Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
News from Derby District

70 Years a Freemason!


“A remarkable character, with a capacity to surprise people, sitting here, smiling and still enjoying himself, after 70 Years in Freemasonry”, said the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price, as he described WBro Thomas Broome, PGStB, at a special lunch arranged by his current Lodge, Volunteer, No. 2905,  to celebrate Tom’s Big Day.

Thomas was Initiated into Blair Lodge, No. 815, on 1st February, 1938. To put this into perspective, the PGM was 1 years old at that time!

The whole atmosphere during the afternoon was of love and affection, and as well as the many congratulations given today, there will be many brethren across the Province who know Thomas and who echo those sentiments.

The festivities were marked by a further donation to the Friends of Freemasons’ Hall of £350, presented to the PGM by the Master of Blair Lodge and 1st Principal of Blair Chapter. This brought the total given by the brethren to £700.

During his response, and after cutting his cake, Bro Broome stated that it was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to celebrate this milestone and, as well as being a rather unusual event, it had brought many together for a kind of reunion. He is proud of his membership of Freemasonry, stating that the ritual has never left him and never will. He has gained so much from his membership and hopes he has given something in return. He thanked Bro Carl Dinsdale for organising the event and thanked the brethren for their support wishing them all well.

Below the Brethren of Blair Lodge are seen with Thomas beneath the portrait of RWBro Blair, the Past Provincial Grand Master. To the right Thomas is surrounded by his new colleagues from Volunteer Lodge. The event was also supported by many brethren from around the Province including the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Geoffrey Litherland, and the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, EComp William Porter.

WBro Thomas Broome, PGStB, with PGM, APGM and Brethren of Blair Lodge, No. 815

WBro Thomas Broome, PGStB, with PGM, APGM and Brethren of Volunteer Lodge, No. 2905


WBro Joe Holgate celebrates 50 years in Freemasonry

2nd September 2008 - WBro Joe Holgate PProvJGW of Manchester Science and Art Lodge No.5309 receives an Illuminated Certificate from the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Geoffrey Litherland PAGDC, to celebrate 50 happy years in Freemasonry.

Semper Fidelis - Centenary Celebrations

Semper Fidelis Lodge No.3299 - Centenary Celebrations - 30th May 2008 - The then Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Paul Rink, presents the Centenary Warrant to WBro Harold Pendlebury, Worshipful Master of Semper Fidelis Lodge No.3299, who received promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden earlier in the evening.

Broken Column Dinner

Monday 19 May 2008 saw Manchester Masons host their annual Broken Column Dinner at the Freemasons Hall in Manchester. About 160 widows and their escorts sat down to an excellent dinner after being received at a reception in the Goulburn Lodge Room.

The entertainment this year was provided by two of the Houghton Weavers and everyone agreed it was excellent. Apparently they have been booked for next year already.

Pictured in the centre facing the camera is Len Hayes, the organiser, and to the far left of the picture the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro Martin Caller.

An event like this does not happen overnight; a lot of work went into it. The masons of Manchester are extremely grateful to Len Hayes, Bill Pye, Brian Durkin, Keith Hatton, and all those who gave of their time to make this a truly excellent evening for our Lodge widows.

The cost of such an evening is borne by the Districts of Manchester who raise their funds through the social events they arrange. All Manchester Masons are urged to support these events in anyway they can - primarily by attending - but by donation if not. However, all Masons and their friends are invited to these events wherever they live in the Province.

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