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Click here to see "Bury Grammar School Foundation Stone Ceremony"
Click here to see "Relocation of the Lancashire Fusiliers Collection"
Click here to see Donations Report for 2006
Victoria Lodge No 5504 Sponsor ‘Marauders FC' Football Kit
Many sons and grandchildren of Masons play for local football teams. Matt Clare (currently 17 years old) whose Dad is a member of Victoria Lodge 5504 has played for the Marauders Football Club from an Under Fives team to the present Under 18's.
Matt and several of his team mates recently received commemorative statuettes from their team for 13 years constant service. In Matt's team is Greg Cichy, whose Dad is in Merit Lodge.
As we all know, lads between seventeen and eighteen are in a rapid growth curve, and every year out-grow their previous football strips. Therefore, to help, Matt's Dad made a proposal to the past masters of Victoria Lodge requesting that the Lodge consider sponsoring the football kit for the Under 18's team for one season, as part of support for local worthy causes, The proposal was duly accepted and the cheque presented to the Team Manager.
The team responded by adopting the Victoria Lodge number ‘5504' on the front of their shirts. The lads in this team are a happy set of footballers who have been coached over the last thirteen years to put fair play as the team mission. Win or lose they always keep smiling.
Marauders FC was formed in 1972 to provide football, primarily for young boys from the Prestwich and Whitefield area. Marauders FC now has over 450 members, both boys and girls aged between 5 and 16 and play at three sites – St Mary's Park and Clifton Road [both Prestwich] and at Sandgate Road, Whirefield. There is also an adult team - also sponsored by Victoria Lodge 5504. Some members regularly travel from Manchester , Bury, Heywood, Rochdale, and even Blackpool !
The Marauders field a total of 34 teams in a number of local league competitions, and also enter teams in the Lancashire County and Manchester County Cups. They also subsidise the cost for one team per season to enter a tournament abroad. At all ages, Marauders takes the training of their players seriously. They have approximately 30 Level 1 qualified Football Coach's, which last season helped them to achieve their most successful season for the number of trophies. However, as much as they want playing success, enjoyment is still the most important single pre-requisite.
Past Marauders now playing professional or having played professional are Trevor Sinclair (ex England International & Manchester City , now Cardiff City ), Paul Tierney (currently Stockport), and Ian Scott ( Man City and Bury). A large number of Marauders players, both current and recent, are playing for professional clubs Academies or Schools of Excellence. Hopefully, Kyle Clancy and David Ball are two players who will soon be knocking on the first team door of Blackpool & Man City .
The Lodge of Merit & Bury Freemasons Help the Childrens' Unit at Fairfield Hospital
The District Chairman accompanied the former District Charity Steward and members of the Lodge of Merit visited the newly re-furbished play room on the Childrens' Ward at Fairfield General Hospital , Bury.
The room and all its equipment had been severely damaged by a flood earlier in the year and an appeal was launched to fund the re-equipping of the room. Bro Gary O'Neil, Charity Steward, Lodge of Merit 934, whose daughter had been a patient on the ward, saw the appeal and approached his Lodge for help.
The Lodge of Merit made a donation of £200 towards re-equipping the room. Gary , assisted by WBro Nicholson then approached the ELMC for further funding and a grant of £1,344 was made by ELMC. The Bury District 120 Club also donated £500 which enabled the purchase of a computer for use by the older children.
By these various routes local Freemasons made a contribution of over £2,000 towards equipping and refurbishing the room. The room is now in use and enjoyed daily by children on the ward and the attached photos show some of the equipment and toys which the donations have helped to purchase.
District Chairman & Gary O'Neil with Kahadija, a patient on the Ward, and her mother
Howard, Fred & Gary with Emma & Lydia
Staff of the Unit- (L to R): - Yvonne Tunstall, Senior Clinical Nurse Paediatrics, Anne-Marie Smith, Divisional Manager for Children's Services, Angela O'Neill, Play Specialist and Sue Bradbury, Ward Manager
Teddies For Loving Care Appeal Launched In Bury District
Tuesday 21st August 2007 saw the launch of the Teddies for Loving Care Appeal at Fairfield Hospital by the Bury and Radcliffe District Freemasons.
