News from Rossendale District

FIRST MEETING OF UNITAS FRATUS CHAPTER No 7958 AT ASHDAY LEA
March 18th 2011 See the Report HERE

FIRST EXALTATION AT UNITAS FRATUS CHAPTER No 7958
May 20th 2011 See the Report HERE

SEE NIGEL'S BARBECUE POSTER HERE
In Support of the RMBI 2015 Fesival and the ELMC

Before the warrant was returned to Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Martin Paul Roche PJGD, WBro Andrew Greenhalgh presented a short history of the Lodge.
Tottington Lodge, No. 7537, was consecrated at Bridge Street on Tuesday 22nd October 1957 with 17 Founding members.

Two of the Founders, WBro George Haworth and WBro William Hilton have very great personal significance for current members Colin Haworth and Ken Hilton.
Some of these founders served on Tottington Council and permission was granted by the Council to allow its Armorial Bearings to be used as the Lodge Badge.

The new Lodge attracted both Joining members and new Initiates.
In the first three regular meetings the first WM, William Chappell Initiated, Passed and Raised his son William Gerald David Chappell whilst a Joining member and further Initiate were admitted.
The Founders, William Gerald David Chappell, Kenneth Mellody and Richard William Dillon are only names to me but they form part of the personal memories of subsequent members of Tottington.
In April 1958 WBro. James T Turner became a joining member, ascending to the Grand Lodge above in 2007. Fortunately a Joiner (of the wood working kind), Colin Haworth, who was Initiated at the same meeting is still a member and I have been fortunate enough to know them both.
At that meeting another two Masons were admitted as joining members.
It has been said that those who fail to learn the lessons of History are doomed to repeat its failures. Tottington Lodge was founded by Masons who, while happy with Masonry, were not content with the current state of affairs and recognised that if something wasn’t done then current members, and potential future members could be lost to the Craft.
In their case it was the numbers clamouring to join the Lodges with such large numbers of members that it would take several years to be Initiated and then maybe 16 years before taking an office other than Steward, or Tyler.
It is a tribute to the foresight and the personal touch of the Founders that over the last 54 years Tottington Lodge has had 73 Initiates, 21 Joining Members and eventually a Grand Lodge Officer as Honorary Tyler.

In 1959 the Installation meeting was held at Ashday Lea. 2
February 1960 saw a proposal that meetings be moved from the Grants Arms to the rooms above Ramsbottom Civic Hall.
April 1961 saw a double Initiation, John William Moody was initiated by WBro WH Mitchell and Kenneth George Hilton was initiated by his Father.
In October ’62 WBro HC Windle continued as WM for a second year due to the sudden death of the Master Elect C Yates.
In 1965 Colin Haworth was Installed as Worshipful Master and the following year installed John Hall as his successor. Unfortunately Colin had to return to the Chair in March 67 due to the untimely death of John Hall.
April 67 saw the Initiation of Joseph Birch our current WM.
WBro KG Hilton was Installed as WM in October 73 initiating Neville Leigh in January 74.
Roger Greenlees was initiated September 77
1979 saw Malcolm Brown initiated in March and Len Dunk in April
82/83 was a busy Season the Initiation, Passing and Raising of both W (Bill) Hemmingway and CF Howarth, (son of Colin) and the Raisings of HR Taylor and Ernest Carroll.
Now we are into more recent History and memory with WBros Holt, Pinder, Cunliffe, Round, Blackledge, Roberts and Hamer.
1989 saw all 25 members of Tottington vote to move to Ashday Lea which happened in March of 1990. Starkie and Springfield moved to Haslingden.
The Initiations of WBros Hardisty, Guy, Shackleton, Schofield, Greenhalgh and Wyre bring us up to 1996.
Over this time the world had moved on and Freemasonry, in common with other voluntary organisations, was finding it hard to attract and retain members.
In 97 Malcolm Brown was Installed as WM for the second time, allowing the Junior Brethren to progress though all the Offices.
March 2000 saw the APGM WBro James Sutcliffe present “Changing Times” and hold a seminar on the ideas presented.

Their sister Lodge Springfield was facing a dwindling Membership and held its Final meeting in February 2004.
As their 50th Anniversary in 2007 approached Tottington and Starkie considered their future which was linked with the closure of Haslingden Masonic Hall. With the secrecy surrounding the sale complicating matters it was decided not to Amalgamate at that time.
As membership reduced still further the remaining 8 members laid plans for an orderly return of the Warrant after celebrating the 50 years of Freemasonry undertaken by WBro Ken Hilton in April of this year.

Back Row Left to Right : WBro G H T Guy (Treasurer), WBro M Pinder (Organist) , WBro D S Roberts (Secretary), WBro K G Hilton ( Junior Warden), WBro A V Greenhalgh ( Director of Ceremonies)
From Row Left to Right : WBro I Schofield (Senior Warden) , WBro J C Birch ( Worshipful Master) , WBro C F Haworth (Inner Guard) , APGM.

