White Rose - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

White Rose 

FORTY SEVENTH EDITION - SPRING 2013 

MASONIC NEWS 

300 years of 

Masons in 

Bradford 

Page 21 

Connaught Court and 

the benefits to Masons 

Page 12 

PGM takes to the air Grand Ranks What do the officers of 

Page 7 Page 6 

the Province do for you? 

Page 35 

Is this your lucky number? Find out inside 

Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

14850 

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2 White Rose Masonic News Spring 2013

Yorkshire, W R Masonic Activities Ltd 

The White Rose team 

President 

John K Clayton 

Provincial Grand Master 

Vice presidents 

Colin Dent 

Stewart G Carley 

Brian Holmes 

Chairman 

John B Gledhill 

Assistant PGM 

Editor 

Richard Uttley 

Orchestra, Unit 5 Metro Trading Estate, 

Barugh Green Road, Barugh Green, 

Barnsley, S75 1JT 

Tel: 01226 697989 (w) 

07802 931762 (m) 

Email: richard@orchestra.co.uk 

Deputy Editor 

Peter Doherty 

5 Warren Park, Hove Edge, 

Brighouse, HD6 2RR 

Tel: 01484 712912 (h) 07906 895058 (m) 

Email: peter.doherty@wrprovince.co.uk 

Assistant Editor 

David Archer 

Editorial Assistants 

T Malcolm Cruise 

Editorial Consultant 

John B Gledhill 

Marketing and Advertising chairman 

Stuart Cadman 

Tel: 01274 873426 

Email: stuart@jsc-consultants.co.uk 

Produced, printed and distributed by 

Stuart Cummins, Ernest Cummins Ltd 

385 Canal Road, Bradford BD2 1AW 

Tel: 01274 582555 

www.wrprovince.co.uk 

Reg No 4634747 

Copy deadline for Autumn issue 

30 September, 2013 

White Rose Masonic News Spring 2013 

Editor’s comment 

It has been a busy time in the Province since the last publication and I am pleased to say that we 

have been the benefi ciaries. Lodges in all fi ve areas have taken the time to write in and let us know 

what has been taking place and, where we are able, we have included it in this edition. Thank you, 

for your contributions. 

I have also been delighted to receive articles that express a Brother’s point of view on Masonry 

matters that are close to their heart, such as David Battye’s ‘Things aren’t what they used to be’. 

Articles like these often express or relate to the thoughts of many Masons, especially those who have 

been involved for many years and have witnessed change, good or bad, and opens up the topic for 

discussion amongst a wider audience. On that point I would like to invite any Brethren to write to the 

editorial team about any subject they would like us to consider for publication and, hopefully, we will 

have a ‘Letters to the Editor’ section with some lively and interesting topics. 

As you are no doubt aware the White Rose News is supported by its advertisers, which means it 

is free to every Mason in the Province. Whilst some of the advertisers are Masons and combine their 

support for the publlication alongside the opportunity to promote their business, it is worth taking 

into consideration just how far the WRN reaches. As a business person you might be surprised to 

know that we have over 10,000 readers, many of whom would probably prefer to deal with a Mason 

simply because they can be confi dent of being looked after with the same courtesy and respect we 

strive to exhibit in our everyday lives when dealing with another person. 

For more information on advertising in the White Rose News, please contact Stuart Cadman on 

01274 8873426 or send an email to stuart@jsc-consultants.co.uk. 

A recent addition to the editorial team of the White Rose 

Masonic News as Assistant Editor is David Archer, a Past 

Master of Howley Lodge No 5012. David was appointed 

Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2010 and promoted 

to Past Deputy Grand Registrar in 2012. He is a member of 

Scarborough Chapter, is a Grand Offi cer in the Order of Secret 

Monitor, being a member of Chantry Conclave, and is also a 

member of the Chantry Preceptory of Knights Templar. 

David is married to Jill and has two boys at university. He 

retired last year as an Associate Headteacher and has recently 

taken up golf. His other interests, outside Masonry, include 

walking, and he is a volunteer with the Duke of Edinburgh’s 

Award Scheme, being a qualifi ed Expedition Assessor. He is also a member of the Province’s 

‘Classics on the Square’ and is the proud owner of a 1984 ex-military lightweight Land Rover. 

OVER £80,000 TO PROVIDE SUPPORT 

FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS 

Over £80,000 in support of community 

groups will be handed out by the R W 

Provincial Grand Master John K Clayton at 

the Provincial meeting at Harrogate on 29 

May this year. 