The first delivery of teddies to the A and E Department was made by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Phil Mountford, District Chairman Howard Berry, Ian Hargreaves the organiser of the appeal in the District and Harry Rogers who has co-ordinated the appeal in the Province. The teddies were received by Sister Julie Whittle on behalf of Fairfield Hospital A and E.
The “TLC” appeal raises money to purchase the teddies for donation to hospitals by the sale of teddy lapel badges for £2.00. The teddies are then given to children who might be distressed and upset when they arrive at Hospital.
Bury and Radcliffe District will provide Lodge Charity Stewards with a supply of the badges, there will also be badges available in the two Masonic Halls in the District. This appeal makes such a difference to children and their families at a difficult time whilst in hospital.
Pictured from left to right in the photograph are Sister Julie Whittle, District Chairman Howard Berry,Ian Hargreaves, APGM Phil Mountford, and Harry Rogers.
The teddies on the far left have no name (as yet ! )
120 Club Donation to the Children's Ward, at Fairfield General Hospital, Bury
Fred Nicholson, recently retired District Charity Steward, Gary O'Neill and Ian Hargeaves presented a cheque for £500, on behalf of the Bury & Radcliffe 120 Club to Anne-Marie Smith, Divisional Manager for Children's Services at Fairfield General Hospital.
The monies are to be used to help re-equip the play room on the Children's ward following a recent flood in which all the furniture and equipment was destroyed. She was very appreciative of the donation and told us that the money will be used to purchase a replacement computer which the children will be able to use for games and educational programmes.
Play is an important part of the medical care provided to children and teenagers. The play room provides the opportunity to play in a safe, supervised environment, which allows them to acknowledge and deal with their illness and treatment through play. Play is also at the very centre of a healthy child's life. From the earliest age playing helps children to learn, to relate to other people and to have fun.
When children or teenagers are admitted to hospital, they are at their most vulnerable. They are not only ill, but are also separated from their friends and familiar surroundings. Play can really make a difference.
Fred Nicholson explained that the money had been raised by local Freemasons, and we were delighted that the money would be put to good use in helping the local community, and in particular children at such a vulnerable time.
Two Freemasons Receive Maundy Money at Manchester Cathedral
Two local Bury and Radcliffe Freemasons were honoured by the Queen and received Maundy Money at the annual service, this year held at Manchester Cathedral on Thursday 5 th April ‘07.
John Sarginson of Lodge of Relief No.42, Bury and Norman Holland of Radcliffe Lodge No.2701. Both John and Norman have been involved in their local church communities for many years and this is why they were nominated to be recipients of the Maundy Money.
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 Queen's 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.
Bury and Radcliffe District Charity Night
The annual Bury District charity night was held on Saturday 19th May at Bury Masonic Hall. Over 60 masons were in attendance for the presentation of cheques to local non Masonic charities.
A total of £2700 was donated, £2200 from the lodges of the district via the charity stewards committee and a further £500 from the lodge of Merit.
The charities receiving donations each of £275 were:
Bury Hospice, Bury Cancer Support Group, Bury Abbeyfield Society, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Bury Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Bury Marie Curie Cancer Care, Millwood School and the Childrens Ward Fund at Fairfield Hospital.
Lodges in the Bury and Radcliffe District donated over £16,000 in 2006 to local non Masonic charities.
Pictured above are the District Chairman Howard Berry and District Charity Steward Fred Nicholson along with representatives of the receiving Charities.
Local Freemasons Marshal for Hurdles
If you went down to the woods today you would have been sure of a big surprise! More precisely had you been at the Burrs Activity Centre in Bury on Saturday 5th May you would have found a group of Freemasons, their partners and friends acting as Marshals at a Teddy Bear Hunt.
