CARING ABOUT CARERS
A group of people who care for members of their families will be able to enjoy a day out thanks to Warrington Freemasons.
A successful St George’s Day Dinner Dance at Warrington Masonic Hall resulted in a £500 profit.
Organisers then looked around for a charity which would benefit from a donation and selected Halton Carers which is a member of the Princess Royal Trust.
Halton Carers was only established eight months ago and aims to assist carers who look after family members in Warrington and Halton.
Ian Boswell, chairman of the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges, presented the £500 cheque to Carl Harris who described the donation as “fantastic”.
He said the money will be used to provide a day out for nearly 50 carers to Chester Zoo to give them a break from routine of providing care for family members.
Anyone involved in caring for others and would like information about Halton Carers can contact the group on 01928 580182 or email help@haltoncarerscentre.co.uk.
Ian Boswell presents the £500 cheque to Carl Harris watched by the group of Warrington Freemasons who organised the St George’s Day Dinner Dance.
Summer fair for Ecclesholme
The residents’ amenities fund should benefit by more than £2,000 thanks to the Ecclesholme Summer Fair.
The fair, in Eccles Masonic Hall, was opened by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd.
Gerald Bullough, President of the Friends of Ecclesholme, thanked the many groups who had organised stalls for the fair and those who attended.
He said the money raised would help provide entertainment for residents of the home along with day trips out and visits to the theatre.
Malcolm Warren makes a sale on the fancy goods stall to Doreen Rudd watched by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd.
Gerald Bullough, President of the Friends of Ecclesholme, and his wife Paula raised money at the fair selling plants they had grown.
Lodges of Charity meet again
The 21st annual meeting of the family of The Lodges of Charity, was hosted by Charity Centenary Lodge No 350, Audenshaw, Bolton. It was attended by 73 brethren from Belfast, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Kidderminster, Nottingham and Warrington with apologies from Brightlingsea and Portsmouth. Everyone enjoyed meeting up with old friends and some new brethren and talking over old times.
The 22nd meeting will be hosted by The Lodge of Charity No 8769, Nottingham, to
be held at West Bridgford Masonic Hall on the 22 May 2010. This meeting will
also be part of the celebrations for the Masonic Hall building.
Pictured, left to right, are: Kevin Whitaler, Andrew Young (IPM), Ted Tipton (WM), Brian Hargreaves, John Pether, Matthew Heatley, Peter Whalley, Rob Cook and Adrian Percival.
Frank is the ‘epitome’ of a Freemason
Frank Austin Starkey has been described as the “epitome of a Freemason” by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd.
Dennis was speaking at “a very important event in the history of Academy Lodge” which was to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Frank’s initiation.
Dennis said at the meeting in Warrington Masonic Hall: “I am honoured with the privilege of attending this Lodge today in order to attempt to pay just tribute to a man who in my opinion, and without any fear of contradiction, is the epitome of a Freemason.
“Such is the amount of involvement of Bro Frank Starkey in all aspects of Freemasonry I do not really know where to begin but I have solicited the help of the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree, RWBro Peter Connolly, who has kindly agreed to add his twopenny worth a little later.”
Frank Austin Starkey, who is 83, was born in Derby Road, Stockton Heath, which was at the time a general dealers shop owned and run by his parents Percy Maddock and Elizabeth Joyce Starkey.
His first job was as an apprentice in electrical engineering at Metro Vickers at Trafford Park, completing that apprenticeship in December 1947. He continued in employment with that company until 1953 and, mainly on day release and after studying part-time, gained a Higher National Certificate in electrical engineering, qualifying as a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers and obtaining Graduate Membership in 1952.
In 1953 he obtained a job with the Mersey Region of the British Electricity Authority as a draughtsman at Woolton in Liverpool. For the next 30 years he engrossed himself in many and varied jobs. Amongst these he was employed as a maintenance planning engineer at Bold Power Station, as a development planning engineer at Connahs Quay, on special investigations at Clarence Dock and Ince Power stations. It was during this period that he was made an associate member of Electrical Engineers as a Chartered Engineer and his final task was as the control engineer assisting in the decommissioning of Ince A power station.
Frank was initiated into St Austin Lodge 4335 in April 1949 and was installed as WM in 1965.
Frank held the office of secretary from 1982 until 1990 and then because of a dropping off in membership did his best to help the Lodge by being installed in the chair on no less than three occasions, but sadly to no avail because the Lodge, to his great disappointment, felt that there was no alternative but to surrender its Warrant. After some deliberation he decided to join Academy Lodge in 2005.
