Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
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Installation of the Provincial Grand Master / Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
18th June 2008

Jack Price entered King George’s Hall to prolonged resounding, thunderous applause, to be presented to the Assistant Grand Master, RWBro David K Williamson (on the left with the PGM), who Installed him as Provincial Grand Master for the Province of East Lancashire.

Jack was ably led by a Deputation including the Master from his own Lodge, Justice, No. 4632, and that of the 6 oldest Lodges in the Province. The Installing Provincial Grand Wardens were RWBro Timothy Richards, the Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire, and RWBro John Hale, the Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland.

 

 

The ceremony was dignified and moving. As Jack invested his Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, including the new member of the Team, WBro Geoffrey Litherland, he had a personal word for each of them. Jack’s address in Provincial Grand Lodge was succinct and enthusing.

 

 

Earlier in the day, RWBro Price was Installed as Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, during an equally moving ceremony. He had words of gratitude and support for each of his team members, including the new 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, EComp Roy Taylor.
Jack Price is shown here with Past 3rd Grand Principal, EComp David K Williamson.

In the various addresses and speeches given during the day Jack was clear to state that the day was for celebration and not for presenting policy and strategy. He does share the vision of his predecessor, in charity and involvement in community activities and the importance of mentoring and education and so on, but there will be a different style as to how the teams will work and some new approaches in time. The Main aim initially will be to consolidate the activities we are already involved in, strengthen our position, improve communication and bring cohesion to the different teams working within the Province.

The Assistant Grand Master, ably supported by his team from London, had clearly enjoyed his day in East Lancashire. He referred to the importance of reaching out in our communities and becoming actively involved, and publicising our achievements. Using the University Scheme as an example, he spoke of the importance of and the ways which we could engage young men and encourage them into our organisation where there would be mutual benefits for all concerned. He praised the excellent work we are doing in East Lancashire. At the end of his toast to our new Provincial Grand Master he presented him with a gift from the Grand Master, the Duke of Kent. A clear perspex cube (these are affectionately known as Kent Cubes) containing a gold medallion with the Crest of Grand Lodge on one side and the signature, Edward, on the other.

Finishing the evening banquet RWBro Jack closed with the following words:
“There are two decisions that I have made in my life which I have never regretted. One was marrying my dear wife, Dorothy; the other was becoming a Freemason. (Of course Dorothy thinks I married freemasonry!).
Such is the nature of Freemasonry that you can’t buy, sell or bottle it. We have to live it and love it – each other, our friends and the fraternity. Let our way of life be a beacon for others, especially young men who can enter our society and develop themselves.
I am deeply grateful to you all for today. And remember, we are all custodians of freemasonry. Our predecessors over the centuries have preserved freemasonry for us and it is for us to work and ensure it continues into the future.
Love one another; Love freemasonry and God Bless you all.”