Bury District Newsletter

Province of East Lancashire

January 2011

The EL 2015 Festival Grand Charity Cheque for Bury Hospice ∗ The total donated to date to the Festival is Bury District Chairman, WBro John £451,325.80 Griffin, had great pleasure in

For all Festival, Provincial and District News visit presenting a cheque for £1875 to Michelle King of Bury Hospice. www.pglel.co.uk This donation was part of the

£23,725 allocated by the Grand Charity for distribution between the Inside this issue: nine Hospices in the Province of East Lancashire. Cheque for Bury Hospice 1 Like all Hospices, Bury Hospice has to rely heavily for it’s running costs on the generosity of the people of Bury as only some 20 - 25% of funding comes from Short Papers Competition 1 the NHS. Donations like the one made by the Grand Charity are really appreciated and go a long way in supporting the vital care the Hospice provides to those in

Meet Your District Bury with life threatening diseases. 2 Officers Since Bury Hospice opened in 1991 as a five bed in-patient unit there has always Joint Convocation 2 been the aspiration to double the number of beds and to extend the services the Hospice can offer, but the restrictions of the present site in Dumers Lane have 3 The Chairman so far prevented expansion. A new site has now been acquired in Rochdale Old Road so the Hospice is running Diary 3 an appeal to raise the £5 million needed for building a ten bed facility. If you The RMBI Festival 4 would like to donate to this appeal just call the donation line, 0161 763 1545, or visit www.justgiving.com/A-New-Hospice-for-Bury, or call into one of the four Installation at the Hospice Shops. Your support will be gratefully received. 5 Lodge of St John As announced by the Provincial Springfield Lodge 6722 6 Grand Master at Provincial Hewlett Court 6 Grand Lodge in November, the Province is holding a Short The Mentors Muddle 7 Papers Competition. Any East Lancashire Freemason is eligible to enter this competition and entries 7 Wike Lodge 142 must be submitted by 30th June 2011. All the information you may need and a colour brochure, plus advice on how to go The 120 Club Draw 8 about writing a short paper, can be found on the website, www.pglel.co.uk. Lets Talk Masonry 8 In addition, for those without website access, copies of the brochure are available at both Bury and Radcliffe Masonic Halls. The winning paper will be announced at Provincial Grand Lodge in November - wouldn't it be good if it were a Bury District Mason?

The Vienna Proms - Albert Halls, Bolton, Friday March 11th, Tickets £19.50 01204 334400 Bury District Newsletter Page 2

Meet Your District Officers This Month - EComp Roy Fairhurst

This Month our featured District Officer is our District Officer Royal Arch, EComp. Roy Fairhurst

This year I have celebrated 50 years of marriage. I have three sons, the youngest of whom, after being initiated, passed and raised in the Lodge of Faith No.344. is now continuing his freemasonry in Surrey. Our only granddaughter has just started college in Norwich.

I spent 33 years in the paper industry and 17 years as a lecturer in Paper Technology and Management at Bury College. Officially I have retired but still act as an invigilator for exams.

During my 40 years in Craft Freemasonry and 38 years in the Royal Arch a lot of changes have taken place, the majority of which are for the better; the only down side being in the early eighties when Freemasonry was assistance and further the promotion of the Royal criticized by the minority who were completely ignorant Arch in any way I can. of its true meaning.

I am also a practicing member of :- My baptism to committees in Freemasonry was when the Ancient and Accepted Rite (Rose Croix) (30O) Radcliffe Masonic Association was formed and the move Royal Order of Scotland (AsstProvGSec– Cheshire) from the Rams Head and the Boars Head Hotels to St Royal and Select Masters (Cumberland and Oswald’s Mission Church, now known as Radcliffe Westmorland) Masonic Hall, took place.

I was a member of the first “Hall Committee” under the I am afraid that my Mark Masonry (which started chair of WBro Arthur Beckett and was the lodge north of the border in Scotland) has now lapsed. representative to the Radcliffe Masonic Association for several years, eventually becoming Secretary of the Radcliffe Masonic Association.

