"Have some Madeira M'Dear!"

Provincial Deputation

An incredible turnout of Lodge Officers and Brethren, personal guests and Provincial hierarchy, past and present, came to see the celebrations for the 50 years of Craft and Royal Arch enjoyed by WBro Rev Dennnis Thomas, PDepGChap, PAPGM. Those forming and accompanying the Provincial Deputation into the Lodge (above) included Bros Derek Moran (ProvGStB), Derek Walsh, Robert Mitchell, Norman Cope (ProvGDC), Norman Clarke (AProvGP), Paul JE Rink, OBE (PProvGM), Martin Roche (APGM), Stephen Blank (APGM), Paul Rose (PAPGM), Ian Casson (District Chairman), Alan Garnett (ProvGSec), Peter Douthwaite (ProvGSwdB), Allan Bennion (DepGSupt), Bill Porter (2nd ProvGP), Eric Evanson (ProvGOrg), and of course, Rev Dennis Thomas with the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price.

The Pennine Lodge, No. 8798, meeting at Mossley, provided an excellent forum for this extraordinary celebration. Extraordinary in that it was a double celebration,and also because it was for an extraordinary Mason.

The Immediate Past Master, WBro Simon Thomas (Dennis's Son who had been responsible for most of the arrangements this evening and who Dennis was clearly very proud of), opened the Lodge and received the Provincial Grand Master. After introducing his Deputation Jack Price turned his attention to Dennis. "Dennis Thomas is a dynamic man and a 'character' in the full sense of the word. He is well known here but well known beyond Ashton, Mossley and Audenshaw - even as far as London! During his life he has explored many avenues. As a Cleric in Holy Orders his vitality, spark and gift for loving use of English ensured he gave God's word with the right spirit and he is well reknowned for his sermons. A big man with a large spirit!"

Jack continued, "Revd Edward Walter Dennis Thomas was educated at the Bible College of Wales and there became head boy. On leaving school he joined the RAF. He won the middleweight boxing championship for North England and played Rubgy for the Commmand and also for Swansea. He eventually left the RAF and joined industry after gaining a Higher National Certificate in Chemical Engineering. He then took charge of a large chemical plant manufacturing Nickel and Copper sulphates and basic precious metals.

The call of the Church was too strong and in 1961 he entered St Michael's College, Cardiff, being Ordained in Brecon Cathedral in 1963 at the tender age of 31. In 1968 he became the Vicar of Ystradfellte (which Jack didn't try to pronounce) and in 1970 became a County Councillor for Breconshire and Vice Chairman of the Libraries and Museums. He helped plan the Museum at the Shire Hall, Brecon, and presided over its opening. He was founder of the South East Wales Arts Council and Colege Howell Harris. He is also a member of the Brecon National Park.

Dennis has served on many other committees and represented the County on many occasions including being a member on the Council of the University of Wales. On 13th July, 1972, he was commanded by Her Majesty to attend the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

The family moved to England! in 1974 and Dennis became the first Vicar of the United Benefice of St Marks and St Luke's in Dukinfield. He has held many positions including: Divisional Chaplain for Manchester Police where he still serves the Tameside Division (originally commanded by Chief Supt Bill McLoughlin - here tonight). This was the first Divisional Chaplain appointment and the position was created by Sir James Anderton, Chief Constable at the time (1977). He has also served as Chaplain to three Tameside Mayors, the Lord Lieutenant, GMP Special Constabulary, the Sea Cadets, Her Majesty's Forces (Manchester Garrison at Ladysmith), the Tameside Parachute Association and Dukinfield and Stalybridge British Legion.

In the Community Dennis has worked as Chairman and Governor of several Tameside schools, as 1st Chairman of Tameside Voluntary Bodies and as a Reader for Talking Newspapers for the Blind. He was also founder and Chairman of the Community Project Unit (750 staff) and the Youth Opportunity Scheme (250 employees). In 2003 he was invited to sit on the first Standards Committee for Tameside (still does) and in 2007 was apoointed to sit on the Independent Police Committee.