The only person missing from the photo is WBro Derek L Pilling (who was at the bar getting a drink) Tottington Lodges Hon Tyler.
We would have not been able to hold our regular meetings over the last few years if it wasn't for the regular help of several members of Starkie Lodge,namely WBro's Tom Crompton, Glyn Barlow and W (Bill) Tonge.
WBroKen Hilton (back row) and WBroColin Haworth (front row) fathers were Founders of the Lodge and both Colin and Ken were initiated into Tottington and have both been members of Tottington Lodge all their Masonic life with over 50 years each to their credit.

On Friday September 16th at Ashday Lea Masonic Hall, Rawtenstall, The Rossendale District held their last annual quiz. Attended by 44 members, friends and family the evening was again in the hands of Quizmaster WBro Geoff Haworth of Royds Lodge No 816.
The questions were of the highest quality and at the midway point The Abbey Habit team from Whalley were again, worryingly, in the lead. However this was not to last and the Whalley Bashers came steaming through to take first position and the Everlasting Crown, not to say the six bottles of wine also. The booby prize was given to The Red Rose team who seemed a little out of sorts this year.
Seven teams representing each of the Halls in the Rossendale District attended and enjoyed a relaxing evening. Tattie Pie and Peas was again laid on by Ellen and Steve and darned good it was too.
£135 was raised by the Raffle which will be added to the proceeds of the District Walk and distributed at a later date.
District Chairman WBro John Farrington thanked everyone for attending and paid particular thanks to WBro Dave Laws for once again organising the event after having retired earlier this year as District Charity Steward, a position he filled admirably.

Burton in Kendal became a hive of activity when Nigel and Angela once again held their annual BBQ on Saturday 16th July. Over 60 masons and friends attended what has now become an event not to be missed.
Although the day was at times a little wet it finally dried up into a pleasant evening for everyone to enjoy a vast variety of salads and sweets, generously donated by those attending, along with some excellently cooked meats by the two intrepid chefs Nigel and John.

Nigel and John Griffin (Bury District Chairman) taking turns to lubricate.
It was such hard work that the two had to be constantly lubricated with some of the liquid refreshment also available.

Tombola Prizes kindly donated by the Guests
A fantastic sum of £455 was raised and will be shared between the ELMC and EL2015 Festival

Angela keeping a watchful eye on some dodgy looking characters
Everyone who attended had a thoroughly enjoyable time and would like to offer a special thanks to Nigel, Angela and all who helped.

On Sunday 10th July 2011 22 walkers took part in the very last of the Rossendale District sponsored walks representing many of the District Lodges.
Being part of the Provincial ‘Walk the Province’ the proceeds are for The EL2015 Festival.

Martin Roche APGM attended and joined the District Chairman, John Farrington, together with other District members and their families.
Fortunately the weather was kind to us and only 1 thunder clap was heard rumbling away in the distance.
The 4.5 mile walk around the reservoirs of the scenic Grane Valley was covered in just less than 2 hours.

Alan Tower’s team was the first away at 10.15am; they were the first back for a burger and the first to leave determined not to miss the televised British Grand Prix.

Together with several others the remaining walkers enjoyed a BBQ and the hospitality of Steve Barton and his wife Pauline at the farm.
On this occasion and as a special thanks to the walkers for their continued support, refreshments were supplied free of charge.
A BIG thank you is also extended to APGM Martin Roche for his attendance and for giving up his valuable time for the event.
Apologies were received from some of our older members who would have liked to walk, but their bodies allegedly would not permit it.
Several individual donations have been received and thanks are extended also to those Lodges who have promised donations.

District Charity Steward Dave Law expressed his gratitude to Steve and Pauline Barton for hosting the event and to the Rossendale District Team and members who have continued to support the Walks that have been arranged by him over the years but especially to Jan, his long suffering wife, for her hard work as always behind the scenes.

WBro Dave Law, District Charity Steward, pointing out the direction. Will someone please tell our Chairman he is going the wrong way!

WBro Andrew Marsh, Samaritan Lodge 286. Who are the two Shady characters with him?