I was initiated into the Lodge of Faith No. 344 in 1970, passed through all the offices, from Inner Guard The Royal Arch onwards and attained the chair in 1983 followed by a second year in 1994. Companions are reminded of the Joint Convocation that is to be held at Bury Masonic Hall on February 8th and My exaltation into the Royal Arch was at Beauty Chapter hosted by Papyrean Chapter. All six Chapters from in 1970 and I became First Principal in 1986. Bury and Radcliffe will be involved, each having two I am currently ScribeE of the chapter, which position I delegates taking part in the presentation which is have held for some 21 years. entitled ‘More Light on the Royal Arch’. This subject has been chosen by W Bro Roy Fairhurst, D.O.R.A., and In Craft I was appointed PProvJGD in 1991 and has been approved by Provincial Grand Chapter. PProvGSuptWks in 1999. In the Royal Arch my first In attendance will be the Deputy Grand appointment was ProvAGSoj in 1992 and PProvAGSoj in Superintendent, the Second and Third Provincial Grand 1993. I was promoted to PProvDepGReg in 1999 and to Principals and the Provincial DC for the Royal Arch. PProvGReg in 2004. If you wish to attend please let your ScribeE, or WBro I consider my appointment as District Officer Royal Paul Sellers know as soon as possible as there will be a Arch as a special privilege and will do my utmost to give table plan and you need to book early. Bury District Newsletter Page 3

Chairman’s Remarks Diary Brethren and Companions, it appears that our Communications Officer is Tuesday February 8th set on a course that means that I have to do more typing, so here goes. Joint Convocation I hope you all had a very enjoyable festive period and are now keen and Papyrean Lodge eager to get back to your Masonic Duties, which in parts means sitting Bury Masonic Hall down and eating more meals! Since the last newsletter we have had a District Meeting and therefore Thursday February 17th your Reps. have no excuse for not reporting at your next meeting. Could I Personal 50th Roger Roscow Relief Lodge No 42 just however re-iterate some of the points.

The Festival is going well and we REALLY need some support for the Friday March 11th concert in March at the Albert Halls Bolton, please see page four. The The Vienna Proms fact that it is being held at Bolton does not mean that it is a Bolton The Albert Halls, Bolton District venture; as with the Banquet that was held at the Moat House, this is a joint venture between Bolton & Bury District and I urge you to Tuesday March 15th support it if you are able. Installation Can I congratulate all those brethren who were appointed and promoted in Fairway Lodge No 6693 November at Provincial Grand Lodge and can I encourage as many of you as PGM in Attendance th possible to attend Provincial Grand Chapter on the 17 March to support the Companions who are to be appointed or promoted. Thursday March 17th I have a bee in my bonnet. I do not wish to be a kill joy but I am worried Provincial Grand Chapter about a growing trend within the emails we send to each other that may King Georges Hall appear to some as offensive. Blackburn I do not want to get onto the politically correct band wagon but ask you to consider this: Thursday April 14th In recent years Grand Lodge has challenged the press to retract anything Personal 60th Norman Pickles that was untrue, as such you may have noticed a dramatic drop in the throw Lodge of Faith No 344 away lines that the press used to print referring to alleged Masonic PGM in Attendance

Conspiracies. I am mindful that if we send or forward some types of Saturday April 16th ‘funnies’ by email that the recipient list may contain a large number of Lets Talk Masonry freemasons and some non-freemasons. It is only a question of time before Hemsley House someone in the press gets hold of this and you can imagine the type of Salford Masonic Hall sensational type story and the damage that this may cause. (See Page 8) All I ask is that you consider what you are sending and to who. It is a free country but we all know the obligations we took and what we stand for. Tuesday April 19th Please let’s not ruin our reputation as an organization by sending something Personal 50th Peter Anderton that is easily sent by a click of a button with no thought for the offence or Fairway Lodge No 6693 damage it could possibly cause. Finally, no doubt the District Communications officer will be pestering me for more input soon but could I, on his behalf, ask you for any news, Non-Masonic Donations forthcoming events, interesting stories (of the Masonic type!) for Lodge Secretaries, ScribeE/s or publication in the District Newsletter. This is your Newsletter and is not Charity Reps, are URGENTLY just for the District Team to tell you things. I encourage you to publicise requested to submit details of any any event you have or just information you want passing on. Please contact donations they may be making to Gerry, I know he is keen to grow this publication. non-Masonic charities to the District Deputy Chairman, W Bro Sincere and fraternal regards, Mike Gibbons. John Griffin - Bury District Mike is collating this information Chairman so that an accurate record is available as to the extent of our charitable donations. Bury District Newsletter Page 4

