Provincial Grand Lodge of

East Lancashire

REPORT

OF THE

ANNUAL MEETING

HELD AT

KING GEORGE’S HALL

BLACKBURN

THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2017

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Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire King George’s Hall, Blackburn Thursday, 16 November 2017

Registered Attendance RWBro Sir David Trippier, RD, JP, DL .................................... Provincial Grand Master VWBro DN Thornhill, JP, PGSwdB ............................ Deputy Provincial Grand Master WBro CA Northcott, PSGD ...................................... Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro N Cope, PSGD .............................................. Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro JC Welton, PSGD .......................................... Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro AJ Pearson, PSGD ........................................ Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro JR Farrington, PSGD .................................... Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro PG Hewitt, PSGD .......................................... Assistant Provincial Grand Master

VWBro N Morrison, PGSwdB, ........................... Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master VWBro PH Gunning ...................................................................................... PGSwdB

WBro WR Davenport .......................................................................................... PSGD

WBro H Hesmondhalgh ...................................................................................... PSGD

WBro AS McLaren .............................................................................................. PSGD

WBro PG Mountford ........................................................................................... PSGD

WBro MP Roche JP ............................................................................................ PSGD

WBro PMA Rose ................................................................................................ PSGD

WBro J Sutcliffe .................................................................................................. PSGD

WBro WR Waite ................................................................................................. PSGD

WBro F Wilkinson ............................................................................................... PSGD

WBro JH Aston ................................................................................................... PJGD

WBro KO Beeston .............................................................................................. PJGD

WBro A Bennion ................................................................................................. PJGD

WBro G Bent ...................................................................................................... PJGD

WBro PE Carroll ................................................................................................. PJGD

WBro PJ Conn ................................................................................................... PJGD

WBro HAJ Garnett .............................................................................................. PJGD

WBro MD Gibbons ............................................................................................. PJGD

WBro MB Hill ...................................................................................................... PJGD

WBro W Marchant .............................................................................................. PJGD

WBro RS Norris .................................................................................................. PJGD

WBro D Roberts ................................................................................................. PJGD

WBro B Rosenfield ............................................................................................. PJGD

WBro JM Scott ................................................................................................... PJGD

WBro DH Thompson .......................................................................................... PJGD

WBro D Winstanley ............................................................................................ PJGD

WBro Rev’d DJ Halford ................................................................................ PAGChap

WBro Rev’d DK Pryce .................................................................................. PAGChap

WBro MA Adler ............................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro P Aspinall .............................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro S Barton ................................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro H Basger ............................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro HS Berry ................................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro DCH Brown ........................................................................................... PAGDC

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WBro BJ Carter ............................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro IR Casson .............................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro E Cheadle ............................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro MW Davis .............................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro D Dunn .................................................................................................. PAGDC WBro B Durkin ................................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro JS Dutchman-Smith .............................................................................. PAGDC

WBro PT Faulkner ........................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro RW Flitcroft, MBE ................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro RI Frankl ................................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro MS Gregory ........................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro JA Griffin ................................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro KG Hampson ......................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro P Hargreaves ........................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro L Hayes ................................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro CA Hayman ........................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro MT Holland ............................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro KA Horne ............................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro S Hughes .............................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro KA Jones ............................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro D Lightbown .......................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro J Lillie .................................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro PRB Messum ........................................................................................ PAGDC

WBro PJ Price ................................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro D Simpson ............................................................................................. PAGDC

WBro AP Thornton .......................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro GNH Young ........................................................................................... PAGDC

WBro CJ Bolton ........................................................................................... PAGSwdB

WBro IF Hancox .......................................................................................... PAGSwdB

WBro A Holland ........................................................................................... PAGSwdB

WBro T Thomas .......................................................................................... PAGSwdB

WBro DL Pilling ...................................................................................... PAGSuptWks

WBro PG Bowen ............................................................................................... PGOrg

WBro AL Jones ................................................................................................. PGStB

WBro Dr SK Archer ........................................................................................... AGStB

WBro AH Kirwilliam ......................................................................................... PAGStB ACTING OFFICERS OF THE YEAR

WBro D Hudson ............................................................................................ ProvSGW WBro T Kakoullis ............................................................................................ ProvJGW WBro Rev’d Canon RW Hawkins ............................................................... ProvGChap WBro CA Hayman, PAGDC ....................................................................... ProvGTreas WBro MJ Church-Taylor ............................................................................... ProvGReg WBro MP Roche, JP, PSGD ......................................................................... ProvGSec WBro DO Smith ......................................................................................... ProvGSwdB WBro CM Wildman ................................................................................ProvGSuptWks WBro AD Taylor ...................................................................................... ProvDepGDC WBro P Collier ......................................................................................... ProvDepGDC WBro MW Davis, PAGDC ............................................................................. ProvGAlm

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WBro JK Davies, MBE, PProvSGW ....................................................... ProvGChStwd

WBro AH Kirwilliam, PAGStB ................................................................... ProvGMentor WBro I Batty ................................................................................................... ProvSGD WBro RP Degg ............................................................................................... ProvSGD WBro BJ Pollard ............................................................................................. ProvSGD WBro C Barton ............................................................................................... ProvJGD WBro RC Turner ............................................................................................ ProvJGD WBro IR Conn .......................................................................................... ProvAGChap WBro E Freeman........................................................................................ ProvAGReg WBro A Holland, PAGSwdB ....................................................................... ProvAGSec WBro M Barlow ........................................................................................... ProvAGDC WBro C Cunliffe .......................................................................................... ProvAGDC WBro SJ Flanagan ...................................................................................... ProvAGDC WBro DM Kennedy...................................................................................... ProvAGDC WBro PG Bowen, PGOrg .............................................................................. ProvGOrg WBro JR Burns ............................................................................................. ProvGStB WBro M Sutton .............................................................................................. ProvGStB WBro BW Robinson, PProvSGW ................................................................ ProvGPurs WBro J Curry ............................................................................................... ProvGStwd WBro AJ Halford ......................................................................................... ProvGStwd WBro RJ Harwood....................................................................................... ProvGStwd WBro DA Kyme ........................................................................................... ProvGStwd WBro RMP Sagar ........................................................................................ ProvGStwd WBro S Stanley ........................................................................................... ProvGStwd WBro SA Thomson...................................................................................... ProvGStwd WBro DJ Smith ............................................................................................ ProvGTyler RW Provincial Grand Master: “Brethren, since the last meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge held on 17 November 2016, we have been saddened by the death of the following Grand Officers:

Leslie Heaviside, PAGSuptWks 30 December 2016 William J Porter, PJGD 20 January 2017 Derek Worthington, PAGDC 23 February 2017 Colin Winterbottom, PGStB 22 June 2017

Alan C Johnson, PAGDC 20 July 2017 Rev’d EW Dennis Thomas, PDepGChap 24 August 2017 WBro J Barry Nield, PAGDC 23 September 2017

In addition, Provincial Grand Lodge Officers and many Brethren from private Lodges have passed to higher service in the Grand Lodge above. They will be sadly missed by their families, the Brethren of their Lodges and their friends. We offer our sincere condolences to them all. I ask you to rise in silent tribute in respect of departed merit.

