Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street, was the venue used to host and celebrate Roy Cowley’s 50 years of Freemasonry, at Antient Briton Lodge 1675, with the attendance of 50 brethren. The Lodge was opened in the usual manner by the WM Bernard Ashley, who welcomed all those present, and hoped they would have a relaxing and enjoyable time on such a momentous occasion.
The minutes of the lodge’s last regular meeting were dealt with and accepted before the lodge was opened into the second and third degree. The lodge secretary, Alex Halford, and treasurer, Andrew Beddseon, retired to assist as deacons in the arrival of the principal guests. Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Geoff Diggles then entered the lodge and announced that John James, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was outside the lodge and demanded admission.
WM Bernard Ashley said that the lodge was then honoured by the arrival of the principal guest John James, who was accompanied by personal guests of the lodge, Sam Robinson and Kevin Poynton. The procession was under the control of Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Geoff Diggles and Jez Williams. The Liverpool Group representative was Geoff Green, the group secretary, accompanied by the acting Provincial deacons.
The principal guests were welcomed, and the gavel was offered to John who for the purposes of the ceremony accepted it, to deliver the tribute to Roy. Salutations were given, before the lodge was resumed to the first degree to enable all those present including the tyler, to be in the lodge for the tribute. John explained to the brethren that it was indeed gratifying to see so many brethren present, and with Freemasonry having such a truly extraordinary, history, due to the contributions of many remarkable men, it is what it is today because of such a man as Roy.
John commenced by saying that Roy had been a Freemason since 1976 and has enjoyed a full and active Masonic career, with no signs of abating, with no possible excuse not to celebrate the golden anniversary of Roy Cowley and John requested that Geoff brought the celebrant to a convenient and comfortable chair. Roy was then brought forward and placed in the centre of the lodge room, whilst John joined him for the celebration.
Roy was born in March 1955, and resided in one of Lord Derby’s cottages on the edge of Jubilee Park. Christmas and New year were always large celebrations with up to 30 family members blocking the street to see the new year in. Roy was educated initially at Park View Primary School and would often play football and cricket with his younger brother David in the nearby park. Having passed the 11 plus, Roy went to Wade Deacon Grammar School, in Widnes, and after settling into the school, and making new friends, made it into the school teams for rugby and chess and was also known for his skills in three card brag, especially in the sixth form common room. Playing school rugby on Saturday mornings included an eight-mile cycle to play the game and then another eight-mile cycle back, after the game.
After leaving school in 1973 Roy sought employment with Liverpool City Council, and when selecting the housing office as the department, due to its location on the bus route home, Roy ended up working in Local Authorities and Housing Associations for nearly 50 years. Due to a family bereavement in 1974, Roy at 19 years of age had to help run the family business, learning accounts and VAT returns, a skill that would greatly assist in future roles as treasurer for lodges and chapters.
During day release, Roy gained ONC and HNC in Estate Management and achieved a membership to the Professional Institute of Housing Qualification. Having moved in 1976, via Wigan Council for a short period of time, Roy moved in 1977 to Vale Royal Council, where he spent 11 years on a 60-mile round trip each day for work. In 1980, Roy married Alicia and has remained happily married for 45 years. Having spent a short time at St Helens Council, and after some head-hunting, Roy was chosen to establish the Governments new ‘Supporting People’ program in St Helens and was also invited to advise the Minister for Housing on how the program should be implemented.
In planning for the future, Roy purchased the taxi firm Cozey Cars in Ellesmere retiring at 55 as part of the plan. Roy remained working part time for homeless charities, Adullam Homes and the Whitechapel Centre for 10 plus years. The part time moved to full time volunteer for the Whitechapel Centre. After becoming a trustee for the Breckfield North and Everton Neighbourhood Centre, Roy eventually became the chairman in 2025.
Roy was proposed into Freemasonry in 1976 by his father into Downshire Lodge No 594, attaining the chair for the first time in 1987, and becoming treasurer in 1988, which was held for seven years before becoming the WM once again in 1995. Roy was chosen to be the 1997 Festival Representative, from 1987 to 1997. Roy became a leading member of a small group of Festival Representatives, organising social events for what was then the Sixth Liverpool Group, holding the group Ball at the Grafton Rooms, with the festival raising over £7,000,000, of which the sixth group made considerable contributions.
Roy was appointed to the acting rank of a Provincial Grand Steward, in 1993, and then to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2004, which was held until 2023, when gaining the senior rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden. Roy became a joining member of Antient Briton Lodge in 2005, taking the chair in 2014, and is now the lodge DC. Roy was appointed as the Group Secretary for the Wellington Group in 2008, and then the Liverpool Group until 2013. Roy became the Company Secretary of the Liverpool Masonic Hall in 2001, which was held for 20 years, and is still a trustee.
John then addressed the brethren of the lodge and stated that Roy’s contribution throughout his 50 years of membership, and his significant contribution has proved himself to be a man of great commitment, dignity, and integrity. In recognition of Roy’s landmark achievement, the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews has commissioned a golden jubilee certificate. Geoff Green then read the certificate to the brethren, before John presented it to Roy, and before concluding the proceedings John brought his own personal congratulations to Roy for achieving the wonderful milestone. John considered it a privilege and pleasure to have been able to take part in a happy and rewarding evening. Roy was then given a standing ovation by all members of the lodge. John then handed the gavel of the lodge back to Bernard, and the lodge was closed. To read John’s full script, click here.
The brethren then retired for the festive board. Geoff Green proposed the toast to Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James, thanking him for the excellent way in which he had presented and orated the tribute to Roy, and for his company during the celebration. John James responded by thanking Geoff for the toast to his health and also stated how delighted he was to be in the company of very old and very important grand officers. John told the brethren that he had fully enjoyed himself and it was a pleasure talking about what Roy had done, and what he is going to do. John thanked the WM, brethren, Provincial Assistant DC’s, especially Jaz who was starting off in the role, and all those present for making him feel very welcome.
The toast to the celebrant was given by Paul Robinson, who in his admirable and capable way, explained that there were stories that could and could not be told about Roy. Paul explained that Roy’s work within the Breckfield neighbourhood was unbelievable, and he was honoured to have Roy as a dear friend, explaining that Roy was a tremendous man. Paul then presented Roy with a card that had been given from the Liverpool Group, before Roy responded to his toast. Roy thanked all brethren for attending, and the special moments that he remembered during his Masonic career. He thanked Paul for proposing the toast, and also Roy Ashley for his work in making the day a rememberable one.
He thanked John for the presentation. Roy thanked Kevin and Sam, his personal guests for attending, and talked about nicknames (at least those that could be disclosed) that had been given and gained, especially through the ‘Taverners’. Roy thanked all those for coming and hoped to see them in another 10 years for his 60th, wishing everyone well for the summer break. A most wonderful celebratory event was ended by the tyler’s toast.