The EL 2015 Festival From WBro Brian Sigsworth, Deputy Chairman of the Appeal Committee:

“Now that the Christmas and New Year period has finally passed it is time to look ahead towards 2011. With this in mind I would like to remind you about the forthcoming Vienna Night which is to be held on Friday, 11th March 2011 at Bolton Town Hall.

Greg Francis and his National Concert Orchestra are going to provide an evening of Viennese Music which along with his dancers should give a splendid evening of entertainment. The cost is £19.50 per ticket and they are available by contacting Bolton Town Hall direct by telephone on 01204 334400 or via their website at: www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk

For the brethren/companions and their ladies this is an opportunity to enjoy a splendid evening of entertainment in delightful surroundings supporting both the Provincial Grand Master and Dorothy (who will be in attendance) and the 2015 Festival with one of its major Provincial functions”.

The Graduate at Bolton Little Theatre In support of the Festival, Bolton and Bury Masons are organising a special Theatre Night at Bolton Little Theatre on Sunday September 11th. The format will be a pre-performance buffet at 7.00 followed at 7.30 by a performance of the stage version of ’The Graduate’. We do not have Dustin Hoffman but you can be assured of a first class enjoyable evening. Tickets are £18 per person, including buffet, and can be reserved with Gerry Russell, 07764826233, or Steve Pollitt, 07811380502, both on the usual e-mail addresses. We only have a limited number of tickets so early booking is strongly advised.

The Festival Road Shows Concord Lodge members were able to have their own presentation of the RMBI 2015 Festival Road Show at their December Meeting. The presentation was given by WBro Brian Sigsworth, the Appeal Committee Deputy Chairman, who had struggled through horrendous weather conditions from his home in Yorkshire to be with us. Brian gave a very interesting insight into exactly what the Festival is about, how money is being raised and the use it will be put to. The Festival is in support of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution whose main purpose is to provide Care Home WBros Brian Sigsworth, David Greenhalgh, David Rothwell facilities across the country for Masons and their and Steve Pollitt dependants; the nearest home to Radcliffe being Ecclesholme near Eccles Town Centre. WBro David Greenhalgh then introduced the concept of the 2015 Festival Club whereby for an investment of just £5 per month three winners can share prize money totalling 25% of the monthly fund. The presentation concluded with explanation of how individuals as well as Lodges can make donations to the appeal and the jewels available for purchase. Also in attendance were the Festival Secretary, WBro David Rothwell and our Area Festival Manager, WBro Steve Pollitt.

The Road Show is available to all Lodges and Chapters both on normal meeting nights and at other social functions when ‘The Ladies’ and non Masons may be present. The presentation is available in both 20 and 40 minute versions and maybe booked by contacting our Area Festival Manager, W Bro Steve Pollitt on 07811380502 or [email protected].

The Festival on the Website Bury District Newsletter Page 5

The Lodge of St John No 191 - Installation

The Lodge of St John held its Installation and Festival of St John at Bury Masonic Hall on January 13th when the Worshipful Master, WBro Graeme A Hoyle, with a team of Installing Officers, installed WBro Robert A Graham, MBE, into the Chair of King Solomon. There was an excellent attendance of visitors, the Provincial Grand Master being represented by WBro Eric Kirkbride, PAGDC. Also present were Grand Lodge Officers, WBro Jack Huddart and WBro Jeremy Aston; Bury District Chairman, WBro John Griffin and other District Officers. The Lodge Officers had obviously worked hard to present an excellent ceremony for the new Master but there was a nice little twist before the closing of the Lodge when Bro David Watson presented the ‘Inner Guard’s Ode’, which apparently is unique to this Lodge.

