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Old Mancunian’s Lodge No. 3140
Candidates for Initiation and a Fifty Year Celebration in Freemasonry

The Worshipful Master of Old Mancunian’s Lodge WBro Marc Piano had a busy and productive evening on Thursday 14th April.  Not only did he have five new candidates for Initiation, he welcomed WBro Martin Caller PSGD, APGM,
WBro Gerry Young PAGDC, Deputy Chairman City Starkie District and WBro Colin Whitaker ProvDepGDC, who were in attendance to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary in Freemasonry of WBro Dr Vincent Eugene Miller PGStB (France).

The candidates for Initiation were, Charles Opara, Cihan Can Koksoy, Matthew Finbar Bouurke, Stuart Hodgkiss and Christopher Armstrong all ex-pupils of Manchester Grammar School with an average age of Twenty Six. 

WBro Miller attended Manchester School before going to Manchester University where he read Physics and Radio Astronomy, graduating with honours. 

On being welcomed by the Master of the Lodge WBro Caller said, “He was happy to be in attendance to witness the old and the new together”

Vincent was introduced into Freemasonry at a very young age by his grandfather; he also married into a family of Freemasons’ even his father in law was in the Craft.

Vincent was initiated into Old Mancunian’s Lodge on the 24th March 1961 having been proposed by one of his old teacher’s from MGS, WBro W Hulme PProvJGW and raised on the 13th November 1961.  He was somewhat surprised to see so many of his old school masters’ at his ceremony. 

On behalf of the Lodge WBro Louis Rapaport PProvSGW delivered a special tribute, informing those present that Vincent was keen swimmer and had captained both Manchester Grammar School and the University.  On leaving University, Vincent continued competing in competitions across Europe and the United States and in 1993 was awarded the Gold Medal Order of Merit by the Institute of Sport in Paris.  
The APGM presented Vincent with his Illuminated Certificate celebrating Fifty years in Freemasonry and a personal letter from the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price, congratulating him on his achievement. On behalf of City Starkie District WBro Gerry Young presented a special lapel badge commemorating 50 years of service.  WBro Miller was then perambulated around the Lodge Room to spontaneous applause from the Brethren by WBro Colin Whitaker.

Vincent has travelled widely over the years with his job and received Masonic Grand Honours in France where he is a Past Grand Officer of the National Grand Lodge of France.  Vincent now lives in Majorca.

WBro Gerry Young, WBro Martin Caller, WBro Vincent Miller, WBro Marc Piano and the Candidates

Presentation of the Illuminated Certificate

WBro Marc Piano and WBro Vincent Miller

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.   

Minnehaha Lodge

No.2363

Province of East Lancashire
________________________________________________________

MINNEHAHA LODGE ACADEMY 2011

The season will soon be on us again – that is the Academy Season – May to August - and this is by way of an early reminder to mark the dates in your diary.

You all know the time, 6.00 pm–ish and the venue – the Nelson Tavern on Hulme Road, Failsworth, Manchester, M35 0PW.
Tel: 0161 219 1693. Mobile: 0783 83 82 560

Now for the dates and topics:

23 May: Keith McLeod on the ‘Art of the Tyler’ and don’t forget, as of next year we will all be doing a year as the Lodge Tyler.

27 June: Kai Hughes - the Grand Orator – need we say more. A must!

25 July: A return visit from Tony Costello, this time from his experiences as a Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, on ‘How to conduct yourself around the Lodge’

22 August: Roger Watts, DORA for Starkie District to talk about the completion of the third degree – the connection between the Craft and the Royal Arch.

A very tasty diary, open to all from Senior Warden down, from any Lodge to help foster inter - lodge exchanges, non-masons and anyone else who might be interested. It is a very relaxed evening from which much can be learned.

You will receive a further reminder of each event as its date approaches.

