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60 Years in Freemasonry for WBro Kenneth Tyler

The 15th December 1948 will long be remembered in the annals of Farnworth Freemasonry as the date a young Kenneth Tyler was initiated into Farnworth Lodge, No. 5301. On the 17th December, 2008, at the regular Lodge meeting, Ken celebrated his personal 60th Anniversary.

A Provincial Delegation attended the evening's festivities, led by the RW Provincial Grand Master, Bro Jack Price, accompanied by The VW Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Bro Dr Nigel Graham Bramley Howarth, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Central Area No. 3, WBro Philip Mountford, the Provincial Grand Secretary, WBro H Alan J Garnett and the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, EComp Trevor Thomas.

The Provincial Grand Master presented WBro Tyler, who has filled most Lodge and District Offices and was one of leading lights in the purchase and development of Farnworth Masonic Hall, with a scroll to commemorate his remarkable achievement.

Centenary Celebration – Supera Moras Lodge No. 3326 on the 30 Sep 2008

The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price, accompanied by a Deputation from Provincial Grand Lodge, was in attendance to celebrate 100 years of continued existence of Supera Moras Lodge, No. 3326.

In 1908, as now, Freemasonry was an integral part of the community in Bolton . Bolton was a prosperous, bustling town, bursting with civic pride and there was a close relationship between the administrative centres and the Bolton Lodges. Within 5 years of its Consecration, Supera Moras's membership included the Heads of the Bolton Corporation Departments (the Lodge Crest is the same as the Bolton Town Crest and Coat of Arms), the Heads and Chief Clerks to several Urban District Councils and the Vicar of Bolton (Rev. Canon Chapman, MA., BD., who later became Bishop of Colchester and Past Grand Chaplain of England). Other early members included the Headmaster of Bolton School, several other Heads and Teachers and the Medical Officer of Health for the Town.

These were the days when a pair of steel spectacles cost 3 shillings, fine wool gentleman's suits were available in Market Street for 31 shillings and sixpence and Windermere Eels were 8p per lb. The Edwardian years had just begun and many changes were in progress – it was only 3 days before the consecration that Henry Ford produced his first Model T Automobile!

100 years later, WBro. Ian Ronson, the current Lodge Secretary, gave to the assembled brethren an excellent summary of the Lodge History. Previous to this, WBro Rev Jack Thompson delivered an inspiring Oration which, focussing on the Consecration Anthem, highlighted our belief in God, His presence and recognized our dependence on God. He acknowledged the tremendous service to freemasonry and the community which the founders of this Lodge began and remembered with gratitude the devoted service given by those who followed and asked all to courageously embrace the challenges of the present.

There was a surprise for WBro John F Hood, the Charity Steward, ADC and Tyler of the Lodge, when he was brought before the Provincial Grand Master and appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon of the Province of East Lancashire, for his contribution in Supera Moras and other Lodges. He proudly paraded round the Lodge to the acclaim of the brethren.

During the ceremony and at the festive board, RWBro Price reminisced on the wonderful times he had shared with the brethren of Bolton and spoke warmly of the historic background and pedigree of Supera Moras Lodge and of the contribution its brethren had made to the great town of Bolton and our country.

The PGM, concluding his response at the Festive Board, gave us a glimpse of the tenderness driving his leadership, when he spoke of the laughter and comradeship that we enjoy as freemasons and the singular outlook that we share and cherish with each other. “We are all part of the masonic ‘family' where everyone has a part to play in our successes, all are valued, no one is ever too old and together we will preserve this great order for our posterity”.

The Provincial Grand Master RtWBro Jack Price pictured with the Worshipful Master WBro A S Edge		The Provincial Grand Master RtWBro Jack Price pictured with the longest serving member of the Lodge WBro Leonard Hall

Giving Evening 2008 - Tuesday 29th April 2008

Mentors visit to Downing Street to meet the PM.

Geoff Capper is a Past Master of Darley Lodge No 6531 who meet at Farnworth. He is one of a number of masonic mentors for Bolton Lads and Girls Club and along with other such mentors from across the UK he recently visited No 10, Downing Street, where he met The Prime Minister.

