Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire

Older News from Oldham District

Charity Giving Evening

Middleton's Freemasons held their 3rd annual charity giving evening on Friday 29th February, when over 100 Masons, families and charity representatives gathered in the main function suite at Middleton Masonic Club. Lodge representatives from Imperial George78, Rectitude Chapter 581, Langley 3989, Imperial 5609, Werneth 6163, Old Elizabethans 8235, Horton 8528 and Tonge Hall 8763 presented cheques totalling over £10,000, which had been raised from within the membership of the various lodges, to a wide variety of charities.

The Charity Representatives were welcomed with a drinks reception and tour of the Masonic facility and were treated to a buffet provided by the Lodges. On receiving their donations each charity representative gave an interesting and often very moving account of the valuable work that they are doing.

The guest of honour was Barbara Wilson M.B.E. from the Coalshaw Green Park project, where the kitchen facilities have been totally refurbished by the Masons of the District, a grant of £9,500 being provided by the East Lancashire Masonic Charity and the labour by volunteers from the Lodges in the District.

The charities receiving donations on the night were, Christie Hospital, The Macular Disease Society, Weston Spirit, A.B.C.( Against Breast Cancer), Macmillan Nurses, Dr Kershaw's Hospice, Broughton House, Stuart Towler Bursary, Francis House, Salford Cross Roads, Bury Hospice, Springhill Hospice, Kingfisher School, Childline, N.S.P.C.C. , First Responders, Littleborough Adult Placement Centre, Oldham Hospital Radio and The Downs Syndrome Association.

The evening was opened with David Dunn “Oldham District Charity Steward” welcoming everyone to the Charity Giving Night. He extended a very warm welcome to the representatives of all the charities present which are those people who want to get involved in helping those less fortunate than others in society, he quoted E.M. Forster who once said “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested”

He went to explain that Oldham Masonic District covers Oldham, Middleton and Shaw and consists of twenty individual lodges made up of approximately six hundred and fifty masons who, over the year, raise money for charities. This evening is the culmination of the year when the monies raised by various lodges are distributed to worthy causes.

He went on to say that from its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities and over the past 5 years Freemasonry has raised over £75m for a wide range of charitable purposes. In the UK it is second only to the National Lottery in terms of charitable giving.

He explained the format for the evening and hoped everyone would enjoy themselves as well learning more about other causes as each charity would give a brief synopsis on what the charity and how they would use their donation.


Chapter of Rectitude 581 and Horton Lodge 8235 Presenting a Cheque to ABC (Against Breast Cancer)	Charity Recipients

Imperial George 78 Imperial 5609 Horton 8528 Tonge Hall 8763 Presenting Cheque to Chrities Hospital	Imperial George 78, Inperial 5609, Horton 8528, Lodges Presenting Cheque's to Kingfisher School

Imperial Lodge 5609 Presenting Cheque to Booth Hall Hospital	Langley Lodge 3989 Presenting Cheque to Childline

Old Elizabethans Lodge 8235 Presenting a Cheque to Macular Disease Society	Werneth Lodge 6163 Ladies Presenting a Cheque to Downs Syndrome Association

In his remarks closing the Giving Evening, Philip Price, Oldham District Chairman, said that for some the world was a breathtakingly beautiful and happy environment with life too short to explore and take in all its wonders. There were however those for whom life in this world was more difficult and testing. The Voluntary Sector often provided the only support for those so challenged. Great changes could be made through the funding of those good works.

The Giving Evening had brought together people from different backgrounds. All shared the wish to make a difference to lives through those good causes to which they were dedicated and passionately believed in. The Oldham District Freemasons were pleased to contribute towards and be associated with those good causes. Over £10,000 had been donated on the evening. The District Chairman thanked all involved and hoped that the bonds forged that evening between the Freemasons and the Charities would result in more special times being shared together.

Oldham District - Coalshaw Green Park Kitchen Refurbishment Project

Community life has blossomed in the safe environment established at the now award winning Coalshaw Green Park, Chadderton. The popularity of the Park is a tribute to the voluntary work of Barbara Wilson MBE and her ‘Friends of the Park'. In addition to everything else that they do for the Park Barbara and the Friends provide very affordable meals and refreshments. The Pavilion kitchen had become inadequate to meet growing needs. The cost of refurbishment by contractors was going to be high and wholly beyond the means of the Friends.

