On a glorious spring evening, the brethren of the Lodge of Loyalty No 86 and distinguished guests assembled in Prescot Masonic Hall to celebrate Frank Davies’s 50 years in Freemasonry. Leading the celebration and giving an account of Frank’s life was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle.
The usual lodge business was done as normal starting at 18:30hrs precisely, then before he knew it Frank, looking very dapper, sporting an orange waistcoat was sitting in front of the Andrew Whittle, who had accepted the gavel from WM Mark Hodgson for the evening’s celebration and who had the honour of presenting this extraordinary gentleman, a man who was described as a legend in his own lifetime, with a certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews for Frank to display in pride of place. .
Frank Davies started in Freemasonry during the Autumn of 1974 when Frank’s friend and workmate, Jack Birchall asked if he was free one Saturday, also asking his friend if he owned a dinner jacket and if his wife had a long frock. Having been assured that all could be acquired, Jack proceeded to invite Frank and his good lady to a dinner dance at the Fleece Hotel, St Helens and that he would pick the pair up. Frank recalled that upon stepping out of the lift in the hotel, he was surprised to see many of his colleagues from Stoves where he worked at this time. Having very quickly realised that the event was clearly a Masonic function his intrigue about Freemasonry compelled him to ask Jack how he could join, to which his friend responded you’ve just done it, leave it to me.
Frank was initiated into Lodge of Loyalty on 26 March 1975 in the presence of the then Assistant Provincial Grand Master Arthur Foxton, In Lodge of Loyalty at that time there were a maximum of six stewards as well as another group waiting in the wings to step onto the ladder as well as himself all as eager to progress upwards as the next man, thus attendance was a must if he wanted his chance to climb the rungs as a missed rehearsal could cost him dearly because any of those stewards could be requested to do any of the lodge’s degree ceremonies.
Passed to the rank of fellow craft on 23 April and then raised to the sublime degree of master Mason on 17 September. Progressing still further up the ladder through each office, which could take a long time then due to the number of brethren upon the ladder, Frank’s hard work soon paid off as he was installed into the chair of Lodge of Loyalty on 16 November 1993, and on 25 March of that year, the Province of West Lancashire rewarded Frank with his first appointment as acting Provincial Junior Grand Deacon.
He then progressed to Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, then Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and was further rewarded by the Province after his many years of service with the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
Fank has a keen interest in ritual and was approached by Lionel Gornall, the then group chairman, to devise a way to separate the third degree into multiple parts and multiple speakers Frank did just that and it was performed by brethren of Lodge of Loyalty. Frank showed his excellent knowledge of ritual by doing the same with the initiation and passing ceremonies. This marvellous man was then asked by Steven Reid for copies of Frank’s work to use in the Fylde Group.
Frank was appointed as lodge secretary at the installation meeting in 2006, he held that office for 17 years. In 2015, Frank Davies was rewarded yet again by the Province of West Lancashire with the very high rank of Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
He designed a pageant to celebrate the Tercentenary of United Grand Lodge of England in 2017, the pageant was displayed throughout the province and even shown in Chesire and as far north as Scotland. Over the lifetime of these displays, a vast amount of money was raised. When the then Provincial Grand Master saw the pageant, he proclaimed it was wonderful!
Frank Davies was a member of Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters No 9057, he joined in the September of 1984 and enjoyed a further 10 years in that lodge until he resigned in December 1994. He was exalted into Chapter of Lebanon No 86, which holds its meetings at Prescot, in April of 1977. Frank rose through the ranks eventually becoming first principal in October 1987. Frank’s interest in the Royal Arch saw him serve as director of ceremonies in this chapter for 12 years and was later recognised by the Province of West Lancashire for his work with his first appointment in Royal Arch to Past Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner only to be rewarded yet again in May 2002 with the high rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah.
Frank also became a joining member of Loyalty Chapter No 897 and excelled as the director of ceremonies for many years. Colin Rowling, the group chairman, then asked Frank for help to produce two booklets, one for the Craft and one for the Royal Arch, to assist the younger brethren and companions, which impressed the then Deputy Grand Superintendent of the day. Frank’s proudest moment arose on 28 April 2011, when he was appointed in the Royal Arch to the grand rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer, a rank which he holds to this day.
After that outstanding history of this true gentleman, that many men have had the privilege of calling brother during his 50 years of service in the Craft and Royal Arch, this remarkable fellow presented the WM of this lodge with 3 new aprons embroidered with the lodge name, number and insignia of the principal officers.
The remaining lodge business was then concluded before being closed at 19:38hrs in the usual fashion by the WM Mark Hodgson and his wardens. The festive board that followed was a jolly affair with the members of the pageant display team in full dress throughout.