Joining Brethren from across the Province 

in the splendour of the Royal Hall will be 

representatives from six organisations who 

are recipients of major grants from the 

PGM’s Fund. 

These follow hard on the heels of the 

magnifi cent £223,000 distributed in 2012 

to non-masonic charities and local groups 

to celebrate H M The Queen’s Diamond 

Jubilee. 

Horticare, based at Lindhill Nurseries, 

Wakefi eld provides horticultural training 

for people with learning disabilities and 

has been awarded £16,000; sponsored by 

Trafalgar Lodge No 971. 

Cardinals Wheelchair Sports Club, also 


Editor 

supported by Trafalgar Lodge, is prominent 

in disabled sport and meets at Whitcliffe 

Mount Sports Centre, Cleckheaton. The 

group receives £7,000. 

St Vincent’s Support Centre, a voluntary 

organisation which provides community 

support in East Leeds, is awarded £5,500 

following an application by the Leeds Lodge 

No 9867. 

The 6th Holme Valley Scout Group, based 

at Trinity Church, Honley has been awarded 

£15,000, with support by Albert Edward 

Lodge No 1783. 

Queensbury Scout Band will be able to 

purchase new instruments following a grant 

of £20,000, sponsored by Rokeby Lodge No 

6301. 

Hade Edge FC fi eld several teams in 

the Huddersfi eld District Football League 

and they will receive £18,000 after being 

supported by Holme Valley Lodge No 652. 

3

NORTHERN NIGHTS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS 

Back in the early part of 2002, when 

‘Freemasonry in the Community’ fi rst 

raised its head, David Pick suggested to 

the Committee of Harewood Lodge No 

5667, Otley that Freemasonry should do 

something for its own ‘community’ and 

proposed an invitation to all the Lodges 

in the Northern area (Area 3) of the 

Province to attend a ‘Northern Area Night’ 

at Westbourne House. The proposal was 

accepted and W Bro’s Pick and Gregson 

put the wheels in motion. 

Invitations were sent to the Masters and 

Wardens of the other 33 Lodges in the area 

to attend the Regular meeting of Harewood 

Lodge on Tuesday 25 June 2002 for the 

purposes of celebrating ‘Freemasonry in It’s 

Own Community’ – as well as to witness the 

raising of Stuart Fairbairn. 

Robert Scorer, then Assistant PGM with 

particular responsibility for the Northern 

Area Lodges, agreed to attend what was 

originally expected to be a ‘one-off’ night. 

As part of the overall ‘Freemasonry in the 

Community’ initiative David Pick and Greg 

Wardman of Harewood Lodge and their 

wives, had joined with a number of Brethren 

of Wharncliffe Lodge No 1462, Penistone 

to complete the 25 mile Yorkshire Three 

Peaks Walk and a raffl e on the evening of 

the Northern Area Night (NAN, as it soon 

became known) raised over £400 for charity. 

The outcome of that fi rst Northern Area 

Night was that it was felt to be ‘a good thing’ 

which should be encouraged to continue, 

perhaps annually and to be hosted by 

other Lodges which wished to make an 

offer. W Bro Scorer had so enjoyed the 

evening that he asked for a volunteer 

Lodge to host a second NAN meeting; an 

immediate response was forthcoming from 

the Master of Harrogate and Claro Lodge 

No 1001, at which meeting Robin Gregson 

was ‘volunteered’ as NAN co-ordinator by 

W Bro Scorer. 

Frank Midgley of Harewood Lodge, a 

master woodworking craftsman, produced 

and presented a beautiful wooden baton 

complete with stand and box to be passed 

from Lodge to Lodge as the NAN moved 

around the area. 

Since June 2002 there have been 20 

further NANs at intervals of about six months. 

In November last year the baton returned to 

its source at Harewood Lodge No 5667, 

Otley for its 22nd ‘anniversary’ meeting. 

There is no fi xed format for the 

ceremony, more a requirement that it be as 

normal a Lodge meeting as possible with 

the usual business being conducted. It is, 

and has been, a wonderful opportunity 

to visit other Lodges and Masonic halls 

throughout the area. 

ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE PROVINCIAL 

EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT TEAM 

Following a meeting at the 

Rulers Forum a new Workshop 

was launched at the Castleford 

Masonic Hall on Wednesday 20 

March 2013. 

This workshop entitled ‘After the 

Chair‘ was presented by W Bro 

David Spivey, assisted by Bruce 

Lowis and is intended to assist 

the Past Masters to look at ways 

in which they can continue their 

Masonic involvement within their 

lodges after they have served as 

Immediate Past Master. 