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To welcome our Distinguished Guests and Heads of Orders Our Distinguished Guests and Head of Orders were introduced and welcomed. The following Brethren attended: Cumberland and Westmorland RWBro Norman J Thompson, Provincial Grand Master VWBro William J Bewley, Deputy Provincial Grand Master WBro William H Morley, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Ian St John D’Arcy, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Keith R Beaumont, Provincial Grand Secretary Cheshire RWBro Stephen M Blank, Provincial Grand Master WBro David V Dyson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Paul A Massie, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Michael G Leese, Provincial Grand Secretary Yorkshire, WR VWBro Stuart C Grantham, Deputy Provincial Grand Master WBro Roger D Newhouse, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Paul Clarke, Assistant Provincial Grand Master West Lancashire VWBro Philip H Gunning, Deputy Provincial Grand Master WBro Anthony Bent, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Stewart Seddon, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro David Walmsley, Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Keith Kemp, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Our Past Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Paul JE Rink, OBE, The Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Nolan Morrison. Our Deputy Grand Superintendent, EComp Paul MA Rose, together with the Past Deputy Grand Superintendent, EComp Allan Bennion. Bro Alex S McLaren, Provincial Grand Master, Mark Order Bro Mervyn Wilson, the District Grand Prefect, of the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees Bro Frank GH Smith, the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, of the Order of the Secret Monitor Bro David Gallear, the Provincial Prior, the Order of the Knights Templar

Bro Stephen W Bolton, the Intendant-General, the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine

And Bro Michael Southworth, the Regional Grand Prefect, the Order of the Knights Beneficient of the Holy City

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The Provincial Grand Master passed on his sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery to Bro David Biggs, the Inspector General of the District of North East Lancashire and stated his delight at seeing so many Worshipful Masters and Wardens of Lodges. The Report of the Provincial Grand Lodge held on 17 November 2016, which has been printed and distributed, will be put for confirmation. Following a proposition which was duly seconded the Report of the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge held on 17 November 2016 was confirmed and approved. To re-appoint VWBro Derek N Thornhill, PGSwdB, as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master The RW Provincial Grand Master said that it was a pleasurable duty to re-appoint Bro Thornhill as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. He said: “Derek, we have now worked closely together for six years. Your wise council and support is sincerely appreciated. I value the work that you carry out on my behalf and on behalf of the Province. I am delighted that you have again accepted this appointment and I look forward to the future with your assistance. Thank you for your continued friendship and kindness”. The ProvGDC then proclaimed VWBro Derek Nelson Thornhill, as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. Following salutations Bro Thornhill responded. To Re-appoint the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters The RW Provincial Grand Master then re-appointed:- Bro Chad Anthony Northcott Bro John Christopher Welton Bro Arthur John Pearson Bro John Richard Farrington and

Bro Peter Graham Hewitt The Provincial Grand Master said “All of my Assistants have afforded me their support during the last year. I am grateful for their loyalty and commitment and particularly the hard work they undertake in their respective areas”

The ProvGDC then proclaimed the re-appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. Following salutations Bro Northcott responded. To appoint, WBro John Anthony Griffin, PAGDC, as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Before appointing Bro Griffin, the RW Provincial Grand Master placed on record his sincere thanks and appreciation to WBro Norman Cope, who was to retire as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master after 5 years in office. He stated that Bro Cope had carried out his duties impeccably and that he would be sorely missed by both himself and his colleagues in the Cabinet and more especially by his District Teams and the Brethren of Bury / Bolton.

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The RW Provincial Grand Master then presented WBro Norman Cope with a Collarette. Bro Cope was then escorted to his seat as a Past APGM and received applause from the Brethren. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies then escorted Brother Griffin into the body of the Lodge.

Following inspection of the Patent of Appointment by the RW Provincial Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Secretary was asked to read it out. The RW Provincial Grand Master then said: “Bro Griffin you were Initiated into Knowsley Lodge No 4661 in 1991 and Installed as Worshipful Master in 1999. You are a joining member of the East Lancashire Provincial Grand Officers’ Lodge No 3747, Prince of Wales Lodge No 1012 and the Lodge of Fortitude No 64.

You were appointed as Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant in 2001, promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, in 2004, promoted again to Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2006 and served as the Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2010. In 2012 you joined the DC’s team as a Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies before being appointed the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2014.

In 2015 your services to the Craft were recognised by Grand Lodge when you were appointed to the acting rank of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

You were Exalted into the Chapter of Unanimity No 42 in 1999 and installed as First Principal in 2008.

You are a joining member of Derby Chapter No 1055, Social Chapter No 62 and the East Lancashire Provincial Grand Officers Chapter No 3747.

You have served for some 10 years on the District team at Bury, firstly as the Communications Officer, then as Deputy Chairman and finally as Chairman of the District.

Bro Griffin you have demonstrated, over many years that you are more than capable of taking on the responsibility of an Assistant Provincial Grand Master of this Province, I must nevertheless formally ask if you are willing to accept the duties of that high office”.

Following confirmation by Bro Griffin and prayer by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Brother Griffin then recited his Obligation as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

The Chain Bearer, Bro Adam Gregory, made the presentation and the RW Provincial Grand Master invested Bro Griffin as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The ProvGDC then proclaimed the appointment and following salutations Bro Griffin responded.

