The Chorley and Leyland Masonic Group Research Society, known as Perfect Points, met at Brookfield Hall in Westhoughton in April for their spring lecture. As always, a relaxed affair that began with a pie and peas supper allowing members to catch up with one another before the evening’s lecture.
Guest of honour was Peter Mason, a Freemason of more than 50 years with grand ranks in both Craft and Royal Arch. Peter was initiated into Silverdale Lodge No 6926 in 1970 and exalted into Rowley Chapter No 1051 in 1973. He has also written numerous guides for Freemasons to increase their knowledge of both Craft and Royal Arch and has been at the forefront of promoting Royal Arch membership in West Lancashire. Peter also obtained the high grand rank of PGSN in Supreme Grand Chapter.
Peter Mason began by joking he had been ‘a Mason from birth’ and looking through his Masonic CV, he was not far wrong even considering his name. The lecture presented was about ‘Francis Dukinfield Astley – The last Provincial Grand Master of Lancashire: A delve into Astley’s life and death and the division of the Province of Lancashire’.
Born in 1781, Francis Dukinfield Astley was initiated into Lodge of Minerva No 300 in 1803. He was appointed the Provincial Grand Master for Lancashire just four years later at the age of 25. He was then appointed Grand Superintendent of Royal Arch in 1809 before being suspended from office as ProvGM in 1822, all by the age of 40,
His father, John Astley, had inherited the Dukinfield estate from his late wife and Francis inherited the estate from his father at the age of 21, on which iron ore and coal was later found, generating him significant wealth. However, it was at a time of great turbulence in Freemasonry with many disagreements between Ancient and Moderns after the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England. His suspension led to direct rule of the Province of Lancashire from London and ultimately the Province was split into East and West Divisions, which is why he was the last ProvGM of Lancashire.
His death at the age of 44, though officially from a stroke, was also controversial. There was suspicion that his brother-in-law was involved, and this suspicion would continue after he married Francis’s widow and gained control of significant wealth. Francis Dukinfield Astley was given a Masonic funeral with a reported 10,000 people in attendance.
Perfect Point’s Chairman Derek Robison thanked Peter Mason for a very interesting and informative talk before drawing the raffle, which was won by Frank Pimblett taking home a bottle of quality whisky.
Membership of Perfect Points is open to all master Masons wishing to advance their knowledge of Freemasonry with an annual membership fee of only £5. Their next meeting will be held at Chorley Masonic Hall in October 2024. For more information, contact perfectpoints@c-l-m-g.org