The sun was already high and warm over Victoria Park when the Province of West Lancashire’s Freemasons took their place among the crowds for another year’s Armed Forces Day in St Helens. It is an occasion that carries real meaning, a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with the veterans, serving personnel and cadets who give so much in the service of their country, and to show that Freemasonry shares those values of loyalty, service and community.
The park itself was alive with colour and noise. A parade of serving personnel, veterans and cadets wound its way through the grounds, accompanied by the thunderous bark of a 25-pounder field gun that drew gasps and cheers in equal measure. Elsewhere, classic cars gleamed in the sunshine, military vehicles drew admiring crowds, and reenactors brought history vividly to life. Regimental standards of every colour caught the breeze alongside the bunting of the fairground rides, while the aroma from the food stalls reminded everyone that a good day out deserves a good lunch.
The Provincial stand was manned by the Chairman of the Mersey Valley Group David Atkinson, vice chairman John Gibbon, Provincial Grand Communications Officer Paul Brunskill, and Group Media Officer Frank Lees. As the hours passed, a steady stream of brethren dropped by, many of them easy to spot among the crowds, sporting blazers bearing regimental crests, rows of gleaming medals and immaculately polished shoes.
None of it would have been possible without the quiet dedication of Paul Hudson, who collected the Provincial trailer from its storage in the Blackpool area, transported it to Victoria Park at his own expense, set everything up ready for the day, and then, once the crowds had gone and the field gun had fallen silent, packed it all away and made the return journey. It is exactly the kind of unsung contribution that makes events like this work, and it deserves to be recognised.
Among the visitors was Phillip Stansbie of Arrowhead Lodge of Freedom No 8500, looking every inch the part in his beret and Royal Naval Association tie, a proud reflection of his role as the association’s secretary. David Forber and Arthur Berks, both veterans of Two Troop, 107 Field Squadron, 75 Royal Engineers Regiment, made their way over from Dominion Lodge No 4289 in Prescot.
Also attending the Armed Forces Day was Jimmy Williams, a REME veteran from the same lodge who also serves as the Armed Forces Covenant Officer for the Mersey Valley Group. William ‘Bill’ Brackley, an honorary member of Hope Lodge No 4003, called by to say hello, and members from lodges across St Helens and Prescot lent a hand on the Provincial stand throughout the afternoon.
One of the highlights of the afternoon came when a contingent of RAF Air Cadets made their way over to the Provincial stand. Immaculate in their uniforms, cheerful, polite and full of energy, they were exactly the kind of young people who make you feel quietly optimistic about the future. They stayed for a chat and a photograph and left smiles all round.
The only casualty of the day was the vice chairman’s dignity, when a particularly enthusiastic report from the field gun caught him off guard and sent him sideways off his seat, to the considerable amusement of those nearby. No harm done, and it only added to what was, by any measure, a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Armed Forces Day is a reminder of what truly matters: community, gratitude and service. For the Freemasons of West Lancashire, it is also a natural fit. The values that bring our members together, Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service, are values these men and women in uniform live by every day. It was a privilege to be there. For membership enquiries, visit htts://westlancsfreemasons.org.uk
Story by Frank Lees.