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District Chairmen The RW Provincial Grand Master acknowledged his grateful thanks for the work carried out by the District Chairmen, both in supporting their respective APGM’s but also the Lodges within their Districts. He was delighted to welcome to the meeting: David Hudson Chris Prax Peter Hegarty Peter Douthwaite Gerry Hodson Leslie Taylor Peter Rhodes Terry Kakoullis Steven Barton Paul Thornton He then welcomed, WBro David McGurty in his new role as Chairman for East Ribble District. He added that it would be remiss if he did not place on record his sincere thanks to David Lightbown who was to retire. He said that “A greater servant and a more committed servant of this Province, one would struggle to find. Thank you David for all you have done and will continue to do as Chairman of the ELMC Committee of Benevolence and Chairman of the Hewlett Court Advisory Committee”. To receive and adopt the Accounts of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the year ended 31 December 2016. The RW Provincial Grand Master invited the Provincial Grand Treasurer, Bro Ashley Hayman to present a report on the accounts. Bro Ashley Hayman: “RW PGM and Brethren, I am pleased to present the accounts of Provincial Grand Lodge for the year ended 31 December 2016, copies of which have been circulated.

The accounts reflect the expected reduction in Dues from Lodges, down from £103,390 in 2015 to £99,067 in 2016. That is a very similar reduction to that experienced in the previous year and is at a manageable level.

The £5,365 surplus on merchandise (ties, handkerchiefs, bowties and cufflinks) is of course lower than the £14,876 in the previous year. After the initial take-up in 2015 the level of sales was bound to fall in 2016. Below the line, expenditure has generally been well controlled. The £103,246 total is marginally lower than in 2015. I am grateful to the Rulers and to the Provincial Grand Secretary for managing the Province’s expenditure well.

We made a surplus of £10,332 in 2016. We have not yet managed to agree with HM Revenue & Customs whether or not the surplus on merchandise is taxable. We have therefore continued to make provision for corporation tax. But I still hope that the outcome will be that the surplus is not taxable.

The net surplus after tax, £9,659, has been carried to reserves. You can see that the balance sheet remains strong. I would not have wanted my last act as Provincial Grand Treasurer to be a proposal to increase dues. Fortunately, I have no need to do that.

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Yes, this is my final report as Provincial Grand Treasurer! I have been in office for five years. That has been a great privilege. I sincerely thank those who proposed me; and I thank you all, Brethren, for having elected me five times.

As I look back on the last five years, I can report that expenditure is now lower than it was when I became Provincial Grand Treasurer and the balance sheet is now stronger. I take no credit for that. The credit goes to the Provincial Master, his Deputies (in both the Craft and the Royal Arch) and the Provincial Grand Secretaries alongside whom I have served. They have taken the decisions and imposed the controls that have contributed to the health of the Province’s finances. We should all be grateful to them.

My thanks, as always, go the staff of the Provincial office and, of course, to the auditors who have kept an eye on me with quiet efficiency.

RW PGM and Brethren, I commend the 2016 accounts to you” Bro Ian Connor then gave a report on behalf of the Auditors.

Following a proposition which was duly seconded the accounts of Provincial Grand Lodge for 31 December 2016 were approved. To elect the Provincial Grand Treasurer for the year 2017 / 2018 Before electing the new Provincial Grand Treasurer, the RW Provincial wished to thank the retiring Treasurer for all his hard work and effort over the past 5 years. He said that the Province had benefitted from his considerable accounting experience and thanked him again for ensuring that our finances had been kept on track. He then stated that as no further nominations had been received he was delighted to elect Bro Jonathan Brownson, who had been the Treasurer of the ELMC, as Treasurer for the ensuing year. To elect the Auditors for the year 2017 / 2018 The RW Provincial Grand Master had great pleasure in re-appointing Brothers Roland Adams, Philip Hollinshead and Ian Connor as the Provincial Auditors for the year 2017/ 2018. He thanked them for their hard work and effort on behalf of the Province, Election of two members for the Masonic Charitable Foundation Following a proposition which was duly seconded, WBro Mark Davis, the Provincial Grand Almoner and WBro Kirk Mulhearn, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward elect, were elected to represent the Province as voting members of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. The RW Provincial Grand Master expressed his grateful thanks to WBro Martin P Roche and WBro Brian J Carter, for taking on the roles in the formative period.

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To present the EL Masonic Golf Society Derby Cup and the East Lancashire Bowling Trophy The RW Provincial Grand Master after offering his sincere congratulations presented the Derby Cup to the winner, Bro Jim Booth, of Albert Lodge No 854. He expressed his very grateful thanks for the generous donation of £500 to the East Lancashire Masonic Charity and placed on record his sincere thanks to WBro Malcolm Worsley, the Chairman of the Society, WBro Gerry Hodson the Committee Secretary and Bro Richard Zoltie, the Treasurer for organising this special event.

He once again reminded Brethren that the competition was open to ALL members of the Province.

Report from the Provincial Grand Secretary The RW Provincial Grand Master invited the Provincial Grand Secretary, Bro Martin Roche to present his report. Provincial Grand Secretary: “Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and Brethren, I am pleased to present this, my third Annual Report, to Provincial Grand Lodge.

This year has seen some significant developments come to fruition which I have been keen to pursue within the Province.

After considerable preparation and consultation, we have moved from our hard copy Year Book to a digital Provincial Almanac which is accessible from the front page of our website. This has meant that, for the first time, every member of the Province has access to vital information about their Province, 24/7. It also means that it is kept up to date throughout the year and importantly, now at no cost to our Lodges and Chapters.

Similarly, the Provincial Calendar is now also accessible direct from our website and constantly – and easily – updated. Brethren, these are exciting developments and ensure that we keep pace with a changing digital world which demands information is accessible from smart phones and tablets. The feedback has been very good. I am most grateful to WBro Gerry Russell for his continuing assistance in these matters.

The Secretaries Handbook has been reviewed and updated and in the New Year, I and the staff from the Secretariat will be holding Road Shows for Lodge Secretaries to keep them apprised of developments and best practice. I would urge our Lodge colleagues to attend and we look forward to meeting you all again.

I would also seek the cooperation of you all in how and when you contact the Provincial Office.

Brethren, we are here to help. But it is clear that many of the calls we receive have at their core, questions which are simply answered by our pages on the website and more specifically, the Almanac and the Secretaries Handbook; they should and must be your first port of call for advice and contact details.

