Geoff Bury celebrated his half-century in Freemasonry since his initiation into Sandylands Lodge No 5702 in 1975, on the same day 50 years later. In 2007 Sandylands Lodge was amalgamated into Poulton le Sands Lodge No 1015. Principal guest for the ceremony was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, who was joined by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle, Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Philip Gardner and David Ogden.
Also present were grand officers Chris Butterfield, Giles Berkley, Peter Connelly, Keith Beardmore, Paul Broadley, Neil McGill, John Murphy and Steven Walls. Lancaster and District Group Chairman Chris Larder and group secretary Lee Fisher were joined by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin, Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Mick Southern, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Bryan Cambidge, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steven Ellershaw, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Steven Murray, Provincial Grand Pursuivant Syd Bateson, Provincial Grand Stewards Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter.
WM of Poulton le Sands Lodge Gareth Harrison opened the lodge in the three degrees after which Peter Schofield, on entering the lodge was offered the gavel by the WM which was duly accepted. Peter requested Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin to place the celebrant Geoff in a chair before him. Peter then gave a very interesting account of Geoff’s life and Masonic career.
Geoff was born in 1947 at the family home in Morecambe. His wife Penny was also born in the town which makes both of them ‘Sand-Grown-Un’s’. His parents moved from Blackburn to Morecambe in the mid 1930’s to open and run a branch of the family business which was a very successful and well-established wholesale fruit and vegetable merchants. Geoff had a very happy childhood, being the youngest of three children although at the age of two years old, there was great concern within the family when Geoff contracted polio. Thankfully he made a full and complete recovery.
Peter Scofield remarked that he and Geoff have something in common, as both had won toddler competitions. At the age of three years old Geoff had won Morecambe’s Bonniest Toddler competition at the Super Swimming Stadium and was given a new pedal car as his prize. Peter won a Bonniest Toddler competition at Butlins in Skegness, but unfortunately his prize was only a free lollipop. Geoff attended Lancaster Road Infants and Junior School before completing his school education at Balmoral Road Secondary Modern where he met and made many friends, some of whom were in the lodge.
In 1953 Geoff’s parents decided to have a change in career and they purchased the Lothersdale Hotel which became the family home. As a young child, Geoff was an avid model railway enthusiast and was delighted to have such a large attic above the hotel which allowed him to have an equally large train set running the entire length and width of the building which was the envy of his school mates. On leaving school, he secured a place at the Lancaster and Morecambe College of Further Education as a full-time student on the catering and chef’s course. Winning a silver propelling pencil which was presented to him by bread maker Hovis in recognition of his talents as an exceptional chef and for making wonderful tasty bread
As a teenager, Geoff was a keen sportsman and from a very early age, he was a very competitive cyclist, winning many competitions at home and abroad. Geoff also played squash in the local leagues around Morecambe and Lancaster and was an accomplished player. Morecambe Parish Church played a huge role during his younger years and he attended Sunday School and church services on a weekly basis. Also being a choirboy and member of the cubs connected with the church. Geoff still supports the church and when time permits, he attends services whenever possible. Geoff has been a school governor and a committee member of Morecambe Hotel and Catering Association for 10 years organising the Catering and Food Traders Exhibition held at various venues around the district.
In the mid to late 1960s, while walking on a Sunday afternoon with a friend, they came across two ladies strolling on Morecambe central pier. A discussion took place between Geoff and his friend and they eventually plucked up the courage to ask the ladies out for a date which was duly accepted. One of the ladies, Penny, became the love of his life. Penny lived in Heysham with her parents and she was the eldest of three children whereas Geoff was the youngest of three children. Penny worked for Yorkshire Penny Bank, obviously with a name of Penny she would be the right person for the job. The relationship blossomed and following a suitable courtship they were married in 1969 at Heysham and lived at the Lothersdale Hotel. Geoff and Penny have three sons and five grandchildren.
