Thurston Lodge No 2525 celebrated 50 years as a Freemason for Alan Jones at Ulverston Masonic Hall in Cumbria. WM Stuart Brackstone, opened the lodge and conducted the regular business and the election of officers for the installation meeting, before opening in the second and third degrees.
Frank Umbers entered the lodge accompanied by his retinue and was warmly welcomed by Stuart Brackstone. Peter Schofield was introduced to the WM and was offered the gavel of the lodge, which on this occasion he accepted.
Alan’s special celebration was led by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, in the presence of Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers who was accompanied by Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Keith Beaumont, Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison and Past Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dave Grainger with grand officers Chris Band, Phil Preston, Barry Fitzgerald and Gary Rogerson. The Furness and South Lakes group was represented by chairman Chris Gray, vice chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Kevin Rigg. Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies Jamie Lindsay, Provincial Grand Steward Matty Woods and Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Geoff Diggles were also in attendance. Director of music was Howard Linaker.
Alan Jones was born in July 1943 at the Cottage Hospital in Ulverston. He lived with his father Frank, his mother Vennie, and his elder sister Ena. Frank worked as a general labourer for Ulverston Council and Vennie worked for Oxley’s. Alan recalled having a very happy childhood. As the youngest child, he was spoilt rotten, which caused some conflict between himself and his sister, leading to them fighting like cat and dog. However, later in life he became very close with Ena and her husband Stan, who was a longstanding very good friend of his. Sadly, Ena has now passed; however, Alan remains in close contact with Stan.
Alan attended Church Walk Infants School and Lightburn Junior School before completing his education at Ulverston Grammar School. He left school in 1959 and then attended Barrow College of Further Education on a part-time basis from 1959 to 1963. He furthered his education in the field of mechanical engineering, leaving college with an HNC in mechanical engineering and an MOT 2nd Class Motor Engineering Certificate.
During his school years Alan was a very keen sportsman, playing table tennis, rugby union and hockey for various local teams. He particularly excelled in badminton, winning the very prestigious Carswell Cup. He eventually became qualified as a coach at club level, passing on his skills and experience to the next generation of up-and-coming young local players.
Alan’s local church played a part in his younger years, with him regularly attending Sunday school; and as a choirboy at St Mary’s Church in Ulverston.
On leaving school at the age of 16, Alan was successful in securing an apprenticeship as a jig and tool draughtsman with Ashley Accessories Limited in Ulverston. His responsibilities included the design and manufacture of intricate machine parts in both an office and workshop environment. On completion of his apprenticeship at the age of 22, Alan decided that it was maybe time for a change. His best friend Stan Holding, who later became his brother-in-law, suggested that he may be suited to a career in the Merchant Navy.
Alan joined the New Zealand Shipping Company, with whom he remained for five years. He sailed as a junior, intermediate and senior engineer, being in charge of both ships’ main and auxiliary engines on refrigerated cargo and passenger vessels between the UK and Australia and New Zealand. Towards the end of his time at sea, he was drafted on to the Cumberland, where he served alongside Tom Robertson, who became a lifelong friend.
In 1969, Alan decided to return to the UK and came back to Ulverston starting work for Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering as a draughtsman in the MEDO Standards section and within 12 months he was offered promotion to test and commissioning engineer, responsible for testing systems on nuclear submarines and surface vessels such as HMS Invincible, Sheffield and Manchester. He received a further five promotions before his appointment as engineering support manager of the nuclear site. Alan took voluntary redundancy from BAE Systems in November 2001 after 37 years of loyal, dedicated service.
On his retirement, Alan was approached by senior management to return on a part-time basis as a consultant engineer where he worked for a further four years to provide information as necessary to assist in the preparation of the nuclear site safety case for the construction and commissioning of the Astute Class submarines. He fully retired in May 2006.
During his time employed as an apprentice at Ashley’s Eileen Fieldman also worked at the factory and lived with her parents in Ulverston caught his eye. He tried to make polite conversation but was ignored and given the cold shoulder. It was not until Alan’s return to the UK while he was assisting backstage at the Coronation Hall with the Ulverston Operatics Society, that their paths crossed again. This time Eileen appeared to warm to his attention and after plucking up the courage, he asked if he could take her out and, much to his surprise, she accepted. Alan and Eileen were married in July 1972 at St Mary’s Church in Ulverston. The first two months of marriage were spent living with his sister at her family home before moving into their lifetime family home, Okataina in Swarthmoor, which Alan had built. They have been blessed with two daughters.
Alan was proposed into Freemasonry by Ernie Woodburn, whom he met while helping the Operatic Society. Alan’s seconder was Arthur Raylonds.
Alan was initiated into Thurston Lodge No 2525 on 4 August 1976 meeting at the Masonic Hall in Coniston. He was passed to the degree of a fellow craft on 1 September 1976 before being raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason on 3 December that same year. Following his initiation, Alan progressed through the various offices of Thurston Lodge before becoming WM in 1986, fulfilling all the offices with great commitment and dedication.
Alan was appointed lodge secretary from 1991 to 1995. His dedication and commitment to the long service of this lodge has been absolutely outstanding. Alan was appointed vice chairman of Ulverston Masonic Hall on 15 October 1997 and held this position until 20 October 2004.He was elected hall chairman from 2004 to 2012 and during this time, successfully project managed no fewer than three major extensions and refurbishment projects to the hall.
Alan’s long and distinguished career as a group officer commenced in November 2004 with his appointment to the position of regional charity steward. He was appointed group vice chairman in May 2012 before becoming group chairman the following year, a position he held until 2016.
In Provincial Grand Lodge, Alan was appointed to the rank of PPrSGD in May 1992 before being promoted to the very high rank of PPrJGW in October 2000, which was undoubtedly just reward for all his hard work, commitment and dedication to his lodge, the group and the Province of West Lancashire. In April 2008, Alan received the grand rank appointment of PAGDC in the United Grand Lodge of England, again just reward for his outstanding commitment to Freemasonry generally.
In March 1992, Alan became a founder member of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters No 9422.
In the Royal Arch, Alan was exalted into Thurston Chapter No 2525 on 14 June 1978. He was installed as first principal for the first time in 1989 and again for the second, third and fourth times in 2009, 2018 and 2025. Alan held the office of chapter director of ceremonies from 1990 to 2003. Alan joined Vale Chapter of Installed Principals No 5256 in 2012. In Provincial Grand Chapter, Alan was appointed to PPrGSoj in 1995 before being promoted to the very high rank of PPrGSN in 2002 and was appointed PGStdB by Supreme Grand Chapter in 2013.
Peter concluded by saying that Alan’s story has demonstrated beyond words his devotion and loyalty to Freemasonry, and all present owed him a great debt of gratitude for all he had done. At the celebratory banquet, his good friend Barry Hadley proposed the toast to Alan’s health.