W Bro Eric Kirkbride with At the very enjoyable social board there was frequent mention of WBro Robert Graham ’Springfield Lodge’ and it quite quickly became obvious that there was a contingent of visitors who had been members of this now closed Lodge. We soon found that the new Worshipful Master, Bob Graham, had once been the Worshipful Master of Springfield Lodge, where he had been initiated in 1969 and therefore some of his former Brethren were in the Lodge to support him.

A very nice glass of Port was served with the Cheese Board but then the surprise of the evening arrived in the form of ‘Rusty Nail’ which to the uninitiated is a bottle of Drambuie to which two bottles of whiskey have been added, all in a giant cup with handles. This is passed around the room for each diner to take a sip, or gulp depending on the constitution of the diner, until it is empty. The fumes were enough to nearly put you out, so those of us who The ‘Rusty Nail’ starts on it’s journey round were driving had a good the Social Board excuse not to partake!

In his response to the toasts WBro Kirkbride conveyed the good wishes of the PGM, RWBro Jack Price, to the Lodge and the new Worshipful Master.

WBro Eric Kirkbride with WBro Bob Graham and Installing Master, WBro Graeme Hoyle

An excellent toast to the Visiting Brethren was given by the Junior Warden, Bro Beaman, and a toast to Masonic Charities by Bro Wright, the Charity Steward.

All together a truly splendid Masonic evening, enjoyed by all.

Please turn over the page to see the article Lodge of St John No 191 with Guests on Springfield Lodge

Bury District Newsletter Page 6

Springfield Lodge No. 6722

Following on from the Installation Meeting at the Lodge of St John, WBro Alan Ashworth, the former Secretary of Springfield Lodge, has kindly supplied some detail of the Lodge where Robert Graham was in the Chair, including this photograph.

From left to right: Roger Hargreaves (dec'd), John Hill, Alan Crowther, Peter Cheetham, Derek Dearden (hiding!) Chris Mills, Robert Graham, WM, Nigel Bramley-Haworth, Alan Ashworth, Norman Forrest, Roger Greenlees, Donald Brooks & Ralph Bowker.

W Bro Alan Ashworth writes, "Starkie 1634, Springfield 6722 and Tottington 7537 all met at the Civic Hall in Ramsbottom but they had to move because of an increase in rent. Springfield and Tottington went to Ashday Lea, Rawtenstall and Starkie to Haslingden. Believe it or not the Masonic Rooms in the Civic Hall Ramsbottom are still unoccupied, which is a shame because it was a happy meeting place. Springfield closed in 2004 and Tottington is to close this year. Starkie moved to Ashday Lea when Haslingden Masonic Hall closed and it is still operating."

Thanks Alan, it is good to hear a little history of some of the Lodges, and indeed the Masons, of the Province. If any one else has anything to contribute about the history of our Lodges then please send it to me.

Hewlett Court

You may be aware that Julie Ward, the Manager of the ELMC, has been appointed as Operations Director to take an overview of all management, supervisory and administrative activities at Hewlett Court. Julie will retain her duties with the ELMC but will work from Hewlett Court. Karen Hall will now work four days a week for the ELMC and one of the Deputies at the home, Margaret Beetson, has been promoted to Care Manager. Both Karen and Margaret will support Julie in her new role. It is hoped over the next few months to raise the profile of Hewlett Court and to accommodate some meetings there to enable Brethren to visit more regularly. The Management Committee would be pleased to see you at Hewlett Court if you have the opportunity to call in.

Hewlett Court, Newcombe Road, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9XJ, 01204 886552 or 01204 887531 Bury District Newsletter Page 7

Crossword Submitted by W Bro Jeremy Aston

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 ‘The Mentors Muddle’

11 12 This crossword is free to enter and is open to all Masons in the Bury 13 District, except District Officers. The answers can 14 be found in Freemasonry in general and in Bury District 15 in particular.

The District Chairman will 16 donate a bottle to the winner.

