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MANCHESTER DISTRICT WINE TASTING EVENING
26TH November 2011
Freemasons Hall, Manchester
A successful Wine Tasting evening was held at Freemasons Hall, Manchester and raising over £700 for the 2015 Festival. Organised by Andrew Jenkins it drew an attendance of over 100 people who all enjoyed tasting 8 quality white and red wines.
Nick Gent a director of Rodney Densen Wines of Nantwich presented and explained the background of all the wines and also treated everyone to a glass of rose champagne to start the evening off. A blind tasting of a red wine for which a bottle of champagne was the prize proved to be very popular with the wine proving to be a Camenere Reserve from Chile with an AVB of 13.5%.
There was also a raffle for a Jeroboam of Mumm Champagne which was won by Julia Clough.
The evening was considered by everyone who attended to be a great success and it is likely this will become an annual event.
Winner of the Jeroboam of Champagne, Julia Clough receiving her prize from Stephen Blank APGM with Nick Gent of RDW Wines.
Manchester Masons 'Walk the Province'
See Report and Pictures Here
Manchester Masons - Sportsman’s Dinner
Manchester Masons held their annual Sportsman’s Dinner at FMH, Manchester on Thursday
10th November. This annual event is held to raise funds for the Manchester Masons Widows, ‘Broken Column Dinner’
Over 130 Manchester Masons and their Guests were treated to an exceptional meal and fabulous entertainment provided by, the former front man for 24 years of the Houghton Weavers, Norman Prince and former professional footballer Duncan McKenzie. Duncan is now a most sort after dinner speaker.
Lancashire based Norman who is an ardent supporter of Bolton Wanderers Football Club has a natural talent and flare for after dinner speaking and this certainly came across during the evening. For many years Norman had his own radio shows on both BBC Manchester and Lancashire. He acts as an auctioneer for many fund raising events and in 2008 he helped to raise £65,000 for Bury Hospice.
Duncan McKenzie was a talented professional footballer, starting his career in the late 1960’s playing for Nottingham Forest until 1974. He was then signed from Nottingham Forest by Brian Clough during his 44 day reign as manager of Leeds United and in fact was the only one of Clough’s signings to subsequently flourish. During his time at Leeds, Duncan established himself as Allan Clarke’s striking partner, scoring 16 goals in 39 matches.
In 1976 Duncan signed for Everton and played for them against their rivals Liverpool, in the 1977 FA Cup semi final. The first match ended 2 – 2, with Liverpool winning the reply 3 days later by three goals to nil. Not wanting to upset certain Brethren from the Manchester Masons who are united supporters. I’m sure they remember the 1977 FA Cup Final well! Manchester United beating Liverpool 2 – 1 with goals from Stuart Pearson, nicknamed ‘Pancho’ and Jimmy Greenhoff, with Jimmy Case scoring for Liverpool, (that last sentence was hard to write Len, being a City supporter).
Duncan attracted media attention for his achievements outside of football, which included the ability to jump over a Mini and throw a golf ball the length of a football pitch. Duncan’s adaptability is certainly his key to after dinner speaking; he certainly was hit with those Brethren and their guests attending the dinner.
Thank you yet again to, WBro Ken Buckley of Virtue Lodge No. 152 who acted as MC for the evening. Ken carried out a marvellous job, with his assistant Norman Prince, auctioning the prizes.
Finally, a special thank you must be given to, WBro Len Hayes (Chairman for City Sykes District) and WBro Brian Durkin (Deputy Chairman for City Starkie District) for organising the evening’s entertainment and to all who supported the event and who donated prizes, many thanks.
Norman Prince, Duncan McKenzie, Martin Caller, Stuart Hughes & the three District Chairmen for Manchester
WBro Martin Caller with the guest speakers
Guest speakers with David Basger, Gerry Young, Len Hayes and Brian Durkin
Norman Prince helping the MC for the evening, Ken Buckley (Virtue Lodge), with the auction
Norman Prince
A large turnout of Manchester Masons and their guests
Manchester Masons Broken Column Dinner
“’Welcome is a lovely word, It means so many things,
the warmth of Human Friendship, and the pleasure that it brings”
The City Manchester Districts of Sykes, Starkie and Derby held their annual Broken Column Dinner for the widows of Manchester Lodges and Chapters on Monday 16th May.
The evening commenced with a reception in the Gouldborn Lodge Room followed by dinner and entertainment provided by vocalist, Pete Cuttle who has appeared on the West End Stage in Les Miserables and the 25th Anniversary performance of the musical at the O2 Arena, London .
WBro Martin Caller, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, welcomed all the widows and their escorts saying, “This was the highlight event of the year for Manchester Masons” WBro Jim Sutcliffe, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, proposed the toast to the Ladies saying, “He hoped the evening had brought back many happy memories”
Invitations to the dinner were accepted by over 80 ladies and along with their escorts and Masons, the room was filled. Naturally many of the ladies recounted happy experiences in the building from earlier days and I am sure for some the evening was inevitably tinged with sadness as they remembered lost merit.
Finally, the closing address was given by WBro Stuart Hughes, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, thanking everyone for attending, especially to the Lodge and Chapter Almoners, the escorts for bringing the Widows and Worshipful Brothers Brian Durkin, Keith Hatton and Mike Birks for organising the evening proceedings.
