Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
Archived News from Rochdale District
Archived Stories - January - March 2007

WHEN DAVID MET TONY or The Provincial Grand Charity Steward makes it to No 10

Pictured - W Bro David Geldard outside number 10 Downing Street on his bike

W Bro David Geldard our Provincial Grand Charity Steward in his other role as the President of the Heart Care Partnership (UK) - the patient arm of the British Cardiovascular Society, was invited in the company of Professor Roger Boyle CBE, the National Clinical Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, to a meeting at No 10 Downing Street. Before the meeting took place a photograph of David on his bike was taken outside No 10, David then had to change from his ‘lycra' to more respectable clothing in a toilet inside No 10. where he reflected on those great personages who would have paused to relieve themselves before going out to make momentous decisions.David's musing was disturbed by an usher who rushed in and ordered him to “leave right now and I will pack your bag, the meeting is about to start and the PM is due”. The meeting took place in the cabinet office down the corridor from the front door of No 10, and David was just fastening his tie as the PM arrived. There were about 20 press at the back of the room and David was sat next but one to the PM with the senior policy advisor in-between. David raised several points in the meeting regarding the heart care partnership, cardiac rehabilitation, support groups and the British Heart Foundation. Also attending the meeting was Minister of State, Rosie Winterton. David raised a few smiles and thanked the PM when he had to leave at the end of the planned hour to meet the President of Ghana and his retinue.

WBro Kenneth Halstead, PAGDC - 50th Celebration

The Lodge of Harmony 298 has now completed a Hat Trick. W.Bro Kenneth Sutcliffe Halstead PAGDC became the third member of the Lodge of Harmony 298 to celebrate 50 years' service this century. On Wednesday 7th March 2007 the lodge room at Rochdale had a galaxy of senior Freemasons eager to be present on such an occasion. This hat trick has happened only once before in the 214 year history of the Lodge.

Our APGM WBro Harold Woodward led the celebration and the District Chairman Eric Kirkbride gave the tribute for the first 25 years and W.Bro David Randerson the second 25 years. Ken has served East and West Lancashire Provinces and had as one of his guests W.Bro Leon Tax APGM. Both APGMs accompanied Ken on his perambulation of the Lodge Room to the acclaim of all present.

At the Festive Board 50 year lapel badges were presented by the three brethren that the Golden Jubilee members had brought into Freemasonry WBros John Wheater, Eric Kirkbride and in a moving moment Bro Michael Halstead presented his dad with the badge.

Ken decided that his gift from the members of the Lodge would be donated to Springhill Hospice Rochdale and The Hospice on the Fylde.

Ken may you enjoy many more happy years in the Fraternity.

WBro Geoffrey Heywood PProvJGD 50th Celebration

The newly amalgamated St Lukes with Old Masonians Lodge 4294 celebrated its first 50th celebration on Tuesday 20th February 2007. WBro Geoffrey Heywood was present at the 50th Year of St Lukes, has celebrated his own Golden Wedding and now has become a triple Golden Anniversary boy.

Our APGM Supported by District Provincial Officers of the year and his District Officers joined in the fun, and fun it certainly was! A glowing tribute from WBro H Stuart Mills, a life long friend, was delivered in the ceremony and the illuminated certificate from the PGM was presented by WBro Harold Woodward APGM (photograph 1)

At the festive board there were more surprises In the adjoining lounge the PGM of the Mark Degree RWBro Keith P Schofield was present and he and all the Mark Masons came into the festive board and took wine with Geoffrey -a unique and special moment (photograph 2).

Our APGM is an Honorary member of 4294 and one of the pictures shows the WM W.Bro J Kenneth Glazebrook PProv SGW without his Masonic school tie, having presented it to our APGM as a token of the affection felt for him.
A really moving moment.(photograph 3)

Then the telephone rang and Geoffrey took a call from the Lodge Secretary W.Bro Nigel Love who was only 11000 miles away in New Zealand!

The Lodge presented Geoffrey with an engraved silver salver and his 50 year buttonhole badge.(photograph 4)

A truly wonderful celebration

Right at the heart of our Community

Saturday 10 th February 2007 was the date of the Mayor of Rochdale's Annual Charity Ball, held in the magnificent Town Hall. The Rochdale District was one of the Sponsors of the event and was well represented.

At the end of a superb meal the Mayor Councillor Jean Hornby was presented with a cheque for £500 for her chosen charities (MIND and SCOPE) by the District Charity Steward on behalf of the Freemasons of Rochdale.

The photograph shows the Mayor being presented with the cheque by WBro David Greenhalgh. Looking on is the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Colonal Sir John Timmins KCVO,OBE, TD. JP.

