On a cold blustery evening, Ormskirk Masonic Hall was packed with Masons to celebrate 50 years in Masonry for Philip Gunning, former Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The celebration took place during the regular meeting of Ormskirk Priory Lodge No 4007, which was consecrated in December 1919.
The lodge was opened in the first degree in due form by the master Stuart Cunningham and the officers of Ormskirk Priory Lodge. After the minutes were confirmed, the brethren stood in silence to remember David Bradbury, who had passed to the Grand Lodge above. After the lodge was opened up to the third degree, and following a report, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Barry Fitzgerald entered the temple and informed Stuart that the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, was without and demanded admission.
Accompanying Mark in the procession into the lodge were the celebrant, Philip, together with Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Malcolm Bell, John James, Peter Schofield and David Thomas, many distinguished grand officers, Chairman of Ormskirk and Bootle Group Stephen Dunn, and acting Provincial grand officers.
After Stuart had welcomed Mark into the lodge and offered Mark the gavel, which on this occasion he accepted, salutations were then given and the lodge was closed to the first degree. Mark said that it was a pleasure and an honour to preside over the evening’s proceedings and then invited Philip, who Mark said was known to all as Phil, to sit in front of the WM’s pedestal.
Mark told the packed temple that Phil was born, together with his twin, Pauline, in September 1948 in Ashton-under-Lyne to Harry and Phyllis Gunning. Phil’s childhood was happy and he enjoyed being a wolf cub and a scout. With the scouts he travelled to France, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Belgium. Phil also enjoyed hiking, camping and train spotting in Manchester, Crewe and Doncaster and his love of train travel still remains with him today.
At infant’s school, Phil met and became best friends with David Fish and that friendship has lasted for over 70 years. Phil enjoyed another hobby with David, that of plane spotting and they would both regularly cycle to Manchester Airport to watch the aeroplanes take off and land.
Phil joined Lancashire Constabulary as a Police Cadet in September 1965, was appointed as Constable 578 in September 1967 and was posted to Seaforth. Phil married Carol in 1971 and moved to Ormskirk. His twin sons, Andrew and Philip were born in October 1974. Phil then worked on the District Task Force, dealing with disorder on the streets of Preston. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1979 and posted to Skelmersdale, where he became an Authorised Firearms Officer and was one of the longest serving specialists in that role.
Promoted to Inspector in 1989, Phil was posted to Preston. After five years there he moved to be the Head of Operations at Leyland. Being the Team Leader for the South of the County, Phil covered the areas up to the Manchester and Merseyside boundaries. During this period, he managed numerous armed operations, personal and VIP protections and Political Party Conferences.
Phil also had a flair for operational planning, having a strategy for prisoner containment in police cells submitted to the Home Office as an example of best practice. He also prepared many plans for pre-planned firearms operations and public events. In March 1997, Phil’s final posting was in the Force Control Room, providing Senior Officer cover and he retired in September of that year.
As a sportsman, Phil enjoyed playing rugby for the County Police. He was moved to the second row from number 8 to accommodate a cadet who was showing promise, a certain Wade Dooley. Phil also enjoyed playing golf and as a member of the county side, together with David Winder as part of the team, he won the National Team Championship three times in the mid-1990s. Phil was also Club Captain at Shaw Hill Golf Club in Chorley in 2000. He has enjoyed the experience of playing many golf courses in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Phil also has a keen interest in field sports, and for many years he relished shooting and fishing. He also enjoys motorcycle speedway and road rallying. Phil was asked by a golfing friend about advice regarding the content on one of his employee’s computers. Phil suggested that he had the computer forensically examined and found a company in London called DRUK, who are American to do this. Phil assisted them in preparing a case file according to British Law. The company liked what Phil did and offered him a full-time position which he accepted. He fully retired in 2022.
Phil was initiated into Anfield Lodge No 2215, on 19 December 1975 and became an honorary member in 2008. Phil became the Group Clay Pigeon Shooting Representative, then the group charity steward. He then progressed to become the Regional Care Officer and was appointment as the Representative for the 1997 Festival. Phil was appointed to the much sort after rank of Provincial Grand Steward in 1991 and was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1996. This was followed by a grand rank promotion to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2002.
In 2005, Phil was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Ormskirk Group, before progressing to become the group chairman in 2009. On 18 May 2011, at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Phil was invested as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. He then received the enhanced grand rank of Past Senior Grand Deacon. As an AProvGM, Phil had four happy years attending many lodge meetings. Phil was an inspirational speaker at many festive boards.
In 2015, Phil was invested as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. This was followed by a further Grand Rank promotion to Past Grand Sword Bearer. He served for a magnificent nine years as DepProvGM before retiring in 2023. Since being our DepProvGM, he has had more time to spend with his wife Anne, who he married in 1997. In March 2025, a letter arrived at Phil’s house from the United Grand Lodge of England, informing him of his extremely well deserved and rare promotion to the rank of Past Junior Grand Warden.
Mark then said that Phil had served his country, his community and Freemasonry with great distinction. And that his 50 years as a Freemason and all that he had contributed and achieved was nothing short of remarkable. Mark wished Phil many more years of good health and Masonic happiness. Mark then lead a round of applause for Phil from the assembled brethren. Stephen Dunn, Chairman of the Ormskirk and Bootle Group, then read the celebration certificate to Phil, which Mark then presented to Phil. Phil then thanked Mark for his presentation and presented him with a cheque for £1,000 for the upcoming festival.
After the first rising, the grand officers, group chairman and acting Provincial grand officers retired with Phil in pride of place next to Mark. Once the remaining items on the summons had been completed, the lodge was closed and the brethren retired to the dining room bar for some well-earned drinks.
There then followed a fine three course meal. Tony Harrison, former Provincial Grand Master, proposed the toast to Phil, reminiscing on train journeys to Grand Lodge. He also wished Phil good health and happiness and said that he was a great and special friend and a loyal colleague. Phil thanked Tony and responded to the toast by saying that the Province was in very safe hands. He thanked Mark for his presentation and Peter Smith for helping him to organise the celebration. He then thanked the members of Ormskirk Priory Lodge and all those brethren who had travelled to be at his celebration.
After a huge round of applause, Phil was presented with gifts from Ormskirk Priory Lodge, Anfield Lodge and by David Thomas on behalf of the Provincial Mess of Director of Ceremonies. After Phil and Mark were presented with flowers, for which they thanked the brethren, there then followed the tyler’s toast and the brethren then retired to the bar for further refreshment.