It was outlined that as a 

Past Master you are not a past 

Mason and during the 45 minute 

presentation, W Bro Spivey 

detailed the roles of the various 

Lodge Officers usually held by 

Past Masters. 

The areas in which they can 

give their experiences and 

become more involved within 

the Lodges, their important role 

in relation to supporting and 

educating the Brethren and 

in ways they can assist in the 

Provincial activities through their 

professional expertise. 

Following the excellent 

presentation by W Bro Spivey, 

W Bro David Pratt APGM 

for Area 5 and W Bro Alan 

Hurdley, Provincial Education 

Officer invited comments and 

discussion from the Brethren 

who attended which added 

to a very enjoyable and 

informative evening. 

Following this successful 

evening it is the intention of 

the Education Team to repeat 

this Workshop in each area of 

the Province. 

The Education Team would 

like to thank the Management 

Committee at Castleford for their 

support and assistance. 

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W Bro John Boyington CBE, PPSGD 

What a great start we have made to the 

2017 RMBI Festival since the launch at 

Provincial Grand Lodge in May 2012. 

At the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting 

on 29 May 2013, the R W Provincial Grand 

Master, John K Clayton, is expected to 

announce that the total fund raising for this 

fi rst year is in excess of £500,000. This is a 

fantastic amount and gives the Province a 

great foundation on which to build. 

How has this been achieved? Answered 

simply; it has been achieved because 

of the generosity of the Brethren of our 

wonderful Province. 

Regular giving makes up a large amount 

of this fi gure, which continues to be 

enhanced by the tax that can be reclaimed. 

So, let’s continue with this and I would 

encourage all the Brethren in the Province, 

where they can afford it, to seek out their 

charity steward to put in place a regular 

giving commitment. 

Through one-off donations and regular 

giving, over 10% of Brethren have qualifi ed 

as a Steward of the Festival and have 

bought the Festival Jewel. So far over 720 

jewels have been distributed. The proceeds 

from the sale of jewels have also made a 

signifi cant contribution to the fi gure to be 

announced by the Provincial Grand Master. 

Of the 207 lodges in the Province there 

are now over 150 that have members with 

jewels. 

Patronage levels continue to increase 

and there are some 24 Brethren in the 

Province who have qualifi ed as such. 

These are Brethren who have donated over 

£500 to the Festival, before any tax has 

been reclaimed. 

Lodge patronage is also doing well, with 

10 Lodges having qualifi ed as Vice Patrons, 

12 as Patrons and two as Grand Patrons. 

The sale of merchandise remains an 

important source of revenue; cuffl inks, 

THANKS FOR A FANTASTIC 

John Boyington CBE, PPSGD, Chairman 

FIRST YEAR of the 2017 RMBI Festival, reports 

lapel badges and other items are available 

to purchase through the Provincial website, 

and also via your charity steward, Provincial 

Charity Assistant and Area Manager who, 

between them, control a small stock of 

these items, making it easier for a Brother 

to purchase them. 

Other fund-raising activities are currently 

in full swing, not only within the Province 

but also within Lodges and on an Area 

basis. Let’s ensure these get publicised 

within Lodge buildings and on the website, 

thereby maximising our efforts to attract 

other Brethren and their partners, if 

applicable, to these events to make them 

even more successful. If you would like to 

publicise such an event on the website, 

please send details to the following email 

address; webmaster@wrprovince.co.uk. 

We already have a Gala Ball on Saturday, 

29 June 2013 at The Queen’s Hotel in 

Leeds, which should have already been 

advertised to all Lodges in the Province. 

Details can be found on the website. It 

would be nice to see representatives from 

Lodges from each of the Provincial Areas 

on the evening. 

For those of a more energetic nature and 

to coincide with the Tour de France starting 

in our Province in 2014, a cycling event is 

being organised over a three-day period for 

next year. Dubbed by the RMBI committee 

as the “Provincial Perimeter Pedal,” a group 

of sponsored Brethren will cycle round the 

perimeter of the Province visiting as many 

Masonic halls as possible. It is intended 

that Brethren will be able to join them in 

their endeavours for parts of the course, 

with each Brother only completing what 

they feel able to do. 

There are two main aims to this event; 

the fi rst is to raise funds for the festival. All 

contributions will be gratefully received and 

I know this will spur on the participants to 

completing the course. The second is to 

have fun through supporting the cyclists 

and maybe arranging small events at the 

Masonic halls they visit. I wonder who we 

will actually see taking part? 