Manchester Masons Giving Evening - Wednesday 4th May
WBro David Basger, WBro Stuart Hughes, WBro Keith Hatton and WBro Jim Sutcliffe with the
Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Harry Lyons.
The annual Manchester Masons ‘Giving Evening’ took place at Freemasons’ Hall, Bridge Street on Wednesday 4th May 2011.
In attendance was the Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Harry Lyons, who was welcomed by WBro Jim Sutcliffe, APGM, EComp Stuart Hughes, APGP both with responsibilities for the Manchester Districts. They were accompanied by, WBro David Basger, Deputy Chairman for City Derby District and Deputy Chairman WBro Keith Hatton, with responsibilities for organising the evening proceedings.
WBro Jim Sutcliffe welcomed all the recipients and thanked all the Lodges and Chapters for their charitable donations. Each representative from the charities gave a brief explanation of what the donation meant to them. The representative from Bury Hospice, Claire Warner Director of fundraising explained that Bury Hospice was the smallest in England with only five bedrooms! Their donation would be used towards relocating and building a new Hospice with twelve bedrooms.
Receiving a donation on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust, the Deputy Lord Mayor commented that “it was a pleasure to be present to see so much money being donated to so many charities by a very generous organisation and that he had learned more about Freemasonry during the course of the evening”
EComp Stuart Hughes concluded the proceedings, by thanking everyone for attending and making the evening another successful occasion in Manchester Freemasonry and to hear about the work carried out by each charity and how the donations are used. Approximately £18,500 was distributed by the Manchester Masons on the night.
Claire Warner from Bury Hospice
Glen Lockett and Faye Wilson from Henshaws Society for the Blind
Help for Heroes
Liz Roberts from the Stroke Association with the Assistant Provincial Grand Master,
WBro Jim Sutcliffe
Manchester Jewish Museum
Nuro Muscular Centre
Stockdales and Kidneys for Life
Tameside South District Scouts
The Deputy Lord Mayor receiving his Donation
WBro David Basger with WBros Stephen Horridge and Alan Roberts representing SSAFA
They’re off
Manchester Masons' Race Night 2011
Manchester Masons held their annual Race Night on Thursday 14th April, at FMH Bridge Street, to raise funds for the Manchester Widow’s dinner the 'Broken Column Evening'. This year’s dinner will be held on Monday 16th May.
The organising team of Mike Birks, Brian Durkin, Iain Wilson and Len Hayes wish to thank the Brethren and their guests for attending. The Lodges, Chapters, and Individuals who sponsored the eight races, prize donors and finally all who sponsored a horse!
A magnificent sum, of approximately £1,200 was raised!!
WBro Len Hayes in the money
WBro Elliot Moss, owner of Lovely Lady, receiving his prize
Studying the Form
Punters at the Race Night
Sportsman’s Dinner 2011
Preparations are already under way for this year’s Sportsman’s Dinner which will be held at FMH, Manchester on Thursday 10th November. This annual event is held to raise funds for the Manchester Masons Widows, ‘Broken Column Dinner’.
The speakers for the evening have been confirmed as Norman Prince former front man of the Houghton Weavers and Duncan McKenzie former football with Leeds United, Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Norman Prince has been involved in the ‘World of Entertainment’ for the past 34 years! After leaving The Houghton Weavers Folk Group, of which he was the Leader and front man for 24 years, he has spent the past 10 years as a Comedian, Compare, Radio Presenter, Singer/musician and general all-round entertainer!
In his spare time, you’ll find him on the golf course or involved with his favourite charities. He has been a Patron for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale for over 10 years and has enjoyed every minute of his association with them. In 2006 he became the main Patron of the Bolton and District Cardiac Support Group, a wonderful organisation helping sufferers and fund-raisers for the local people of his beloved Bolton.
Duncan McKenzie played over three hundred football league games and scored well over one hundred goals. Duncan is a legend at both Leeds United and Nottingham Forest and is fast becoming a legend on the after dinner speaking circuit as is by far one of funniest available.
Duncan’s now concentrates on commentating and after dinner speaking throughout the world, his great ability to address mixed audiences, business lunches and dinners, company golf days and of course sportsman’s dinners.
To book a table at a cost of £30 per person, please contact either, WBro Len Hayes or WBro Brian Durkin.
WBro Brian Durkin PProvJGW
City Starkie District Deputy Chairman, WBro Brian Durkin, recently enjoyed a golfing holiday in Portugal with friends and colleagues from the Province.
His contemporaries, who wish to remain nameless, forwarded the attached picture just to show that it can’t be easy being a Deputy Chairman of a District. Or was it the drink from the night before that caught Brian cat napping at the wheel of a golf buggy? I’m told his golf partner on the day said, “He was more useful sleeping than playing golf”
Those who know Brian well can’t thank him enough for the work he does for the District and the Province. We know along with WBro Len Hayes he organises the annual Sportsman’s Dinner, the Broken Column Dinner for the Widows’ and other numerous events within the Province. As a result of his commitment to Freemasonry in the Province Brian will be promoted to the Grand Rank of PAGDC at the Investiture meeting of Grand Lodge on Wednesday 27th April, a promotion which is well deserved.
Colleagues and Brethren from City Starkie District wish Brian well, along with those other Brethren from the Province who are also receiving Grand Lodge Honours for the first time.