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With the latter in mind, may I remind you that the Secretariat is not the ostensible Directory Enquiries Service for Freemasons. I continue to be amazed how many of you urgently need contact and address details for Brethren in the weeks prior to Christmas.

Seriously Brethren, this is a cycle we need to break and it is a practice which needs to be curtailed. Growing scrutiny from the office of the Information Commissioner means that how we store and use your personal data must satisfy the statutory tests they apply. The policing of this will also ensure we devote our valuable time and resources more efficiently in helping you and not answering calls asking the same questions which you already have the answers to.

The administration of the Province should happen quietly and effectively to ensure we at the centre make sure that all of you enjoy your membership. That could not happen without Andrew Holland the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary, as well as Susan O’Neill and Anne Donnelly who all play a key role in that. There may be different roles and titles but we are a team and combined with the remainder of our team members in the guise of our volunteer staff, I am very privileged and indeed, indebted to them all. That appreciation means even more in what has been an exceptionally busy Tercentenary year. Since the last meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge Sir you, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters have attended a number of significant events, Lodge celebrations and personal landmarks throughout the Province namely:

The Centenaries at: Charity Centenary Lodge No 3786 Remembrance Lodge No 3787 Kitchener Lodge No 3788

150ths held at:

St Chad’s Lodge No 1129 and Milton Lodge No 1144

You have attended Hosted Meetings or made private visits to the following Lodges: Good Companions Lodge No 6005 Bury Lodge of Relief No 42 Rhyddings Lodge No 5205 Old Blackburnians Lodge No 7933 Arcturus Lodge No 7252

A Banner Dedication meeting was held at Hope Lodge No 54 There have also been Personal 60ths celebrations for:

Bro Michael Lucas – Roch Valley Lodge No 5120 Bro Rev’d Dennis Thomas – Pennine Lodge No 8798 Bro Leslie Gibson – Parnassus Lodge No 7869 and Bro Albert Taylor – Albert Edward Lodge No 1519 Bro Frank Morley – East Lancashire Centurion Lodge No 2322

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Sir, you also attended the personal 50th of Bro Rev’d Charles Pilkington – Social Lodge No 62. A Prestonian Lecture entitled, “The Grand Design”, was presented by RWBro Dr James W Daniel, on Tuesday of this week. Old Elizabethan Lodge No 8235 were delighted to host this prestigious evening and I am grateful to them for their foresight in seeking delivery of the lecture and all their hard work. And in addition there have been a further 28 Personal 50th Celebrations.

Bro George Sampson Charity Lodge No 3342 Bro Anthony Williams Calder Lodge No 4564

Bro Rodney Wild Trinity Lodge No 5651 Bro Sam Brownlee Werneth Lodge No 6163 Bro Keith Ramsden Rhyddings Lodge No 5205 Bro Barry Birch Naphtali Lodge No 266 Bro George Percival Waverley Lodge No 1322 Bro David Swinnerton Egerton Lodge No 1392 Bro Hugh Butterworth New Trinity Lodge No 4595 Bro Roger Howarth Kitchener Lodge No 3788 Bro Ian Casson Lodge of Fidelity No 430 Bro William Thompson Knowsley Lodge No 4661 Bro James Britton Trinity Lodge No 5651 Bro Donald Sinkinson Tonge Hall Lodge No 8763 Bro Dr Satinder Lal Internet Lodge No 9569 Bro Christopher Maden Albert Edward Lodge No 1519 Bro Kenneth Anderson St Martins Lodge No 2320 Bro Colin Wignall Red Rose Lodge No 1504 Bro Gordon Hobbs Albert Edward Lodge No 1519 Bro Stanley Reynolds Egerton Lodge No 1392 Bro Dennis Smethurst Portland Lodge No 1773 Bro Keith Clayton Trinity Lodge No 5651 Bro Ian Hampson Rochdale IMs Lodge No 9211 Bro William Fleet Lodge of Union No 268 Bro Jeffrey Huddart Robert Burns Lodge No 999 Bro Fred Chorlton Volunteer Lodge No 2905 Bro Bernard Grime Calder Lodge No 4564 In March the very successful ‘Let’s Talk Freemasonry’ Conference took place at Rochdale. Plans are in place for this event to be repeated on Saturday, 24th March 2018, at Salford Masonic Hall. Your support for this event Brethren would be greatly appreciated. Sir, that concludes my Report. The RW Provincial Grand Master thanked the Provincial Grand Secretary for his very detailed report.

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Collection A collection was held in aid of the East Lancashire Masonic Charity. During the collection the Brethren sang Jerusalem. Address of the RW Provincial Grand Master RW Provincial Grand Master: “Brethren, in this, my sixth Annual Address, I must repeat my thanks to you all for being here and supporting our Province on this special day. I believe it is a statement of fact that we have never been as busy as we have been over the last twelve months. The success of so many events which have been organised to celebrate our Tercentenary owes everything to so many of you who have committed yourselves to ensuring that the year 2017 has not only been enjoyable but memorable. The sheer hard work and enthusiasm displayed in every corner of this Province has been so impressive that it is a genuine pleasure for me to thank you for all that you have done and it makes me feel so proud to be a Freemason in this Province of East Lancashire and I am very proud of you. I just wanted to tell you that in case no one ever has. Whilst it is true that many individual Masons have virtually exhausted themselves over the last year, the vast bulk of events have achieved success through teamwork whether those events have been organised at Provincial level, District level or private Lodges and Chapters. Therefore, my thanks as always, must go to all the members of the Craft Cabinet, the Royal Arch Cabinet and all the Secretariat at Ashday Lea lead by our Provincial Grand Secretary. In my address last year, I referred to the devastation caused by storms and flooding in this Province in the Christmas of 2015. Thankfully, we escaped the trauma of that experience last winter but on the 22nd May this year we witnessed the most horrible terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena in which 22 people (including children) were killed and countless others injured. The shock was unbelievable. As you would expect, we were very quick to send a significant donation from this Province to help the families of those who died and those who were injured. What could only be described as a National disaster had such an impact on the sympathy of so many Freemasons throughout the land, that Province after Province sent us huge cheques to ensure that we did not stand alone. The total amount of money raised from so many Provinces, Lodges, Chapters and individuals was in excess of £250,000 and I was pleased to hand over that significant contribution to the Trustees of the “We Love Manchester Appeal”. Yet again, it made me feel so proud to be a Freemason.

