Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield had the sad task of accepting the return of the warrant for Garstang Lodge No 6633 which was consecrated on 3 September 1948. The WM Bill Williamson was the 77th master of the lodge when the brethren met for the last time at Garstang Masonic Hall and he was joined by senior warden Ranald Fisher and junior warden Ian Brook.
Peter Schofield was accompanied by grand officer Keith Jackson, Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder and vice-chairman Daniel Crossley. Also in attendance were Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Dave Boyes, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Steve Murray, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steven Ellershaw, Assistants to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Bryan Cambidge and Phil Renney, Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant Syd Bateson, Provincial Grand Stewards Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter.
The lodge was opened in the first degree with brethren from Longridge Lodge No 8077, Pilling Lodge No 7879, Scorton Lodge No 5791 and Wyreside Lodge No 2605 filling officer roles. Ken Turner from Wyreside Lodge occupied the position of director of ceremonies, Michael Monks from Longridge Lodge occupied the position of chaplain, Chris Wilkinson from Pilling Lodge occupied the position of senior deacon, Tony Halton from Longridge Lodge occupied the position of junior deacon and Peter Grisedale from Pilling Lodge occupied the position of inner guard. The Provincial deacons were Stephen Parker and Chris Yates both from Scorton Lodge. The lodge secretary was Frank Horn and the positions of treasurer and immediate past master were occupied by Colin Richmond with Ian Henderson occupying the position of tyler.
The lodge was then opened in the second and third degrees. Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Dave Boyes was admitted and he informed the WM that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield demanded admission. After formally welcoming Peter Schofield, Bill Williamson offered Peter the gavel of the lodge which he accepted from the WM and he then gave an overview of world events that took place in 1948, the year of consecration. The Olympic Games were held in London that year, the state of Israel was created, the NHS was founded and Princess Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Charles. The average salary was £300 per annum, an average house cost £1,060, an Austin car cost £460 and annual lodge subscriptions were £3.
The lodge originally met at the Eagle and Child pub and later at the Pickerings Hotel, both in Garstang, until April 2008 when the new Masonic Hall at the Wyrebank Banqueting Suite in Garstang was opened. Regrettably the Province has been faced with falling membership and too many lodges have been finding it difficult to fill the key officer roles.
On completion of his address to the lodge members and guests, Peter offered the gavel back to the WM for the final time. Group chairman Chris Larder gave a short address to the brethren at which time the WM closed the lodge for the final time and then presented the warrant of the lodge to Peter Schofield for safe return to the Provincial Grand Master. Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Dave Boyes assembled the lodge officers in one column and the grand, acting Provincial grand officers and group officers in a second column for the final procession.
A total of 51 brethren attended the festive board. The money raised from the raffle will be used towards the purchase of a regalia cabinet to display the lodge regalia at Garstang Masonic Hall.