Shown in the photograph are Geraldine Green, John Griffin, Deputy Chairman, Cllr Jack F Walton Mayor of Bury and the Mayoress
The Mayoress of Bury had supported the event on behalf of Hurdles, a voluntary organisation created and run by parents, relatives and friends of children with special needs. Hurdles runs on a "shoe-string" of funding and lives by the philosophy, according to Geraldine Greene their leader, ‘That there are good people about and something usually turns up.'
The Mayor of Bury, Jack F. Walton, was present and he received, on behalf of Hurdles, a donation from the East Lancashire Community Fund for £1,000.
John Griffin (Bury District Deputy Chairman) was pleased to be able to present the cheque to such a deserving cause and the Hurdles volunteers were effusive in their response both for this and for the time and commitment of those who had gone along to help.
It also gave an opportunity to explain the role of Freemasonry in supporting needy causes and explaining their commitment to become involved in local community activities.
Bury Masons Support The Bolton Lads And Girls Club
The Bury District have been great supporters of the initiative to provide mentors for the Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
Paul Sellers (Knowsley ) and his wife Elaine, Alan Hilton, Joseph Banks, Simon Jones (Prince of Wales) are all trained mentors and are currently supporting young people from the club under this scheme.
The club has also been well supported with donations from the Bury District to assist with the costs of training mentors.
If anyone else is interested in training as a mentor or finding out more information about the scheme contact the Bolton Charity Steward Terry Kakoullis.
Victoria Lodge 5504 Produce Night
Victoria Lodge No.5504 held their Annual Produce Night on 3rd April 2007 at Radcliffe Masonic Hall. The event was as usual very well supported and raised £900 which will be distributed to local charities.
There was also a presentation of another cheque for £500 to Bury Hospice.
Congratulations and thanks must go to all the members, visitors and organisers of the event which annually donates thousands of pounds to local charity.
Further Information Received on James Thornley
Regarding the article below, Roger Price has found some details written by his late father about James Thornley.
He was proposed in 1896 by James Bradshaw and Inducted in 1896. He was "raised" into Faith Lodge 344 Province of East Lancs in 1897. He was Master in 1909 and Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer in 1920. He was also a Warden (?)
Grand Charity supports Bury Hospice – Again
Bury Hospice are again grateful to Freemasonry. The Hospice has received over three thousand pounds every year from Freemasonry since it was opened and a donation of over sixteen hundred pounds from Grand Charity has again guaranteed that this year will continue the tradition.
Howard Berry, the Bury District Chairman attended, at the Hospice to present the cheque to Sister Marjorie Gee and was accompanied by Maurice Birch, Worshipful Master of Lodge of Relief 42 who presented a cheque for £400 from the Lodge. A Day patient and Mervyn Reeves, the fund raising manager for the Hospice were also present.
Bro Alfred Sugar - 100 Years Young
Pictured from left to right. Phil Mountford, Joan Sugar, Alfred Sugar, Don Peacock
On 6 th November 2006, Bro Alfred Sugar, a member of Sedgley Lodge No 4361 which meets at Radcliffe, reached the grand old age of 100 years.
He celebrated his birthday at home with his wife Joan and members of his family. He was visited by APGM Phil Mountford, together with District Chairman Howard Berry and members of Sedgley Lodge. A Birthday card with a personal message from the RW PGM Paul Rink (which had been written before leaving for America ) was presented to Bro Sugar along with other cards and gifts. A bottle of champagne was presented and duly opened to toast Alfred's health.
The Lodge Secretary, Don Peacock presented a bottle of malt whisky together with a “specially modified” summons to Alfred, which he read in detail with great interest. The summons read:-
Dear Honourable Member.
By command of the Worshipful Master I have his permission to excuse you from further meetings as he has heard that you have been drinking until the grand old age of 100, and he is most upset that he does not know your formula, or the brand of “naughty water” that has stimulated you through the years. This is a milestone for you Alfred, and the Lodge members wish you and your wife a happy celebration to commemorate this occasion.