Your contacts are:

John MM Bissett at: john.bissett@ermltd.com  Mobile: 07989 994 529
Stefan J Petrie at: stefan@manchester.com  Mobile: 07739 385 570

Ref: Academy web story (6)

Issued by John A Knowles, PAGDC, Secretary
3 BEAMINSTER CLOSE, HEATON MERSEY, STOCKPORT. SK4 3HX
0161 442 6781   john.knowles2@talktalk.net

Arkscroll Lodge No. 6594
Initiation of Bro Jonathan Bower
Thursday 3rd February 2011

A large turnout of Lodge members and visiting Brethren totalling seventy plus, witnessed an excellent Initiation Ceremony of a third generation family member into Arkscroll Lodge.
Following the footsteps of his father, WBro Roger Bower PProvGReg and Grandfather
WBro Norman Franklin Bower PProvDepGReg, Past Master of the Lodge in 1974, Jonathan became the third member of the family to join the Lodge. 

The Lodge being opened by the Worshipful Master Bro Philip Goldstone, invited
WBro Roger Bower to occupy the Chair of King Solomon, for a special ceremony the, Initiation of his son.
The ceremony conducted in a most exemplary, moving and dignified manner by WBro Roger Bower, who also delivered the First Degree Charge with conviction and clarity at the very last minute.  Unfortunately Jonathan’s Grandfather, who should have been the acting Junior Warden, also delivering the First Degree Charge on the evening, missed the ceremony due to ill health.  Though he can be assured his son and grandson did not let him or the family down. 

The Lodge closed everyone retired to an excellent and lively Social Board, where the main toast of the evening to new Initiate was given by, WBro Roger Bower.  This completed another memorable night in the history of Arkscroll Lodge.

A Celebration of 60 years in Freemasonry
WBro Jack Vaughan Griffith PJGD
Mellor Lodge No. 1774
Tuesday 1st February 2011

A large turnout of Lodge members and visiting Brethren, which included the RW Provincial Grand Master Jack Price accompanied by a Provincial Deputation, celebrated sixty years in Freemasonry of WBro Jack Griffith PJGD.

Accompanying the Provincial Grand Master were the Provincial Senior and Junior Wardens, WBro David Dunn and WBro John Griffin.  Also present, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Martin Caller, WBro Stuart Hughes, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, WBro Alan Garnett, Provincial Grand Secretary, WBro Gerry Young, District Chairman for City Starkie, VW Bro Nolan Morrison Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro Warwick Davenport, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Sword Bearer, WBro Stephen Horridge, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer, WBro Andrew Jenkins,  the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro Norman Cope and the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies WBro Colin Whitaker. 

The Lodge being opened the Worshipful Master Bro Kenneth Dennison invited the RW Provincial Grand Master to occupy the Chair of King Solomon, for this special ceremony.  In his opening remarks the Provincial Grand Master referred to WBro Jack Griffith as a ‘remarkable Mason a wonderful Brother with a magnificent record of sixty years of loyalty, love and contribution to Freemasonry’.  

The RW Provincial Grand Master invited the Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Nolan Morrison to pay his tribute on behalf of the Lodge to Jack.
WBro Jack Griffith was born in Stockport and educated at Stockport School (known as Mile End).  On leaving school he served his apprentice as an Article Clerk.  He served his country in the Royal Navy and on leaving returned to accountancy qualifying as an accountant.

WBro Griffith was proposed into the Lodge by his uncle Bro I Scott, seconded W Ellaby and initiated into the Lodge on the 27th December 1950 by his father.  His father also passed and raised him.  WBro Griffith was installed into the chair of King Solomon in December 1965 and again in December 2000.  He became Lodge Treasurer in 1967 a position he held until 1980. 
WBro Griffith served as Provincial Grand Treasurer for 9 years and Provincial Auditor from 1986 to 1997.  He also served on the finance committee of the ELMBI from 1982 until 1991, holding the post of secretary for 6 years during this period.  Jack was a founder member of Frederick Towns Lodge No. 9328 and served as Master in 1994.

In the Royal Arch he was exalted into the Chapter of Rectitude No. 581 in September 1959 and installed as 1st Principal in May 1971.  Again he held the position of Treasurer from 1972 to 1980 and Provincial Grand Chapter Treasurer from 1979 until retiring in April 1986.  Jack is also a member of the Mark Degree and Royal Ark Mariner’s, again serving both these orders as Treasurer.

