At Southport Masonic Hall a celebration was held for an extremely distinguished member of Southport Temperance Lodge No 2815, Phil Adshead, who was delighted to celebrate 50 years in Freemasonry. The respect and affection held for Phil was evident even before proceedings began with the brethren of his lodge warmly greeting each other with smiles outside the lodge room, and large number of visitors having made a special effort to attend. This included a large Provincial contingent including the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers and members of the Provincial team, who had made the journey to Southport to make the presentation to David and take part in the celebrations.
The lodge was first opened by the Brian King who conducted the business of the lodge prior to the presentation. The Provincial contingent then proceeded into the lodge with great fanfare. Frank was accompanied by the Southport Group Chairman Phil Stock. The procession was mighty and lead by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington, with acting officers Les Gilston, Richard Jenkinson and Robert Midgley, together with two members of the lodge, Colin Sherman and Barry Dearden acting as Provincial deacons. Adding to the occasion, two grand officers were also present Mark Barton and Neil Latham.
Frank was warmly welcomed by Brian, who offered him the gavel. Frank on this occasion accepted with grace and a chair was brought forwards for Phil who, with a smile as welcoming as it was genuine, took his seat for the presentation. Frank quickly showed his uniquely human touch in the volume of research he had done. His job had no doubt been made easier by the fact Phil had led an interesting and fulfilling life, both inside and outside Freemasonry.
Phil was born in 1935 in Southport. The early years were difficult times, being Second World War years. Nevertheless, as the youngest of seven children, Phil was spoilt and doted on, especially by his elder sisters and it was a happy home. He could however still recall the bombing raids and evacuees, as well as visitors both in terms of the Americans and the many evacuees from the larger cities. That was of course until the end of the war and Phil still recalled the amazing street parties that greeted peace.
Growing up to be a sportsman, Phil attended Meols Cop High School, where he excelled as an all-rounder in football, cricket, swimming and athletics. He was also in the Boys Brigade, rising to become a Sergeant and Drum Major, which served him well during his National Service. He was fortunate enough to be posted to Suez, a most glamorous posting in the days before travel became widespread, enabling him to collect photos of himself in front of the Pyramids. He then returned to Southport and continued his pre-service job in the grocery trade.
However, he soon progressed to working on the buses, first as a conductor, then a driver and then youngest ever inspector in Southport. Not being afraid of a hard day’s work, it was no surprise when Phil was then promoted to Chief Inspector with Merseyside Transport.
Following a well-deserved retirement, Phil refused to abandon his attitude to work, but this time chose to work for charity and drove a bus for his local Spiral Unit Action Group. He remains an active member of the local Over 50 Organisation to this day. Phil has also always been very much a religious man and still attends St Philip’s Church, where he originally attended the Boys Brigade, and he was secretary of the PPC for 18 years.
Growing up in such a large family it is not surprise however that Phil remains first and foremost a family man. It was just before he left the grocery trade in 1956 that he met his wife Joan and married her only 2 years later on Burns Night, January 1958. Two children followed, Phillip and Carolyn, and they gifted him with three beautiful grandchildren. To play with Stephen, Susan and Rachael has been one of Phil’s greatest joys in life and he considers himself most blessed for the time he has had with his family. A dancer, a teller of jokes and anecdotes he remains close to his family and in November 2023 became a great grandfather for the first time. The photo of four generations of male Adshead now sits in pride of place on his wall.
Fittingly, two members of Phil’s family were pleased to attend the ceremony, both proud Freemasons. His nephews Ray Rimmer and Paul Rimmer, a new master Mason, made the special effort to have their picture taken with Phil to mark the occasion.
Within Freemasonry, Phil has always shown the kind of energy he has in his working, family and church practices. Having been originally initiated in 1974, he was WM in 1984/5 and secretary for 10 years until 1996. At the time the secretary was also responsible for organising ladies’ evenings and fund-raising activities, which Phil continued to help with well until 2009. His attitude to take up any office he is asked to has led to Phil receiving a number of promotions, up to his current rank of PPGSuptWks. He has also been an active member in the Royal Arch, having been first principle three-times, director of ceremonies and now holding the Provincial rank of PPGSN. He is also a proud member of another Masonic Order.
Phil was then handed his certificate by Frank, and not to be outdone, Phil was pleased to reciprocate in kind. True to form Phil had asked for all members to donate to charity in lieu of a gift, and not one but three separate cheques were given to Frank with warmest thanks. The gavel was then returned to the Brian, who closed the lodge.
The evening proceeded to the festive board and as upstairs the volume of people in the room was a testament to how many lives David has touched over the years, and the congratulations continued into the evening. The speeches are of course a special event on these occasions. After Phil’s life was toasted first by Frank, a heartfelt and warmly genuine introduction was made to ‘our Phil’ by his friend Colin Sherman.
The theme throughout both was that Phil was a true pillar of Freemasonry, charity and most of all family a man. This was finally shown in action not words by Phil himself who made his speech not about himself but others, thanking the brethren warming and regaling them of tales of the fine men he has known. Throughout that welcoming smile which lit up the room during the presentation, and that easy manner which is the hallmark of so many kind and successful men, lit up the hearts of all present.