Brethren of Everton Lodge No 823 gathered at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street, for a wonderful celebration of Bill Robinson and his 50 years in Freemasonry. The lodge was opened by the WM Brian Gillbanks, (lodge mentor) who was standing in for the WM Paul Shrimpton, who had given his apologies. The lodge minutes were dealt with and the lodge opened into the third degree.
Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Dave Boyes, was then admitted into the lodge and he announced that John James Assistant Provincial Grand Master, with Dave Johnson Liverpool Group Chairman and Provincial grand officers were outside and demanding admission. Permission having been granted, Dave announced to the brethren the arrival of the following; John James, Dave Johnson, who were admitted into the lodge with Provincial deacons for the ceremony Ray Parr and Kevin Birchall.
Brian welcomed John, and in the usual tradition and offered the gavel to him. On this occasion John was pleased to accept the gavel and closed the lodge, resuming labour in the first degree. This allowed all the brethren to return into the lodge for the celebration of Bill’s 50 years.
John stated that it was gratifying to see the brethren present this evening and hoped that they all would agree that the organisation has such an extraordinary history, and our purpose is indeed to celebrate such a history and achievement of a remarkable man, who had been a member of Everton Lodge since 1975, that man being William (Bill) Robinson.
Bill was born in 1951, living in the Huyton area, moving in 1958 to Stanly Road where Bill still resides. Attending school was an easy arrangement especially when a hole could be made in the back garden fence to attend school each day. Whilst attending senior school and attaining very good ‘O ‘levels, the joys of sport was also appreciated with cycling being one of Bills favourite. Bill took up mathematics for his ‘A ‘Levels, not just any maths but pure maths, applied maths and statistics, with further interests in maths at university including mathematical sciences, pure and applied statistics, numerical analysis, operational research and economics.
On achieving an Honours Degree, which was presented to him by Harold Wilson who at that time was the local MP. On finishing education, Bill became a teacher and was employed at the Liverpool Institute, teaching at that location for 10n years. Bill recalled a visit by the Liverpool Institute to a concert performed by a band called ‘Wings’. The Liverpool Institute having been invited, Bill was honoured to meet Paul McCartney. After the school was closed, Bill moved to Calderstones Comprehensive, and through the art teacher, Daniel Craig’s mother, still maintained an association with celebrities.
Bill took up golf, and a lot of sponsored walks on behalf of Masonic Charities. Bill represented the lodge at Provincial Golf and Bowling. In 1960 Bills father joined Everton Lodge, and at an early stage was introduced to the social side of Freemasonry. In 1975, Bill joined Everton Lodge after being proposed by his father and seconded by John Crogan. Progressing through the various offices, Bill became WM in 1986. The ceremony produced a unique procedure of allowing Bill’s father, who had never progressed through the chair to be admitted in the first degree before the other master Masons to singularly salute and congratulate his own son.
Bill has over the years collected and saved all his lodge summonses, making notes on them for future reference. After progressing to IPM bill became the treasurer of the Lodge, a position held for some 27 years. Bill received his first Provincial grand rank in 1992, with a high rank of PPSGD, and further in 2000 to PPJGW, as a recognition of his charity work.
Bill joined Temperance Chapter No 2714 in 1990 and remained a member for 25 years. A certificate from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews marking Bill’s 50 years in Freemasonry was read out by Dave Johnson and was then presented by John James to Bill. The brethren then rose and gave a standing applause for Bill. The Lodge control was given back to the WM, and the lodge was then closed and the brethren retired for a celebratory festive board. To read John’s full script, click here.
Dave Johnson gave the toast to John James, with Dave thanking John for his hard work and the way that the ceremony and memories of Bill had been delivered. John thanked Dave for the toast to his health, once again congratulating Bill on his achievement, and Brian for stepping in as the WM on the last moment. Thanks, was also given to Dave Boyes as the DC for the ceremony and festive board.
Bob Patterson was pleased and honoured to give the toast to Bill, stating how Bill was an excellent source for the lodge, certainly as treasurer with his qualifications. Bob and members of the lodge were pleased that Bill had kept a secret stash of summonses and was able to always provide information for the brethren. With Bill having played golf and played regularly with another absent member of the lodge, Kim Eddowes, the lodge brethren were please to present Bill with a voucher as a gift for a golf game.
Bill responded to the toast to his health, and thanked all those present including distinguished guests, and his personal guests. Bill was able to recall from his stash of summonses some of the more interesting events that had occurred for the lodge. This included a magic trick involving an orange, £10 note and the appearance of four fire engines at Hope Street Masonic Hall, and a period of several Liverpool players and managers at Hope Street.
Dave Johnson presented Bill with a commemorative card, 50-year cufflinks and a group 50-year lapel badge. Further toasts and responses were given by the WM, Dave Johnson as the group Chairman, and a response to the guests by Ray Parr. The festive board was closed in the usual manner.