By 1970 Geoff was now heavily involved in the running of the family business and Penny left her job at the bank to assist in the running of the hotel. In 1975 his parents retired, leaving Geoff in sole charge of the hotel. In 1979 Geoff and Penny bought the hotel next door and commenced the expansion of the Lothersdale Hotel. In 1990 Geoff’s eldest son joined in running the hotel and he has contributed greatly to the many changes and success which has taken place particularly over the last 20 years. The business became a chain in 2002 when Geoff purchased the Clifton Hill Hotel near Penrith which was a 65-bedroom hotel in its own grounds. The hotel in Penrith was sold in 2012 when Geoff and Penny decided to retire and step back to leave the running and management of the business to Paul, which continues to be hugely successful business.
Freemasonry was no stranger to Geoff and his family. His grandfather, father, two uncles, brother-in-law and father-in-law were all members of the Craft. Geoff’s father was an acting Provincial Senior Grand Deacon of the Province of West Lancashire and his brother-in-law Derek followed him with the same honour in 1986, both of whom were members of Sandylands Lodge.
It came as no surprise that Geoff was proposed by his father Bill and seconded by his brother-in-law Derek as a suitable candidate for membership into Sandylands Lodge. Geoff’s Masonic journey began on 27 March 1975, 50 years to the day of his first lodge meeting when he was initiated in Sandylands Lodge meeting at the Masonic Hall in Morecambe. Geoff’s father was the lodge director of ceremonies for the meeting and he ensured that everything went according to plan for his son’s initiation. And what a proud evening that must have been for both of them. Geoff was subsequently passed to the degree of a fellow craft on 26 June 1975 before being raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason on 27 November that same year. Lodge secretary Keith Lamb read an extract from the minutes of Geoff’s initiation, which no doubt brought back fond memories of the occasion.
Geoff progressed through the various offices of Sandylands Lodge before becoming the WM for the first time in 1988. Geoff was assistant director of ceremonies for three years before becoming director of ceremonies for a period of seven years. He was known not just as an outstanding director of ceremonies, but as an excellent mentor to many new Masons as well. Geoff was also the secretary of Sandylands Lodge from 2005 to 2007.
Prior to amalgamation of Sandylands Lodge, the lodge struggled to maintain natural progression of brethren through the offices. As a consequence, Geoff agreed to fulfil the office of master for a second time in 2004 which greatly assisted the lodge to manage its way through those difficult times. In 2007 Sandylands Lodge, Poulton le Sands Lodge and Rowley Lodge No 6647 amalgamated and Geoff became secretary of Poulton le Sands Lodge from 2008 to 2012.
In 1990 Geoff became a founder member of Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters No 9357 and was WM in 2007 and he also held the office of charity steward for four years. In 2011 Geoff was appointed group charity steward, which he held for 5 years to 2016, being then appointed regional charity steward which he has held for 8 years. Geoff was appointed PPSGD in 1997, promoted to PPGSuptWks in 2006 and promoted once again to the very high rank of PPJGW in 2014.
Geoff was exalted into Sandylands Chapter No 5702 on 11 December 1989 and became first principal in 1994 and again in 2001. He has been chapter charity steward since 1997, 28 years dedicated service to the charitable function of his chapter. Geoff is also a member of the Provincial Grand Stewards’ Chapter of West Lancashire No 8516 and a member of Vale Chapter of Installed Principals No 5256, where he held the office of charity steward from 2012 to 2017. In Provincial Grand Chapter Geoff was appointed to acting Provincial Grand Steward in 2000, promoted to PPGSoj in 2004, PPGSN in 2010 before promotion once again to the extremely high rank of PPGSE in 2019. To read Peter’s the full script of Geoff’s life and Masonic career, click here.
At the end of the presentation, Chairman of Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder, was asked to read the wording on the half-century certificate, which was signed by the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and following the reading, was presented to Geoff. Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin then escorted Geoff back to his seat in the lodge and Peter Schofield invited WM Gareth Harrison to resume his rightful seat as master of the lodge. On closing the lodge, 67 brethren retired to dine at the festive board which was hosted by the Lothersdale Hotel.