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Last year, I referred to the fact that we had set up a Committee which concentrates on recruiting non- masons into Freemasonry. This Committee, under the Chairmanship of WBro John Farrington, is already achieving success with a record number of initiations in this Province. The very best figures we have seen for a long time. With the valuable assistance of WBro Dr Mo Afsa as the Provincial Membership Officer, the success of the Sky television series on Freemasonry and increasing awareness of Masonry through so many Tercentenary events it is heart- warming to see this increasing trend. We have seen increased use of our new trailer at many public functions, agricultural shows, country fairs and other appropriate venues. The Improvement Delivery Group which is Chaired by the Assistant Grand Master, RWBro Sir David Wootton is making great strides in Membership Recruitment, in Masonic Education, Development in Mentoring and guidance on the sustainability of Masonic Hall’s. In London on the 18th October, this year, the Provincial and District Leaders Forum, which I chair, endorsed the Members Pathway project which has been led by RWBro Peter Taylor, the Provincial Grand Master for Shropshire. That has now gone live and is on the Grand Lodge website. All Lodges should dip into it to ensure that the selection process of new members is more carefully processed. I must here put in a plug for our own Education and Development Committee under the guidance and leadership of WBro Welton. Their programme of Explanations of Degree Ceremonies is being well received and more hosted meetings to enable these presentations to take place should be encouraged. I also should mention that importance of having a significant attendance at our annual event known as “Let’s Talk Masonry” which will be held on Saturday, the 24th March at Hemsley House in Salford. I believe it is important for us to take stock as to what has been achieved in this our Tercentenary year as it has been a glorious opportunity for us to emphasise the importance of Masonry not only in our communities but regionally and nationally. Quite apart from all our Masonic Halls having “Open Days” for the general public and Districts and individual Lodges celebrating our 300th Birthday, we have been delighted to see four outstanding events organised at a Provincial level. The Dinner and Dance at the Macron Stadium in Bolton, the Teddy Bears Picnic, the Multi Faith Service at Manchester Cathedral and finally the celebration of 300 years of Freemasonry and Music in this very hall last month. I am so grateful for the outstanding contributions which have been made by so many Brethren and our Secretariat who have devoted so much time and effort into ensuring their success.

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The crowning event of the year was, of course, the national and international Tercentenary event organised by United Grand Lodge at the Royal Albert Hall only a few weeks ago. That celebration lead by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent was a splendid showcase for Masonry and was enjoyed by so many of us here. I am delighted to tell you that on the 15th January next year, the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, will officially open the third floor of the Manchester Hall at Bridge Street in Manchester. That will be a significant event where many Manchester Masons and their wives will attend. It should be remembered that there will be three additional Lodge Rooms available to us and from the amazing refurbishment of the second floor which has impressed us all, that high standard will be replicated throughout the third floor which will be exclusively ours. I must express my gratitude to all those Lodges and Chapters for their endless patience during the last few years when internally Bridge Street has looked like a time share in Baghdad. Now we can see through the “muck and dust” and believe it or not, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. My sincere thanks must go to Stephen Cliffe, the Chief Executive of Vision Developments who has led the refurbishment of the Hall from the beginning. At the same time, although my personal thanks seem to be wholly inadequate. I wish to place on record my gratitude to Paul Rose, Derek Thornhill, Martin Caller and Chris Welton who have suffered the “slings and arrows” of outrageous fortune, but have battled on notwithstanding and the finished product will be a living testimony to their fortitude and perseverance. Today is a very special day for many of you and I wish to congratulate all those Brethren who are to be appointed or promoted within this Province. I also wish to thank those who relinquish their appointment today and I am grateful for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment. There is one Brother who does relinquish his appointment and deserves a very special mention and that is WBro Paul Bowen who has been our Provincial Grand Organist for 11 years and in 2014 became the Grand Organist in UGLE. Paul has been the Organist at Bradford Cathedral and has been an outstanding servant to this Province. Like many of you, I have hugely enjoyed his music as well as his friendship and we wish him well in the future. Paul has been so kind in endorsing his eminent successor a Worshipful Brother who has both a national and international reputation as an Organist and musician. I shall shortly be appointing, WBro Christopher Stokes who is the Organist and Master of

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Choristers at Manchester Cathedral. Chris was a huge success at our Multi Faith Tercentenary Service in the Cathedral and delighted us all. Finally!! Shortly after our last Annual Meeting, I was privileged to be able to celebrate a very special Masonic Birthday for a very good friend of mine, WBro the Reverend Charles Pilkington, who is now 96 years of age. Charles is much loved and respected by those who know him. The significance of mentioning that successful occasion is that I have a copy of his speech at the Festive Board. I was very moved by it because it encapsulates the importance of Freemasonry and I simply want to share a brief extract with you now. He said, “Like me, I’m sure you all remember the old chemistry experiment from our first years at School, where we took two special elements, placed them in a test tube together and heated them up with a Bunsen burner. The dramatic result was the creation of a mysterious third element, which had a character all of its own. Just like that chemistry experiment, Freemasonry today also had two key “elements”, the first element is our endeavour to alleviate some of the suffering in our community by charitable support; the second element is a determination to do it together instead of alone, recognising that by working together with a group of like-minded people, we create the momentum needed to provide this support in the most efficient manner possible. Placing the two “elements” together and, as it were, shaking them up and then heating them with the heat of Masonic enthusiasm does, as in the chemical experiment, results in our very own mysterious third element – “fulfilment”. This feeling may seem small at first, but it is present in all Masonic meetings, where it motivates proceedings in a subtle way; meetings which might otherwise seem dull are energised by a certain excitement and inexpressible fun. This seemingly small element of fulfilment, however insignificant it may appear, has an electrifying effect because it has made Freemasonry blossom all over the world. What started as a small and very restricted movement, has now established itself throughout the free world, gathering strength and influence wherever it has taken hold. Freemasonry continues to produce its mysterious quality of fulfilment in us today and it is the responsibility of us all to ensure it continues to flourish because herein lies its mysterious strength. The legacy that we have inherited is far too valuable for us to let diminish and die; it must be preserved for future generations.” What wonderful words. I think it says it all. I wish each and every one of you continued success in the year that lies ahead. To present Certificates of Exceptional Service The RW Provincial Grand Master then asked the Provincial Grand Secretary to read out the name of the Brother who had been awarded a Certificate of Exceptional Service.

