King George's Hall, Blackburn
An ocean of dark blue, light blue and gold clad brethren greeted the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price, when he entered King George’s Hall, Blackburn, amidst lively applause, for the best attended Annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire since the turn of the Century. He was accompanied by the Provincial Rulers and many distinguished guests from this and other Provinces.
1250 brethren attended Provincial Grand Lodge (including almost 500 Master Masons) – that’s almost 1/5 of the members from the Province and this goodly number reflects the high opinion and respect which the brethren hold for our Provincial Grand Master and the desire they have to support both him and the Province.
Departed Merit
After Provincial Grand Lodge had been opened a period of silence was held in memory of departed merit. Since the last Annual Meeting we have lost 5 Grand Officers, 88 Provincial Grand Officers and many members of Private Lodges, all of whom, the Provincial Grand Master said, have worked hard for our Order. Jack Price spoke of 3 – all of whom were well known by the brethren of this Province and further afield, and all of whom had a special place in our hearts. We can all learn from their examples:
Peter Walthall - a respected Past Provincial Grand Master, well known for his acerbic wit and candour;
James Dunsford Hemsley – ‘Jimmy’ – a wonderful man who epitomised how Freemasonry should be. A gentleman and welcoming host, who was loved by everyone and who led by the example of love for one’s fellow; and,
Fred Mepham - a lovely man whose time in West Africa had given him a fair share of old world colonial charm. He saw fun in everything that he did and we will remember his twinkling eyes and permanent smile.
Provincial Leaders
The Provincial Grand Master went on to convey the enormous support he receives from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Dr Nigel G Bramley-Haworth, and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, WBros Harold Woodward, Philip Mountford, Jim Sutclffe, Derek Thornhill, Martin Caller, Stephen Blank and Geoffrey Litherland. The work they had collectively performed, during the closed season and which they continue to do, has not been for themselves, but for the brethren of this Province and Freemasonry at large. Together the team work towards satisfying the Province’s Vision with mutual respect. Jack Price described the team as a tremendous source of wisdom and experience and, with that, he re-appointed them all, to much acclaim from the brethren.
During the previous 12 months the Provincial Grand Master his Deputy and Assistants, in addition to their managerial and leadership roles, have worked three 70th year celebrations, four 60th year celebrations, thirty nine 50th Year celebrations and conducted 22 other formal visits to Private Lodges for Centenary and 275th celebrations, Banner and Bible Dedications etc.