The brethren of Formby Lodge 5659 were pleased to welcome Assistant Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers to help celebrate the milestone of David Burgess’s 50 years in Freemasonry at Southport Masonic Hall.
David was born in Newton- le-Willows in September 1941, while Hitler was bombing his mother’s hometown of Liverpool. Davids’s schooling started at Newton-le-Willows County Primary School and then on to the secondary modern and then onto the Junior Technical School, which is where he was introduced to the world of engineering.
He then continued his education working by day and attending night school, obtaining a Higher National Certificate in electrical engineering. David started his working life as a craft apprentice progressing to a student apprentice in electrical engineering. He worked in many departments in what became known as the National Grid Company. Working in the transmission division on overhead power lines and underground power cables, finally after 45 years of a happy working life finished as a cable project engineer in August 2001.
In September 1967, David met his wife June at the Moulin Rouge dance hall in Ainsdale and after accepting a lift home, they met the next day Sunday on what was the start of a beautiful relationship. They married at Holy Trinity Church Formby in March 1972 and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2022.
When David was 12, he was introduced by the Vicar of Newton to the art of bellringing, campanology, (which his son also has a passion for). It became a major lifetime interest. He was elected the President of the Lancashire Association of Change Ringers, a term he served for six years. In 2024 David will celebrate 45 years as the Tower Captain of the Ringers at Rainford Parish Church.
David has always been involved with the church serving many important rolls. 50 years on the church parochial council and is currently vice chairman, served as lay chairman for 14 years on the Ormskirk Deaney Synod and until the pandemic was Deputy Chairman of the Liverpool Diocesan Board of Finance for 12 years, and for the same period, the Chairman of the Clergy Housing Committee.
An introduction to Freemasonry for David came from his new father-in-law George Harris. David was initiated in November 1973 passed October in 1974 and raised in October 1976, he then steadily worked his way up the ladder and became master of the lodge on the in April 1984 and then again in April 2009.
In 1994 he was appointed PPSGD and promoted to PPJGW in 2002. David has held various positions; social secretary, treasurer, festival representative and in 2001 when the lodge decided to hand in the warrant, he became secretary and fortunes changed and it was agreed to convert the lodge into a daytime lodge. He relinquished the secretary’s post at the 2023 installation and became ADC.
The lodge paid tribute by saying in the brochure for the meeting that they feel he is a great example to others by his regular attendance and support of the lodge. They all hope that in the years ahead he will continue to enjoy good health and they will be peaceful happy and enjoyable. A fitting tribute to a Mason and someone who has always helped everyone he meets.