The Oldham District Masons who had been supporting the Friends in many ways wanted to help; they had work skills and talent but their own reserves would not pay for the project. An application for a grant from ELMC provided the answer. Using a combination of their ‘hands on' experience and a generous grant from ELMC a Team of Oldham Masons completely gutted and refitted the kitchen in eight days. The Team found the experience uniquely rewarding. Barbara and the Friends were overjoyed when the refurbished kitchen was handed back on 7th February 2008. The very next day a newspaper article appeared praising the work of the Oldham District Freemasons. With grateful thanks to ELMC and the Oldham District Masons Barbara was on 10th February 2008 serving her appreciative ‘regulars' their first Sunday lunch from the new kitchen. Local interest has been tremendous and Freemasonry now has a welcome public face.

The following pictures tell the story of the project.


Kitchen before refurbishment	Philip Price, Brian Kennedy and Ben Graham (plumber from WBro Steve Drugget Company)

Philip Price & Brian Kennedy	Philip Price

Edwin Baines (project leader)	John Palmer & Ben Graham (plumbers from WBro Steve Drugget Company

Edwin Baines	The Completed Refurbishment

WBro John LeBrun, Brian Kennedy & Edwin Baines (project leader)	Barbara Wilson MBE, District Chairman Philip Price, WBro John LeBrun, Edwin Baines and Brian Kennedy.

The Oldham District Masonic Christmas Party
was held at Middleton Masonic Hall, on Thursday 13th December

This year over 65 Widows attended the event & enjoyed a festive menu ably prepared & presented by the Hall Catering Staff. The Asst Prov.Grand Master. WBro. Harold Woodward with his wife Phillys were in attendance & the guest of Honour for the evening was the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, WBro. David Geldhard, P.Prov.J.G.W. accompanied by his wife Ivy. WBro Geldhard gave a light hearted toast to the ladies and reflected on how some of the widows had met the partners.

Mrs Dunn on behalf of the widows responded “whilst W. Bro Geldhard has just delivered a wonderful toast to you, our ladies, I would also like to think that in many ways that toast extends to those Freemasons of Oldham who are no longer with us. Let us remember them all with love, with respect and with admiration. Ladies, may I on your behalf thank W. Bro. Geldhard for his toast. David, we trust that you and Ivy will have a truly memorable evening in our company and at the end of the evening you will agree with us all that this Party is indeed unique and very special to us all.”


Welcome address by WBro.David Dunn.	Werneth Lodge Dance, Wine, Social Stewards

WBro David Gelhard proposing Toast to Ladies.	WBro H Woodward with toasting the ladies

Mrs Dunn reponding to the toast on behalf of ladies	Shane Hamill and Widow singing duet

Shane Hamill entertainer	Shane Hamill entertainer

Mrs Warmold Alpha Lodge enjpying herself who celebrates her 100 birthday in march 2008

Werneth Lodge Stewards dancing with widows	All Ladies Dancing

All Ladies Dancing

Entertainment was provided by Shane Hamill who charmed the Ladies with his collection of ballads & on occasions was assisted by one or two them with his songs. During the entertainment many of the guests danced the night away with the Stewards from Werneth Lodge, under the Direction of WBro. Jack Ball. One of the leading dancers was Mrs Warmold, a Widow from Alpha Lodge, who will celebrate her 100th birthday in March 2008. We all wish Mrs Warmold a very Happy Birthday in March.

At the end of the celebration one Widow spontaneously rose & on behalf of all the Widows present thanked all who had been involved for making the evening so special. A big thank you to all the Lodges of the Oldham District who continue to support this event & to the ones who have moved from the District but who still contribute to the running costs & who's widows still attend. To see these Ladies, many of whom are seventy & eighty years old, meeting friends, reminiscing, laughing, dancing & enjoying themselves makes all the hard work worthwhile.

