Old Huttonian Lodge No 7614 is a well-established lodge within the Chorley and Leyland Group and also a proud member of the Federation of School Lodges. It holds its meetings within the school hall on the first Saturday in March, April, September, October and November.
At its first regular meeting of 2026, the main item on the agenda was to receive a lecture on the history of Hutton Grammar School from the lodge’s junior warden Luke Walton, himself a former pupil of Hutton Grammar School. It was a very special day for Luke as his father Mark Walton, a former member of Old Huttonian, was re-visiting the lodge following his relocation to Anglesey, North Wales and his joining of Cefni Lodge No 4086 in the Province of North Wales.
Luke commenced his presentation by comically stating: “The school is so old it was founded in 1552, which is older than most countries, all smartphones, and at least three of your teachers’ favourite jumpers.” Luke set the scene by suggesting the would need to go back even further than 1552 to the origins before the Grammar School (1517–1520). At that time, it’s the early 16th century, Henry VIII is still young, still married to his first wife, and still several years away from dissolving monasteries and upsetting half of Europe. In 1517, a chantry school site was approved in Longton. Chantry schools were small religious foundations where boys learned reading, writing, and basic doctrine.
A key figure in this story is William Walton, a former priest of Longton. In 1520, he made a significant decision: he opened the chantry school to all boys in the surrounding area. This was unusual for the time as education was often limited to the wealthy or the clergy. Walton’s choice laid the foundations for what would become one of Lancashire’s longest-standing educational institutions. Fast forward a few decades. Henry VIII has dissolved the chantries, England has undergone major religious upheaval, and William Walton has passed away. His nephew, Christopher Walton, inherits part of the original endowment. In 1552, Christopher uses those resources to formally establish a grammar school in Longton. This is the founding date the school recognises today.
The new school focused on classical education, religious instruction, literacy and discipline. It adopted a motto that has survived nearly five centuries: ‘Aut disce aut discede’ — ‘Either learn or leave’. It’s basically the Tudor version of ‘Get on with it’. Luke asked the brethren to imagine turning up late to class and seeing that carved above the door. For almost 200 years, the school was known as the Longton Free School. It survived the English Civil War, the Restoration and the early Industrial Revolution. Despite national turmoil, the school remained a stable centre of learning for the local community. A major turning point came in 1747, when the school was rebuilt at its current site in Hutton. The land chosen was part of William Walton’s original grant, a symbolic return to its earliest roots. With the move came a new identity. The school gradually adopted the name Hutton Grammar School.
The relocation allowed for better facilities, a more central location, stronger ties to the Church of England and a foundation for future expansion. From this point onward, the school’s development accelerated, setting the stage for the modern institution we know today. Luke described the three phases that created the school’s long-term identity, namely, the chantry origins, the formal founding, and its relocation. This was supported by an accessible education, beginning with William Walton’s decision to open the school to all boys, a strong Church of England character, rooted in both the chantry tradition and the grammar school model. Continuity, with the Walton family’s endowment linking the school’s earliest form to its later development and a sense of place, reinforced by the 1747 move to Hutton.
These foundations explain why Hutton Grammar School has endured for nearly five centuries and Luke stated that today, Hutton Grammar School sits in the peaceful village of Hutton, just outside Preston, a place where the sheep are calm, the fields are green, and the students are, well, mostly awake. It is a boys’ school, from 11 to 16 with a co-educational sixth form. He continued that this means that at 16, the atmosphere changes dramatically. Suddenly, everyone discovers deodorant and starts brushing their hair. Luke commented, that as a Church of England school, Hutton emphasises respect, integrity and compassion which is why the staff only occasionally give you a look that says, “I’m not angry, just disappointed.”
Hutton Grammar School is known for its strength in maths and computing, certainly for those who enjoy equations, algorithms, or arguing with a printer. Sport is also a major part of school life. Students regularly compete in county events, especially cross-country. The school operates a house system which includes the five houses; Fleetwood, Hines, Rawsthorne, Walton and Pearson. Luke suggested that it’s like Hogwarts, but with fewer wands and more muddy rugby boots. The rivalry is friendly up until sports day. Then it’s war.
Former pupils proudly call themselves Huttonians and they believe that Hutton Grammar School matters because it blends, nearly 500 years of history, a strong moral and educational mission, academic ambition, a community identity and links to a traditional and modern life. Luke Walton concluded by saying: “Hutton Grammar School has survived monarchs, wars, curriculum changes, and the invention of TikTok. It’s a place where students grow, learn, compete and occasionally remember to hand in their homework.”
The WM Trevor James Partington thanked Luke for his thorough preparation and very skilled delivery of the presentation, to which the brethren gave Luke Walton a rousing round of applause. After the first rising, greetings and congratulations were brought by Ben Gorry, Chairman of the South Fylde Group. After the second rising, similar greetings were brought by Mike Pinckard and greetings on behalf of the visitors was extended by Mark Walton who congratulated his son Luke for the presentation and wished everyone well.
During the festive board, skilfully managed by acting DC David Robinson, supported by acting ADC David Jenkinson, the brethren enjoyed a sumptuous two course meal provided by Lee Munro and staff of the superb Masonic Event Catering of The Palace, St Annes on Sea, complemented by the Old Huttonian Lodge in-house cheese board. A magnificent raffle undertaken by the lodge charity steward Dave Johnson and coupled with the charity plate, raised the sum of £198 for Masonic and non-Masonic causes.
The IPM John Topping proposed the toast to the Trevor and congratulated him on his skilful and purposeful leadership of Old Huttonian Lodge. John went on to advertise Provincial Grand Lodge on 8 May and hoped that many of the brethren assembled would be joining the team of Chorley and Leyland Group stewards at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool on 8 May 2026. The Group Stewards briefing session will be held at Chorley Masonic Hall on Tuesday 14 April starting at 19:00.