Brethren of Ormskirk Priory Lodge No 4007 celebrated the anniversary of 50 years in Freemasonry for John Rawcliffe in the presence of Deputy Provincial Grand Master Philip Gunning, a member of the lodge who on this occasion declined the offer of the gavel, as the principal guest was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, who passed on the well-deserved greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, in recognition of John’s unstinting service and dedication to Freemasonry.
Frank was accompanied by the Group Chairman of Ormskirk and Bootle Group Graham Chambers, his vice chairman Stephen Dunn and Peter Levick. Frank then occupied the chair of King Solomon and presented an interesting and amusing narration of John’s Masonic, social and business careers.
John was initiated into Harrock Lodge No 8233 on 23 October 1973 becoming WM of the lodge in 1983 and then holding several offices before once again becoming master of the lodge in 2011 when their warrant was surrendered. He then joined Ormskirk Priory Lodge in the November of the same year. John was elected master of this lodge in 2015 and 2018, becoming treasurer in 2021 and 2022 and then again becoming master of the lodge in 2023. John is also a member of two other Masonic Orders.
Work started for John working for his father as ‘second man’ from the age of 12 officially becoming his lorry driver in 1962 when he passed his driving test aged 17 years plus one day! From perseverance, acquisitions, a growing number of contracts, professionalism and hard work they soon had a fleet of lorries and in 1978 John decided to take the company in the direction of heavy lifting and haulage of indivisible heavy loads and the logistics of their transport. The firm is now licenced to operate from 38 to 250-ton loads, with capacity for 1,000 ton lifts and operates from a 12-acre site in Skelmersdale. Further specific and interesting information about the company is available on the internet. John later became a leading member of the Motor Haulage Association of which he is now Chairman of the Heavy Lifting Division.
In 1965, John Married Irene, the light of his life, and without whom he does not believe they would have achieved one quarter of what he has. During their 58 years together, they have had a very happy family and social life. They have been blessed with two children Karen and Julie, two grandchildren Samantha and Alexander and two great grandchildren Rosie and Lillie. All of whom keep John and Irene mentally, physically and emotionally active. Unfortunately, however, due to a progressive illness Irene is now cared for in a local nursing home where she receives a constant stream of callers from their very close, loving and caring family.
As reward for their hard work, it was in 1970 that they began their lifelong interest in travel taking a 5-week family touring holiday to Singapore, Malesia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and the USA. This has since been supplemented over the years by many other long excursions to obscure, exotic and distant lands such as Antarctica, Africa, Cambodia and most of Europe.
John’s hobbies include caring for his 25 koi carp two of which weigh 40lbs and are named, Oscar and Hosker. They have a large pond designed by John and built for their comfort such that they now come to feed from his hand. Several years ago, he began growing begonias and such was his ability and skill, which he puts down to a secret compost mix, that in 2023 he won prizes at the Southport and Shrewsbury flower shows.
In 1998 he had a corporate entertainment experience including clay pigeon shooting, bi-plane aerobatics display and a driving experience in a top of the range Saab 900 rally car with Carl Peterson driving him around Silverstone. It was then John’s turn to drive!
One of his most commercially proud moments was the dismantling, transporting and recommissioning of the McClaren Formula One Team’s wind tunnel from Didcot to Grove along the A34. Another proud moment in his life was when, at some considerable risk, he saved the life of a young lad who was drowning in the sand quarry lake at Mawdesley for which he received a certificate from the Liverpool Shipwreck Society.
Frank then remarked to John on the great privilege it had been to narrate his very interesting Masonic, domestic and personal careers. He then requested the group vice chairman, Stephen to read aloud the golden jubilee certificate prior to its presentation on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master.
Following the presentation of the certificate, the lodge was closed in due form and the brethren gathered at a festive board of 59 members and guests where a lively evening of interesting and convivial conversation was had. In response to the toast proposed by Frank, John responded that he felt deeply honoured not only by the celebration and the lodge’s award of his own gavel, but also that he felt extremely touched to have eight previous members of his mother lodge in attendance including Trevor Martin and Alan Ashcroft who are also fellow officers in Ormskirk Priory Lodge.
Three other members of Harrock Lodge also sent their heartfelt best wishes, their being unable to attend due to poor health. He went on to reflect with gratitude the great friendships formed through Masonry and for all of the good fortune he’d had in life and the many blessings he had received. Trevor Martin, secretary of the lodge, then proposed a rousing toast to a well deserving celebrant on behalf of the lodge and all other Masons present. The evening ended with a very moving tyler’s toast, after which all retired from the festive board in good spirits.
