It has been the pleasure of Thurston Lodge No 2525 to celebrate the golden jubilee of Harry Green’s 50 years as a Freemason. Although Harry didn’t want a lot of fuss, the evening passed off in a most dignified and convivial manner. In the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield and Furness and South Lakeland Group Vice Chairman Harry Chatfield along with grand officer Rowley Saunders, the tributes were led by grand officer Alan Jones, who is also about to celebrate 50 years in Freemasonry himself and is a long-standing friend of Harry. The lodge was opened in due and ancient form by WM Stuart Brackstone and the regular business of the lodge was dealt with.
WM Stuart invited Alan Jones to occupy the chair of King Solomon and he asked for Harry to be placed before him. Alan began by saying that they were gathered that evening to mark Harry’s 50 years in Freemasonry and so that both Harry and the brethren present might appreciate the occasion, he intended to outline a brief history of Harry’s life and Masonic career.
Harry was born in 1945 in Blackpool to parents James and Freda and has a younger sister. He attended the local infant school until he moved to Barrow when he was about eight years old. In Barrow, he attended the local junior and senior schools. On completion of his education, he found employment in the shipyards as an apprentice welder. On completion of his apprenticeship, he was employed as a welder, but his career progressed and he became a welding instructor, foreman welder, fabrication quality assurance manager and nuclear welding manager. Some of these roles meant that Harry changed from the shipbuilding side to the engineering side of the industry. During this time, he was also employed as a part-time lecturer at Barrow College for several years.
Unfortunately, Harry was declared redundant when he was 54 years old. In spite of the disappointment of his position, he took up employment at another company becoming director and general manager for four years before moving to Strand Engineering as general manager until his retirement. It is worthy of note that there have been five generations of Harry’s family employed within the shipyard industry: his grandfather, father, himself, son and grandson. During his career, he gained membership of The Royal Institute of Welding Engineers as an Incorporated Engineer and was also the author of a welding booklet that was published by the Engineering Industry Training Board.
In 1965, Harry married a lovely young lady called Jacqueline and they have now been together for a period of 61 years. They have been blessed with a daughter and a son and now have four grandchildren and with whom Harry now spends a great deal of his life.
Harry became interested in Freemasonry and following discussions with his wife, he approached work colleague Tom Coward, who agreed to propose him as a member of Thurston Lodge, although Harry was somewhat unsure exactly what he was letting himself in for. And so, his Masonic career began, he was proposed as a candidate of Thurston Lodge in April 1976 by Tom Coward and seconded by G Sewell. The ballot took place at the regular meeting in May, which was, of course, favourable. Harry was initiated at the July meeting in 1976.
Alan invited the lodge secretary to read aloud the relevant portion of the minutes of that meeting: “Minutes of the regular meeting of Thurston Lodge No 2525 held in the Masonic Hall Coniston on Wednesday 7 July 1976, the lodge was opened by the WM and 31 members and 26 visitors were present, an outstanding turnout for an installation ceremony these days, never mind a first degree ceremony”.
The secretary went on to read aloud that: “Mr Harry Anthony Green was regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry by WM, B Hall, the working tools of the degree were presented and explained by the junior warden F Rose and the Charge after Initiation was given by senior warden J Carter. After announcing communications from United Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge, the lodge was closed in due and ancient form by the WM with solemn prayer at 8:45pm. Alms collected amounted to £9.70.”
Alan continued to say that he and Harry subsequently had a joint ceremony of being passed to the second degree at the September meeting and Harry was duly raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason at the November meeting. During Harry’s progression to the chair of King Solomon, he has held the offices of steward, inner guard, junior deacon and senior deacon, junior warden and senior warden, finally being installed into the chair of King Solomon by Alan Jones at the October installation meeting in 1986.
During Harry’s tenure as WM of Thurston Lodge he has delivered two first degree ceremonies, one second degree ceremony, two third degree ceremonies and also installed his successor, Ronnie Raven. As a past master of the lodge Harry has occupied various position of the lodge when required, but the office he has always coveted was that of organist. However, that office was held by Colin Dyer and it wasn’t until Colin became unwell and was unable to continue that Harry was given the opportunity to become lodge organist. Harry occupied the office of organist for 16 years and it was much appreciated by the brethren of the lodge. The musical accompaniment in the background definitely makes a difference to the evening, particularly during the ceremonies.
Unfortunately, in 2014, Harry’s health took a turn for the worse and he was diagnosed with heart problems, suffering three heart attacks and having to undergo two major operations. This required Harry to rest as much as possible and to retire from Freemasonry whilst he looked after himself and concentrated on his recovery.
Alan congratulated Harry on having achieved this wonderful milestone in his Masonic career, 50 years as a Freemason is a milestone that many members do not achieve and everyone attending on this day offers Harry many congratulations on his golden jubilee and the brethren hope to see him many times in the future. Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield then presented Harry with his 50-year citation from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, as well as conveying his own best wishes on a wonderful achievement.
Harry thanked everyone present for their attendance and for the warm welcome he had received on his arrival at Kings Road. He expressed his gratitude to Alan for the diligence in the preparation of the celebratory oration and to the brethren of Thurston Lodge for making him feel so welcome after a period of absence due to his recovery.