17 Entries to WBro Jeremy Aston, [email protected].’ or via District Letter Box

ACROSS DOWN Closing Date January 31st 1 GR GR, He’s open all hours 3 2 He is here to help 6 2011. 3 Local H.O. 6,2 4 National H.O. 2,5, 2 In the event of a tie the 5 It’s ours 4 7 Creative motor car? 4 winning entry will be drawn 6 Strange animal in charge 7 9 Comedic star - not Peter 4,7 out of a hat. 8 A Chapter in Radcliffe 5 10 .. And compasses 6 The Mentor’s decision will 9 Bury Masons meet here 7,2 12 Step off with it 4,4 be final. 11 We have one in 2015 8 14 Regal (Arch) 5 13 A Lodge in Radcliffe likes to 15 It’s a 24 inch one 5 make it 8 16 Masons learn from it 4,4 17 We all plan to meet here 9

Wike Lodge of Mark Master Masons 142

From Ken Heath Secretary of Wike Lodge, No. 142

Wike Lodge has lost several members recently through deaths and illness, therefore we are looking for Master Masons from Craft Lodges attending Radcliffe or other Masonic Halls in the Area who may wish to learn more about the "Friendly Degree". To this end we have received permission from our RW ProvGMaster, Keith P Schofield, to hold a Kinship Meeting at our Lodge on Wednesday 13th April 2011. Wike is a senior Lodge consecrated in 1872 with continuous service since. We invite all Master Masons to join us when our Provincial Team, together with Wike Master Masons, will greet them and discuss what our Mark Masonry is all about and hopefully convince some to join us as Wike Mark Masters. Bury District Newsletter Page 8

The 120 Club Draw

The 120 Club Draw was made at the District Reps Meeting, here are the winners

DECEMBER 2010 JANUARY 2011

£50.00 208 R A WILCOCK 344 LODGE OF FAITH £50.00 263 F WILCOCK 4848 PROGRESS £40.00 115 A.HILTON 191 St JOHN £40.00 205 A JONES 5771 PAPYREAN £30.00 26 J T GRUNDY 4661 KNOWSLEY £30.00 156 R WRIGHT 191 St JOHN £20.00 175 R C A WIGHT 5771 PAPYREAN £20.00 86 C CLARKSON 4848 PROGRESS £10.00 166 J SUNDERLAND 4848 PROGRESS £10.00 173 K P LUCAS 191 St JOHN

Do you ever have the feeling you joined the wrong Lodge?

Ladies Evening

At the recent District Reps The Education and Development Committee of the Province has arranged a day meeting the District of masonic entertainment on 16 April 2011 at Hemsley House, Salford. Chairman expressed some concern that some Lodge The day is open to any Freemason and the Conference is entitled: Ladies Evenings were clashing with those of other Lodges. He wondered if it would not be possible for the Reps to The day will consist of a series of speakers including VWBro Rev Neville Barker have words and see if some Cryer, PGChap, and WBro Christopher Powell, both of whose fame precedes them. voluntary arrangement could

be made between Lodges to The theme for the Day will be "Ritual Unravelled" and we promise a variety of avoid this. interesting and thought provoking material aimed to engage listeners from recently raised brethren to the most experienced of Past Masters. He commented that at one time a Lodge would always We are particularly keen to see newer and younger masons there - supported by have it’s Ladies Evening on their colleagues from the Lodge and District. the same Saturday every year, which seemed to work There will be a choice from a number of short, interactive, ‘informal and well. interactive group sessions’ to attend throughout the day - plenty of opportunity to Maybe a subject for give your perspective on questions such as: discussion??

Do you wonder if there is more to ritual than a book? The Small Print Do you want to understand more about symbolism?

Is Freemasonry a gentleman’s dining club or does it provide a route to making us Bury District News is the newsletter of better people and citizens? the brethren of Bury District in the Why the Royal Arch? Province of East Lancashire and is edited and printed by Gerry Russell, District What is Freemasonry and what was it set up to achieve? Communications Officer. All editorial How relevant is Freemasonry and our Ritual in the world today? content is based on the personal opinions of the editor and is not intended to

represent or reflect the opinions or The day will be include a buffet lunch and tea/coffee breaks giving plenty of feelings of the members of the District opportunity for discussion and to socialise. in general or any individual member. All content is the property of the editor and must not be copied, transmitted, The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Jack Price, will open the Conference. reprinted or published in any format without the written permission of the editor. The editor does not necessarily For more information or to apply contact your Lodge or District Mentor; or visit: concur with any opinions or content www.pglel.co.uk expressed in any letter or article submitted for publication. Email: [email protected]