Grandfather Initiates his Grandson

The APGM, WBro Alex McLaren, accompanied by the District Chairman, WBro Eric Kirkbride, the District Team and acting Provincial Officers visited The Lodge of Friendship, No. 277, on the 9th February to witness WBro Jim Marsh initiate his 21 year old grandson Michael Partington.

The Lodge was opened in due form by the WM, WBro Eric Howarth, who then offered the gavel to the APGM who on this occasion declined. A welcome was afforded to the District Chairman who then introduced the members of the delegation. WBro Jim Marsh then took the Chair of King Solomon and performed a moving and heartfelt initiation. On completion of the ceremony the APGM requested that Bro Michael be escorted to him. He then gave a short address and proceeded to present Bro Michael with a 2015 festival tie - a personal gift from the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price. The lodge was then closed in peace and harmony.

The festive board was alive and truly enjoyed by all present, the main course being a ‘suet rag pudding and chips’ guaranteed to pile on the calories with no effort whatsoever. In his response to the toast to the newly initiated brother, Michael gained a resounding applause when he thanked ‘Grandad’. The visitor’s response was given by the District Communications Officer who informed the brethren of various forthcoming events in Rochdale which are planned to support the 2015 festival. 

Rochdale Springhill Hospice Sensory Garden Update to June 2009

District  Team Visit  St Chad's Lodge 1129

Our District team were honoured to be received by the brethren of St Chads Lodge 1129 on Wednesday 20th January 2010 as their first team visit of the new year.

WBro Nigel Love ,the Secretary of 1129 read a paper "Why do we say and do That ? which in itself was thought provoking.

The WM, Bro Ray Lancashire, presided over the proceedings and the sight of the lodge room being full certainly provided a spectacle which was a joy to behold.

The team had five acting Provincial Officers in WBros Frank Smith, Jim Callan, Eric Crabtree, Roger Fielding and Elton Lewis present.

The Rochdale District is certainly in fine spirits.

As can be seen in the photo the festive board was 'electric'.

50 Years in the Craft

Brother (Doctor) Philip Rowlands, Wing Commander

Born 25th September 1930 on the same street as Aneurin (Nye) Bevan, the famous Welsh Politician who was the post war architect of the National Health Service.

Philip received a Scholarship to the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire where he secured his BSc and at 23 gained his MD and ChB (Chirurgiae Baccalaureus) degrees. In 1954 he won the Willie Saeger Prize and Gold Medal in Medicine and in 1967 he became a member of the Royal College of Physicians. In 1971 he was a prime mover in the setting up of Spotland Group Practice where he was a General Practitioner and Paediatrician and retiring from the practice in 1995.

A keen rugby player, he was capped for Glamorganshire and East Midlands. Tried for Wales in 1954 at Cardiff Arms Park. Squadron Leader P. Rowlands played No.14 for the Royal Air Force against the Royal Navy Saturday 15th February 1958 at Twickenham and again on Saturday 22nd. March 1958 at Twickenham played No 14 against The Army. Philip had to give up competitive rugby in 1958 due to a knee injury, he may have had to stop playing but seems could not leave the game alone as he is featured as Physio in the Official Programme of the Wales v England Game 19th February 1978.

Masonic History

His uncle. WBro Clifford Ronald Phillips, the Borough Surveyor from Chippenham in Wiltshire and WBro Oliver Llewelyn, The Borough Treasurer of Tredegar, had convinced him that he should become a Mason. He was initiated on the 10th of January 1957 into St Georges Lodge No 1098 in Tredegar South Wales.
Due to his medical training and national service taking him away from Wales Philip was unable to attend since his Raising. He had only resigned in October 1996 in other words he had paid subscriptions for some 39 years.
Philip joined the Lodge of Harmony in Rochdale in January 2008 and is certainly making up for lost time as he is to become Junior Deacon at the Installation Meeting on 3rd. February 2010.

Bro Philip with the Provincial and District team

The APGM,  WBro Alex McLaren congratulates Bro Philip.

W.Bro Ken Davies  PP Dep. G. Supt. Works.
Worshipful Master    Lodge of Harmony 298

Appointed MBE    New Year 2010 Honours List

For Charitable services in Rochdale. 
 