Marie Curie Cancer Care has established a Field of Hope at the Britannia Hotel on Beaumont Road, Bolton with the help of the East Lancashire Masonic Charity Community Fund.

Fields of Hope are created all over the country as a living memorial to lost loved ones. Daffodil bulbs are planted and members of the public sponsor the bulbs in memory of a loved one, which raises vital funds for Marie Curie nurses to provide high quality free nursing to terminally ill people, giving them the choice of spending their last days at home surrounded by family and friends. £20 pays for an hour’s nursing.

The Bolton Support group of Marie Curie Cancer Care, formed in 2006, wished to create a Bolton Field of Hope and approached the Britannia Hotel, Beaumont Road, who, last autumn, gave permission to plant bulbs on their banking.

Bolton Council Environmental Department, which looks after green spaces, agreed to plant bulbs by machine, but this involved a cost and the support group needed to raise over £1000 to plant a decent display. Through the work of the Bolton District Charity Steward, Terry Kakoullis, an award of £1000 was made by the East Lancahsire Masonic Charity Commuity Fund which enabled 10,000 daffodil bulbs to be planted. A further 5,000 bulbs were donated by a grower in Scotland which were planted by hand by the Bolton Support group on the sloping bank where the machine could not operate.

A Book of Hope was then opened and bulb sponsors invited to have a dedicated message entered. The support from the East Lancashire Masonic Charity was acknowledged in the opening pages of the book which was on display in the Britannia Hotel whilst the flowers were in Bloom this spring.

The Field of Hope provided a wonderful display of daffodils on the Bolton ring-road in March for all who passed by and established a lasting and growing memorial to comfort the bereaved. So far it has raised £4,000 for local Marie Curie nursing services with the opportunity for further income as more bulbs are sponsored. Each year the bulbs will multiply, creating and even better display, made even more special and poignant in the knowledge that the flowers represent loved ones.

A further donation of £500 was made by the members of Turton Chapter towards funding Marie Curie nurses which was presented to the support group at the recent Bolton and Farnworth Freemasons Giving Evening.  

New Red Cross Centre Opened In Bolton

A new Red Cross Centre has been opened in Bolton. The opening Ceremony was held on Friday 7th March and attended by the Mayor of Bolton and the Mayors of adjacent districts.

The centre was funded by part of the Red Cross £2.3 million  North West Emergency Response Appeal which has received support from The Grand Charity.

Freemasonry was represented by Philip Mountford, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Bolton and Bury, the Bolton District Chairman Ian Thornton, Peter Balckhurst, the Bolton District Secretary and Peter Manning the District Communications Officer.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master Philip Mountford was delighted to welcome WBro Peter Evans, the Mayor of Rochdale on his journey across the border to celebrate this special occasion.

The new centre will act as an emergency control centre in the event of a major incident in the region and will also serve the local community on a daily basis, providing medical loan equipment, a skin camouflage unit, refugee services and first aid training amongst other services.

The occasion provided an opportunity to view the new fully equipped emergency ambulance which was on display at the centre. This was paid for by Freemasons through a £55,000 donation from The Grand Charity.

Bolton District launch its Teddies for Loving Care Appeal

The Bolton District has launched its Teddies for Loving Care appeal at the Royal Bolton Hospital 's Children's Accident and Emergency Unit. This unit has been specially developed to provide a friendly and child orientated environment for children visiting the unit. There are no adults other than hospital staff and the parents or guardians of those children attending the unit. This is in contrast to the often noisy and occasionally violent environment which now seems to be prevalent in many hospital accident and emergency units especially during the late evening and overnight.

For children visiting the unit it is often a traumatic experience, not only may they be suffering from a distressing condition or accident, but they are entering a unfamiliar and alien environment and being subject to examination by strangers albeit highly qualified staff.

In this environment all they want is to be comforted and to feel better. This appeal has a simple objective; for Freemasons to provide Teddy Bears for children visiting the A & E Department. These Teddies are for the nursing/medical staff to give, at their discretion, to children who may be distressed and where the giving of a teddy may help alleviate that distress. The staff may also give teddies to assist them in their work.