Many happy returns of the day Alfred and we all look forward to the next one.
On behalf of all the members of Sedgley Lodge we remain:-
Faithfully and fraternally yours
D Peacock PProvJGW
Secretary
Bro Sugar, who was initiated in 1960, is still in good health although by his own admission “he is not too good on his legs!” He has very clear memories of his first attendance for interview after a Lodge meeting where he heard what he thought was a strong male voice choir singing the closing hymn, and every Brother came out and firmly shook his hand.
He still completes the crossword daily and regularly beats his wife at scrabble.
He was also visited by Julie Ward and Susan O'Neill who presented him with a floral display (which can be seen on the window sill in the picture) from ELMC and all the staff at Bridge St .
Other members of the Lodge also visited Alfred thoughout the week.
Seeking Information on James Thornley
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Can anyone help provide any information regarding James Thornley? This note and photos were received recently. "My Great Grandfather was I believe a freemason in Radcliffe in the 1920's and I recall my Father telling me he was a Standard Bearer to the Earl of Derby. His name was James Thornley. He was a mill owner and Alderman and lived in May Street in what later became the local telephone exchange, above/next to Radclifef Bridge Station (where Asda now is I think)."
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"I have a cutting from the Radcliffe \Times dated 15 December 1923. It refers to a meeting of the Radcliffe District Council when the Chairman referred to the death of James Thornley, "an ex-member of the Council who in his day and generation, he said, devoted a large amount of his tie to public service. He was a member of the old Local Board and became a member of the Council on its formation until 1904. He was the Chairman form 1899 to 1901"". Please send any information to: |
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| James Thornley and my Father, Frank Price. |
Prince Edwin's Chapter No 128 - Bicentenary Celebrations
The Prince Edwin's Chapter celebrated its two hundredth birthday on Wednesday 31 st May 2006. The Chapter which meets at the Masonic Hall at Parsons Lane , Bury was consecrated on 14 th May 1806 and originally met at the Bridge Inn Bury.
The bicentenary celebrations were held at the Masonic Hall Salford and were attended by a deputation from Supreme Grand Chapter led by the Pro Grand First Principal Lord Northampton. He was accompanied by the Deputy Grand Director of ceremonies A.Wigram and the Assistant Grand Scribe E G. Redman.
The Provincial Grand Chapter of East Lancashire also sent a provincial deputation led by the Grand Superintendent Paul Rink, Deputy Grand Superintendent Jack Price, the Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals, the Assistants to the Provincial Grand Principals and the Director of Ceremonies and his team.
Over one hundred and fifty companions attended the celebration which was an amazing sight in the chapter room. The Prince Edwin Chapter presented a cheque to the Grand Superintendent for £5,000 to be donated to the ELMC, a magnificent sum which will help both Masonic and non Masonic charities in East Lancashire .
Copies of the Prince Edwin's Chapter can be obtained from the Chapter Scribe E Arthur Walker who was promoted at the celebration by the Grand Superintendent to the rank of P. Prov G Scribe N for all his effort and hard work in the preparation for the bicentenary celebration.
BURY AND RADCLIFFE DISTRICT CHARITY NIGHT
The Bury district held a very successful charity presentation night at Radcliffe masonic hall on Saturday 20th May 2006. The event attended by 100 local masons and their partners presented cheques to four local charities – Bury Hospice, Abbeyfields, Bolton Lads and Girls Club and Bury Cancer Care. Each charity received a cheque for £400.
Representatives from each of the charities attended the event to receive the donations.
Pictured from left:
Fred Nicholson - Bury District Charity Steward, Terry Kakoullis - Bolton District Charity Steward
Vicky Corlett - Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Mrs Tomlinson - Bury Cancer Care
Howard Berry - Bury District Chairman, Maurice Birch - Abbeyfields, Mervyn Reeves - Bury Hospice
Simon Archer
Bury District Comm Officer