50 years and still as enthusiastic as when Initiated
WBro Jack Medlock, PProvSGW - 50 years in Masonry

Initiated on the 9th May 1961 WBro Jack Medlock, PProvSGW, celebrated 50 years in Masonry along with members of Duke of Lancaster Lodge No 4207 and old members of Hardman Lodge No 1948.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Martin P Roche PJGD, spoke about the events which took place in Jack’s initiation year and also said that it was not a birthday that was being celebrated but that Jack had reached a milestone in his masonic career. 1961 was a prestigious year as it was the year in which the Beatles first performed at the Cavern Club, the E-Type Jaguar rolled of the production line and JFK became president of the USA.
WBro Dickinson then gave the Brethren a little insight into the life of Jack who was born on 17th February 1922 and was the eldest child of William and Florrie.
Jack’s early years were spent in Rawtenstall, where after leaving Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School he worked with his uncle at Holyes Footwear as a Wages Clerk. He volunteered for the RAF in 1940 and served until 1946 in many locations including a 15 month spell in India.
After being demobbed he returned to Hoyles but within eighteen months he had accepted a position at the Town Hall in the Treasurers Dept. He moved on to the Town Clerks Office where as Senior Administrative Assistant he had significant responsibility for both Local and General Elections.
Jack retired shortly after his 60th birthday after being offered early retirement, he accepted with alacrity.
Probably his major social interest was his involvement with Hardman Lodge No 1948 where he enjoyed the meetings and the friendship of his fellow lodge members. He was also Treasurer to the Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors Club in Rawtenstall for some 30 years.
Jack married Lucy on the 9th September 1944 and has been extremely fortunate to enjoy almost 67 years of married life.
After Jack was presented with his certificate and letter from the Provincial Grand Master by WBro Roche he was escorted around the Lodge to the acclaim of the Brethren.
Before retiring from the lodge WBro JR Farrington PAGDC, Rossendale District Chairman, presented Jack with a 50 years lapel badge on behalf of the Lodge members.
The evening was made more special for Jack as his son Robert was able to join him at the social board.

Victor was born on 10th May, 1921 in Cuba; his family were migrant Jamaican workers and returned to Jamaica in 1928. Victor had seven brothers and two sisters, five of his brothers are now dead. In 1938, Victor joined the Merchant Navy and in 1941 his ship was sunk by a U boat in the North Atlantic. After spending five months in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Victor got a ship which brought him to Belfast. He left the Merchant Navy and travelled to London. He got a job as a cabaret singer.
He married his wife, Kamedea, in 1943. Kamedea was born in Cameroon, but her mother’s family were from Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast and her father was English. Kamedea was trained as a nurse and midwife and in 1947 at the request of her family Kamedea returned to Ghana to help with the health of her family and friends. Victor was in a production of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ at the Coliseum Theatre in London and joined Kamedea in Ghana in 1948. At first he worked in forestry and later worked at the Kingsway Hotel in Kumasi. The proprietor of the hotel, Collingwood Williams, persuaded him to become a freemason and Victor was initiated in April, 1951 into Morality Lodge, No. 1362, Scottish Constitution, in Kumasi, by Mr Williams.
The family left Ghana early the next year and returned to London. Victor teamed up with Chester Harriott (father of Ainsley), a brilliant pianist, known as the black Liberace, and they formed a cabaret act. In 1963 Victor took up work as a telephonist with the Post Office, later BT, and he retired in 1985 as a supervisor.
In the late 1950s Victor joined Caribbean Lodge No. 4926, which meets at Great Queen Street. He was installed as Master in 1986 and for several years he was Director of Ceremonies. He is still a member of the lodge.
Victor and his wife moved to Stacksteads about 1995 to be near his eldest daughter, who is also named Kamedea. They have two other daughters, Melody and Angela, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Victor came to an open day at Ashday Lea in 1997 where he met W. Bro. David Russell. They became friends and Victor joined Tranquility Lodge in October 1998. He was Master in 2001 when he celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry. He is also a member of Valleys Lodge of Installed Masters. Victor is a member of the Royal Arch, joining Caribbean Chapter No. 4926 in the early 1980’s and Chapter of Strength in Bacup in December 1997. He was MEZ in 2006. He is also a member of St Peter’s Lodge No. 31, Rose Croix.

The Mountain Rescue Team in Rossendale and Pendle were thrilled to receive a brand new Land Rover Discovery Ambulance. It was a part of the 100th Celebration of the forming of the East Lancashire Province of Mark Master Masons . It was one of the THREE Ambulances presented to the MR Teams that cover East Lancashire, the other two being Bolton MRT and the Oldham MRT.
These vehicles were a part of the total sum of £210, 000 donated by the Mark Master Masons of East Lancashire, through the ELMBF, to local Charities as a part of the celebration.
The presentations of the other two vehicles are to be made in the first days of May.

The fully equipped ambulance – worth £40,000 – will help the team rescue people across the West Pennines and Lancashire.
The group showed off their vehicle at an open day on Saturday 19th March 2011 where visitors were able to meet the volunteers and learn about their activities.
The event was disrupted however, when the rescue team were called out to search for a 43-year-old man, who after two hours of searching turned up safe and sound.
Volunteer John Parish said that the Land Rover was used for the first time this week, adding “The Ambulance is Pukka” We are really pleased and grateful to the Freemasons for the donation.
More information about how to get involved or to donated can be obtained by contacting John on 01706 229315 or Email newsbase@rpmrt.org.uk.

