Peter Levick celebrated his 50 years in Freemasonry at Crosby Lodge No 3714 in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle. He was accompanied by the Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Graham Chambers, Malcolm Alexander, Roy Pyne, Brian Cunliffe, Iain Gee, Derek Parkinson and acting officers Paul Shirley and Robert Midgley. All under the watchful eye of Peter Littlehales Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
The lodge was opened by the master Ronald Elliot and with the lodge business completed the Provincial team was then admitted in the third degree. Following greetings and salutations the gavel was offered to and accepted by Andrew who returned the lodge to the first degree by virtue and the fellow crafts re-admitted. The celebrant was seated before the pedestal and the narrative oration began with the sincere greetings and congratulations of Mark Matthews being passed on to the celebrant and the rendition of Peter’s very active, eventful and interesting life of study, service, hard work and leisure was begun.
Peter was born in September 1943 in the midst of World War II and lived in Coronation Road, Crosby. Aged 11 he attended Crosby Road Secondary Modern School from whence there were three schoolmates in the persons of Brian Cunliffe, Ray Williams and Tommy Williams. Their new schoolmaster introduced rugby to the curriculum for which Peter had a natural talent and lifelong affinity. Later playing for his local club’s 5th team for many years until he graduated into playing in the veteran’s team!
At around this time he also joined the 12th Crosby Scout troop becoming one of the senior scouters of the troop but later had to resign due to the pressures of work, music, study and family. Some of his former scouting friends are still active scouters and were also present namely Graham Chambers and Roger Holt.
Peter began work as an apprentice joiner aged 15, but being refused indentured status left the following year to join Costain Builders with a day release to Bootle Technical College. Due to his ability and hard work, after two years he was permitted to transfer to the Liverpool College of Building to simultaneously complete an estimating and surveying course. His wages at this time were two shillings and sixpence per week, which is currently equivalent to 12 and a half new pence! By 18, he had both a first-class City and Guilds and Craft Certificate with licentiate status from the Institute of Building. He went on to become an Associate of the Institute of Building and completed his studies at Salford University 10 years later with a Chartered membership of the Institute of Building. Peter then returned to the Liverpool College of Building for three years to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of craftsmen as a part time lecturer.
Leaving Costain’s, he went on to work for several local companies then returned to Costains as the General Manager of its Blundellsands office. He later left Costains for a directorship of a property refurbishment and development company for seven years, followed by time with the prominent Liverpool Housing Trust and Merseyside Improved Housing. Peter then moved to Sefton Council as its Building Works Manager and for one year with Knowsley Council as its principal maintenance surveyor. In 1979 he returned to Sefton Council in the stressful role of Operations Manager of the Highways and Building Services Directorate which like all public bodies in the 1980’s was facing the maelstrom of compulsory competitive tendering against bids from the private sector on the basis of ‘best price’. This was believed to improve costs and services through competition.
After 14 years at Sefton Council and suffering ill health, Peter retired at the age of 50. This though was short lived as he later became an Independent Consultant eventually fully retiring aged 60 in 2003 to enjoy some of the well-earned fruits of his labours.
In 1960 aged 17 he had met Jennifer, who worked at the Royal Insurance Company. They met at St Lukes Church Hall where he played as a session drummer for the rock band promotion company, Ian Marr Productions. Some of their groups went on to fame and fortune, though conscientious study and work caused Peter to end his musical ambitions and on World Cup Final day in 1966 aged 23, he married Jennifer. However, at the reception for 80 people he was disallowed from watching this glorious football match with all the other men at the bar and dutifully remained at the reception with Jennifer and 40 ladies and in 1968 he and Jennifer were blessed with the birth of a daughter Sarah who is now married to Ian.
Throughout these time Peter has remained a very active Freemason. He joined Alexandra Lodge No 7245 in September 1973, becoming master of the lodge in April 1984 and May 1998, Peter is also a member of Lathom Lodge No 2229, Lodge of Perseverance No 155 and Crosby Lodge No 3714.
Peter’s roles with in the Bootle Group have included, lettings secretary, hall secretary, chairman of buildings and Fabric command, vice chairman and chairman, Bootle Group Representee of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Society and vice-captain of Stewards (PGL Preston)
For services to the Bootle Group, he received first appointment to Provincial rank as Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in May 1990, was subsequently promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in October 1998 and recognised by UGLE for his services to Freemasonry in April, 2022 with the grand rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. He has also been honoured in Royal Arch as Past Grand Standard and in another Masonic Order
In all of this great activity was a very supportive wife and family keeping things in order and to whom sincere thanks must be extended for the necessary support given during their happy marriage of 57 years. Following the path of responsibility, discipline, hard work and commitment learned from his parents, Peter’s direction, study determination, work and commitment seem to have had many obvious benefits to himself, his family, the community and also Freemasonry and if the regard and appreciation of a man and his family’s support can be shown, it was shown on the evening by the attendance of so many brethren, friends and colleagues at this celebration of his very fruitful life
Andrew then, as commanded by the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, requested the group chairman Graham Chambers to read out the certificate struck to celebrate Peter’s 50 years in Freemasonry which was presented to the celebrant.
The Gavel was returned to the master of the lodge for the first and second risings and the honouring of the charities which was followed by the recession of the Provincial team. The was then closed by the WM.
Over 60 members and guests were present at the festive board including lifelong friends and fellow brethren. The toasts conferred many plaudits, reminiscences and gratitude’s upon the celebrant with genuine feeling and abundant regard for his services to family, Craft and community. The evening ended with the heartfelt rendition of the tyler’s toast which emphasised that it is: “The man himself that is the gold.”