At the end of the evening the Almoners of the Lodges returned to chauffer their charges home to whom we also thank for keeping the Committee up to date with their records for future years. If any Freemason of the Oldham District knows of a Widow who wishes to attend & has not received an invitation to this Christmas Party please give her name to your Almoner for it to be added for the 2008 Party.

Kingfisher Schoool

The IPM WBro Keith Bardsley and members of Tonge Hall Lodge presented a cheque to the Kingfisher Schoool for £1,000.00 on 22 November 2007.

The Kingfisher School provides facilities for special needs children from the Oldham area, the money will be used to provide a touch screen TV. The TVs feature new technology which enables the children to interact with the screen i.e. colours, sounds and visual effects and the teachers say they are a wonderful stimulating experience. WBro Keith Bardsley has a daughter who has worked at the facility for many years and he has supported events throughout the time she has worked there, being able to present this cheque has given him great pleasure. Members of the lodge also present were WBro Victor Black (Charity Steward).

WBro Richard Riley (Treasurer) WBro David Whittingham (DC). Representatives from the school have expressed an interest in attending the Charity evening to be held at Middleton Masonic Club during February 2008.

Royal Arch MEZ's Garden Party 8 July 2007

Harold Kirby PProvGSuptWks: 60th Anniversary

Do you remember the year in which:-

1,500 collieries were nationalised;

Steel works closed because of lack of coal;

Over 4 million workers were made idle by power cuts as a consequence of heavy snowstorms [over 20ft snow drifts] and sub-zero temperatures?

If you remember it then you are likely to be in receipt of a Retirement Pension, for the year was 1947. It was on 8 April of that year that a 28 year old Mr Harold Kirby was Initiated into Freemasonry in Blair Lodge, No 815.

Harold Kirby, now a resident at Hewlett Court [a residential home provided by the East Lancashire Masonic Charity], chose to celebrate his 60th Anniversary as a Freemason ‘at home'. The celebration was held on Saturday 21 April 2007.

Despite his request that the event be kept ‘low-key', he was well supported by current and former members of Blair Lodge, together with long standing Masonic friends and their ladies. To the delight of Harold, the presence of four generations of the Kirby family, including two great granddaughters, made the occasion rather special.

On behalf of Paul J E Rink, Provincial Grand Master, Harold Woodward, our APGM, presented Harold [the younger looking one] with a Certificate and Letter in recognition of his outstanding and devoted service to Freemasonry.

We trust that Harold, now in his 89th year, will long continue to enjoy the love of his family and the fraternity of his Masonic associations and the fellowship that has brought him so much pleasure.

The following photographs show Harold with:-

His Certificate and the other Harold [our APGM]

Some of his Masonic friends, and

Family and friends

Many congratulations Harold!

Click Here for News on the Middleton Masonic Hall Charitable Giving Night - 2nd March 2007

Click Here for News on the Shaw Masonic Hall Charitable Giving Night - 16th Febuary 2007

Dedication Of New Lodge Room At Middleton

On Monday 5 February 2007 , VWBro Dr Nigel G Bramley-Haworth, DepPGM, officiated at the Dedication of a new Lodge Room [The Parkfield Room] at the Middleton Masonic Hall.

For the purpose of the Dedication Ceremony, Imperial George Lodge, No 78, had the honour of being chosen as the representative Lodge of all the Lodges that meet at Middleton.

Over 130 Freemasons were privileged to be in attendance to witness a most impressive Ceremony. Some 70 assembled in The Parkfield Room with another 60 plus viewing proceedings by video link in the upstairs Lodge Room. This viewing arrangement realistically captured the atmosphere of the occasion and proved to be an outstanding success.

The Parkfield Room not only enhances the Masonic facilities, it also provides a multi-functional facility for use by the community : a most welcoming interface for bringing together the community and Freemasonry.

Congratulations to the Chairman [Steven Briggs] and his Board of Directors for translating a vision into a reality.

The DepPGM together with members of the Provincial delegation and representatives of the Board of Directors.

From left to right - WBro Steven Briggs, Chairman of the Middleton Masonic Club, VWBro Dr Nigel G Bramley-Haworth, DepPGM, WBro Christopher N Sweetman, WM of Imperial George Lodge and WBro Harold Woodward, APGM.