Being an old boy of the Masonic School it was not surprising that he joined Old Masonians West Lancashire Lodge 7702 in 1977 being installed as Worshipful Master in 1980. He was a founder of Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters 9057 and served that Lodge as its founding secretary until 1986
Frank joined Lathom Lodge 2229 in 1984 and during Bro Jack Forsyth’s year as Master, which ended last month, served as his Senior Warden.
His outstanding service was first recognised in 1980 by his appointment to the rank of PPrAGDC followed just one year later by promotion to PPrDGSuptofWrks. The Provincial meeting in October 1985 saw him further promotion to PPrJGW.
Frank was secretary of the Warrington Group of Lodges and Chapters from 1982 until 1991 and as the group vice-chairman for three years. He was promoted to Grand Rank of PAGDC in 1987 and promoted to his present rank of PJGD in 1999
Frank was exalted in the Chapter of Friendship 2963 in 1960 and installed as its First Principal in 1971 before serving as Scribe E for 11 years until 1984. Sadly this Chapter has surrendered its Warrant. Frank was the founding First Principal of Old Masonians West Lancashire Chapter. He held the office of DC from 1983 for 10years.
His first Provincial appointment in the Royal Arch Province was that of PPrPGSoj in 1980, promoted to PPrGSN in 1983 and to the rank of PGStdB in Supreme Grand Chapter in 1991.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master said: “If I were to go into any detail at all of your very many achievements in the other degrees we would be here all night and I really do wish to give Bro Peter Connolly an opportunity to say what he thinks about you in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariners. Suffice it to say therefore that you have held, and in some cases still hold, active and high rank in: The Knights Templar; The Rose Croix; Order of the Secret Monitor; Red Cross of Constantine; Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees; Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters; The Worshipful Society of Free Masons (the operatives) and the Royal Order of Scotland.
Peter Connolly, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire, said the reason Frank had been so successful was his “phenomenal memory and accuracy”. He said that although Frank had not yet completed 50 years in Mark he “has certainly done 50 years worth of hard work”.
When Frank was appointed as Provincial Secretary there were 65 Mark Lodges and 24 RAMs. It is the largest Mark Province outside London and bigger than an average Craft Province. Frank served 18 years as Provincial Secretary, served four Mark Provincial Grand Masters and “survived” three Grand Secretaries
Dennis concluded by saying: “WM and Brethren, I don’t know about you but what I have said and what I have heard from Bro Peter leaves me quite exhausted. Neither of us could quite do sufficient justice to such a remarkable career in Freemasonry.”
Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell read out a commemorative certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master before it was presented to Frank by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
At the festive board Jack Forsyth paid tribute to an aspect of Frank’s life outside Freemasonry – his devotion to St Thomas’s Church in Stockton Heath. Frank had served for 12 years as Church Warden, is now deputy warden and acts as “cashier”.
Responding to the toast to his health Frank said he was “a glutton for punishment”. He also revealed that he had been given his middle name of Austin because his grandfather was a founder member of St Austin Lodge, the lodge into which Frank was eventually initiated.
Norman Prichard, the WM of Academy Lodge, presented Frank with a telephone system on behalf of members and a lapel badge showing that he had celebrated 60 years as a Freemason.
Frank Starkey is presented with his commemorative certificate by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd watched by some of the Grand and acting Provincial Grand Officers who attended the special celebration meeting.
WM Norman Pritchard pins on the special lapel badge watched by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Paul Hesketh..
Freemasons give £1,000 for play trail
Freemasons have donated more than £1,000 to help provide a play trail for children in Grappenhall.
The Friends of St Wilfrid’s decided to re-generate a piece of land by the school in Church Lane, Grappenhall which was unusable for up to eight months of the year due to its high water table. It was decided that by putting down an all-weather surface and installing a holistic low level timber play trail it would provide a facility which could be used throughout the year.
The total cost of the project is £17,000 and after raising £13,000 the Friends applied to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for a grant to help complete the project. The Friends had raised most of the cash at the annual Walking Day, summer fair, a summer ball, several recycling projects, school discos/film nights and even selling ice lollies after school!
A donation of more than £1,000 was handed over by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd to the school’s deputy head, Hazel Fryman.
It is estimated that more than 600 different children will use the play trail each year. The items on the play trail include a “bumpy clatterbridge” and “wobbly balance beam”.
Sarah Barwell, Fundraiser for the Friends of St Wilfrid’s, said: “A low-level play trail has been the wish of children and parents for a long time, given that the nearest park is severely lacking the apparatus that so many other children benefit from these days. We have been working with the school council to understand exactly what the children themselves need and they believed children should have high quality experiences outside of the classroom. Children have commented that there was nothing to do in the play area, ‘it’s boring’ and they asked for outside apparatus. We also liaised with the local pre-school and other day nurseries who are regularly invited to the school, as well as the independently run Link Club (breakfast and after school club).