The funds we are raising continually 

fl ow to the RMBI; they are not retained by 

Province and donated at the end of the 

festival. As such we need to ensure we are 

making regular contributions so that our 

hard working charity stewards can remit the 

monies to Province on at least a quarterly 

basis. 

These funds remain an important and 

vital source of revenue for the RMBI 

enabling them to help people, who reside 

at their homes, meet the costs involved. 

The quality of care provided in the RMBI 

homes is fantastic and quite rightly we 

should be proud of what they do. If you 

want to see the great work they do, then 

arrange to visit one of the RMBI Homes, 

such as Connaught Court in York. 

Brethren, I can only thank you for your 

efforts to date and the funds already 

raised, it is quite humbling when you look 

at what has been achieved in only one year. 

Let’s continue to build on our signifi cant 

achievements to date and continue with 

our fund-raising to make this 2017 RMBI 

Festival a resounding success. 

FESTIVAL JEWELS 

Merchandise for the 2017 RMBI 

Festival 

EVERYONE can support the 2017 

RMBI Festival by purchasing any of 

the following shown here: 

The tie pin costs £8.00 plus £1.75 

postage and packing 

Cuff links are priced at £10.00 per 

pair, with the lapel badge at £5.00, 

both with £1.75 p and p. 

All three items can be purchased 

for £20.00 plus p and p and 

are available to order through 

the Provincial website at: 

wwwwrprovince.co.uk 

MOORLAND LODGE No.6591 Meeting on the 4th Wednesday except Aug and Apr, 2nd Tuesday Dec, Inst. 1st Wednesday in May 

Hoyle Court, Baildon, Shipley BD17 6JS PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THIS PAGE OF THE WHITE ROSE MASONIC NEWS. 


5

THE PROVINCE IS WELL REPRESENTED AT 

GRAND LODGE IN THE COMING YEAR 

James H Newman; V W Bro Newman 

was fi rst appointed to Grand Rank in 2002, 

receiving promotions in 2007 and 2011. He 

is currently Chairman of the Trustees of the 

RMBI, a position which due to organisational 

changes within the RMBI, will cease to exist. 

His appointment as President of the RMBI 

entitles him to the prefi x of VW Bro and James 

said, “It is a great honour for me and I hope, 

the Province.” 

The honour follows closely after he was 

awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffi eld 

Hallam University for services to business 

and enterprise in Yorkshire and Humberside. 

A former Master Cutler and having been 

a director of a number of Yorkshire based 

companies over many years and a former 

deputy chairman of the University’s Board 

of Governors, he is currently chairman of the 

Sheffi eld Local Enterprise Partnership and of 

Finance Yorkshire. 

Alan Hurdley held acting rank in both 

Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter 

at the same time, if only for one day, having 

been appointed Grand Standard Bearer 

in Supreme Grand Chapter last year and 

Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the 

Craft on 24 April, the day before relinquishing 

his offi ce at this year’s Convocation of 

Supreme Grand Chapter. 

The role of Grand Standard Bearer is 

that of Director of Ceremonies to one of 

the Supreme Grand Chapter Rulers and 

Alan had the pleasure of accompanying 

M E Companion George Pipon Francis, 

Second Grand Principal on six occasions. 

As well as the Provincial Grand Chapter 

Convocation in York, reported in the Autumn 

issue of this magazine, he attended a Banner 

ceremony in Cheshire, a Bi Centenary 

meeting in Cumberland and Westmoreland, 

an Amalgamation meeting in Durham which 

was followed the next day by a lecture by 

the Second Grand Principal in the same 

city and fi nally, the Provincial Grand Chapter 

Convocation in West Lancashire. 

One of the highlights of the year was being 

presented with a pair of red socks and a red 

handkerchief by M E Companion Francis, 

who insists that his Director of Ceremonies 

wears them, as he does himself. 

T Malcolm Cruise is a former Provincial 

Grand Organist and follows in the 

recent footsteps of Simon G Lindley and 

Andrew Clark of this Province at the organ at 

Great Queen Street. 

The following Brethren are congratulated on the honours received at the annual 

investiture at United Grand Lodge on 24 April 2013. 