It has been found that where children who have been given a teddy on their first visit often bring it back to hospital on subsequent visits. They also sometimes ask for the teddy to be given the same treatment as themselves with bandages or plasters applied as appropriate.

The scheme is funded by Freemasons and their family and friends who buy a ‘Teddies' lapel badge for a minimum £2 donation which pays for two Teddies to be given to children. Peter Jones (Email: peter@pjfiresafety.com) and Jason Tyler (Email: toptory@yahoo.co.uk) are looking after this appeal on a day to day basis and may be contacted for further information or a supply of badges.

The photograph shows Philip Mountford, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Bolton and Bury (back row second from left) Ian Thornton, Bolton District Chairman (back row third from right), members of Bolton District and staff form the Childrens Accident and Emergency unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital .

Bolton Children's Opportunity Group receive help with refurbishment

The Bolton Children's Opportunity Group (COG) has received a donation of £1,000 from the ELMC community fund to help pay for the refurbishment of their parents room. The Bolton Children's Opportunity Group is a local registered charity which was established to provide a stepping stone between home, playgroup and/or nursery, for under fives with disabilities or special educational needs. COG gives parents the chance to meet others with similar problems, so they can be of mutual help.

COG has a mini-bus providing a door to door service to families who would otherwise be unable to attend the group. COG has input from Speech and Physiotherapists, Health Visitors, Social Workers and Educational Psychologists. The group achieve their objectives through play sessions for children between 2½- 5 years with activities geared towards achievement of early learning goals. Children with special needs have individual programmes designed to encourage development of social cognitive, motor, language and self help skills.

Tweenies & Baby Sessions are for children aged between 6 weeks and 2½years. They provide babies with an introduction to early physical and sensory stimulation. Older children are introduced to a more structured routine in the play sessions.

The blue room is a small nursery unit for 4 children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The children work to a structured programme of activities using pictorial timetables. The Multi-Sensory Environment provide children with profound or multiple disabilities who have limited movement to have some control over their environment. Rewards of positive interaction can be enjoyed by use of remote control switches to control aroma-therapy experiences, music and gentle vibration.

These are the main activities of this group but they do offer other services. It is very reassuring to see organisations such as this supporting those in our community whose children have special educational requirements and where local authorities struggle to provide all the services that these children require.

Grand Lodge donation to Bolton Hospice

On 11th January 2008 the Bolton District Chairman Ian Thornton accompanied by the Deputy Peter Faulkner attended the Bolton Hospice to present a donation from Grand Lodge. Afterwards they were given a conducted tour of the unit and its impressive facilities. Although the grant is not being allocated to any specific need at the Hospice one of the many services provided by the unit is complementary therapy. These holistic treatments include aromatherapy which involves massaging with natural essential oils. These can have help relieve stress promote relaxation and ease insomnia. In essence they help to enhance body mind and spirit.

Reflexology is based on the principle of balancing the body's energies through reflexes in the feet. Again this form of massage helps to reduce stress levels, induces relaxation and promotes a sense of well-being. Reiki involves the transfer of natural energy through one person to another. This involves the therapist placing hands gently over the body. It is harmless, does not require faith or belief and recipients can remain dressed.

Indian Head Massage is a massaging technique involving the head, neck, shoulders, face and scalp. It relieves stresses and strains and often gives a psychological uplift. The complementary therapies provided by the Hospice also provide the opportunity to express emotion and talk about difficulties the patients may be experiencing.

The picture shows Mrs Coleen Kyne, fund raising administrator for the Hospice receiving the cheque from Peter Faulkner and Ian Thornton. In the foreground are Helen Murphy and Lisa Lube two of the complementary therapists.

The Bolton Lads and Girls Club

Anchor & Hope Lodge No 37 celebrates its 275 th anniversary

On 12th November 2007 Anchor & Hope Lodge No 37 in the Register of the Grand Lodge of England celebrated its 275th anniversary in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master and a Provincial Deputation.