“Each piece of equipment has been carefully chosen for specific use and will be suitable for all children aged two-and-a-half to 11 years.
“There are huge benefits of physical activity. It has been proven that physical activity, particularly with boys, helps improve concentration and overall behaviour both inside and outside the classroom.”
Of the donation from local Freemasons Sarah said: “We have been delighted with the generosity of this donation and it has made the dreams of so many children become reality. It enabled us to bring forward the plans for installing the equipment and now the children’s play has been transformed. Thank you once again.”
Dennis Rudd said: “When the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity was approached for a donation it was obvious that this was a project which would not only benefit the children of today but youngsters for many years to come. We are delighted to have been able to help with this play trail which is a valuable asset for our youngsters.”
Hazel Fryman said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation which is making a real difference to the play experience for the children.”
Pupils from St Wilfrid’s C of E School try out some of the play trail watched by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd who presented the cheque for more than £1,000 to deputy head Hazel Fryman.
Leaders are re-appointed
Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker re-appointed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in Blackpool. Pictured, front row, left to right are: Leon Tax, Eddie Caulfield, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brian Gillbanks, Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker, Dennis Rudd, John Moore and Geoffrey Bloch. Back row, left to right: Frank Wilkinson, Stanley Oldfield, Michael Hill, Terry Hudson, Howard Jones and Philip Gardner.
Provincial Officers at installation
The installation meeting of St Oswald Lodge 5170 afforded the first opportunity for members of the Warrington Group who had been promoted to Provincial Grand Rank to appear in their new regalia and process in with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield.
And it was not only West Lancashire’s new officers at the meeting for a Provincial Grand Steward from Spain also attended.
There were special congratulations from Eddie for the Province’s new Senior Warden, Barry Jameson who is Vice-chairman of the Warrington Group. There were also three other acting Provincial Officers from the Warrington Group present – Norman Pritchard (Provincial Senior Grand Deacon), Alan Briggs (Provincial Grand Steward) and Stan Jackson (Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant).
There were also two other Provincial Grand Stewards at the meeting, Mark Holloway and Wayne Carder.
Geoff Balshaw was initiated into St Oswald Lodge but three years ago went to live in Spain. He joined Sierra Espund Lodge 136 in the Grand Lodge of Spain and this year is a Provincial Grand Steward in the Province of Valencia.
At the meeting congratulations were also extended to two members of St Oswald Lodge. John Sawyer was invested as a Past Provincial Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in Blackpool and Ray Thompson is to receive the same rank at the meeting at Preston.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Eddie Caulfield congratulates acting Provincial Grand Officers from Warrington, Barry Jameson, Alan Briggs and Stan Jackson.
Three West Lancashire Provincial Stewards, Alan Briggs, Wayne Carder and Mark Holloway are pictured with Geoff Balshaw (second from the right) who is a Provincial Grand Steward in the Province of Valencia.
Meet the Provincial Wardens
The new Provincial Grand Wardens will have plenty to chat about during their meetings around the Province as they have several things in common apart from Freemasonry.
Barry Jameson and David Daisley Durling both have vast experience of being at the helm of major companies. They both also have a love of golf and involvement in community work.
Warrington Group of Lodges Vice-chairman Barry Jameson is the new Senior Warden while David Durling, who is Chairman of the South Manchester Freemasons’ Hall Steering Committee, is Junior Warden.
Barry is following in the footsteps of Gilbert Greenall who was the first Warrington Freemason to become Senior Warden of the Province of West Lancashire. He went on to become Lord Daresbury. He was invested as Senior Warden at a special meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in the Public Hall, Rylands Street, Warrington to celebrate the centenary of the Lodge of Lights of which Bro Greenall was Worshipful Master in 1865. He went on to become Senior Grand Warden of England.
Barry became vice-chairman of the group last year. Barry was initiated into Gilbert Greenall Lodge No 1250 in 1977 and became WM in 1986. He served that Lodge for a number of years as chaplain, charity steward, auditor and almoner. When Gilbert Greenall became part of the new Warrington Lodge of Concord Barry took on the roles of assistant almoner and chaplain.
His first Provincial appointment was in 1996 when he became PPrAGDC and in 2004 was promoted to become Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.
Barry was exalted into Gilbert Greenall Chapter in 1982 and was First Principal in 1991. He has held many positions in Chapter including auditor, ADC, DC and charity steward. His first Provincial rank was PPrAGDC in 1998 and he was promoted to PPrGSwdB in 2006.
Since 2004, 63-year-old Barry has been the regional charity steward for the Eccles, South Eastern and Warrington Groups. He is also vice-chairman of the 2010 Festival committee which will have responsibility for organising the special event to close the festival.