FIRST APPOINTMENTS 

Robert Ian Gawain COLE Spen Vale No 4515 PAGReg 

Alan HURDLEY Rugby Football No 9811 AGDC 

John Keith BRAMLEY Connaught and Truth No 521 PAGDC 

William CLIFT, MBE Legiolium No 1542 PAGDC 

Alan JACKSON King Arthur No 9311 PAGDC 

Thomas Malcolm CRUISE Thornhill No 1514 DepGOrg 

PROMOTIONS 

James Henry NEWMAN Hadassah No 4871 PresRMBI 

John Barry GLEDHILL Thornhill No 1514 PSGD 

Godfrey BEDFORD Victory No 3922 PJGD 

James Bennett TRUSWELL Sandbeck No 7275 PJGD 

The following Companions are congratulated on the honours received at the Convocation 

of Supreme Grand Chapter the following day. 

APPOINTMENTS 

David Eric FIRMIN Three Grand Principles No 208 PGStB 

Graham Stuart FRANKLIN Ryburn No 1283 PGStB 

James Stuart GRAY St Laurence No 2330 PGStB 

David Russell JOHNSON Hallamshire No 2268 PGStB 

PROMOTIONS 

Stewart Glasgow CARLEY Scarborough No 1214 PGSwdB 

David Llewellyn STEEL Connaught No 1018 PAGSoj 

ACTING OFFICERS 

ENTERTAINED 

At the beginning of March, 36 Brethren 

and their partners embarked on a visit to the 

capital. The highlight of the weekend was a 

visit to Chelsea Lodge Ladies night. The 

Chelsea Lodge is traditionally known as 

the entertainers Lodge, and is well known 

for social events. The event was held at 

Lancaster House Hotel, and was attended 

by over 700 Masons and partners. The 

Cabaret was excellent, the fi nal performer 

being comedian Tom O’Connor. Tom’s 

act was reminiscent of Tommy Cooper: 

45 minutes without an even remotely blue 

joke! The Current Master of Chelsea Lodge 

is Mick Abrahams, formerly drummer to 

60s R and B group “Jethro Tull” 

We were delighted to fi nd that the event 

raised over £10.500 for charity. 

The photograph shows Asst. PGM 

Stuart Cummins being escorted into the 

event. The eagle eyed amongst you will 

see that W Bro Stuart is giving the “thumbs 

up” sign in anticipation of a good evening. 

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CLIFTON LODGE No 7112 IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS PAGE OF THE WHITE ROSE MASONIC NEWS Meeting on the 1st Thursday 

of every month except May June July & Aug Installation Oct. Assembly Rooms, Briggate, Brighouse. HD6 1EF 


R W Provincial Grand Master, John K Clayton ‘took to the air’ during 

a visit to one of the charities to benefi t from the £223,500 Queen’s 

Diamond Jubilee grants. 

Members of Harrogate Hospital Radio invited RW Bro Clayton, 

together with members of Vale of Nidd Lodge No 4984, who nominated 

the charity, to offi cially open its revamped Studio 2. 

Thanks to a grant of £9,000, the charity, which fi rst took to the airwaves 

in 1977, has been able to refurbish its off-air studio with a state of the art 

mixing desk and associated furniture. 

Harrogate Hospital Radio presenter Ellie Jackson, whose approach to 

Michael Walker of Vale of Nidd Lodge led to the successful application, 

used the opportunity to interview R W Bro Clayton about Freemasonry, 

its history and ‘secrets’. 

R W Bro Clayton also spoke about the Teddies for Loving Care 

(TLC) scheme, of which Harrogate District Hospital is a benefi ciary and 

PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER 

TAKES TO THE AIR AT 

HARROGATE HOSPITAL RADIO! 

recorded a number of messages wishing patients a speedy recovery. 

R W Bro Clayton said: “Harrogate Hospital Radio is a wonderful 

charity and I’m delighted we have been able to support this worthwhile 

cause. It is highly regarded by patients and staff alike and plays an 

important role in hospital life. It’s always gratifying to be invited to see 

how our donations are being put to good use.” 

Harrogate Hospital Radio chairman Iain Wighton said, “We are 

indebted to the Freemasons for their incredibly generous gift. In 

particular, I’d like to thank members of Pateley Bridge’s Vale of Nidd 

Lodge for nominating us in the fi rst place. Thanks to this donation 

and that of a number of other organisations, we have been able to 

upgrade our second studio to the same standard as our main, on-air 

studio.” 

He added, “Harrogate Hospital Radio’s fi rst broadcast was 35 

years ago and our equipment then consisted of one record player, 

one reel to reel tape recorder and a microphone. Through successive 

appeals, the support of numerous local organisations and members’ 

own fund-raising activities, we can now justifi ably boast to 

having some of the best broadcasting facilities anywhere in the 

Yorkshire region.” 

