Stan Parkinson celebrated his 50 years in Freemasonry at Royal Protector Lodge No 3471 over at Urmston Masonic Hall. Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stuart Boyd was on hand to give the lodge and guests a brief look into the history, both personally and Masonically, of Stan. Stuart was accompanied by Trafford Group Chairman Patrick Walsh, together with Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Phil Renney and other grand and Provincial grand officers.
After initial business was taken care of, the lodge was pleased to receive Stuart, who was presented to the master of the lodge Stan Parkinson. After the salutations to Stuart, Stan then offered Stuart the gavel of the lodge and on this occasion, he was delighted to accept it even if only for a brief time.
Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Phil Renney then made preparations to collect Stan and place him on a chair in front of Stuart. Having previously spent time with Stan, Stuart set about informing everyone in the lodge about Stan’s life, work, and Masonic career.
Stan was born in 1941 at Crossley Hospital in Droylsden and as with all those of his generation, his early years coincided with those of World War 2. Stuart recalled how he had remembered hiding under tables at his aunty Ada’s during the air raids on Manchester and in the Anderson Shelter at the bottom of the garden, which, he also recalled became a chicken coup after the war.
On leaving school at 16, he worked first at ICI at Blakely as a junior undergraduate research chemist and then at Clayton Rubber Quality Control Department before moving to Brayshaws Furnaces in Belle Vue working in the heat of the sales office
After five years at Brayshaws having married Rita, Stan decided to move to Britannic Insurance, which he saw as his best policy for a stable job. His new career in insurance nearly had a claim against it before he started because, when attending a three-week training course at Stirling University he was told that at 31 years old, he was too old for insurance sales. This was not quite what he had envisaged but, after speaking to Britannic HQ he was given a start. Thus, commenced Stan’s career visiting customers in Collyhurst, Monsall and Blakely working with them and their life, general, car and home insurance provisions.
This was a coverage with no deductions and he stayed with Britannic Insurance for 25 years until his retirement in his mid-50’s, closing his ledgers with over 100 customers who had enjoyed and benefitted from his premium service.
Stuart highlighted that during their discussions about this part of Stan’s career of 25 years covering his patch in all weathers, he had reminisced how it was all cash back then and you would come home with loaded pockets with coins and notes and how the pre-decimalised coins were heavy. Stan told of many stories and excuses he had heard from customers who didn’t have their monies ready for collection. These ranged from: “I’m short as the dog has been to the vets”, to a little girl answering the door to tell him: “Mum’s not in at the moment.” When Stan asked what time her mum would return, the girl turned to her right and said: “Mum, what time are you coming back?”
Travelling this journey with him was his wife Rita who he had met at Brayshaws, when she worked in the office next door. Rita sadly passed away in 2000, but they had three children, Andrew, Amanda, and Gregory, who live in Yorkshire, Droylsden and Hyde, 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren and so there are ongoing opportunities to have them all round enjoying family get togethers.
Masonically, Stanley was initiated into Concordia Lodge No 4954 on 16 February 1976 and was passed and raised in the April and December of that year. His proposer was Rita’s uncle, and he became WM in 1985 and again in 1995 as well as being DC for eight years.
In December 2004 Concordia Lodge amalgamated with Stat Veritas Lodge No 6813 and Royal Protector Lodge No 3471, the latter retaining its name and number. Always willing to serve, Stan held many offices before becoming WM of Royal Protector Lodge in October 2025, thus allowing him to be in the chair at his 50th celebration and for whom it was their pleasure to host this celebration evening.
Stan’s commitment to Freemasonry has also been recognised by the Province of West Lancashire and he was promoted to PPJGW in 2013. He has also been appointed and Promoted in the Royal Arch in East Lancashire and currently holds the rank of PPGSwdB
Stuart then went on to say that the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews had produced and signed a celebratory certificate to commemorate the evening, which was then read out by Patrick Walsh and presented to Stan by Stuart, followed by well-deserved applause from all present.
At this point Stuart invited Norton Fletcher to take his place as master of the lodge and handed him the gavel. When it was time for Stuart to retire from the lodge, he invited the night’s celebrant, Stan, to retire with him along with the other officers.
The social board afterwards was quite a joyous and lively event. Tim Rathmell was most pleased to give a toast to Stan and in Stan’s response he thanked the lodge for being there for him and making him feel so welcome.