Blackpool Lodge of Fellowship No 7692 had the very great honour of hosting the celebration of Arthur Caldicott’s 50 years in Freemasonry. WM Neil Higgins opened the lodge in due form and completed the general business, which included a ballot for a new candidate that proved in favour of the proposed new addition to the lodge.
On a report, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Gregg Pinnington, announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Barr demanded admission. Neil was pleased to announce that the lodge would be honoured to receive him. David was escorted into the lodge room accompanied by Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters David Randerson and Duncan Smith. Grand officer John Turpin and David Edwards with Blackpool Group Chairman Steve Jelly, group secretary Michael Tax and acting Provincial Grand Lodge officers, David Sangster, Paul Cummings, Paul Easton and Chris Hardingham. Neil offered David the gavel of the lodge, which on this occasion he was pleased to retain.
David, once settled and comfortable, invited the lodge tyler into the lodge room to listen to the presentation and requested that Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington place the celebrant before him. David welcomed the brethren and guests to this very special meeting of Blackpool Lodge of Fellowship to celebrate Arthur’s magnificent achievement of 50 years as a Freemason. David went on to say that no matter what organisation anyone belongs to, 50 years of service is a fine achievement. Arthur is now one of that select band of brothers in the 50s club. And it is a great privilege to lead the celebration.
David commenced the presentation by informing the assembled brethren that Arthur was born in 1948 in Birmingham, the youngest of two siblings to father Bob, a self-employed painter and decorator and mother and housewife Mavis.
During the early 1950s when Arthur was only five years old, his parents decided to make the move to Blackpool to run a guest house. After an uneventful education, Arthur left school, becoming involved in playing badminton and joining the Cub Scouts and eventually achieving the Queen Scout Award and becoming an assistant cub leader. After a few jobs, Arthur eventually enrolled at Fleetwood Nautical College, studying telephony, telegraphy and radar. With his certificate, Arthur joined the merchant navy, spending three years sailing around the world on oil tankers from Kuwait to the USA and Japan and interestingly, shipping Guinness to Boston, USA.
After leaving the merchant navy, Arthur returned to Blackpool and his childhood sweetheart, Christine. They were married in Blackpool in 1971. Unfortunately, their honeymoon touring holiday was curtailed when the car hire company discovered that Arthur was banned from driving due to three speeding misdemeanours gained whilst studying at Fleetwood Nautical College.
During his working life, Arthur has worked as a Post Office telephonist, a Prudential insurance salesman, eventually retiring to enjoy holidays in their caravan around the country. Arthur also enjoys clay pigeon shooting with other members of Blackpool Lodge of Fellowship.
With all his retirement spare time, Arthur joined a theatre group, taking parts in pantomimes, plays and other such entertainment. Enjoying (rather too well) the role of pantomime dame for over 30 years. Only relinquishing that role due to struggling to learn the scripts, something most Masons can equate with. Arthur was presented with his pantomime dame bra and false boobs. Somewhere there are pictures of Arthur in full costume and makeup, but he won’t divulge where.
Arthur now manages the theatre group hall, including overseeing maintenance, finances and overall operations of the hall. Expanding its operations to include allowing space for local Brownies and Guides, dancing, coffee mornings, playschools and numerous other events.
Arthur’s Masonic career began in 1975 when his father-in-law, Ken Greenhalgh, proposed him into the Blackpool Lodge of Fellowship. Arthur and Christine had enjoyed many evenings attending lodge Ladies’ Evenings and decided that it would be a life they would enjoy.
After being passed and raised, Arthur progressed through all the lodge offices, eventually being installed into the chair of King Solomon in 1983. Afterwards, Arthur served the lodge by occupying the offices of secretary, assistant director of ceremonies, director of ceremonies and almoner. He also had the great honour of being WM during the lodge’s 50th anniversary in 2010.
Arthur had the very responsible role of Captain of the Stewards at Provincial Grand Lodge in 2015 and Provincial honours came in 1990 with an appointment as Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon and a promotion to the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2001. David’s full script can be read by clicking here.
Arthur has had, and continues to have, a very busy, interesting and successful life with a service to Freemasonry which is an example to us all. The warmth and affection displayed here at his golden jubilee in Freemasonry is testament to his popularity in the Craft. A congratulatory telephone call from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews has been one of the highlights of the day and Mark also sends greetings in the form of a 50 years in Freemasonry certificate, which David Barr proudly presented to Arthur, which was read aloud by Blackpool Group Chairman Steve Jelly. Steve also had the honour of presenting Arthur with a 50th lapel badge on behalf of the Blackpool Group.
On the conclusion of the presentation, the brethren retired to the Masonic hall bar for congratulatory drinks before moving on to the dining room for a fine banquet. Arthur and the group officers were led into the dining room by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington, and were greeted by numerous brethren wearing Arthur Caldicott masks, completely destroying Greg’s director of ceremonies composure.
In his reply to the toast to his health, Arthur thanked everyone for attending. Special thanks were extended to David Barr for producing the excellent presentation and to the lodge members for all their hard work in making this evening so special.