He was an 'After Dinner Speaker' for 20 years and raised £8000 to £10000 per year! The highest in one night was £6000 at the Anglo American Club. He was diagnosed and treated for stomach cancer (succesfully) after which he gave all monies to Cancer Research at the MRI. The highlight of all this was getting to meet Bobby Charlton when he received the Variety Club Heart.

In 2005 he received a Public Service Award for outstanding services to the residents of Dukinfield.

Masonically Dennis served UGLE as Assistant and Deputy Grand Chaplain as well as serving as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Province for many years".

The Provincial Grand Master then asked WBro Stephen Blank to read the Certificate commemorating 50 years in the Craft, and WBro (EComp) Allan Bennion, that for the Royal Arch, before they were both presented.

Dennis then took the time to read a poem he had prepared especially for this evening:

I remember that "Entered Apprentice" first night,
As trembling I stood at the door,
And those terrible knocks and frightening Reports,
Before I got through to the Lodge door.

But I counld not see and was pushed all about,
And finally led to a chair,
Then more knocks, words and all sorts of things,
That in terror straght up stood my hair.

At last I came through that testing ordeal,
And was made a Freemason that night.
And through many long years, with brothers and friends,
I now know what I did was quite right.

Next my second, then third and a very long wait,
'Til at last I got on to the floor,
Then I'm so proud that I'm fit to burst,
As I stand Inner Guard at the door.

Next Deacon, then Warden, then at last in the Chair,
Where it's really quite frightening to be,
I hope to do well, but really can't tell,
So we'll all have to wait and just see.

Then I wish I'd looked more at that little black book,
Yes I wish I'd learned more of that book.
Then I might just get through a few meetings or two,
And not have to take a quick look.

And then in good time came an Honourm
And later a Promotion came too.
So now I'm just happy to be here,
And relates this short histoty to you.

Now there's one thing I've learned and I'll tell it to you,
Before this tale comes to an end.
That there's no finer thing in this word you can have,
Than a true worthy Mason your friend.

Lastly there's one word I must say,
To say it I know is quite right.
Thank you dear brothers, one and all,
For being here with me tonight.

Jack Price, Dennis and Simon Thomas

THE FESTIVE BOARD

The Festivities following the meeting were magnificent - good food, wine, company and conversation. After Mushroom Soup, Plaice Goujons, Steak Bordelaise and Fresh Fruit Salad the toasts and after-dinner entertainment were transfixing. Jack Price spoke of how splendid the night had been and hoped all could take some of tonight's Stardust with to sprinkle on their brethren elsewhere. He also managed to advise Brother Blank that If he ever needed an interpreter at Mossley meetings, Bro Martin Roche only lives over the hill!

Dennis's response was full of humour. He had received quite a shock when he first came to England. The day before leaving his last Parish he remembers one of the children praying, 'Good bye God, we're off to England tomorrow'! He also spoke of the big differences between ritual and ceremonial in Wales compared to England, where we all seem to have it wrong :-). He also spoke of his great joy when he served Grand Lodge, especially remembering being in the 275th Procession at Earls Court.

Dennis Thomas with Jack Price

Dennis, Jack and Simon Thomas

Stephen Blank with his two Chairmen, John Pearson (left) and Ian Casson (right)

At 9.00pm all stood to toast absent brethren. Dennis asked us to remember the Lodge Master, Bro David Clawley, PProvAGDC, who was very poorly in hospital and couldn't be with us that evening.

Later the evening was rounded off beautifully with some classic Flanders and Swann's and other numbers including "Have a Madeira m'Dear" and the Hippopotamus Song (Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud) with which the brethren all joined in. The entertainers were David Blair (interestingly Initiated into Apollo University Lodge, No. 357, in 1987, and Eric Evanson, from Lodge of Faith, No. 581, both of whom were members of Tame Valley Lodge, now closed, but whose evenings all finished this way.

Eric Evanson and David Blair

Sadly, all good things come to an end, and on this occasion the ending was very sad as well - as prior to the Tyler's toast, it was announced that the Master had just sadly died in hospital. He had lived through the meeting, long enough for us to toast his health earlier. A beautiful night, tinged with such sadness at the end - truly showing the highs and lows, the blacks and the whites, of the lives we live.