Anchor & Hope is the oldest Provincial Lodge outside London and this was the very first occasion that such a ceremony was being held in East Lancashire .

One hundred and twenty six members and visitors attended this special meeting which opened with the reading of a selection of minutes from over 200 years ago which gave an interesting insight into Freemasonry two centuries ago.

The Provincial Grand Master accompanied by a Provincial Deputation were received into the Lodge and the Gavel offered by the Worshipful Master. On this occasion the Provincial Grand Master was pleased to accept and occupied the Masters chair.

The Provincial Grand Chaplain Rev David Halford delivered an Oration in which he mentioned that the year in which the Lodge was constituted, 1732, was not long after the Jacobite rebellions; the reigh reign of King George II, the Prime Ministerial period of Walpole and the reign of Louis XV of France. A time when Gibraltar was being besieged by the Spaniards – so no change there then! He talked about the history of t he lodge prepared by W Bro Brockbank for the 200 th anniversary where he describes the Lodge as the ‘Cradle of Freemasonry in East Lancashire' being a time which saw the very beginnings of Freemasonry in Bolton and indeed in East Lancashire . He pointed not only to 275 years of service given by the brethren of the Lodge to Freemasonry but to the community of Bolton . The Lodge had always met in the town and many of the Lodge members had become distinguished Boltonians who had been central to the life and development of this part of the world.

The First Worshipful Master of the Lodge, Bro Edward Entwistle had gone on to become the first Provincial Grand Master of Lancashire and since then the Lodge has provided the Province with many other distinguished masons including two further Provincial Grand Masters, RW Bro Stephen Blair and the RW Bro the Lord Derby.

In conclusion Reverend Halford quoted the words of W Bro Brockbank in his address on the celebration of the 200 th Anniversary of the Lodge in 1932; ‘Long may Anchor & Hope Lodge No. 37 flourish, and may the genuine tenets and principles of Freemasonry continue to be transmitted through the Lodge pure and unsullied from generation to generation.'

WBro David Hawkins the Senior Warden of the Lodge then presented a paper on the Lodge Gems. He said that previous celebrations in 1882, 1907 and 1932 had been accompanied with scholarly histories of the Lodge and that a great debt of gratitude was owed to those brethren for all the time and effort put into the research and presentation of those works.

David said that in his research just reading through the list of brethren from1765 to 1932 made a fascinating reading and were often accompanied by notes usually referring to their profession in the Town. He was particularly interested to read the draft/research copy books the brethren used and to find that they were filled with notes and clippings.

During his research David said that as well as old minute books and attendance records, which are very comprehensive especially after 1825, there is a hand written Bye Laws book from 1790 and also a Rules for Sick Fund book from 1831 which was run for the benefit of brethren who became ill in those days. He said one real gem was to find the the first Minute Book of Concord Royal Arch Chapter No. 37 dating back to the 1780's.

One set of documents which came to light; were several petitions for charity and assistance from various Lodges and individuals. In those days there was no welfare state if a brother lost his job through injury or illness they petitioned the ‘Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund'. These petitions gave quite graphic details of the distress and poverty of stricken brethren and not only illustrates the charitable side of Freemasonry, but also puts a very human slant on the history of this and other Lodges.

There was even a request for financial assistance from a Lodge No 326 ‘Social Friendship', in Madras . They wanted money to build a Masonic Hall in Madras in 1846. He also said that in a scrapbook he found a draft copy of a petition for the founding of St Georges Lodge No 1723 in Bolton .

David said we are rightly proud of Anchor & Hope's history and it is important to see that our records are preserved not only for future generations but because it represents part of the social history of Bolton . He hopes to be able to present the Lodge history in 2032 for the Tercentenary of Anchor & Hope Lodge.

The Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Paul James Ernest Rink OBE then addressed the brethren. He said what an honour and privilege it was for him to preside on such an occasion in his own hometown of Bolton. He told the brethren that it was difficult to contemplate the fact that Anchor & Hope Lodge No 37 had been meeting regularly for 275 years. He said the Lodge was consecrated in the year a very famous Freemason was born – George Washington – 67 years before Beethoven wrote his first Symphony – 56 years before the American Constitution was ratified. He said he attends many Lodge Centenaries which are major celebrations and then I think that Anchor & Hope Lodge No 37 celebrated its Centenary 175 years ago. There were only 8 million people living in the United kingdom of which the great majority were farming and any degree of wealth was in the hands of very few.

The RW Provincial Grand Master said ‘Brethren of Anchor and Hope Lodge, on behalf of this Province of East Lancashire, on behalf of your guests here this evening, I congratulate you and your predecessors on a simply outstanding record of service to Freemasonry outside London. It is without precedent and I cannot find better words to express my sentiment than to quote from remarks made by the late brother John Wolfenden at your Centenary Meeting way back in 1832.

“Thus is recorded the minutes of this great day perhaps for the perusal of generations yet unborn and when the lapse of time has brought round another of these occasions we hope they will not on that day be forgotten but on the contrary that when the individuals whose names are here recorded shall have passed from this transitory vale, their proceedings will at least be deemed worth y of an honourable mention. That a record of their actions as masons may outlive a record of their lives as men is their heartfelt desire and they are prompted to add as a closing remark that as they have this day enjoyed the feast of reason and the flow of soul nothing can ever be said that will deteriorate from their genuine principles of the order in that enjoyment”

275 years ago, a stone's throw from this spot where we are met together this evening Brother Edward Entwistle constituted this Lodge. Today a proud Boltonian and your many guests salute you, and to mark the occasion I would like to present a Certificate to the Worshipful Master of Anchor & Hope Lodge No 37 but before I do so I would like to read it to you.

A cheque in the sum of £2,750 to the East Lancashire Masonic Charity was then presented to the Provincial Grand Master by the Worshipful Master. After the meeting the Lodge members and their guests attended a lavish Festive Board which went on well into the late evening.

Presentation of Lockers to The Cardiac Unit at The Royal Bolton Hospital

On Monday 23rd July 2007 members of Goulburn Lodge No 3478 presented 15 new lockable bedside cabinets to the Cardiac Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital .

The members of the Lodge and their friends raised £2,500 to fund these cabinets, and these are in addition to the two Blood Pressure Monitors presented to the Unit last year.

Sister Lynn Kirkman said, 'the lockers would be much appreciated by the patients because it will take away worries about their belongings going missing. This may seem a small thing, but any extra anxiety can make patients hospital stay much more difficult', and continued, ‘If they know their belongings are safe, they can relax and concentrate on getting better. We are very grateful to the Lodge for its continued support and generosity'.

Pictured from left to right are the WM of Goulburn Lodge Kevin Thomas, Secretary Peter Watson, and Lodge members David Clough, Jim Howard and Adam England., Centre left is Sister Lynn Kirkman and right Matron Tracey Guard.

Unusual Initiate at The Old Boltonians Lodge No 5814

On Friday 19th October 2007 the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Bolton and Bury, WBro Philip Mountford, found himself in rather an unusual situation.

He was at Old Boltonians Lodge No 5814, who were hosting a meeting of the Federation of School Lodges. He was honouring a promise he made to the late WBro Tom Leather who was also a former member to join Old Boltonians Lodge. Seven Grand Lodge Officers were present.

It is a tradition in the Lodge that a joining member is brought in as an Initiate. Tom's brother George Leather gave a faultless rendition of the 1st Degree Charge. It was a faultless performance all round – virtual perfection.

Old Boltonians host the meeting of Federation of School Lodges every three years. Fifty five Brethren attended with School Lodges from Liverpool, Cardiff and the Midlands represented.

Left to right: [all W Bros ]: -

David Entwistle (JW), Bill Merry (Federation of School Lodges), Warwick Davenport (Fed), Philip Mountford (Joining member), Philip Collier (WM), David Poppit (SW), R Brian Clark (Fed), David Humphries (Fed), Stuart Craig (Fed), Dudley Newiss (Fed), Derek Hughson (Fed) and Fred Fox (Chair of Federation of School Lodges)

KitchenerLodge No 3788 Hold Special Meeting

On Monday 12 th February 2007 Kitchener Lodge No 3788 in Bolton celebrated its 90 th Anniversary.

