City Starkie District News
The celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry of WBro Geoffrey Ross - 25.2.10
Read all about this lovely evening HERE
The celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry of WBro Fred Walker
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WBro Fred Walker PProvSGW, a member of Caledonian Lodge No. 204, celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry on Wednesday 14th October 2009. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the District, WBro Martin Caller led the celebrations; also in attendance was the District Chairman for Starkie, WBro Gerry Young, along with a Deputation of District Officers. WBro Len Hayes, Master of the Lodge welcomed The Assistant Provincial Grand and the Deputation to the meeting. WBro M Caller is shown here with WBro Fred Walker holding his illuminated certificate and accompannied by the Worshipfull Master, WBro Len Hayes. The following photo shows the Provincial Deputation and Lodge Members. |
WBro Fred Walker is a remarkable Freemason, with a capacity to surprise people. He was initiated into Caledonian Lodge on the 14th October 1959, by his farther. His brother WBro Bill Walker, also a member of the Lodge, celebrated fifty years in Freemasonry four years previous. The two brothers are shown on the right.
By the time Fred had reached Inner Guard, he knew all the officers’ parts of all ceremonies except the installation and has delivered lectures in the First and Second Degrees. He was installed as Master in 1972 and became Lodge Secretary for the first time from 1976 to 1986, again 1992 to 2002 and at present, Secretary yet again! He served the Lodge as Treasurer from 1986 to 1992. Actually Fred finds the Book of Constitution interesting!
After leaving Stretford Grammar School, he served a 2 year apprenticeship with the General Post Office, in telecommunications. This was followed by 2 years National Service in RAF, being posted to Gibraltar for 18 months servicing radar on anti-submarine bombers. It was there he met the Grand Master, the Duke of Kent when he visited the rock. Outside Freemasonry Fred is involved with his local Church and along with his wife Joan they have fostered some 30 children usually from 6 days to 6 weeks old for adoption. Some older children were victims of assault, some abandoned and some terminally ill.
In his address the Assistant Provincial Grand Master spoke warmly of Fred’s Masonic career and his service to the community, before presenting him with his illuminated Certificate. On behalf of the District, the Chairman WBro Gerry Young presented Fred with a lapel badge donating 50 years. Following on, WBro Bill Walker gave his own tribute, acknowledging his respect and admiration for his Brother and what he has achieved.
The Deputy Provincial Director of Ceremonies WBro Nigel Pickering then perambulated WBro Fred Walker round the Lodge room to a spontaneous applause from the Brethren present. WBro Alexander the Lodge Charity Steward, presented a cheque to WBro Caller towards the 2015 Festival. WBro Caller replied with thanks for the generous donation from the Lodge.
At the Festive Board, WBro Keith Ward proposed the toast to WBro Walker acknowledging Fred’s amazing qualities and the work he has done not only for the Lodge but also the community. WBro Ward presented a picture of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza to Fred on behalf of the Lodge to commemorate his fifty years. (See photo to right.)
WBro Fred Walker replied by thanking everyone for attending on what had been a memorable evening.
Finally, an atmospheric evening had been had by all those in attendance with an interesting insight to a Freemason!
The celebration of 50 years in Freemasonry of WBro Sidney Rose
Three generations of the Rose family were in attendance to celebrate 50 years in Freemasonry of WBro Sidney Rose PAGDC, a member of Old Mancunians Lodge No. 3140, on Thursday 1st October 2009.
Accompanying WBro Rose was Sidney’s son Paul, a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Province, and grandson Jonathan. Between them, they have totalled just over 100 years in Masonry!
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the District WBro Martin Caller led the celebrations, with the District Chairman for Starkie, WBro Gerry Young.
Also in attendance, the Past Provincial Grand Master, Paul Rink, OBE, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stephen Blank and Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Warwick Davenport, Robert Mitchell and the President of the Grand Charity Grahame Elliott, plus numerous colleagues from the Province and the Lodge.
