On a report, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Philip Renney announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax demanded admission. WM Bob Marsden stated that he would be pleased to receive him.
Michael processed into the lodge accompanied by Past Assistant Grand Registrar John Lee, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon David Sangster, Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Paul Easton, Provincial Grand Steward Chris Hardingham and Provincial Grand Tyler Neil Higgins.
Bob offered the gavel of the lodge to Michael, who on this occasion was honoured to retain it, but only for the duration of the presentation. Michael commenced the presentation by welcoming everyone to this very special meeting of Rectitude Lodge No 4122, to celebrate the magnificent achievement of 50 years in Freemasonry and as a member of Rectitude Lodge of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer John Fadden.
Irrespective of what organisation a person is involved in, no one expects to achieve 50 years of service. John is one of those few brethren who have joined that select band of brothers in the 50s club. Michael welcomed all the members and guests to Rectitude Lodge saying how special it is to celebrate with everyone on John’s special night. Michael then requested Philip Renney to place John Fadden in front of him and the presentation began.
John was born in 1949 in Preston. After a standard schooling John started work at the age of 16 years with his first job being a tax officer in Preston. An opportunity arose and John join the sales team at Brown Brothers, a large industrial motor wholesale distributers in Preston. A complete change to his first job as he was involved in selling tools and garage equipment.
Some of the equipment John sold was manufactured by BOC Ltd. On one occasion a representative of BOC Ltd offered John a position in the new branch they were opening in Preston and John started work there in 1972, specialising in gas welding equipment. In 1982 BOC Ltd decided to stop supplying smaller customers and John was made redundant.
Fortunately, another company appreciated John’s knowledge and customer base and offered him a job. John left BOC Ltd on a Thursday morning and started his new employment at Thos. Metcalfe and Sons Ltd the very next day. His sales job involved traveling over 50,000 miles a year on business.
John met his wife Christine at a local dance club in Preston. They were eventually married at a local church in 1972. Christine worked as a receptionist and telephonist until the birth of their first daughter in 1976 and second daughter in 1980. John is also blessed with four teenage grandchildren.
John and Christine regularly enjoyed traveling, visiting Tenerife in the winter and the west coast of Ireland in the summer. Sadly, in 2014, Christine was admitted into hospital but passed away after a short illness. After Christine passed away, John decided to work part-time, working just three days a week as it kept him busy and his mind off his sad loss. John accepted redundancy in 2016 but continued to work for the firm on a self-employed basis until the arrival of COVID. Outside of Freemasonry, John enjoys completing crosswords and is a keen photographer, many of his photos being used on calendars.
John was introduced to Freemasonry by his father-in-law, Sam Wignall who eventually proposed him into Rectitude Lodge, seconded by Cliff Hoyland. John was initiated on 19 November 1975, passed in 1975 and raised the following year in 1976. John has held every progressive office and was installed in the chair of King Solomon in 1983.
After a year as immediate past master, John served the lodge as secretary, treasurer, chaplain, almoner and director of ceremonies. As a result of all this hard work John was appointed Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1993, promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 2003 and further promoted to the high rank of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2020.
John was exalted into the Chapter of Unanimity No 113 in 1991, becoming first principal in 2001. Appointed Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 2008 and promoted to the high rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2008.
Between his work, hobbies and Freemasonry, John has had a very busy, interesting and successful life and his service to Freemasonry is an example to us all and we all wish John the very best of health and happiness for many years to come.
Michael informed the brethren that the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews is aware of John’s celebration and he has telephone John to convey his personal congratulations. At this point in the presentation, Michael requested group chairman Stephen Jelly to read aloud the certificate from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Michael presented the certificate to John and offered him his warmest personal congratulations on achieving this wonderful milestone in his Masonic career. Considering it a privilege and a pleasurer to have been able to participate in this happy and enjoyable occasion. Philip Renney escorted John back to his chair in the lodge which was the cue for group chairman Stephen Jelly to rise and present John with a 50 years lapel badge on behalf of the Blackpool Group.
After the first rising, the grand and acting Provincial grand officers retired along with John Fadden, in pride of place next to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax. Once the remaining items on the summons had been completed, the lodge was closed and the brethren retired to the bar for some well-earned drinks.
The brethren then moved to the dining room for a fine three course meal. Terry Barlow proposed the toast to the celebrant, reminiscing on the earlier days of the lodge and John Fadden responded by relating a few stories from ‘the old days’, thanking everyone for attending and to Michael Tax for producing the presentation of his life story.