This celebration was made very special by the attendance of Lord Kitchener, the grandson of Lord Kitchener of Khartoun after whom the Lodge was named.

In 1898 Lord Kitchener relieved the siege of Khartoum in the Sudan , and afterwards laid out the new city centre in the form of the Union Jack. There are still many fine examples of colonial architecture in Khartoum .

Lord Kitchener of Khartoum died in action during the First World War when his ship was sunk in the North Sea .

At the meeting the Worshipful Master WBro William Earnshaw presented a cheque for £500 to ELMC which was received by WBro Terry Kakoullis, the Bolton District Charity Steward.

The photograph shows left to right: -

Roger Howarth, Charity Steward, Kitchener Lodge; Terry Kakoullis, Bolton District Charity Steward; William Earnshaw, Worshipful Master, Kitchener Lodge and Lord Kitchener.

The Russians Came to Bolton!

On Thursday 10 th May 2007 Deane Lodge No 6521 in Bolton hosted a most unusual evening.

Ten brethren from Lodge of Apollo in Monmouthshire demonstrated a Russian Initiation ceremony circa April 1810. The Grand Master Prince Golitzin opened the Lodge and greeted visitors. The Secretary's report was then heard which included fines imposed on errant Brethren, and finally the already initiated Jean Pierre was then initiated into the Lodge.

The ceremony and social board was enjoyed by over 90 brethren. Thanks were expressed by WBro Jack Ball, Worshipful Master of Deane Lodge on behalf of all the brethren to the Monmouthshire Team for all their hard work.

First Masonic Gift Evening: £14,614 Donated to 24 Charities

Bolton Freemasons held their First Gift Evening on 22nd May 2007. The event which was held in the large lodge room at the Masonic Hall, Institute Street, Bolton and was attended by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Barbara Ronson and her Consort Councillor Bob Ronson; Philip Mountford, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Bolton and Bury, and 145 guests and charity representatives.

The above photograph shows the Mayor of Bolton Councillor Barbara Ronson receiving a cheque for £500 from Bolton District Chairman Ian Thornton

Overall, £14,614.00 was donated on the night to some twenty-four charities and good causes. The event was organised by Terry Kakoullis, the Bolton District Charity Steward and members of the District Team.

Ian Thornton, the Bolton District Chairman opened the proceedings by welcoming the Mayor, the various charity representatives and other guests. Terry Kakoullis then invited each charity to come forward and receive donations from the Bolton and Farnworth Lodge's after which the representatives were invited to say a few words about their work. This proved to be a fascinating insight into the work of those charities, and many of the guests commented afterwards that they had known little about these organisations before the event.

This charitable work was made even more poignant when some of the people who had been helped by the charities spoke about their personal achievements. There was a musical interlude when Cathy, a young girl from the Lads and Girls Club sang a song which was much appreciated by the audience.

Towards the end of proceedings Philip Mountford spoke about the work of the East Lancashire Masonic Charity [ELMC], and in particular, that one third of the money raised goes to a ‘Community Fund' which is used to help non Masonic charities throughout the Province of East Lancashire .

He then mentioned three local organisations who had received cheques from the Community Fund, namely:

• The Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust, which takes children on holiday to Lourdes in France,
• Birtenshaw Hall School , which helps young people with severe special needs, and
• The Parkinson's Society which provides support and help to those with this debilitating disease.

Bolton District Chairman Ian Thornton presented the final donation of the evening to the Mayor for her chosen charity, which is The Lancashire Air Ambulance Service.