The WRVS come to Richard St

On Friday 2 nd February the local WRVS celebrated another successful year, and were honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Rochdale and her Consort.

Sure enough we Freemasons were present and represented by our District Charity Steward who presented a cheque and pledged our support again next Christmas.

Never one to miss an opportunity the Mayor Councillor Jean Hornby and her Consort Barrie were given a tour of the building and truly impressed they were.

The picture shows, left to right, Wendy Smith (WRVS), the Mayors Consort, The Mayor of Rochdale and David Greenhalgh, Rochdale District Charity Steward.

The Long and Winding Road

District Chairman completes a 26 year journey!

The journey began in April 1980 when our District Chairman Eric Kirkbride was exalted into Unity Chapter 298 at Rochdale and it has taken 26 years to journey from Babylon to Jerusalem , and as was said at the Festive Board he should have bought a better car!! The ceremony was truly superb conducted by E.Comp John Gough in the presence of 60 Companions on Thursday 8th February 2007.

The photograph shows Eric with the Rochdale District Team in their colourful regalia.

This year will be the Bicentenary of Unity Chapter 298 and all present are looking forward to the celebration

When Dave Met Roger

Our District Charity Steward W Bro David H Greenhalgh first met WBro Roger Matthews whilst both were on holiday in 1994 on the Island of St Lucia. On the first day by the poolside they struck up an immediate friendship with a Roger and Rosemary, a rather jolly Irish couple, who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

RWBro Roger Mattews PAGM
W Bro David Greenhalgh P Prov SGD

Some days later the conversation turned to freemasonry and Roger told Dave he had just been installed as a Provincial Grand Steward, and as you can imagine they talked about freemasonry late into the night.

After a brilliant holiday Dave and Roger agreed to keep in touch, and after a short period Dave visited Roger in Ireland, where Roger started to learn about Dave's Lodge, Liberty Lodge No 5537.

As luck would have it, Roger began was travelling to Sheffield on business and he contacted Dave who invited him to attend Liberty Lodge. This Roger did on several occasions including a Ladies Evening. They continued to keep in touch and Roger was hearing about other degrees, which are not practised in the Irish constitution. Ruth and Rosemary often left Dave and Roger to catch up on things Masonic for many hours at a time.

In November 2006 Roger attended the Liberty Lodge installation, the highlight of which was to become an impromptu member of the Lodge. Dave and Ruth visited Northern Ireland recently, a fraught journey on the weekend when we had the high winds. It starting with a cancelled flight but on their eventual arrival they were entertained by Roger and Rosemary like royalty. On the Saturday Roger and Dave attended the Provincial meeting of the Province of Down, which took place in the City of Belfast.

RWBro Roger Mattews PAGM
RWBro Robert Armstrong PGM
WBro David Greenhalgh P Prov SGD
RWBro Leslie Johnson DGM (Grand Lodge of Ireland )

 

Dave was seated on the stage where he witnessed the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland, the Provincial Grand Master of the province of Down and four APGM's along with other officers enter the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in procession. The PGM then installed 22 officers and Invested a further 8 brethren with honours. It was interesting to note that one of the brothers had been in the craft for 39years and another one for 49 years before receiving their first appointments.

Dave was honoured to give sincere and fraternal greeting from our PGM, the brethren of the Province of East Lancashire and Rochdale in particular. There were more than 400 masons in attendance at the meeting and Dave commented on the scale of the warmth in the welcome that he was received.

 

Dave notes that the ritual of the Irish constitution is certainly different to our English ritual:-
After all, they wear their aprons inside of their coats

Michael Lucas celebrates 50 years in the craft

WBro Michael Lucas PProvDepGSwdB, celebrated 50 years as a member of the craft on Monday 29th January 2007. The Roch Valley Lodge meeting was attended by the APGM WBro Harold Woodward, accompanied by the Rochdale District Team and the District Provincial Officers of the year. A glowing tribute to Mike was given in the Lodge by WBro Peter Hewitt, the Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

Mike's contributions to his family, his working life, his church, his membership of Rotary and his love of music were expanded upon in the tribute given showing just how much they mean to this remarkable mason. At the festive board, WBro John Harrop gave a toast to Mike and presented him with a silver plate. Mike's reply to the toast was extremely enlightening and light hearted that resulted in a standing ovation from the 70 brethren present. Mike was originally initiated into St Oswald's Lodge No 4200, Darlington in the Province of Durham. Mike is the newest member of Rochdale's growing '50 years in the craft club' and the first one in 2007.

WBro Michael Lucas with members of the Roch Valley Lodge and the APGM.

  
Presentation of the silver plate and the illuminated 50th Certificate.