On a chilly Saturday evening, the main assembly hall of Hutton Grammar School was buzzing with lively conversation and banter, as over 50 brethren gathered for the first time in 2025, since the last regular lodge meeting in November 2024.
Old Huttonian Lodge No 7614 is part of the Chorley and Leyland Group and brethren from the local area and from across the river in South Fylde were looking forward to quite a rare event, where, on this occasion, Old Huttonian Lodge stalwart Michael Arnold Greenwood was to celebrate 60 years as a Freemason.
The normal lodge business was efficiently undertaken by Old Huttonian Lodge master John Topping and his officers. At the appropriate moment, Provincial Deputy grand Director of Ceremonies Peter Littlehales entered the lodge and announced the processional party. Peter Lockett, Assistant Provincial Grand Master entered the room, accompanied by a several grand and Provincial grand officers. Following a brief welcome, John formally greeted the Peter and offered him the gavel of the lodge. On this occasion he accepted the gavel and occupied the chair of King Solomon. In due course, Peter invited the celebrant, Michael Greenwood to be seated in front of him to begin his evening.
A very detailed presentation then followed, which gave a very interesting insight into Michael’s home and work life, from his birth in Mount Street Hospital, Preston and formative years in the rural village of Hoole, assisting his family’s haulage business wherever he could. His school teaching career saw Michael reach the very high position of deputy headship/acting headship of high schools in the NW of England. Peter detailed Michael’s family life and marriage to Jean, their three children and numerous grandchildren.
Michael’s loyal and active commitment to Hutton Grammar School were mentioned, where he came as both a student and maths teacher for some time. He also enjoyed 50 years as Secretary of the Old Boys Association and had been a school governor for at least 20 years.
At the end of the presentation, a framed certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master was read to Michael by the Chorley and Leyland Group Secretary Paul Wharton-Hardman and handed to Michael by Peter Lockett. This completed the formal part of the presentation ceremony, and the celebrant, Michael Greenwood received much acclaim from the brethren for his contribution to Freemasonry.
Prior to the end of the lodge meeting, John Topping, as master of the lodge, made a special presentation to the immediate past master Damien McKeand. The lodge had recently been given a set of regalia following the passing of a lodge member. Within the batch of regalia was a quite unusual and special lodge past master’s jewel. John suggested that the jewel should be presented to the present IPM as a mark of the respect to which he is held both as a lodge member but also as the local regional officer for the Federation of School Lodges.
A splendid festive board followed with two beautiful food courses supplied by Masonic Event Catering, based at The Palace, St Annes-On-Sea. This comprised of a smooth liver pate salad starter, followed by blade of beef with potatoes and root vegetables. The third course is always a cheeseboard provided the lodge.
Towards the end of the evening, several toasts were made which included a thoughtful, humorous and very emotional outline of Michael Greenwood, from his lifetime friend and lodge colleague David Walker. David completed this splendid account by presenting Michael with a small shield/plaque, bearing the school crest and motto that acknowledges 60 years in Freemasonry. John Topping spoke for a few minutes to Michael regarding both their interests over many years in Preston North End.
John challenged Michael to think of the team they had played exactly 60 years ago, to the day. John revealed that in March 1965, the nearest match to this date in March was a midweek game, played away against Crystal Palace. John read excerpts from the actual match programme printed by Crystal Palace which included the team list that many brethren at the festive board remembered with great affection. John then presented the match programme to Michael as a small personal gift, in recognition of this 60 years milestone in Michael’s life.
Michael responded eloquently, thanking everyone for their support and attendance at Old Huttonian Lodge on this significant occasion in his life. A standing ovation was given to the celebrant. During the festive board, a raffle raised £305 which when coupled with a £145 collection plate in lodge became a total charitable amount of £450.
The next meeting of Old Huttonian Lodge will be an Old English Night, to be held at Hutton Grammar School on Saturday 5 April 2025. Please contact the secretary Colin Mills on cmsec.7614@gmail.com should you wish to visit this very special and interesting school lodge.