John LeBrun
lebrunjs@ntlworld.com

LODGE GENEROSITY GOES FAR

Generous members of The Crompton Lodge, Shaw, have raised a handsome £4,600 for charity over the past twelve months. The donations were as follows: Royal Masonic Trust for Boys and Girls £1200, ELMBI (2) £1150, Oldham District Committee £100 and to non-Masonic Charities, Christie Hospital £400, Shaw and Crompton Macmillan Cancer Relief £400, Bolton NHS Trust (Thoracic Department) £450, Dr. Kershaw's Hospice £450, SSAFA Forces Help £150, Shaw 1st Scouts £150 and St. Paul's Youth Club, Shaw £150.

Pictured with the £450 cheque for Dr. Kershaw's are (from the left) Dave Melling (Charity Steward), Vivienne Curtis (Dr. Kershaw's), Neil Bostock (Worshipful Master) and Ken Coburn (Treasurer).
Photograph reproduced by courtesy of Oldham Evening Chronicle.

The fourth annual Masters in Office Dinner was held on the 23rd September at the Gables Masonic Hall in Shaw and was once again a fantastic success. The evening consisted of Masters in office meeting each other, together with their wives, having photographs taken with the APGM W.Bro Harold Woodward followed by a five course evening meal.

At the end of September, the Oldham District became aware of a local Soccer School which needed some assistance. The soccer school is run by Kevyn Gibbons who, having lost his job at the age of 50, decided to use his skills and set up a soccer school. Kevyn has done some tremendous work over the last 15 years with youngsters both in and out of school. He teaches children from 4 years upwards, privately and in schools and has enjoyed the success of signings with big league clubs. He takes groups of children on holidays to Europe and America and always ensures that both advantaged and disadvantage children have a great time.

From left to Right; sponsor David Fernley, Stephen Power Oldham District Communications Officer, Mayor & Mayoress of Oldham and Kevyn Gibbons.

As the school is so popular, the footballs which Kevyn uses wear out very quickly and he was struggling with the kit he had. The Oldham District stepped in and within a few days, had promised a new supply. It was felt that rather than present Kevyn with a cheque, the District should source the footballs and present them to him.

On Tuesday 3 rd October, Kevyn had arranged to present a cheque for £860 to the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham for the Meningitis Trust. The money was raised by the children from the soccer school during a sponsored run around Tandle Hills.

It was decided to use the opportunity to present the new footballs to Kevyn on the same night so, in the presence of the Mayor of Oldham, 50 young footballers, 50 mums, dads and grandparents, the Oldham District Chairman, Charity Steward and Communications Officer, 50 footballs were handed over to the delight of all present. The Communications Officer also took the opportunity to explain in more detail the work of Freemasons in Shaw and Middleton to the Mayor and Mayoress who thanked the Brethren for their contribution.

Left to right; Stephen Power Oldham District Communications Officer, Kevyn Gibbons (Soccer School) Mayoress & Mayor of Oldham accompanied by youngsters from the Soccer School.

The purchase of the footballs was funded by the Oldham District from donations made by Lodges meeting at Middleton and Shaw. This is exactly the kind of community contribution the APGM of our District wants us to make.

The Soccer School is now in need of some new team bibs (sponsorship opportunity available) so any Lodge or Brother who wishes to make a donation should contact Stephen Power, Oldham District Communications Officer.