Picture: (back row from left) Vale of Nidd members, Dave Marshall 

and Michael Walker with Gordon Pearson, Provincial Communications 

Committee; Roger Newhouse, WRMC Ltd; Ian Wighton. (front row) 

Presenter Ellie Jackson and John K Clayton. 

ANNUAL MASONIC SERVICE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF PAST MASTERS 

The Kingfi eld Synagogue on Psalter Lane, 

Sheffi eld was the rather different setting 

for the annual Masonic service for the 

Association of Past Masters in Sheffi eld and 

Districts. In the presence of the Lord Mayor 

of Sheffi eld; Councillor John Campbell and 

the Lady Mayoress, Councillor Catherine 

Taylor; president of the Association, W Bro 

Eric Sayliss welcomed some 130 attendees 

by explaining the signifi cance of some of 

the religious decoration and outlining the 

service to follow. 

Rabbi Yoinosson Golomb began the 

recitations which included prayers from 

Psalms that were read in Hebrew and 

English so that all could participate. These 

were followed by the well known piece 

from Ecclesiastes ‘Remember thy creator 

in the days of thy youth’. W Bro Selwyn 

Burchhardt recited the original Hebrew 

followed by Eric who recited the English 

translation written by Rabbi Barnet Cohen 

one of the founder members of Hadassah 

Lodge, 87 years ago. 

This was followed by the Opening of 

the Ark by W Bro Marvyn Moore which 

contains the Torah Scrolls. Beautifully 

decorated with silver appurtenances and 

covered in velvet, these are the original 

texts of the Five Books of Moses – Genesis 

to Deuteronomy - written in Hebrew. The 

scrolls form the canon of Jewish law 

and practice and the opening of the Ark 

in which they stand is symbolic of the 

opening of the gates of heaven. 

Rabbi Golomb recited the Prayer 

for the Royal Family and Bro Joseph 

Knowles recited the prayer for Masonic 

Rulers. The Ark was then closed by W Bro 

Steven Wilfi n and Rabbi Golomb gave 

his address. His theme centered on the 

reading from Ecclesiastes as mentioned 

earlier and he stressed the importance of 

remembering the Almighty as source for 

inspiration and purpose throughout one’s 

life. He concluded by saluting the high 

moral standards demanded by Masonry 

and praising its charitable works. 

A collection was held and charity 

steward, W Bro Patrick Yeardley recited 

the Prayer Concerning Charity. Finally, 

by special request from Eric Sayliss, the 

entire congregation joined in the hearty 

singing of Adon Olam. This is an ancient 

Hebrew hymn that has dozens of tunes to 

it and extols the virtues of the Master of the 

Universe (- Adon Olam). A transliterated 

version with musical notes made it 

possible for all congregants to unite in 

prayer as one. 

After standing for the national anthem 

all retired to the adjacent reception rooms 

for refreshments. Grateful thanks are due 

to W Bro Andrew Clark for his excellent 

accompaniment on the organ. Proceeds 

from the collection amounting to over £460 

will be donated to the RMBI. 

SPEN VALE LODGE No 4515 Meeting on the 1st Thursday of every month at The Masonic Hall, Market Street, Heckmondwike 

West Yorks. WF16 0JU IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS PAGE OF THE WHITE ROSE MASONIC NEWS 


7

NEW ADMISSION TO 

UNIVERSITIES SCHEME 

The Assistant Grand Master and president 

of the Universities Scheme, R W Bro 

Williamson has been pleased to approve 

the admission of The Lodge of Connaught & 

Truth No 521, Huddersfi eld as a member of 

the Scheme. 

The letter of acceptance was read out by 

the Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro John 

K Clayton at the festive board following the 

meeting of the Lodge in March this year. 

Apollo University Lodge was founded 

at Oxford in 1819, whilst the Isaac Newton 

University Lodge at Cambridge was formed 

in 1861. Since then many thousands of young 

men have been introduced to Freemasonry 

through these two Lodges and they provided 

the inspiration for the Universities Scheme. 

The Scheme was set up at the beginning of 

2005 with the objective: ‘To establish and/or 

enhance arrangements and opportunities 

for undergraduates and other university 

members to enjoy Freemasonry’. 

The Lodge of Connaught and Truth is the 

56th Lodge to be admitted to the Scheme 

in England and Wales. The membership of 

Scheme Lodges consists of undergraduates, 

postgraduates, members of the faculty and 

alumni, ranging in age from 18 upwards. All 

under 25’s benefi t from the recent decision 

by Grand Lodge to halve their dues in order 

to make Freemasonry as accessible to as 

wide an audience as possible. 