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The Provincial Grand Secretary: “Bro Robinson is a retired Photographer and is 80 years old. He was Initiated into Old Salfordians Lodge No. 7968 in 1973 and was Exalted into Blair Chapter in 1986. He is a subscribing member of Salford Ionic Lodge No 3248 and is also a member of the East Lancashire Provincial Grand Chapter No 3747. He has tyled for many Lodges for varying numbers of years, Robert Burns No. 999, Arcturus Lodge No. 7252, Manchester Lodge for Masonic Research No. 5502 in particular and on occasion, many others, including the Central Area Lodges. He has served as Janitor for many Chapters including Cornucopia, No. 4553, Alexandra, No. 993. In his Lodges and Chapters, he has served as Master or one of the Principals on many occasions. He has also taken office as Royal Arch Representative, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Charity Steward and Festival Representative in many of those Lodges and Chapters. He is well known across the Province, because of all of the above and partly because of the tremendous work he has performed for the Secretariat, notably as dealing with the aftermath of Lodge and Chapter closures, maintaining the ‘at risk’ register, a role he is about to retire from. Within the Province he has cared for the storage of regalia and furniture at Bridge Street for many years and the work he has completed at Provincial meetings in his roles as ProvAGPurs and ProvGPurs is legendary. A servant of East Lancashire who has tirelessly performed his duties, sometimes through illness, and always with distinction, this recognition is much deserved and well earned.” Bro Robinson was escorted to the stage for presentation. Investiture The RW Provincial Grand Master reiterated his thanks to the Provincial Grand Wardens and other outgoing Officers of the year and those continuing in office for their hard work and support. He then asked the Provincial Grand Secretary to read out the names of those to be honoured: INVESTITURE ProvSGW Joseph Glass ....................................................................... 1798 ProvJGW Dr Mohamad Afsa ................................................................ 3140 ProvGChap The Rev’d Canon Richard Hawkins ..................................... 8561 ProvGTreas Jonathan Brownson ............................................................. 5813 ProvGReg Michael Church-Taylor ........................................................ 4661 ProvGSec Martin Roche, JP, PSGD ......................................................... 64 ProvGDC Dr Simon Archer, PAGStB ....................................................... 42 ProvGSwdB Paul O'Carroll .......................................................................... 44

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ProvGSuptWks Chris Wildman ..................................................................... 6594 ProvDepGDC Philip Collier......................................................................... 5814 ProvDepGDC John Curry, ProvGStwd ....................................................... 3837 ProvGAlm Mark Davis, PAGDC .............................................................. 992 ProvGChStwd Kirk Mulhearn, PProvDepGDC ............................................ 6521 ProvGMentor Alan Kirwilliam, PAGStB ...................................................... 8825 ProvSGD James Forkgen ...................................................................... 116 ProvSGD Eric Howarth .......................................................................... 277 ProvSGD Malcolm Large ....................................................................... 348 ProvSGD Richard Zoltie ...................................................................... 1798 ProvJGD Andrew Bain ........................................................................ 3787 ProvJGD Andrew Eden ....................................................................... 3025 ProvJGD Ronald Gridley ..................................................................... 3716 ProvJGD Andrew Pilkington ................................................................ 1534 ProvJGD Antony Sadler ...................................................................... 8529 ProvAGChap Russell Conn ....................................................................... 8947 ProvAGReg Nick Davis............................................................................ 8947 ProvAGSec Andrew Holland, PAGSwdB ................................................ 4365 ProvAGDC Jonathan Basger, PProvSGD .............................................. 6594 ProvAGDC David Brown ........................................................................ 1144 ProvAGDC Philip Goldwater .................................................................. 2905 ProvAGDC Antony Hindle ...................................................................... 5205 ProvAGDC Leigh Rickett ........................................................................ 4661 ProvAGDC Stephen Wells ..................................................................... 6895 ProvGOrg Christopher Stokes .............................................................. 5395 ProvGStB David Mottershead .............................................................. 7933 ProvGStB David Mulligan ..................................................................... 3381 ProvAGStB Gordon Cornthwaite ............................................................ 5205 ProvGPurs Brian Robinson, PProvSGW ................................................ 3248 ProvGStwd Chris Armstrong ................................................................... 3140 ProvGStwd Robert Ashton ...................................................................... 5771 ProvGStwd Howard Freear ....................................................................... 854 ProvGStwd Robert Garfield .................................................................... 9174 ProvGStwd Harry Gibbs ........................................................................... 345 ProvGStwd Stephen Grummett ................................................................ 581 ProvGStwd Christian Halford .................................................................. 3317 ProvGStwd Edwin Leech ........................................................................ 5206 ProvGStwd Jozef Markisz ....................................................................... 7286 ProvGStwd Craig Wood.......................................................................... 1009 ProvGTyler Jim Smith ............................................................................... 462 PROMOTIONS PAST PROVINCIAL SENIOR GRAND WARDEN Paul Bowen, PGOrg .............................................................................................. 3248 Henry Donn, PProvJGW ....................................................................................... 6594 Raymond Haffner, PProvJGW .............................................................................. 4564 Roger Howarth, PProvJGW .................................................................................. 3788 Kenneth Irvine, GM, PProvJGW ............................................................................ 9543 Gerard Meade, PProvJGW ................................................................................... 9543 Colin Rigby, PProvGSwdB ........................................................................................ 37 Gerald Russell, PProvGSwdB ............................................................................... 1534

