A fine celebration was held to commemorate 60 years in the Royal Arch of Jack Fawcett, Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. Jack’s diamond jubilee was held at the Fairfield Masonic Hall in Barrow, in the company of 56 companions. Leading the celebration was Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, Gary Rogerson, who accompanied the principal guest Third Provincial Grand Principal, Reverend Cannon John Hall.
Accompanying John and Gary were six officers of Supreme Grand Chapter, Rowley Saunders, Barrie Crossley, John Quiggin, Peter Schofield, David Grainger and Barry Fitzgerald with Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar Alastair Davidson and Provincial Grand Stewards Gordon Evans and Les Newlands.
The three principals opened the chapter in due and ancient form, despatching the regular business with alacrity. Director of ceremonies Alan Hilton retired for a few moments and returned. After a suitable pause, a report was heard and Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Gary Smith entered the temple, informing the first principal, Alan Tomlinson, that the principal guest Reverend John Hall stood without and demanded admission. Alan replied that the companions would be honoured and delighted to receive him and the ceremony began. Reverend John was officially introduced to the three principals and occupied his seat in the chapter.
The three principals left their seats and Alan offered the sceptre of the chapter to Reverend John, which on this occasion he politely declined. On retaking his seat, Alan addressed Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson and invited him into the first principals chair to conduct the ceremony.
Gary conducted the assembly through a thoughtfully rendered synopsis of Jack’s life, both personal and Masonic, giving insights into the occasions and event that have contributed to a long and industrious history.
Jack was born in 1931 in Barrow-in-Furness. He attending local schools, during his school years and as a teenager Jack was a very keen sportsman and played football for all his school teams and also played table tennis for the local church and local social clubs. Jack became a very accomplished table tennis player which resulted in him receiving trials for the Lancashire County team and he held the distinction of being selected to play the then World Champion, Victor Barna in an exhibition match.
On leaving school at the age of 14 he secured employment with Vickers Armstrong as an office boy where he remained for 12 months. On leaving employment with Vickers Armstrong in 1946 Jack was successful in securing an apprenticeship with J Coutts and Co., a coach building firm which was established in the town in 1867, as an apprentice coach painter and sign writer, serving a five year apprenticeship. In 1952 he was called up for National Service and served two years in the Royal Army Ordnance Corp based at Childwell, in Nottinghamshire.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was in 1953 in London and Jack was selected for special duty. Jack was honoured by being selected to perform special duties due to his training and experience as an army truck driver. His duty was for a period of five months which was to drive the commanding officer responsible for co-ordination of all the British Empire troops taking part in the coronation. Whilst fulfilling his official duties throughout London he was issued with a unique uniform, a particularly fulfilling and proud period of Jack’s life.
Some years later after a conversation or two with various people, Jack’s Masonic journey began on Wednesday 15 May 1963 when poor and penniless he was initiated into Semper Sursum Lodge No 5622 meeting at the Masonic Hall, Abbey Road, Barrow. Interestingly he was the last person to be initiated in the old Masonic hall which was situated in the recently demolished registry office. Jack was also the first person to receive a degree ceremony in the new building on Fairfield Lane. Jack was passed to the degree of a fellowcraft on 16 October 1963 before being raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason on 20 November 1963.
Following Jack’s initiation he progressed through the various offices of Semper Sursum Lodge before becoming WM for the first time in 1975. The principal guest at his installation was Very Worshipful Brother The Rev R.K. Leigh Past Grand Chaplain, Deputy Provincial Grand Master. His installing officer was R.W. Pryer.
The year of 1993 was a particularly special and proud year in Freemasonry for Jack, with his son Dean being initiated into Semper Sursum Lodge. Jack carried out his son’s initiation on 20 January, passed him to the degree of a fellowcraft on 17 February before delivering the traditional history to Dean on his raising on 17 March that same year. Dean has since risen to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works.
Due to unforeseen circumstances with the loss of a lodge member, Jack very kindly agreed to occupy the chair of King Solomon for a second time in 1996 which allowed the officers to progress naturally through the various offices and also allowed the lodge to recover from this difficult time.
In the Royal Arch he was exalted into Semper Sursum Chapter No 5622 on 6 October 1965. He progressed through the offices of the chapter before becoming third principal in 1976, second principal in 1977 and first principal in May 1978 and again first principal for a second year in 1999. In Provincial grand lodge Jack was appointed to the rank of PPrJGD in May 1985 before being promoted to the very high rank of PPrJGW in 1994, a just reward for his commitment to Semper Sursum Lodge and Freemasonry in general.
In Provincial grand chapter he was appointed to the rank of ProvGStwd and in 1985 promoted to PPrGSoj with a further promotion in 1989 to PPrGSwdB. In 2006 he was again promoted to the very high rank of PPrGSN on 11 April 2016. By virtue of holding the rank of ProvGStwd in the Royal Arch, Jack became a member of the Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter. He held the office of principal sojourner in 1989 and was appointed by Arthur Anyon Kay who was the first principal of the chapter at that time. Jack was a founder member of Senatores Chapter of installed First Principals No 8966 in Blackpool in 1987 and became a joining member of Setantia Chapter of First Principals No 7755 in Preston again in 1987 and soon became a very active, valued and respected member of both chapters.
Music and dance also shaped Jack’s life. When attending a local church hall dance, Jack met his future wife’s mother Sheila, playing the piano for the dancers, bringing about Jack’s first meeting with Sheila herself, who also turned out to be a very talented and professional musician in her own right. That meeting was the beginning of a life-long partnership built on shared love and music.
The wonderful musical talents possessed by both Sheila and Jack have clearly been passed down through the family and it has been a joy to see these gifts used in the service of others. Through their concerts and performances, they have raised many thousands of pounds in support of both Masonic and non-Masonic charities and a wide variety of local good causes. These efforts reflect not only the family’s musical ability but also their generosity of spirit, their willingness to give their time and talents and their commitment to helping those in need. Probably the most memorable of these events was the Songs for Guy concert held at the Forum in Barrow, in memory of Guy Brocklebank, nephew to both Sheila and Jack, a much-loved cousin and a respected and dearly valued member of Semper Sursum Chapter. That evening brought together family, friends and brethren in a moving tribute, which combined music, remembrance and charity in a way that will long be remembered.
This ongoing tradition of musical service is a shining example of how the gifts of one family can bring joy to many, strengthen bonds of friendship and providing lasting benefits to the wider community. As a family, Sheila and Jack have been tireless supporters of music in this area, offering both encouragement and practical help to many local organisations along with the South Cumbria Music Festival, the Anne Hood Award and the Keldwith Music Festival, which helps young Cumbrian musicians to flourish through scholarships.
But Jack’s support has gone far beyond financial assistance. Time and again, Jack has offered personal help, even transporting artists and competitors to events so that they could take part. That simple generosity has opened doors for so many young people. Opportunities they might never have had without Jack’s kindness. It is a wonderful reflection of the spirit of encouragement and service that has been such a hallmark of both their lives.
Just prior to the conclusion of the celebration, Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray rose to read aloud the certificate of commendation from the Grand Superintendent, Mark Matthews. Once Gary had presented the certificate to Jack, Reverend John Hall rose and read out a letter of patent, conferring a promotion to the extremely high rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra, in recognition of Jack’s achievements and service to the Royal Arch.
Afterwards at the festive banquet, a raffle raised £380 for Jack’s chosen charity, the local Macmillan Nurses.