This now brings the number of Lodges 

in the Scheme to four in the Province of 

Yorkshire West Riding. The others are Lodge 

of Hope No 302 in Bradford, University Lodge 

Sheffi eld No 3911 and Aurora Lodge No 

4047 in Leeds. With the addition of the Lodge 

of Connaught and Truth, all the towns and 

cities in the Province that have a university 

now have a Lodge that is part of the Scheme. 

Commenting on the latest addition to the 

Scheme within the Province, the Provincial 

Grand Master, R W Bro John K Clayton 

said, “I am absolutely delighted that the 

Lodge of Connaught and Truth has been 

admitted into the Universities Scheme. The 

Scheme has created a strategic opportunity 

for the future of Freemasonry by admitting 

students into our Order at an early age. 

With Scheme Lodges in Sheffi eld, Leeds, 

Bradford and now Huddersfi eld, we are 

strongly placed in our Province to take full 

advantage of the benefi ts of participating in 

the Universities Scheme”. 

On receiving the good news, Dr Craig 

Johnson, Master of the Lodge said, “Our 

Lodge is honoured to be part of the 

Universities Scheme. The Brethren of the 

Lodge of Connaught and Truth look forward 

to playing a full and active role in this 

important initiative”. 

The Lodge already has a number of 

alumni of the University of Huddersfi eld as 

members. This includes Dr Johnson MA, 

DMS; Malcolm Peace BEng; Simon Ackroyd 

BMus, PGCE; Paul Moorhouse BA (English) 

and Simon Jones BA (Marketing). 

The Lodge has a rich history, dating back 

to 1845. It is unique in the Province for 

Initiating a Brother who went on to become 

a Grand Master. 

The Marquess of Ripon was Grand Master 

between the years of 1870-74 and was the 

third Grand Master after the union between 

the Antients and the Moderns. George 

Frederick Samuel Robinson was initiated in 

1852 into the Lodge of Truth, shortly before 

being elected MP for Huddersfi eld. Lord 

Ripon had a distinguished public career, 

much of it concerned with education. Along 

with his friend and colleague William Forster 

he championed the Elementary Education 

Act of 1870. This was the fi rst step towards 

universal education. Ripon was an active 

member of the Huddersfi eld Mechanics’ 

Institution which was a forerunner of the 

University of Huddersfi eld. In his later life 

he was appointed as the fi rst Chancellor of 

Leeds University (1904-1909) at the start of 

the expansion of higher education with the 

so-called ‘red brick’ universities. 

In order to be admitted to the Scheme 

the Lodge of Connaught and Truth were 

required to meet eight criteria set by Grand 

Lodge. These were assessed at a meeting 

with the Lodge in February this year that 

included V W Bro Bruce Clitherow, the 

scheme’s coordinator for the Universities 

Scheme in Yorkshire; W Bro John Gledhill, 

Assistant PGM for Area 2 and W Bro David 

Pratt, Assistant PGM responsible for the 

Universities Scheme in the Province. R W 

Bro Williamson explained he had been 

impressed by the Lodge’s preparatory work 

The Lodge has already Initiated, 

Passed and Raised a PhD candidate at 

the University of Huddersfi eld, Elefteris 

Papadimitrioi. Bro Papadimitrioi is a 

composer of contemporary music and 

has since returned to Greece. He hopes 

to submit his thesis in the next couple of 

months. 

The February meeting was also a 

milestone for the Lodge as it Initiated its 

fi rst undergraduate; Daniel Roberts is a fi nal 

year music student (BMus) at the University 

of Huddersfi eld. Other students are already 

in the pipeline to join. 

W Bro Pratt has set up a working party of 

Scheme Lodges within the Province so they 

can exchange good practice and establish 

consistency across Scheme Lodges, where 

this is required. With the support of the 

Rulers of the Province of Yorkshire, North 

and East Riding, this working party has been 

extended to include the two universities 

outside the Province of Yorkshire, West 

Riding. These are Alcuin Lodge No 6300, 

York and Hull Old Grammarians Lodge 

No 5129, Hull. W Bro Pratt commented, 

“Both Yorkshire Provinces are proudly 

independent however we work together 

regularly to optimise the use of resources 

and maximise the impact. The Universities 

Scheme is another excellent example of the 

Yorkshire Masonic Family at work within our 

communities”. 