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PAST PROVINCIAL JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN Alan Barlow, PProvGSwdB ..................................................................................... 298 Eric Bell, PProvGSuptWks ...................................................................................... 325 David Cowen, PProvGSwdB ................................................................................. 6594 John Duckworth, PProvGSwdB ............................................................................. 7933 Peter Hawksworth, PProvGSwdB ......................................................................... 2447 Peter Hegarty, PProvGSwdB ................................................................................ 7968 Cyril Kennerley, PProvGSwdB .............................................................................. 7814 David Rainsbury, PProvDepGReg ........................................................................ 3317 John Rimmer, PProvDepGReg ............................................................................. 3479 David Russell, PProvDepGReg ............................................................................... 274 Peter Seddon, PProvGSwdB ................................................................................ 3478 Brian Smith, PProvGSuptWks ................................................................................. 219 Malcolm Standige, PProvGSuptWks ..................................................................... 5118 Colin Wignall, PProvGSuptWks ............................................................................ 1504 David Williamson, PProvGSwdB ............................................................................. 581 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SWORD BEARER Robert Allan, PProvGSuptWks .............................................................................. 3949 Malcolm Ashton, PProvDepGDC .......................................................................... 2560 Brian Aspinall, PProvDepGSwdB ............................................................................ 350 Jack Aston, PProvDepGReg ................................................................................. 3787 Dr Ron Barham, PProvDepGReg .......................................................................... 7933 David Bedford, PProvDepGReg .............................................................................. 345 Stuart Booth, PProvDepGReg ................................................................................. 221 Donald Bright, PProvGSuptWks .............................................................................. 283 Roy Carr, PProvDepGReg .................................................................................... 8763 George Clark, PProvDepGSwdB .......................................................................... 3838 David Conway, PProvGSuptWks .......................................................................... 6667 Roy Ellison, PProvDepGSwdB .............................................................................. 1322 Kevin Gould, PProvGSuptWks .............................................................................. 1083 David Greenhalgh, PProvDepGReg ...................................................................... 5120 Keith Hall, PProvDepGSwdB ................................................................................ 6538 Derek Harwood, PProvDepGSwdB ....................................................................... 6538 Shaun Higson, PProvDepGReg ............................................................................ 4365 Stephen Jansen, PProvDepGReg ......................................................................... 4703 William Jay, PProvDepGSwdB .............................................................................. 5814 Christopher Lennon, PProvDepGSwdB .................................................................. 348 Tommy Mather, PProvDepGReg .......................................................................... 7285 Derek Odling, PProvDepGSwdB ........................................................................... 3005 Ian Rogerson, PProvDepGSwdB .......................................................................... 8825 Arthur Spray, PProvDepGSwdB ............................................................................ 4952 Alan Towers, PProvDepGReg ............................................................................... 4564 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OF WORKS David Allan, PProvDepGReg ................................................................................ 6339 Michael Ballin, PProvDepGSuptWks ..................................................................... 8947 Peter Cole, PProvDepGReg .................................................................................. 1144 Allan Low, PProvDepGReg ..................................................................................... 462 Robert Pye, PProvDepGSwdB .............................................................................. 1519 Fred Whittaker, PProvDepGReg ............................................................................. 128

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PAST PROVINCIAL DEPUTY GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES Jack Bagguley, PProvJGD ...................................................................................... 348 Harry Bell, PProvSGD ........................................................................................... 5573 Roger Bowden, PProvSGD ................................................................................... 4661 Michael Boxall, PProvSGD ...................................................................................... 219 Peter Brown, PProvSGD ....................................................................................... 3005 William Brown, PProvJGD ......................................................................................... 44 Carl Buckley, PProvJGD ....................................................................................... 3837 Terence Bussell, PProvJGD .................................................................................. 6070 Phillip Clarke, PProvSGD .......................................................................................... 44 Alan Coleclough-Worrell, PProvSGD ...................................................................... 274 Paul Collins, PProvJGD ........................................................................................ 4111 William Earnshaw, PProvJGD ............................................................................... 3788 Roy Eccleshare, PProvSGD .................................................................................... 348 John Entwistle, PProvSGD ........................................................................................ 54 Tom Fishwick, PProvJGD ..................................................................................... 4964 Edward Freeman, ProvAGReg .............................................................................. 8947 Steven Graham, PProvSGD .................................................................................. 3837 William Grundy, PProvJGD ..................................................................................... 678 John Hardman, PProvJGD ...................................................................................... 348 Stephen Holland, PProvSGD ................................................................................ 8825 Kevin Hooson, PProvSGD .................................................................................... 5573 Martin Horan, PProvSGD ...................................................................................... 4595 Leslie Kay, PProvJGD ........................................................................................... 1322 Wayne Kilford, PProvJGD ..................................................................................... 5677 Christopher Lamb, PProvSGD .............................................................................. 5198 Michael MacCafferty, PProvJGD ........................................................................... 2447 Kenneth Palmer, PProvSGD ................................................................................. 2363 Andrew Palmer, PProvSGD .................................................................................. 6577 Niall Perry, PProvSGD .......................................................................................... 9174 Brian Powell, PProvSGD ....................................................................................... 3838 Stephen Quinn, PProvSGD ................................................................................... 7968 Joseph Ramsden, PProvSGD ............................................................................... 9468 Kenneth Rawcliffe, PProvSGD ................................................................................ 462 Paul Royce, PProvSGD ........................................................................................ 6070 Martin Schwarz, PProvSGD .................................................................................. 5309 David Stenton, PProvJGD ..................................................................................... 1633 Tony Stephenson, PProvSGD ............................................................................... 1459 Doug Stott, PProvSGD .......................................................................................... 8825 Robert Summers, PProvSGD ................................................................................ 4703 Harvey Taylor, PProvSGD .................................................................................... 6163 Charles Warner, PProvSGD .................................................................................. 3615 John Wilkinson, PProvJGD ..................................................................................... 348 David Wood, PProvSGD ......................................................................................... 369 PAST PROVINCIAL SENIOR GRAND DEACON John Ashworth, PProvGStB .................................................................................. 5573 Donald Askham, PProvJGD .................................................................................. 1459 Anthony Bardsley, PProvAGDC ............................................................................ 8763 Eric Barrow, PProvAGDC ...................................................................................... 4315

