"Night of All Nights" - 25 Feb 2010

WBro Geoffrey Stuart Ross, PSGD, with WBro Norman Cope, PAGDC, ProvGDC

What a wonderful night Column Lodge held when they celebrated the 50th Anniversary of WBro Geoffrey Ross, PSGD, PAPGM. After preceding drinks the brethren assembled and soon after the Lodge opened the Provincial Grand Master demanded admission for him and his Deputation. He took the Chair when offered the gavel and the celebrations began.

Provincial Deputation - Norman Cope, Jim Sutcliffe, Paul Rose, Jack Price, Warwick Davenport, Martin Caller, Alan Garnett
and Stephen Blank, together with the Celebrant Geoffrey Ross (centre) and Martin Ross, his Son (behind)

Jack Price knew Geoffrey Ross when he himself was a relatively young mason, "Geoffrey had been an influence in my own early career in Freemasonry and I have many fond personal memories of working with Geoffrey. Geoffrey has lived through difficulty, tragedy and success - through which he has managed well - all attributable to his excellent character and 'stickability'. Over many years he has contributed much to our great Province. In my time as an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, when Geoffrey was an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, his gentle support and encouragement was greatly appreciated. He progressed deservedly to high office and was of great value to the Province in that capacity. He is also a man of great faith and I treasure the good fortune I had to work with him and the memories of that time. At Freemasons' Hall Geoffrey kept things on an even keel for a number of years and his business wisdom was given to the Hall to ensure its success in the 20th Century. He was (and still is) a man of distinction. As a subordinate and then a colleague I enjoyed many facets of his character and am proud to claim him as a dear friend. He may be a little older and more silvery about the gills but he is still the same man and still a powerful ambassador for Freemasonry."

Jack continued, "We are here tonight to celebrate 50 years of Freemasonry for Geoffrey, years full of scientific advances and changes in society, all of which have had an effect on Freemasonry. We are joined tonight by no less than three Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, two of whom are members of the Lodge, all working within the legacy that Geoffrey contributed to. The work of an APGM is quite profound brethren and unpaid. They do it for their Love of our Order and their fellow Masons and for no other reason. In the post war years young men thought about the future and Freemasonry offered them the cameraderie and companionship they craved. This still continues today although in a different world. Geoff is one of us brethren - with a zeal for Freemasonry and a desire to succeed driven by love, respect, faith and a wish to help others".

The Provincial Grand Master presented the 50th Certificate, read our first by WBro Martin Caller, APGM

Geoffrey Stuart Ross spent 12 of his formative years in London and he became a Freemason is Sussex. He made an impact there and 2 years after the Chair (in which he wore his father's apron) he was appointed Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon. Not long afterwards he came back to East Lancashire and joined Silver Jubilee Lodge. He was the Chairman for Manchester District Number 3 and in 1985 became an APGM for Fred Towns, a role he filled for some 10 years. He Initiated his Son, Martin (below) in 1983 and Raised him in 1984. He later Installed his Son as Master of Silver Jubilee Lodge.

Following presentation of his certificate, WBro Martin Caller (who himself had once been appointed as Geoffrey Ross's Chairman), gave Geoffrey a 50 Years in Freemasonry lapel pin with the message that he was the most loved Brother in Column Lodge.

Martin Ross with his Father, Geoffrey and RWBro Jack Price

Geoffrey recalled that the Lodge had been saved from closure through rededication as a Past Masters' Lodge, something that the then PGM wasn't so keen on (there were plenty of Past Masters' Lodges at the time) but that was preferable to closure, and Column has flourished in good spirits ever since.

At the Festive board all was good humoured. The Senior Warden spoke of this being the PGM's first visit to Column in that capacity. He commented that Jack's public sector background put him in an excelllent position to firmly lead the Province in these challenging times and referred to Jack's toughness in dealing with his recent illness. He welcomed Jack and the other guests to this "Small and contented outpost of the Provincial Empire"!

The Junior Warden, with his toast, welcomed the APGM's, especially WBro Jim Sutcliffe who came as part of the Deputation, Stephen Blank and Martin Caller are members anyway! In response the PGM thanked all for thier respective toasts stating that he never took toasts to his health for granted. He referred to the brethren of the Lodge and that so many of them had contributed to Freemasonry within the Province.

Jack said that the two things that keep him so strong are his wonderfully supportive wife, Dorothy, and Freemasonry itself. "The APGMs (buy one get two free tonight) help to run the Province and ensure that Freemasonry continues to be a force for good - never underestimate that". He continued, "Freemasonry offers us a code for living and we should be proud of the contributions we all make to keep it alive in us and within our societies. Continue to promulgate the best parts to the rest of the world- brotherly love, relief and truth."

Jack then toasted the Master, Bro Henry Bentwood, detailing the involvement they had shared over the years and the work carried out by Henry for the Universities Scheme with Paul Rose (also here tonight) in Old Mancunian's Lodge. He also spoke of the great fondness he held for this rather special, somewhat different and distinctive Lodge.

Martin Ross then toasted the health of his Father, saying that it was a pleasure to be here and that little had changed since his last visit - Martin Caller was still on a diet for example :-). He thanked the Lodge fo hosting, the PGM for his eloquence and then gave the toast to his Father, also his 'Brother'.

In response to the toast to his health, Geoffrey Ross (left), said that tonight had been a 'Night of all Nights'. He remembered how he had come into Freemasonry. A Christmas card with Square and Compasses on the front and inside, 'This Coming year what 'ere... let the Square and Compasses be your guide'. He asked more and the rest is history.

He spoke with fondness of his time at Manchester, the Sounding Brass and Voice Nights, the 50th he attended where Warwick Davenport, resplendent in his APGM's chain, nearly forgot his trousers, the rededication of Column Lodge in which he was instrumental, his work on the Hall Board, the time Canon Paton Williiams (whose chain Geoffrey eventually wore) came to an Installation and the Inner Guard (not catching the name despite the stentorian announcement) said that, 'it must be the GAOTU without, judging by his attire', and the intense warmth of his entire Masonic time here, which had to be experienced to be believed.

Another fabulous night for the history of Column Lodge and also for the Province.

Column Lodge, No. 5813, met in the Museum. At the Festive Board they presented Geoffrey with some beautiful crystal (insert)
Lower left - see inside the orignal summons for Geoffreys Initiation - click here to enlarge