The evening ended with an opportunity for guests to chat to the charities and to take away leaflets provided by those organisations. The following organisations received donations and the donor Lodges are shown in brackets: -

Bolton Hospice £2,050: [Corinthian 221, Georgian 4595, Menturia 6023, Turton 6232, Darley 6351]	British Heart Foundation £200: [St.John's 348]	British Heart Foundation £200: [Georgian 4595]
Cancer Research £400: [St John's 348, Georgian 4595]	T.K. on behalf of Stroke Association £750: [Charity 350, Kitchener 3788]	Speakeasy £100: [St George's 1723]
Bolton Sea Cadets £250: [St George's 1723, Prudence 8946 (in the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire)]	Bolton Women's Aid – Fortalice £100: [Goulburn 3478]	Guide Dogs for the Blind £100: [Goulburn 3478]
Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary £100: [Boltonian 3716]	Samaritans £200: [Boltonian 3716, Menturia 6023]	Bolton Lads & Girls Club £100: [Georgian 4595]
Vision Aid £500: [Charity Centenary 3786]	Bolton Renal Unit £850: [Charity Centenary 3786]	Air Ambulance £250: [Darley 6541, Darley Chapter]
Manchester Children's Hospital £351: [Silverwell 5266]	Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy £300: [Deane 6521]	Breast Cancer £200: [Bolton 6603]
T.K. on behalf of Childline £663: [Smithills with Rectitude 7068]	Childrens Society : [Smithills with Rectitude 7068]	Bolton Hospital NHS Trust £3,000: [Goulburn 3478]
Birtenshaw Hall School £500: [Community Fund]	Parkinson's Society £500: [Community Fund]	H.P.C.T. Pilgrimage Trust £1,650 [Community Fund]
Derian House £1,000: [Kitchener 3788, St John's 348, Golburn 3478 and Bolton 6603]

Mason receives Maundy Money

W. Bro Bill Birchby P.Prov SGW a Past Master of  Antiquity Lodge No. 146  was privileged and proud to be amongst those who received Maundy Money from the Queen on Maundy Thursday.

Bill, who was Head Master of Harwood Christ Church School for 21 years, was nominated by Rev. Robin Hazlehurst, the Vicar of Harwood Christ Church. However, the first Bill knew of the award was receipt of a letter from Buckingham Palace.

The Ceremony was held at Manchester Cathedral on Thursday 5th April 2007 and was attended by both the Queen and the His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Bill was accompanied by his wife Brenda.

Bill, who served in the Royal Navy during the war wore his naval tie and Arctic Star medal which attracted the attention of Prince Philip.

The Maundy Money is awarded to an equal number of men and women and in proportion to the age of the Monarch. This year 81 men and 81 women received the money which is presented in two small leather bags, one white and one red.

The white bag contained coins to the value of the Queens age. There were eight 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p coins and an extra 1p coin making a total of 81 pence all specially minted for the occasion.

The red bag contained 2 coins, a silver £5 coin minted specially for the Diamond Wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip, and a 50 pence coin celebrating 100 years of the Scouting movement.

Bill was Worshipful Master of Antiquity Lodge No. 146 in 1976 when they celebrated their 200th anniversary.

50th Anniversary celebration of Gordon Ernest Brooking PSGW

On Wednesday 14th February 2007 Menturia Lodge No. 6023 celebrated the 50th Anniversary in Freemasonry of WBro Gordon Ernest Brooking. Gordon was initiated into Menturia on 13th January 1957 and reached the Master's chair on 10th November 1971. Gordon was a ‘Lewis', the son of a Mason. His father Ernest and his Uncle WBro Harry Quilliam were both Founders of Menturia Lodge. WBro Ernest Brooking became the second Worshipful Master of the Lodge.

Gordon was born in Liverpool but has spent all his life in Bolton. This came about because his mother returned to Liverpool for the birth. He spent his working life of 51 years at Robert Watson Structural Engineers. He married his wife Edith in 1949 and went on to have two children. The family has subsequently increased and Gordon now has 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Sadly Gordon's wife lost a very brave fight against illness in 1994. Over the years she gave her utmost support to Gordon and the Lodge and is sadly missed.

Gordon is well known for the his quiet and generous way he has helped his Lodge and many brethren as they have progressed through the Lodge even to the point of holding ‘secret' instruction classes in the Chapel of Repose at an undertakers owned by one of the junior brethren. His ‘reward' was to be quietly reprimanded by the then DC for having gone over his head.

