Cleveleys Masonic Hall was the venue for a very special celebration for one member of New Sanctuary Lodge No 6604, Namely Neil Scott, who has reached the magnificent milestone of 50 years in the Craft.
The evening started with the WM Keith Carter opening the lodge, welcoming the guests and quickly moving through the administrative parts of the summons. Once the lodge was opened in the third degree a knock came on the door and Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin entered to announce that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Duncan Smith was outside the door and demanded admission. Accompanying Duncan were Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Harry Cox (West Lancashire) and Malcolm Worsley (East Lancashire), the North Fylde Group Chairman John Cross and acting Provincial Grand Steward Geoff Diggles.
Once the usual greetings had been exchanged, Keith offered the gavel of the lodge to Duncan who on this occasion retained it and took to the master’s chair. Duncan promptly returned the lodge to the first degree and started his presentation by asking the director of ceremonies to place Neil Scott in a chair before him.
Neil was born in Oldham in 1931, the only son of Samuel and Edith Scott. Duncan recounted some of the notable events in that year, such as the Highway Code was introduced, Abbey Road Studios in London were opened by Sir Edward Elgar and Second Division West Bromwich Albion won the FA Cup, beating First Division Birmingham 2–1 in the final at Wembley.
Neil’s first school was in Oldham, followed by the junior school where Neil passed his 11-plus. It was at this point Neil moved to Bispham and attended grammar school. Neil excelled at athletics, being a very good 100-yard sprinter, winning the British Junior Championship two years running, in 1948 and 1949, the first one at White City in London which no longer exists, and the second one at Perry Bar, in Birmingham. Neil continued his athletics and ran for the Army during his National Service and he only missed the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki through injury. Neil’s prowess as an athlete have been recognised by Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Athletic Club where he is an honorary member.
Moving through the story of Neil’s life, Duncan said that Neil left school at the age of 16 to take the Civil Service exams which he passed. Neil went on to study, on his own, for the Executive Officer’s Exam which he also passed and became an Executive Officer in the Civil Service where he worked for 42 years up until his retirement. During his long and successful career, Neil worked his way up to Deputy Controller of the Central Office which looked after Hesketh House, Warbreck Hill and Norcross and had a workforce of 4,000 to 5,000 staff, a considerable responsibility.
Duncan, moving back to Neil’s family life, recounted that in 1957 Neil married Shirley who was not quite the girl next door, but she lived 100 yards up the road from Neil in Bispham. Shirley worked as a receptionist at Blackpool Victoria Hospital until the children came along, when she then became a full time mum. Due to her love of children, some years later she founded a Play Group in Poulton. Neil and Shirley were blessed with two children and four grandchildren who have gone on to have their own illustrious careers.
Continuing, Duncan, imparted to the brethren Neil’s journey into Freemasonry. Neil was working with Jack Anderton and Peter Caird in the Civil Service and they brought the conversation up. At that time the lodge was meeting at the Savoy Hotel and Neil thought it would be something that he would enjoy. He was initiated on 13 February 1974. Duncan then said: “Brother secretary, will you please read out a précis of the minutes of the meeting held on that date.”
Neil was elected treasurer soon after joining the lodge, a position that he held for several years before he progressed to the position of junior warden. He was installed into the chair of King Solomon in 1985. During his year in office, Neil had a wonderful time as WM visiting as many lodges as possible. The year was crowned with a wonderful Ladies Evening at the Winter Gardens with the obligatory 1am breakfast, which was the norm in those days
He joined Norcliffe Chapter No 7371 on 18 September 1981 and became the first principal in 1990. Neil was scribe Ezra for five years and almoner for two. In addition to Norcliffe, Neil joined Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals No 8966, Knott End Chapter No 8674 (sadly no longer in existence), and Thornton and Cleveleys Chapter No 3854
Neil’s hard work has been recognised by the Province with his first appointment in Craft to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1996, followed by promotion to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 2003. In chapter he received the acting rank of Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and was subsequently promoted to the very high rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2008.
Duncan brought his presentation to a close by presenting Neil with a certificate from the Provincial Grand Master commemorating his 50 years in Freemasonry, followed by the group chairman, John Cross, presenting Neil with a lapel badge to mark the tremendous milestone in his life of dedication to the Craft.
The presentation at an end, Duncan returned the gavel to Keith so that he could complete the evening’s business, close the lodge and invite the guests to join the brethren of the lodge in order to continue the celebration in the dining room accompanied by a fine festive board.