Ken has enjoyed charitable fundraising for many local organisations, groups, clubs and Rochdale Mayors for over 30 years.  It started back in the late 1970s when his two sons Iain and Alun joined Kingsway Youth Band.  As a member of the parents’ committee he helped to raise much needed funds to purchase uniforms and instruments. Further monies were raised for the Band to travel to Germany in 1984 and Switzerland in 1986 on two very successful visits representing the Borough of Rochdale. 

Over the years he has been invited to join six Rochdale Mayor’s committees to raise funds for various charities, worked with local committees representing Cancer Research, Cancer Relief, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Alzheimer’s UK and enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Rochdale Music Service. 

Other avenues of fundraising developed via Ken being a member of the Rotary Club of Rochdale East, a dedicated Mason and current WM (for the 2nd time!!) of the Lodge of Harmony 298. In addition he has worked with and been supported by other local Rotary Clubs, Masonic Lodges, Round Tables , Lions Clubs, Sports clubs and schools to name but a few. 

It was in 1992 that Ken was approached to become a Trustee of Springhill Hospice and three years later commenced as full time Fundraising Director. The Hospice became an integral part of his life and ably supported by Joan, his family and so many friends he enjoyed eleven very happy years as part of the Hospice Fundraising Team until retirement in 2005. However he is still very much involved having been invited back as an Associate Trustee to assist with fundraising!! 

Meeting people and charitable fundraising have always given Ken a special “buzz” so the award of an MBE, following receipt of Rotary’s highest award, a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1994 and being named Man of Rochdale in 2006, is now the icing on the cake.

Grand Charity support for Hospices

Continuing an annual programme of support, the Freemasons' Grand Charity is donating £500,000 to hospices across England and Wales . The money is an important contribution towards the millions of pounds needed each and every year to ensure these respected services can continue providing free physical, emotional, social and spiritual care to patients and their families.  In total 225 services will receive a grant.

The Rochdale Springhill Hospice received a grant of £2,472.

All Freemasons contribute to their own Lodge Charity projects and to the United Grand Lodge of England Grand Charity. This Grand Charity, on our behalf makes special donations and very recently approved £1.95 million pounds to charities in the UK . You may be surprised to know that the only organisation to give more to charity than the Freemasons of England and Wales is the National Lottery.

In the last 12 months the following organisations in the North West of England has received substantial donations from the Grand Charity

•  £75,000 for the cancer research facility at Liverpool University

•  £50,000 for SCOPE to fund the face2face befriending Service.

•  £25,000 for the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity in Manchester

•  £25,000 for the Place2B in Burnley and Rossendale

The District Deputy Chairman, WBro Peter Hewitt presenting the cheque to Julie Halliwell, Organisational Development Manager of the Springhill Hospice		The Rochdale District provide hampers to Hospice outpatients to brighten up their Christmas, pictured are hospice staff and members the Rochdale district team prior to delivering them

Lodge of Harmony "sell out" Proms Night raises over £1500 for charities

On Saturday 7th November at St Aidan's Church Sudden Rochdale the Lodge of Harmony 298 presented a most successful Last Night of the Proms Concert to a capacity audience. With over 300 present and a 100 performers the church was a wonderful setting and produced a marvellous atmosphere on the evening.

The entertainment was provided by Rochdale Music Service and consisted of Rochdale Schools' Concert Orchestra, Rochdale Girls' Choir, That's all Folk and Rochdale Retirement Choir. The soloist on the evening,who also led the singing for the Finale was Freda Farnworth. All the groups contributed with excellent performances and joined together at the end to enjoy Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory with vocal backing from a very appreciative audience.

Guests on the evening included the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale Coun. Keith Swift and Ms Sue Etchells, Jim Dobbin MP for Heywood and Middleton, the V. Revd. Mark Davis Bishop of Middleton, the Asst. Provincial Grand Master for our own Province W. Bro. Harold Woodward and his wife Phyllis and the Rochdale Dist. Chairman W. Bro Eric Kirkbride and his wife Barbara.

Commenting on the evening the W.M. of the Lodge of Harmony 298 W.Bro. Ken Davies particularly thanked the Musical Director of the Concert, Fred Bowker, all the wonderful performers and Keith Lloyd and his excellent team at St. Aidan's Church for their assistance in planning and running the event. " The smiles on people's faces at the end told me how much they had enjoyed the night and raising over £1500 for local charities was a real bonus." Plans have already commenced for a repeat next year!!