WBro Keith Longworth the present DC of the Lodge said ‘If any brother should be looking for a role model in Masonry you should look no further than WBro Gordon Brooking.

Photo: Left to right: WBro Ian Thornton Bolton District Chairman; WBro Phil Mountford APGM, WM, WBro Roland W Tuke, Birthday boy, WBro Gordon Brooking, WBro Keith Longworth.

Donation to Hope Hospital

A donation has been made to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Hope Hospital , Salford by the companions of Turton Chapter No. 6232. The donation of £350 was for the purchase of a Neo Puff unit. These units regulate the flow and concentration of oxygen to premature and other unwell babies. The unit will be inscribed to show that it was purchased by the Freemasons of Turton. The suggestion to make this donation came from E. Companion Ian Birch whose grandson was born prematurely.

On 28 th January 2006 Ian's daughter Michelle had been feeling unwell and was rushed, late at night, to the Royal Bolton Hospital where she was diagnosed with severe pre-eclapsia (high blood pressure) but due to no beds being available she was transferred to Hope Hospital, Salford where her condition steadily deteriorated.

On 6 th February the doctors made a decision to give her an emergency caesarean section hoping to save the life of mother and baby. However, this also meant the baby would be thirteen weeks premature. When born baby Sam weighed only 519 gms (1lb 2ozs).

The first four weeks of Sam's life was spent at Hope Hospital until he was stable enough to be transferred to the Royal Bolton Hospital where he spent the next ten weeks before going home, albeit it on oxygen due to chronic lung disease. The doctors finally agreed Sam could come off the oxygen on 20 th September as his lungs had steadily developed and improved and this continues today.

Operatic Concert at Bolton Masonic Hall

On 6th January 2007 an operatic concert was held at Bolton Masonic Hall. The concert was organised by the Hall Committee in aid of the hall access fund.

Three international opera singers, Craig Smith, baritone; Margo Tampbell, Soprano and Richard Pollock, Tenor gave recitals of popular arias and songs to the enjoyment of 106 Masons, their wives and guests. The Pianist was Mr Peter Thraves who teaches operatic studies at the Royal Northern College of Music.

This was the third operatic concert held at the hall. Food and wine were provided for the guests and a raffle was held which raised £1083 for the access fund.

Craig Smith, Baritone (left), Richard Pollock Tenor (right)            MargoTampbell, Soprano: Pianist Kevin Thraves

Donation to Bolton Hospice

On 4 th December The Bolton Hospice received a cheque for £2,500 from The Grand Charity. The cheque was presented by WBro Colin Dean, Bolton Deputy District Chairman, accompanied by WBro Terry Kakoullis, Bolton District Charity Steward and WBro Peter Manning, Bolton District Communications Officer.

Picture shows From left to right. WBro Terry Kakoullis , Bolton District Charity Steward; Mrs Debra Graham, Fund raising Manager Bolton Hospice, WBro Peter Manning, Bolton District Communications Officer and WBro Colin Dean, Bolton District Deputy Chairman.

Some Masons “give” more than others!

Meet Bro. Peter Blackhurst. The Worshipful Master of Charity Centenary Lodge 3786 Farnworth, who as well as donating money for Charities, as been presented with an award from the Blood Transfusion Service called the Emerald Award for donating 75 pints of blood Peter says,

"I started to donate blood in 1965 when I was 21. In 1982 I joined the Craft and have been giving blood ever since! You could say half of my blood is Masonic blood, but as with my money donations it goes to worthy people, and I don't know how many life's I've helped to save, so you Masonic blood donors out there keep at it and spread the word."

"My little friend Samantha (pictured with her mum) needed an urgent blood transfusion to save her life so on her behalf (and her mum's) thank you."

Peter is still donating blood, last count 80 pints. He is pictured above showing his award and seated next to Samantha and her mum Mrs Sarah Summerfield.

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Peter Manning Bolton District Communications Officer
Tel: 01204 849706
E.mail: co.bolton@elmasons.org.uk

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