WBro James Sutcliffe PSGD, WBro John Murgatroyd PGStdB and WBro Martin P Roche PJGD

WBro John Murgatroyd PGStdB of Cribden Lodge No 7285 celebrated 50 years in masonry in the company of two Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, WBro James Sutcliffe PSGD and WBro Martin P Roche PJGD, 50 other Lodge members, District Officers and friends from other Lodges.
A fitting tribute was paid to John by WBro James C North PProvJGW on what was a very pleasant occasion.
Cribden Lodge made a Donation of £1200 to the 2015 Festival
The evening which continued at the social board included traditional Christmas fayre and a Brass Band playing carols and also some of John’s favourite music.

WBro Bryan Hartley, PProvDepGSupWks, was initiated into Samaritan Lodge No 286 on the 17th January 1961 by WBro EF Clayton, the Charge after Initiation being presented by his elder brother Edward. Bryan was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on the 16th May 1961 by WBro C F Simpson.
Bryan attained the Chair of King Solomon in December 1968 and during his year Initiated three candidates, passed all three, presented the First Degree Tracing Board and Installed his successor; ‘quite a busy year’. Bryan became secretary of the Lodge in 1971, a position he held for 3 years. In 1974 he was appointed Assistant Secretary until 1994 when he took over as Charity Steward. In 2003 he became Assistant Director of Ceremonies until, in 2006, he made that great step up and became Director of Ceremonies until 2008.

A tribute to Bryan was made by his elder brother Edward. Some personal history of Bryan was given and an explanation as to how he had moved from his picturesque birth-place on the coast of Northumberland, via Canada to Bacup, where he married and settled. Mention was made of his work in Bacup and his long association with Samaritan Lodge, his pleasure at being appointed to an acting rank in the Province, and a eulogy extolling his merits as a man and a freemason ended with his commendation to the Brethren which was followed by applause.

Left to Right: W Bro Edward Hartley, W Bro Bryan Hartley and the W M, Bro Trevor Cook.

W Bro Bryan Hartley with the APGM, W Bro Steven Blank, and members of Samaritan Lodge.

W Bro Ian Williams with the APGM, James Sutcliffe, and W Bro Tony Williams, his Brother

Saturday 22nd January Padiham Masonic Hall was the venue for this year’s Burns Supper, 63 members and guests attended what is becoming an annual event within the Lodge.
The Haggis made a spectacular entrance carried by WBro WTK Black behind the piper who then addressed the beastie with the famous Burn’s Poem “To a Haggis”. After the traditional Scotch Broth, Haggis, Neaps and Tatties and Roast Beef Vegetables and potatoes the guests were treated to a presentation on the Life of Robert Burns 1759 – 1796 given by WBro W Dallas.
WBro Norman Wharf gave the toast to the Lassies to which Mrs J Rogan responded. A raffle raised £179 which will be added to the pot and distributed later in the year.
A huge thank you to all the Ladies who helped in organising the evening was given by WBro G Thompson who acted as Director of Ceremonies.
The evening ended with the traditional linking of the hands and the singing of Auld Lang Syne

A Lodge meeting with a difference was held a Rawtenstall on Monday 17th January. A short business meeting was held and Lodge was then closed. Wives, friends and non masons were the admitted to the Lodge room, along with the brethren who remained in their regalia they were treated to a very interesting talk on Jewish Traditions by Mr Melvyn Flacks, a trustee of the Jewish Museum in Manchester, and his wife.
Some of the traditions discussed ‘from birth to death’, the Jewish Museum in Manchester and the Jewish calendar and Festivals. The non Jewish guests who made up about 60% of the 79 present found the evening very informative and interesting as many questions were asked and answered.
The social board was a traditional Jewish Meal of Chopped Liver (rough pate), Chicken soup with Lockshen & Kanedlech(dumplings), Roast Chicken, Roast Potatoes, and Szimmus (mixed vegetables) followed by Apple Strudel, Black Coffee or Lemon Tea.

As has been the custom for some 35 years, Starkie Lodge made their annual pre-Christmas visit to Hewlett Court to provide some festive cheer for the residents. On this occasion, due mainly to the reduced number of members in the Lodge, who normally made up the choral ensemble, the musical entertainment was provided by the superb local soprano Mrs Susan Grindrod, very ably supported by Mr Norman Greenwood who accompanied her on the piano. True to tradition, Santa made his usual entrance and, with the aid of his ‘little helper’, handed out his gifts to the residents. The evening turned out to be a resounding success and was much appreciated by both residents and staff at Hewlett Court.

Musical entertainment was provided by the superb local soprano Mrs Susan Grindrod,
very ably supported by Mr Norman Greenwood who accompanied her on the piano.