The First Charity Giving Evening

The Rochdale District got off to explosive start, the total being distributed was in excess of Fifty One Thousand Pounds

Friday the 9th October saw the Freemasons of Rochdale join with the recipients of their Charity Donations that had been made over the past 12 months.  In total, 44 different Charities were the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the 14 Lodges based in Rochdale, which exceeded £51,000. These charities included the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Francis House Children’s Hospice, Rochdale Music Service, RNLI, SSAFA, Alzheimer’s Research Trust, etc., etc.

The event was held at the Freemasons’ Hall, Rochdale with 140 people in attendance. The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift and Ms Susanne Etchells, graced the occasion with their presence as did Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Harold Woodward and his wife Phyllis.

The District Chairman WBro Eric Kirkbride welcomed everyone to the first Charity Giving Evening in Rochdale and especially to the representatives of the charities. The Rochdale District Charity Steward, WBro David Greenhalgh, and the Deputy District Chairman WBro Peter Hewitt then presented commemorative Certificates to all the charity representatives, who were invited to say a few words about the work they carry out in the community.

A meal was provided and whilst everyone feasted on the renowned Masonic buildings buffet the Rochdale Youth Orchestra string quartet serenaded the audience with a delightful selection of classical chamber music.

A raffle was held and raised a further sum of £700 which was presented to the Mayor, Cllr Keith Swift for his three nominated mayoral charitied. The Mayor thanked everyone present for the cheque. (See left).

The APGM brought the evening to a close with a huge thank you to everyone present without which the Charity Giving Evening would never have taken place


Charities Supported

E L M C,  The Salvation Army,  Rochdale Children's Moorland Home,  Springhill Hospice,  Rochdale Music Service,  Rochdale Youth Orchestra,  The British Heart Foundation,  Cancer Research UK,  Francis House Children's Hospice,  The Christie Manchester Million Appeal,  NSPCC,  St Luke's Church, Heywood,  St Luke’s Guides & Scouts, Heywood,  MedEquip4Kids,  Rochdale Talking Newspapers for the Blind,  Whitworth Vale & Healey Band,  The Christie,  Action for Children,  Marie Curie Cancer Care,  Gina  Smallwood – Paralympic,  Kingfisher Community Special School,  Oldham,  Royton & Crompton School - SADS UK Appeal,  Skylight Circus Arts, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA),  Rochdale Sea Cadets,  Help for Heroes,  When You Wish Upon a Star,  McMillan Cancer Care, Breast Cancer Campaign,  Cystic Fibrosis Trust,  Dr Kershaw's Hospice,  Rainbow Trust Children's Charity,  Jumbulance Trust,  Riding for the Disabled,  UNICEF UK, The Alzheimer's Research Trust,  Rochdale Heartbeat,  Rochdale Women's Refuge, RNLI,  Talking Books for the Blind,  Mountain Rescue Teams,  Air Ambulance Service,  and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  

	Contributing Lodges
	Hope Lodge No 54 Lodge of Naphtali No 266 Lodge of Harmony No 298 Probity & Freedom Lodge No 367 St Martin’s Lodge No 2320 St Luke's with Old Masonians Lodge No 4294 Roch Valley Lodge No 5120 Liberty Lodge No 5573	Lodge of Benevolence No 22 Lodge of Friendship No 277 Keystone Lodge No 363 St  Chad’s Lodge No 1129 Charity Lodge No 3342 The Rochdale Lodge No 6721 The Rochdale District Installed Master Lodge No 9211
Gina  Smallwood Paralympic	Contributions were also received from the Rochdale District Royal Arch Chapters.

Rochdale Youth Orchestra’s newly-formed string quartet Georgina Bennett, Isobel Webster, Bethan Gregory and Rebecca Baines delighted the audience with their performance of popular and classical chamber music	Salvation Army  (Toys at Christmas)
The Charity stewards from the Rochdale District Lodges and Chapters	David Greenhalgh, Rochdale District Charity Steward and Mrs Julie Ward Administration Officer - East  Lancashire Masonic Charity
Rochdale Springhill Hospice	Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home

50 years to the day!

The District team visited Unity Chapter No 298 on the Thursday the 8th October 2009  to celebrate with EComp Donald Spencer PProvGScN, his 50 years as a member of Unity Chapter No 298. Apart from the District Communications Officer all the members of the District team present were members of the Chapter.

