A grand occasion was arranged on Tuesday 21 May 2024, to honour Philip (Phil) Holland, a highly respected brother celebrating 50 years of being a Freemason. Members and distinguished visitors alike of Foundation Lodge No 5394, meeting at Urmston Masonic Hall, were delighted to receive Stuart Boyd in his first duty as Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the newly formed Trafford Group. Stuart was accompanied by grand officer Brian Hayes and Trafford Group Chairman Patrick Walsh, along with Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Peter Littlehale and Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Ray Lord.
The lodge business being dealt with by WM Noel Grubb and DC Terry Howard, the special part of the evening arrived as Stuart entered the lodge room in ceremonial form and was presented to Noel and having welcomed Stuart and his attending officers, Noel gratefully offered him the gavel of the lodge which, on this occasion Stuart accepted, also taking the master’s chair. Stuart then addressed the brethren, thanking the lodge for their very kind welcome and explaining what a great pleasure it was to be with the members and visitors of the lodge to share this very unique and auspicious occasion.
Having ensured that Phil was comfortably seated in prime position, Stuart began his presentation stating that his office of Assistant Provincial Grand Master carried a number of onerous responsibilities and duties, but also a number of great privileges, and the prospect of being able to officiate at a 50th celebration was, without doubt amongst the better ones.
Lodge secretary Phil Rampling was then requested to read an extract from the lodge minutes for the meeting held on 6 May 1974, which, coincidentally was the meeting at which Phil was initiated by the current lodge senior warden Jeff Newbrook’s father James.
Stuart then continued quoting information which Phil had provided during a convivial hour that the two had spent together the previous week. Phil was born in July 1943 in Heaton Norris, Stockport and the town has continued to play a role in his life to this day. Phil’s parents were Florence and William (Bill), and he also had a brother called William who sadly passed in his early years. Phil’s father Bill served as a gunner in the Royal Navy and this took him around the world and Phil still has the scout knife and a knife made of aircraft parts and Russian steel which belonged to him!
Phil’s early schooling was at Heaton Norris Primary School and later at Belmont Senior School and following this, his mother Florence set him firmly on a path to becoming an electrician. Phil took up a six-year apprenticeship whilst studying at night school and upon qualifying, set up Wright and Holland which grew to become a successful electrical contractor in the Stockport and Disley area. Sadly, the slump in the building trade in the 1990’s led to the closure of the firm and Phil then went to work for a southern based architectural company where seemingly, divine guidance presented him opportunities for commissions in Manchester and Liverpool Cathedrals and churches in Littleborough, Warrington and Bramhall.
Phil was married to Sheila who was tremendously supportive of him in business and together they had a son, Brian but sadly, both have now passed on. Phil has now however formed a lasting friendship with Jean with whom he used to work, and together, they share a common interest in gardening and hosting events for the lodge members amongst others.
Phil was introduced to Freemasonry through Newall’s, his accountants, and in business it is an old adage that it is always worth keeping in with your accountants! He was Initiated into Foundation Lodge at Edge Lane, Chorlton on 6 May 1974 after being proposed by Dan Newall, the father of current lodge treasurer John Newall, and seconded by John Wood. As already stated, the ceremony was conducted by the then James Newbrook, the father of the current senior warden Jeff Newbrook. What a great testimony to Foundation Lodge to see those family ties remaining so strong and woven into the very fabric of the Lodge.
Since being raised, Phil has been a great supporter and mainstay of Foundation Lodge, holding a number of offices, initially acting as steward for several years, then being appointed inner guard in 1982 and after proceeding through the offices of the lodge and finally being installed as master of the lodge in January 1986, which proved to be a busy year for him and as WM carrying out three initiations; Steve Walker, Phil Johnson and James Griffin.
From 1987 Phil was the lodge charity representative and tyler, becoming the lodge treasurer in 1991, an office which he held for 26 years, where his sharp business acumen proved very useful. He became WM for the second time in 2020 remaining in the chair for two years steering Foundation Lodge through the difficult times of COVID and the suspension of Masonic activities. Following this he became chaplain and was appointed assistant secretary and has managed to complete 50 years as a Mason with every one of them being noted on a lodge summons!
Phil has performed sterling work in Masonry over many years and has been regularly recognised by our Province, receiving his first appointment in Provincial Grand Lodge as PPSGD in 1995, being promoted to his current high rank of PPJGW in 2002. Rounding off the ceremony within the lodge, Trafford Group Chairman Patrick then read the inscription noted on Phil’s 50-year certificate and warmly congratulated him on his magnificent achievement!
Following the ceremony at the social board, Stuart rose to formerly present the certificate to Phil, along with a 50-year commemorative pin badge, whilst at the same time adding his congratulations to those of our Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Phil clearly moved, then responded to this by giving his thanks to all who had helped him over the years and particularly to the members of Foundation Lodge, thus completing a fascinating and well-deserved evening and friendly and convivial social board!