St Nicholas Lodge No 3620 welcomed brethren and guests to the lodge at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool for the very special occasion of a celebration of a diamond jubilee for William Gilpin.
The lodge was delighted to welcome Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James, who was accompanied by Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies David Boyes, Provincial Grand Steward Mike Fox, Gladstone Group Chairman Paul Storrar and grand officer David Potts. John having been previously introduced to the master John Jackson, was offered the gavel of the lodge and on this occasion he accepted.
Having ensured that William was sat comfortably, John began by stating that it is indeed gratifying to see everyone here in St Nicholas Lodge, a lodge which has a very long and distinguished history. The reason why all were gathered was to celebrate the life of a man who also has a long and distinguished history, whose contributions to pharmacy and the general community as a whole have been immense.
John explained that William had joined Freemasonry in 1965 and had commented that it was a decision he had never regretted. He has witnessed the comings and goings of no less than eight Provincial Grand Masters; from Sir Knowles Edge to our current Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, and has seen more ceremonies than he can probably remember.
10 years ago, was another memorable ceremony which was his 50th or golden anniversary, conducted by then Assistant Provincial Grand Master Derek Parkinson. John explained that he had spoken with Derek recently and he had asked him to send his best wishes and congratulations to William as he celebrates his diamond jubilee. Bill has spent 60 years almost exclusively in St Nicholas Lodge and in return, has devoted his time to both its well-being and success. Having made many friends during this time and the lodge was a source of many happy memories.
Returning to William’s early life, John narrated that he was born in 1935, to parents Elizabeth and Sydney. Living in Marlborough Road, with elder sister, Margaret, who was five years older. Margaret went on to marry John Bebb who proposed Bill into Masonry. A happy childhood, was unfortunately, rudely interrupted by the onset of the Second World War. Things got worse when the German Luftwaffe began their strategy of blanket bombing major ports, of which Liverpool was one of the biggest. They caused tremendous damage to the infrastructure of the docks and local industry. Like most children of his age, he was evacuated, on his own, to the relative safety of the countryside, to a farm just outside Kendal owned by an aunt of his mother’s. William enjoyed his time while there and went to the local Sellside Primary School.
Returning to Liverpool when it was safe to do so, some years later, resumed the life that had been so rudely, and violently, interrupted. His education continued by attending Merchant Taylors, at first as a junior and then a secondary school pupil. Enjoying and taking advantage of both academic and sporting opportunities, the school had to offer and played rugby throughout his time there.
Having successfully obtained his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels it was decided that a pharmacy career beckoned. Having applied and been accepted as a sort of apprenticeship with Boots the Chemist, a year later he was accepted by Manchester University, when he enrolled on a three-year pharmaceutical course.
Having qualified as a chemist, he returned to Boots for another year, which was a pre-requisite before anyone could be registered as a qualified pharmacist with the then governing body known as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Having served his time, he opened his first shop in Seaforth, and it was the first in the Gilpin empire.
Whilst at university, William had met the girl of his dreams. Sheila was also studying pharmacy but was doing so at Liverpool University. The distance between them was no barrier to their blossoming romance, and in 1960 they married. Through the diligence and hard work of them both, the Seaforth shop did well, and William decided that he wanted to expand. He took on a partner and they opened two new shops in Kirkby and Skelmersdale, both emerging new towns. Their efforts proved successful and the three shops did well.
In 1964, William and Sheila moved to Sefton Gardens in Aughton, and soon after they had two sons, William and James. Not only was the family expanding, but the business was as well. Eventually, they had six shops, each with a qualified pharmacist.
When the time was right for him to retire, William sold his share of the business to his partner and embarked on a retirement devoid of the pressures, stress and worry that goes with running six shops. He was now free to pursue his love of sporting activity by dedicating more time to golf and tennis which he did for as long as he felt was competitive. William also attends St Michael’s, which is the parish church for Aughton, and was an active member of the Parochial Church Council and still occasionally reads the lesson on Sundays.
Masonically, William’s journey begins in 1965, when he was busy building up and consolidating the business. When his brother-in-law, John Bebb, suggested that he should become a Freemason, he readily agreed. Having been proposed by John and seconded by Archie Bebb, John’s father, he was initiated into St Nicholas Lodge, despite the fact that both his father Sydney and cousin Bert, had been initiated into Litherland Lodge No 3676, in 1924 and 1938 respectively.
At the time, St Nicholas was meeting at the Carlton Club in Eberle St. The lodge then went on to live a bit of a nomadic life, moving from the Carlton Club to the Masonic Hall in Hope Street, then back to Eberle Street, but this time in the Artists Club, and more recently to the Britannia Adelphi Hotel, the current home of the lodge.
William rose through the progressive offices, and in 1974, while the lodge was still meeting in Eberle Street, was installed as master. Having enjoyed his year in office, seven years later, he agreed to take the chair again and was installed for a second time as master in 1981, this time, while the lodge was in Hope Street. William held the very important office of treasurer for a total of 26 years, from 1985 until 2011. Under his control the lodge finances were in safe hands and working well in partnership with lodge secretary, Harry Marsden, until both retired together in 2011.
In 1981, William’s contribution to Freemasonry was recognised by the Province and he was appointed Provincial Assistant Grand Sword Bearer. Followed six years later being promoted to the prestigious rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon. Finally, in 1994 Bill received the very high rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
John explained that over the 60 years that William has been a member of the lodge, he has proven himself worthy of the high esteem in which he is held. To further mark this notable event, the Provincial Grand Master has directed that a certificate to mark the occasion be raised, and John called upon Gladstone Group Chairman Paul Storrar to read it aloud for all our benefit.
Having done so, John then presented the certificate to William and the lodge members and visitors warmly applauded Bill on achieving his diamond jubilee and John for an excellent narration of William’s journey through both life and Masonry.
The lodge being duly closed, all retired to the palatial surroundings of the Crompton’s Restaurant to continue the celebration over dinner. Master of the lodge John Jackson led the tribute to William and congratulated him again on reaching this landmark achievement. In return, William explained at dinner that he was grateful for all those who had come to attend and celebrate his diamond jubilee with him, again William was once again warmly applauded on a very special occasion for a very special Freemason.