The Chapter was opened and the minutes confirmed. Unity Chapter is now in its 202nd year and extracts from the minutes of 8th October 1959 were read by the Scribe E, E.Comp Nigel Love. The next item on the summons was the celebration of the 50th Anniversary in Royal Arch Masonry of EComp Donald Spencer PProvGScN.

The Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, EComp Peter B Messum then addressed the Chapter. EComp Ian Warrington the District Mentor and also a member of the Chapter gave a tribute to EComp Donald Spencer PProvGScN. after which the Provincial DC E.Comp Andrew Holland escorted Donald around the Chapter Room to a very warm ovation. The Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, EComp Peter B Messum then presented a letter and certificate from the Most Excellent Grand Superintendant Jack Price. (See left). The remaining Chapter business being concluded the Chapter was closed in due form.

After the festive board (in true Rochdale style) the toast to the birthday boy, EComp Donald was proposed by the PAPGP. In replying to the toast EComp Donald gave an account of his years in the Chapter and spoke of his exaltation which was worked by his Father. The reply to the toast was received with resounding applause.

The last item of the evening was to congratulate the DC for the evening, the Provincial DepGDC. EComp Andrew Holland who was celebrating his 50th Birthday that very day with a resounding chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You’

Ecomp’s Peter Messum, Peter Tomlinson, Donald Spencer, Alan barlow, Arthur Kershaw  and Andrew Holland

Ecomp’s Ian Warrington, Peter Messum, Peter Tomlinson, Donald Spencer, Alan barlow,  and Arthur Kershaw

Solomon in all his glory

The Annual Rochdale District Hosted meeting was held, by invitation, in the Lodge of Harmony 298 on Wednesday 7th October 2009. Over 100 masons gathered in the Lodge Room to witness a breathtakingly spectacular demonstration of the building of King Solomon’s Temple. WBro Jimmy Rogers and WBro Jeffrey Smith from the Province of West Lancashire captivated all present with the demonstration.

The WM WBro Ken Davies (pictured here, left) invited our beloved APGM WBro Harold Woodward to take the Chair. Harold was supported by the Rochdale District Team, Acting Provincial Officers of the Year from the Rochdale and Oldham Districts, and seven Grand Lodge Officers. The proceedings were further adorned by the Provincial Deputy Grand DC, WBro Martin Roche and our Provincial Organist W.Bro Paul Bowen.

The Worshipful Master presented a cheque for £250 to the demonstration team, which will go to the Mark Benevolent Fund.

At a superb Festive Board, with over 100 present, the brethren were treated to an excellent fayre, and when the time came to close the evening, all agreed that we had witnessed a magical evening, which will stay in our memory forever. The Charity box and Raffle raised the magnificent sum of £600!! for Masonic Charities.

Here’s to our next Hosted meeting which will be in May 2010 in St Chad’s Lodge 1129

The four photos above show the Temple

The APGM WBro Harold Woodward with seven Officers of United Grand Lodge	The APGM supported by the Rochdale District Team, Acting Provincial Officers of the year from the Rochdale and Oldham Districts, and seven Grand Lodge Officers.

The Boys are back in Town

Our first visit of the new season

The District Chairman congratulates our newly raised Brother Barry

The Lodge of Probity and Freedom 367 received the Rochdale District Team on their first visit of the season, and signalled the welcome return to duty of our District Chairman Eric Kirkbride.
The Worshipful Master WBro Keith Rostron and his officers treated us to a superb working of the Third Degree Ceremony in the Raising of Brother Barry Evans.
Most unusual was the fact that Brother Barry’s proposer into freemasonry was his son Brother Andrew Evans who is the inner guard of the lodge.
Now, normally the son of a mason is a Lewis - does that make Brother Barry a ‘SIWEL’ ?
On display was the newly bought Lodge Banner, which is to be dedicated shortly and is a joy to look at.

The District team accompanied by Grand Lodge Officers WBro,s Barry Birch and Ian Hancox

With the district team present the festive board had a real buzz about it, all in all a really good night.

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For further details about "Freemasonry in Rochdale" please contact either
Eric J Kirkbride on 014 57 874 192 or Peter G Hewitt on 01706 343400.