On one memorable evening, the brethren of Hesketh Lodge No 950 gathered to celebrate the golden jubilee in Freemasonry of Mike Lamerton, Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, marking 50 years of distinguished service to the Craft. The lodge was opened in due form by the immediate past master, Bill Acton assisted by the officers of the lodge.
The proceedings were interrupted in the traditional manner by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Peter Littlehales, who entered the lodge room to announce that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax demanded admission. Bill Acton welcomed Michael to Hesketh Lodge and offered him the gavel of the lodge and on this occasion, Michael chose to retain it and proceeded to lead the presentation of Mike Lamerton’s 50 years in Freemasonry from the chair of King Solomon. He began by reading a moving summary of Mike Lamerton’s life and Masonic journey, stating that the privilege of leading the celebration of a brother’s jubilee must be one of the most enjoyable occasions an Assistant Provincial Grand Master could wish for and he was grateful for the opportunity.
Michael addressed Mike Lamerton by stating that it gave him the greatest of pleasure to be at Hesketh Lodge and to be able to join Mike, the members and guests in celebrating this memorable achievement. Michael hoped that everyone would enjoy the evening.
Mike Lamerton was born in 1937 in Falmouth, Cornwall. His childhood was marked by vivid wartime memories, sheltering from air raids, witnessing bomb damage near his home and seeing American troops preparing for the D-Day invasion. He recalls sharing water and tea with soldiers, who in turn shared their rations. On the morning of 6 June 1944, the town was suddenly empty; this was the day the Allies landed in Normandy.
At school, Mike enjoyed rugby, scouting, sailing and canoeing on the river and in the harbour. He attended Falmouth Grammar School before moving to Portsmouth College of Technology to study engineering. He then began an apprenticeship at the Falmouth shipyard, later joining the Merchant Navy with Shell Oil, serving five years as an engineering officer and travelling the world.
During a period of shore leave in Bispham, a friend persuaded Mike to apply for a post with Imperial Chemical Industries. After a remarkably swift process, he joined ICI and went on to serve there for 33 years, progressing from engineer to workshop manager. After early retirement in 1993, he joined the Preston Chamber of Commerce, supporting business development and training, later returning to the ICI site to run an unemployment training scheme.
A resolute member of the Blackpool Merchant Navy Association for over 25 years, Mike served as chairman for 10 years, representing the association at events including the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic at Liverpool Cathedral, attended by HRH The Princess Royal and international naval delegations.
Mike met his future wife, Beryl, whilst on leave from the Merchant Navy. They were married in Bispham in 1961 and together they raised their daughter, Suzanne, now an environmental health officer and former chairperson of the National Trading Standards Board. Mike is a proud grandfather to Jack and Amy. In 2021, Mike and Beryl celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, receiving a congratulatory letter from Her Majesty the Queen. Sadly, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, Beryl passed away in December 2022.
Mike’s introduction to Freemasonry came through Beryl’s uncle, after attending a ladies evening in Preston. Encouraged by his neighbour, Roy Buckley, he joined Hesketh Lodge, being proposed by Bill Whittaker and seconded by Roy Buckley. He was initiated on 5 November 1975, passed on 7 January 1976, and raised on 3 March 1976. Since then, he has served in every progressive office, ascending to the chair of King Solomon on 1 October 1986, conducting ceremonies of all three degrees during his year in the chair.
Mike has served as lodge charity steward, almoner and secretary, introducing initiatives such as the festive board raffle to support lodge widows. In 2012, he had the honour of being installed once more as master for the lodge’s 150th anniversary.
At the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on 21 May 1996, Mike was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon. In 2004, he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works and on 1 November 2010, he was promoted to the high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. In Royal Arch Masonry, Mike was exalted into Thornton and Cleveleys Chapter No 3854 on 24 April 1985, serving as first principal in 1991. Mike received Provincial honours as Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 2000, later being promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2006. He is also a joining member of Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals No 8966.
In closing, Michael Tax invited the Chairman of the North Fylde Group, John Cross, to read aloud the 50 years certificate from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. On conclusion of the presentation, Michael returned the gavel to Bill Acton and the lodge was then closed in due form before the brethren retired to the festive board.
At the festive board, the customary toasts were given and Mike took the floor to thank everyone for their kind words and for joining him and the members of Hesketh Lodge on his special evening. He reminded the brethren that it’s not just the charity money that is raised and collected, but the little things we do as an organisation that have no cost, such as visiting poorly brethren, supporting widows and helping wherever we can. It was a truly fitting tribute to 50 years of exemplary service, a night of pride, gratitude and fellowship in honour of a most worthy brother.