Jack and his wife Barbara celebrated 60 years of married life last year.  When he is not busy with family and Masonic life, he can be found at Old Trafford Cricket ground in the Pavilion members stand watching Lancashire. 

The Provincial Grand Master presented WBro Griffith with his illuminated certificate, saying, “It had been a joy, pleasure and a privilege to preside over the ceremony and that Jack was a shining light to all”
WBro Martin Caller then presented a 60 year lapel badge on behalf of the District.  The Provincial Director of Ceremonies perambulated WBro Griffith round the Lodge room to spontaneous applause.  The final presentation to WBro Griffith was made by the Lodge Director of Ceremonies WBro Dr Graham Hoadley.  When WBro Griffith received his first Provincial appointment he gave back to the Lodge his Past Masters jewel.  To celebrate this special occasion the Lodge felt it was right to present it back to him, this was wonderful way to finish the celebrations.  The Lodge closed everyone retired to an excellent and lively Social Board. 

During the evening two presentations were made to Jack from the Lodge.  The first a cake, presented by Bro Malcolm Hewitt and secondly a piece of glassware presented by Bro Craig Jones, the latest member of the Lodge.
The main toast of the evening was given by the, RW Provincial Grand Master, after replying to the toast; WBro Griffith made a presentation on behalf of the Lodge to the 2015 Festival.   This completed another memorable night in the history of the Lodge.

Presentation by Bro Craig Jones

Celebration Cake

A well earned drink for the Provincial D Cs

Discussing Past Times

Another Excellent Evening: Old Mancunians’ Lodge No. 3140

Under the Universities' Scheme, which was launched by the Assistant Grand Master, RWBro David Kenneth Williamson, in 2005, Old Mancunians’ Lodge, No. 3140 is certainly making a contribution to Freemasonry, especially in our own Province of East Lancashire.

Bro Andrej Arpas, WBro G Creswick, WBro B Maynard, Bro Jordan Donohue, Bro Hassan Gyhas, WBro H Bentwood, WBro P Rose and RW Bro P Rink

On Monday 6th December they Raised a further four brethren in an excellent Third Degree Ceremony, followed by a Second Degree Ceremony where they Passed a further three brethren.  Most interesting was the makeup of the brethren, coming from different parts of the globe; Syria, Peru, Argentina, Pakistan and the UK.   They all took their obligations on different Volumes of the Sacred Law.   

Candidates to be raised to the Third Degree from the left Bro Abdul Bardan, Bro John Sullivan, Bro Haris Iftikhar and Bro Enrique Garland

The four candidates for the Third Degree were Brothers’ Haris Iftikhar, Abdul Bardan, Enrique Garland and John Sullivan and in the Second Degree, Brothers’ Hassan Gyhas, Andrej Arpas and Jordan Donohue.  The ceremonies were split, WBro Bill Maynard PProvJGW opened the Lodge and conducted the Third Degree Ceremony, whilst WBro Geoffrey Creswick PProvSGW conducted the Second Degree and closed the Lodge. Both ceremonies were impeccably led and well supported by the Senior and Junior Deacons and other junior brethren.  WBro Paul Rose PSGD, PProvAPGM was the Director Ceremonies.   The Third Degree Charge was given by the Junior Deacon Bro Tayyab Jawaid, whilst WBro Geoffrey Creswick presented the Third Degree tools.  The Senior Deacon Bro Dr Mohammad Apsa presented the Second Degree tools; all three brethren gave a flawless presentation.

Also in attendance was the Past Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Paul Rink OBE, who also took part in both ceremonies along with the Lodge Mentor; WBro Henry Bentwood PAGDC.

WBro Geoffrey Creswick, WBro Paul Rose and WBro Bill Maynard

This was yet again a special evening for Old Mancunians’ Lodge and at the Social Board there were over 30 brethren of which many were in their early twenties.  This is really good news and shows that Freemasonry has much to offer younger men, who in turn are able to really enjoy and be grateful of their membership.

“to find out more about the Universities scheme”.

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