the surrounding groups.”
The oldest continuing lodge is the Marquis of Lorne No 1354, which is almost 154 years old. It was consecrated in 1871 and it has brought in existence four daughter and several granddaughter lodges along the way, and is indeed his grandmother lodge. He mentioned it was very pleasing to see that they are not resting on their laurels and are reacting to modern times, becoming home to a speciality lodge with Lilford Lodge No 3022 which became a biker’s lodge in 2023 and Lodge of Valour No 4322 is in the process of transitioning to become a lodge for ex-military personnel and servicemen. He wished them every success with both these ventures.
He finally mentioned that earlier this year Malcolm Parr was proud to celebrate 50 years a Freemason in the Lodge of Truth No 6235, and he offered him the warmest congratulations on this magnificent achievement In May 2025, Leigh Lodge No 4744 will achieve its centenary becoming 100 years old, which it will celebrate in October, he was sure this would a very memorable occasion.
Following on from the dinner and all the formalities, a raffle was held which generated a total £282.