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Anthony Berry, PProvGStwd ................................................................................. 5309 Derek Blank, PProvAGSwdB ................................................................................ 1798 Les Brookes, PProvGStwd .................................................................................... 4964 Norman Cooke, PProvAGDC .................................................................................. 298 Norman Cotton, PProvAGDC ................................................................................ 4964 Nick Davis, PProvAGDC ....................................................................................... 8947 Stephen Dunks, PProvGStB ................................................................................... 757 Barry Etchells, PProvAGDC .................................................................................... 369 Gordon Fletcher, PProvAGDC .............................................................................. 5206 David Gill, PProvAGDC ......................................................................................... 8178 Lee Gridley, PProvGStwd ..................................................................................... 3716 Alan Griffin, PProvAGDC ...................................................................................... 4315 Russell Harwood, ProvGStwd ................................................................................. 283 Andrew Hindle, PProvGStwd ................................................................................ 3479 Duncan Holmes, PProvAGDC ............................................................................... 8766 Alan Jones, PProvAGDC ...................................................................................... 1322 Garry Jones, PProvAGDC ..................................................................................... 4848 John Lees, PProvGStwd ......................................................................................... 367 Ian McGregor, PProvJGD ..................................................................................... 3005 Leigh Rickett, PProvGStwd ................................................................................... 4661 Trevor Ripley, PProvJGD ...................................................................................... 5573 Simon Rogers, PProvGStwd ................................................................................. 6721 Brian Silcock, PProvJGD ....................................................................................... 1009 Mark Smith, PProvGStB ........................................................................................ 4661 Tom Smith, PProvAGDC ....................................................................................... 4207 Les Stevens, PProvAGDC .................................................................................... 3622 James Thornborrow, PProvAGDC .......................................................................... 350 Graham Thornton, PProvGStwd ........................................................................... 2529 Roger Tozer, PProvAGDC .................................................................................... 1459 George Varga, PProvGStwd ................................................................................. 7286 David Woods, PProvAGDC ................................................................................... 7933 John Yates, PProvAGDC ...................................................................................... 3788 PAST PROVINCIAL JUNIOR GRAND DEACON Steven Bane, PProvGStwd ....................................................................................... 62 John Watson, PProvAGSwdB ................................................................................. 462 APPOINTMENTS PAST PROVINCIAL SENIOR GRAND DEACON Maj Andrew Dinning .............................................................................................. 2322 Harry Keable ............................................................................................................. 44 Christopher Malpus ............................................................................................... 9659 PAST PROVINCIAL JUNIOR GRAND DEACON Nicholas Baldwin ..................................................................................................... 369 Philip Beaumont .................................................................................................... 3932 Hurryduth Beedaysee ............................................................................................ 3989 Mark Blakemore .................................................................................................... 7968 Neil Bradbury ........................................................................................................ 2320 Chris Cordes ......................................................................................................... 6522 Maurice Gould ....................................................................................................... 6594

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Howard Hansell ....................................................................................................... 348 Christopher Jones ................................................................................................. 8561 David Kerr ................................................................................................................. 42 Brian Leightell ......................................................................................................... 298 John McHugh ........................................................................................................ 1009 Paul Newton .......................................................................................................... 4641 Alan Oakley ........................................................................................................... 8235 Terence Rebanks .................................................................................................. 7560 Mathew Robinson ................................................................................................. 7885 Colin Spencer ........................................................................................................ 1218 Lee Thorne ................................................................................................................ 42 Thomas Wedgeworth .............................................................................................. 152 Laurence Wright .................................................................................................... 5040 PAST PROVINCIAL ASSISTANT GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES Robert Allardice ..................................................................................................... 8249 Philip Ashwin ......................................................................................................... 1534 Maj John Brooke ....................................................................................................... 62 Stephen Bury .......................................................................................................... 381 Roger Coop ........................................................................................................... 1253 Damian Davenport ................................................................................................ 3322 Chris Eccles .......................................................................................................... 2560 Charles Elliott ............................................................................................................ 62 Hamid Farahzady .................................................................................................. 2905 Alan Fletcher ......................................................................................................... 9101 Aidan Foynes ........................................................................................................ 3615 Ken Francis ........................................................................................................... 1322 Steven Gordon ...................................................................................................... 3140 Andrew Graham .................................................................................................... 7869 Ronald Hewitt ........................................................................................................ 4828 William Jenkins ..................................................................................................... 2320 Andrew Kershaw ................................................................................................... 3855 Michael Murray ...................................................................................................... 5573 Eric Reeves ........................................................................................................... 9248 Philip Ridings ........................................................................................................ 8825 Stephen Royce ...................................................................................................... 6070 Eric Smith ................................................................................................................ 381 Malcolm Souch ........................................................................................................ 325 Paul Taylor ............................................................................................................ 8879 Peter Williams ....................................................................................................... 7869 Rodney Williams ..................................................................................................... 367 PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND STANDARD BEARER Simon de Wynter-White ........................................................................................ 5677 PAST PROVINCIAL ASSISTANT GRAND PURSUIVANT Bernard Barff ........................................................................................................... 191 “Sir, the following additional Honours have also been conferred during the year:-

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WBro John Whitfield was promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden at the Centenary of Kitchener Lodge No 3788.

WBro Geoff Nicholls was promoted to Past Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies at the Centenary of Charity Centenary Lodge No 3786.

WBro Trevor Woodcock was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden at the Centenary of the Lodge of Remembrance No 3787.

WBro Alan Mansley was promoted to PProvSGW at the 150th of Milton Lodge No 1144.

WBro David CH Brown was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden earlier today.

Sir, you have been pleased to confer a total of 239 appointments, re-appointments and promotions in your 2017 Honours List.

To receive a Report on the attendance. The total attendance was 834 with 76 Grand Officers, 516 Provincial Grand Officers, 148 Masters and Past Masters and 92 Master Masons. The collection for the East Lancashire Masonic Charity raised £4,096.47 together with £905.63 in Tax Relief giving a grand total of 5,048.10.

Any Other Business Before closing the meeting the RW Provincial Grand Master expressed his thanks to the Chairman of the East Lancashire Masonic Charity and the Chairmen of the various sub-Committees who work tirelessly throughout the year on behalf of the Province and who are an essential part of our structure.

He thanked the many people involved in organising the meeting. In particular, he thanked the Provincial Grand Secretary, Martin Roche and WBro Roger Norris, the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary Andrew Holland, the Provincial Office Manager Susan O’Neill, the Office Administrator Anne Donnelly, and, of course, all the volunteers. He congratulated the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro Dr Simon Archer and his team, for their splendid ceremonial presentation which was most impressive. He expressed his special thanks to our Tyler, Jim Smith and his team for all their arrangements today; to David Lightbown, the Brethren of East Ribble and the Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge No 8408, for their Stewarding of the meeting; to the Security team under the direction of Bro Steve Smith; to our soundmen Bro John Hesketh and Bro Peter Hegarty; to our “medical staff” led by Bro Derek Smith and John Thornhill and to Brian Bennion and his team for the collection arrangements.

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The Provincial Grand Secretary reported that there was no further business that could be properly brought before this meeting. The Proceedings concluded with the singing of two verses of the National Anthem. WBro Martin P Roche, JP, PSGD, PAPGM, ProvGSec