The months of November and December enforced a reduced Masonic schedule due to my wife’s unfortunate indisposition. I am now pleased to report that things are getting back to some form of normality and I am able to be in circulation once again. I take this opportunity to thank all the brethren who have offered their best wishes for Dot’s recovery, it is pleasing to receive your kind thoughts.
The Group Carol service held at Christ Church, Fulwood, once again proved a delight for all who attended. I have received glowing reports and wish to thank Ian Cueden for once again arranging a varied and entertaining programme incorporating the Old Hall brass ensemble, supported by the very talented choir. The Rev Brian McConkey has always made us very welcome to Christ Church and it has already been arranged for the 2012 Carol Service to return.
During the period since my last report our Asst PGM Leon Tax has undergone a serious and dramatic medical operation, followed by a 4 weeks course of daily radiotherapy. It is now pleasing to report that Leon’s bulldog spirit has prevailed and he is making steady progress in the right direction. We witnessed by his attendance at our Group Dinner and I am certain it will not be too long before he is regularly amongst us once again.
The beginning of January kicked off the Bi Centenary year for the Lodge of Unanimity. I was pleased to attend their Installation meeting when in preparation for the special year ahead Douglas Atkinson was installed as Master. I was also delighted to attend the Lodge of Concord Installation when Bob Hampson was once again installed into the Chair of this very distinguished lodge. The 24th of the month was the Group Dinner attended by some 123 brethren who gave a very warm welcome to the Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid. I am certain everyone present enjoyed the occasion and the excellent address by Steven. The format this year was slightly different, which appeared to prove favorable with the majority of those attending. I repeat my thanks to our Group Secretary, Geoff Saul, for all his hard work in organizing the event.
January came to it’s conclusion with the Setantia Lodge Installation, when Ian Greenwood installed his successor, Geoff Saul, in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson. Ian must be thanked for not only holding office for the past 12 months but for his support during that time of the Preston Masters Group, along with his regular visiting of lodges within the Group – an example perhaps to other Masters?
In between these events I was able to represent the Provincial Grand Master at two Installation meetings, one in St Annes, the other in Fleetwood. At both I was to witness ritual working at it’s highest level, followed by the opportunity to meet the attending brethren during the break before dinner. At both meetings this included many young brethren who had recently joined their respective lodges, both lodges presented me with outstanding amounts for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity in addition to local charities. Co-incidentally on both occasions the newly Installed Masters were retired Policemen – they get everywhere don’t they?
On the first Friday in February I was pleased to be invited by the members of the Lodge of Endeavor, to attend and present a 50th Anniversary Certificate to Leslie Reeve. A quiet man and a gentleman who requested a low key celebration, it was just that, I am certain both Leslie and those attending enjoyed the occasion.
The rest of the month by comparison appears relatively quiet as far as lodge/chapter activities are concerned but very busy administratively, with meetings at Garstang with the Northern Group Chairman’s forum, followed a few days later with the Group Chairman’s meeting with the Provincial Grand Master. Not to mention the advanced diary planning for the 2012/13 season.
I am looking forward to March which is a month filled with Celebrations, commencing with the 60th Anniversary Celebration for ‘Teddy’ Dickson followed the following week with the 70th Anniversary Celebrations for Ron Challen. Then the Lodge of Good Fellowship Installation, followed 3 days later by the actual Bi-Centenary event for the Lodge of Unanimity, when the ‘High Rulers’ of the Province, accompanied by a contingent of Senior Brethren from United Grand Lodge will be in attendance. An exciting month and I am certain I will meet many of you at one event or another.
In the meantime please continue to enjoy all Freemasonry has to offer.
Stan Rigby
Group Chairman.