VWBro Paul Rink; WBro Martin Caller; WBro Sidney Rose; WBro Paul Rose; WBro Warwick Davenport & WBro Stephen Blank
Sidney Rose career was served as a top Consultant Surgeon which also involved him with his love of football. In the mid 1960’s he was asked to join the main board of Manchester City FC becoming the director responsible for the welfare of the players. He remained on the board for over for 25 years, experiencing during that time the most successful era Manchester City has ever enjoyed, having followed the club since the 1920’s. After leaving the board he was granted the prestigious position of Life President of the club and still continues to attend matches.
Finally, an atmospheric evening had been had by all those in attendance.
Manchester Masons Sportsman's Dinner 12th November 2009
Arrangements have now been completed for this year's Sportsman's Dinner, which will be held on Thursday 12th November at Bridge Street - 7pm for 7.30pm.
The main Speaker for the evening will be Joey Jones, Ex Liverpool footballer and present Coach of Wrexham FC. The Comedian will be Leslie Gibson, a comedy Impersonator. The meal will be, Soup, Braised Steak or Poached Salmon, Fresh Fruit Salad and Ice Cream, Cheese/Biscuits and Coffee, at £30.00 per head.
The usual Stand up Bingo, Raffle and auctions to raise funds.
Please contact WBro Len Hayes for further details:
Tel: Home: 0161 643 3152
Mobile: 07801454144
E-mail: Len@landbridge.co.uk
Minnehaha Launch Lodge Academy
The junior brethren of Manchester based Minnehaha Lodge, 2363 are seeking to better their ‘on floor’ performances by forming the Minnehaha Lodge Academy with this brief:
- Membership to the Academy is for brethren from Senior Warden down with the Senior Deacon taking up the organisational responsibilities on Installation day each year.
- Anyone is welcome, including non-masons, potential candidates and visitors from other Lodges. In this way members can learn about each other’s lodges, rituals, additional degrees and perhaps arrange visits to and from other lodges.
- Additional Academy practices will be arranged with, for instance, everyone moving forward one office.
- It is intended to be informal and hopefully, informative with invitations from time to time to ‘older and wiser’ heads such as the DC, the Mentor, the Secretary or whoever is appropriate to immediate needs.
The inaugural meeting took place on Monday 18 May 2009, at Freemasons’ Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester as a result of which three new candidates are seeking membership.
The incumbent Senior Deacon is:
Simon de Wynter-White at: lordsimon665@hotmail.com
Changes in Starkie District
With immediate effect the following changes will take place within Starkie District.
EComp Roger Bower ProvGStwd has been appointed to the role of District Officer for the Royal Arch (DORA). WBro Andrew Jenkins has also been appointed to the role of Charity Steward for the District.
The District wishes Roger and Andrew well in the respective duties. There details can be found on the District Officers information page on this site.
David Hudson
Communications Officer
Another Excellent Evening at Old Mancunians, No. 3140
So many young men are finding pleasure in being a part of Freemasonry via this Lodge, under the University's Scheme which was launched by the Assistant Grand Master, RWBro David Kenneth Williamson in 2005, including five Brethren who the Lodge Raised together to the Degree of a Master Mason on April 6th, 2009 - certainly a first for the Province of East Lancashire and almost certainly a first for England! Two of them were Initiated in October 2008 and the other three in December the same year.
Most interesting was the makeup of those five brethren being two Christians, one Jew and two Muslims. They all took the ceremony together and took their obligations on their different Volumes of the Sacred law. Two recently Initiated Brethren acted as Deacons and the Junior Warden, Bro Mark Piano, was the first Brother to be Initiated under the University's scheme in East Lancashire and since has Proposed a number of Candidates himself.
It really was a very special evening and at the Social board there were over 30 brethren - half of which were in their early twenties – having a great time !! The whole story is really good news for all the brethren of the Province and shows that the craft has much to offer younger men, who in turn are able to really enjoy and be grateful for their membership.
For more information on the University's Scheme and the role of Old Mancunians Lodge in supporting the scheme follow THIS LINK