The bi-annual celebration of the Masters and First Principles Dinner took place at Ormskirk Masonic Hall in 2025, and primarily emphasised and celebrated lodges and chapters changes, developments and successes of the past two years.
Following registration and prior to the festive board, the principal guests and Provincial team gathered upstairs in the lodge room were masters, principles and officers of the group were received to casually socialise and converse about past events, future plans and the many successes of the past two years. An opportunity which was much appreciated by the attendees and set the tone for a cheerful evening of celebration, speeches and toasts.
By 7pm, all were assembled in the dining rooms to applaud and receive the procession of the principal guest, Deputy Grand Superintendent Christopher Butterfield, who was accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Thomas, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principles John Selley and the Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Graham Chambers and vice chairman Stephen Dunn.
Following grace given by Don Fraser, a customarily exquisite meal was presented by the expert hall staff beginning with brandied chicken liver pate followed by slow cooked beef short rib in red wine and finally individual cheese and biscuit platters all accompanied with plentiful glasses of wine which were charged and recharged throughout by the Provincial Grand Stewards.
Following the return of grace, the first toast to the King was given by Graham Chambers which was later followed by the toast to Christopher Butterfield who responded by speaking of the membership challenge which was seeing results within the group, but went on to further encourage recruitment and retention through increased social functions and then progression to Royal Arch through gentle conversations and encouragement of master Masons, possibly through the newly established lecture talks about chapter which are available to lodges by contacting Provincial office.
He went on to say that cheques to the values of £1,500 had been presented to Ormskirk and also Litherland Masonic Halls committees, £1,000 each to HOME and FROTH, £500 each to Friends of the Tithebarn and Derian House, £1000 each to Elsie’s Story Southport and West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. A total of £8,000 of charitable giving, all of which he emphasised had come from the group functions and Christmas fairs.
Finally, he gave thanks to those officers who are about to retire from office and congratulated those who are soon to undertake their responsibilities, including Stephen Dunn who is to become group chairman supported by Malcolm Sandywell as vice chairman. John Wooton who is to continue as group mentor but will be replaced by Ian Tupling as membership officer, whilst Ormskirk Masonic Hall (HOME) Chairman Rory Green is to have a well-earned rest and will be succeeded by Alex Fry.
He then thanked pastoral care officer John Thompson for his work organising the past seven Widows Luncheons with the next taking place at Ormskirk on 12 March. Ian McKinnon was also recognised for his long service as hall manager at Litherland Masonic Hall. Group secretary Gary Thornhill with Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Gary Smith and Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pennington were then all thanked for their work in facilitating the evening.
The next toast was to the Ormskirk and Bootle Group of Royal Arch Chapters which was proposed by Brian Griffiths. With the evening drawing to an end, flowers and gifts were presented to the principal guests followed by the janitor’s toast given by Don Fraser, and all then gradually departed in harmony and peace.