Barry has been married to Pam for almost 42 years and they have two adult children, Sarah and Andrew and two grand-daughters
Barry started his career in 1961 as an engineering technician apprentice at Ruston Diesels. He progressed through many roles in the company until in 1981 he was appointed manufacturing director. Barry served as managing director of many large companies before “retiring” from full time employment from Manesty in 2006. He now works part time, about 60 days a year, as a director and company secretary of BWI plc. Barry is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
His hobbies outside Freemasonry have included Scouting. He was a Queen’s Scout and former Scout Leader and District Scout Leader. He has been a member of the Winwick PCC and Covenants’ Secretary. He has served as a magistrate and been a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. He also lists theatre, fell walking, golf and watching rugby among his hobbies.
David was initiated into Foundation Lodge No 5394 in 1997 and served as Worshipful Master in 2004. He has served the lodge as secretary since 2006. He was given the acting rank of Provincial Grand Steward in 2008. Since April 2006 David has been Provincial Communications Officer for the South Eastern and Eccles and District Groups.
Married to Dorothy since 1986, they have a daughter and three grandchildren who live in France. David and Dorothy act as driver and host for Contact the Elderly. He is a very keen golfer being a member of Shrigley Hall Golf Club.
David spent the early part of his career in sales and marketing with Procter and Gamble and other fast moving consumer goods companies. He moved into the house building industry in 1984 and served as Sales and Marketing Director of Beazer Homes in the North West and Alfred McAlpine Homes in the North West and Midlands.
David became Managing Director of Westbury Homes West Midlands and a director of Westbury Homes Ltd. in Cheltenham in 1992. Five years later he joined Bovis Homes Limited and started a new Northern Region from his home in Macclesfield. When he retired in 2005 the region employed more than 100 people and occupied modern new office premises near to Wilmslow. He served as Chairman of the Home Builders’ Federation in the North West of England for five years from 2002.
After retiring David formed Daisley Durling Associates Limited and works part-time providing various services including Director coaching to the development industry.
Provincial Senior Grand Warden Barry Jameson and Provincial Junior Grand Warden David Durling.
Two special days for Colin and Wayne
Only a day after being invested as acting officers of the Royal Arch Province of West Lancashire two Warrington companions were on duty in their official capacity in their own Chapter.
Colin Boardman has been appointed Provincial Grand Registrar and Wayne Robinson was invested as a Provincial Grand Steward.
The day after the meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter in Preston was the installation meeting of Travellers Chapter No 4679 which was attended by the Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid.
Both Colin, who is Secretary of the Warrington Group, and Wayne took part in the ceremonial part of the ceremony.
Colin said: “It was wonderful that our first duty as Provincial Grand Officers was in our own Chapter. We have both had two wonderful days.”
Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid congratulates Colin Boardman on his appointment at the installation meeting of Travellers Chapter watched by, left to right: Kevin Poynton (Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies), John Hutton (Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals), Ian Boswell (Chairman of the Warrington Group of Chapters) and Provincial Grand Steward Wayne Robinson.
1,000 extra surprises for St Rocco’s
There were 1,000 extra surprises for St Rocco’s Hospice when the proceeds of a Gentlemen’s Evening organised by Warrington Freemasons was handed over.
The hospice had been expecting to receive £2,000 but instead the donation was for £3,000.
On the night of the Gentlemen’s Evening it was thought that £2,000 had been raised and the hospice’s community fundraiser Malcolm Kindon, who acted as auctioneer, took that good news back to the hospice.
However, when all bills had been paid and all proceeds received the actual amount raised was £3,000.
Organiser Vic Charlesworth said: “Some of the outgoings were not as much as we had anticipated and we received additional donations which had not been taken into account when we did the initial total.”
The England World Cup and Manchester United star Nobby Stiles was the big attraction at the evening which was organised by the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges.
The £3,000 is being used to pay for an additional treatment couch in the hospice’s new Day Care Unit. Building work on the new unit is now complete but further accommodation is taking shape which will provide office and storage space along with rooms for Macmillan Nurses. The Day Care Unit has cost £3.3million and has doubled the number of patients the hospice can accommodate each day in addition to the 10 in-patient beds.
This latest donation means that Warrington Freemasons have donated a total of £49,000 to the hospice in the last eight years.
Malcolm Kindon said: “I would like to say a very sincere thank you to Warrington Freemason not only for this latest donation but for all the tremendous support over many years.”
Warrington Freemasons’ Gentlemen’s Evening organiser Vic Charlesworth tries out the treatment couch which is being paid for with the £3,000 proceeds from event watched by Caroline Kay, Day Unit Sister, and Malcolm Kindon.