The public face of charitable giving

Left to right: Harold Woodward then the representatives of (1) McMillan Nurses, (2) St. Gabriel's Church and (3) Broughton House.		Friday 3 rd March 2006 was a highlight in the Masonic calendar for four Middleton Lodges. Working together with their Hall Management Company, they organised a pilot event in order to assess its potential as a model to be adopted by all 25 Lodges in the District. With the support of the Oldham District Team, the District Chairman Philip Price and our APGM, W. Bro Harold Woodward, 16 Charities/Beneficiaries were invited to Middleton Masonic Hall to receive their donations in person from the respective Worshipful Masters and representatives of the four Lodges.
		Despite heavy snowfall, over 100 people attended the event, which began with a wine reception and tour of the Lodge room. In his opening address, the Chairman of Middleton Masonic Hall gave an informative talk on how Freemasonry came to be established in Middleton on the site of the former tennis club. The four Lodges then made their presentations, commencing with Langley Lodge as the oldest, followed by Tonge Hall Lodge, Horton Lodge and Old Elizabethans Lodge. Each of the Lodge Masters/representatives took the opportunity to impart some of the history of their Lodge and confirm their place as a contributor to national and local charities.
		The recipients of the donations were equally enthusiastic to use the occasion to convey not only their appreciation, but also to demonstrate the commitment they have to their organisation. It was particularly useful for all present to gain a better understanding of the work each of the charities and organisations undertook, with some of the presentations bringing emotions to the fore. In all, sixteen beneficiaries received donations including Long Street Methodist Church; St Gabriel's Church Stained Glass appeal; Wigan & Leigh Hospice; Middleton Talking Newspaper, The Masonic Fellowship; Christies; Marie Curie Cancer Care; North Manchester Talking Newspaper; British Heart Foundation; Stewart Towler Bursary Fund; Eddie Malone Memorial Fund (deprived children); Guide Dogs for the Blind; Broughton House (home for disabled servicemen); Macmillan Nurses; Weston Spirit; SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association).
		David Dunn, Oldham District Charity Steward explained the role of the Charity Stewards working throughout the District and reinforced the desire of Freemasons to make a direct connection with the community. A closing address by our APGM, W Bro Harold Woodward, summed up the feeling of pride represented by Charities and Lodges present: “Where there is a need there are those who care sufficiently to respond and make a difference. Seeking no formal recognition, they are content that others are helped to enjoy a better quality of life. You are the unsung heroes/heroines of our society; some might even be described as angels in human form.
		Charity is rooted in unselfish love for others. Your commitment and dedication to your Charity is both a challenge and inspiration to us all. You have truly enriched our lives through sharing this evening with us. We clearly have similar values in life: • to demonstrate love and give support in a practical way to those who are in any way disadvantaged; • to conduct our lives in such a manner as to emphasise the importance of and commitment to our moral, family, community, civic and Church duties and responsibilities: to strive to make ourselves better citizens; • to replace evil with good and to make good people better people.

We have a similar ‘target audience'. Financial support is but one indicator of our commitment to your Charity. We must consider how we might work more collaboratively in our ‘outreach' activities. We must build on the contacts and new friendships that have been made this evening. This evening is not an end in itself; it represents a new beginning. Working together in partnership, we can make a real difference.

As Freemasons, we salute you for being people of courage and vision. The world is indeed a better place because of you and for what you do.”

Hailed as a tremendous success, it is intended that the Oldham District will provide the necessary support to all Lodges in the District to repeat the event at Middleton and Shaw.

Reginald Wood celebrates 60 years in freemasonry

On 29 th September 2005, WBro Reginald H Wood, PProvJGW, celebrated his 100th birthday. On that occasion, he was visited by the RWPGM, Paul J E Rink, OBE and H Alan J Garnett, ProvGSec.

As if such a milestone was not enough, Reginald celebrated his personal 60 th in Craft Freemasonry on 15 th March 2006 and on this occasion, he was visited by Harold Woodward APGM along with members of the Lodge of United Companions.

He was Initiated in the former Lodge of Reverence, No 4956, on 15 March 1946 and was Installed as its WM on 21 January 1954. Thirty years later, on 14 January 1984, he became the WM of the Lodge for the second time. He was one of the 14 Founder members of the Lodge of United Companions, No 6895; a Lodge which was Consecrated on 15 December 1949 and of which Reginald is now an Honorary member.

Reginald is a remarkable man having played golf until the age of 90 years and tended his allotments until the age of 98 years. He currently resides in a Nursing Home in Sale .

The first attached photograph shows Harold Woodward, APGM, presenting Reginald with his Illuminated Certificate in recognition of his 60 years in Craft Masonry.

The second attached photograph includes, from left to right, Donald Hopwood [Secretary of the Lodge of United Companions] and David Hewitt [Assistant DC of the Lodge of United Companions] together with Reginald Wood and Harold Woodward.