Picture: Bro Daniel Roberts is pictured with 

W Bro Dr Craig Johnson, Master 

SHOOTING IN THE PROVINCE...WELL ON TARGET 

The annual Inter-Provincial Clay Pigeon Shoot for the Watson- 

Eden Trophy was hosted by the Province of Yorkshire, West 

Riding at Knaresborough and District Gun Club in October of 

last year. A fi ne autumn day saw teams from the Provinces of 

West Lancashire; Cumberland and Westmorland; Yorkshire, 

North and East Riding and Yorkshire, West Riding taking part, 

with a good turn out of guns from our Province. 

Martin W Stray, Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented 

the trophies at the ensuing lunch at the Masonic Hall, Harrogate. 

Taking fi rst place was West Lancashire, with Yorkshire, West 

Riding claiming a credible second place. The winner of the 

Lawson Trophy and our Province’s high gun was Nigel Hirst of 

the Lodge of Charity No 4105. 

Alongside the sporting challenge of the day the teams also 

raised a comely sum of money for charity. 

This year’s competition will be hosted by the Province of 

West Lancashire on the fi rst weekend of October. It is hoped to 

have a number of practice shoots during 2013. 

Any Brother who is interested in joining the Association 

should contact William Watson; tel. 01423 862202 or e-mail 

william@watdoc.co.uk. Information can also be found on the 

Provincial web site. 


FOUNDERS’ JEWELS 

The heritage of a Masonic Lodge’s origin 

is an important part of the character of most, 

if not all, Lodges and Founder’s jewels are 

an essential ingredient of that heritage. 

They authenticate the very beginning of the 

Lodge’s formation. 

Stage two of the Historical Records 

survey carried out in the Province of 

Yorkshire West Riding in 2011 – 12 required 

all Lodges to document, amongst other 

items, Masonic jewels in their possession. 

This part of the survey completed by the 

Vale of Nidd Lodge No 4984 revealed 

amongst its miscellaneous collection 

of jewels a Founding Junior Warden’s 

jewel from Leyton Grange Park Lodge No 

5473. This Lodge, originally based in East 

London, was consecrated on 6 November 

1934 in a ceremony at Freemasons Hall, 

London. The Lodge now meets at the MH, 

Chingford in the Province of Essex. Despite 

fairly extensive research by the Vale of Nidd 

Lodge secretary, it proved impossible to 

establish any connection to Leyton Grange 

Park Lodge and explain how this particular 

jewel came to be in a display cabinet in 

Pateley Bridge. 

However, the Vale of Nidd Brethren 

determined to return the jewel to its rightful 

home in Essex. ‘Accordingly, a stated day 

having been appointed for its return to 

Chingford’, the Vale of Nidd Master, W Bro 

Jim Millington, accompanied by three other 

Lodge Brethren, journeyed to Essex in 

October 2012 to attend a meeting of Leyton 

Grange Park Lodge and formally return their 

Founding Junior Warden’s jewel, this being 

one of only three now in their possession. 

A second Founder’s jewel, this time from a 

Lodge in the Scottish Constitution, was also 

discovered during the Historical Records 

survey and arrangements are currently 

being made to return it to its original Lodge. 

The Vale of Nidd Lodge, consecrated 

on 14 February 1928, had 21 Founder 

members. Over the intervening years 

knowledge of the whereabouts of many 

of its Founder’s jewels has been lost. The 

Lodge has only seven of the twenty one 

in its possession and would welcome any 

information which could lead to the return of 

the other 14. 

The picture shows the WM of the Vale of 

Nidd Lodge, W Bro Jim Millington (centre 

right) having presented the Founder’s jewel 

to the WM of Leyton Grange Park Lodge. 

THINGS 

AREN’T 

WHAT THEY 

USED TO BE 

W Bro David Battye of Hillsborough 

Lodge No 5444 reflects on the 

differences faced by many working 

Masons over the years 

When my Lodge, Hillsborough No 5444, 

was consecrated in 1933, it was a very 

different world in a variety of ways. Car 

ownership was a rarity, people usually 

worked within easy travelling distance of 

home and communication was by post 

as most people did not own a telephone. 

Travel to distant countries was by 

steamship and took days or weeks rather 

than hours. Many areas of employment 

in which members were engaged had a 

reasonably relaxed approach to requests 

for an occasional early departure. 

All these differences have played a part 

in how members can and do attend and 

interact with their Lodges. 

In 1933 one could imagine a late arrival 

at my Lodge in Sheffi eld placing the blame 

on the tram journey from a local factory or 

offi ce. This would almost certainly be within 

about ten miles, at the most, for almost 

all members. The majority would be well 

within this distance. Absences because of 

work were probably limited to late working, 

for a variety of reasons. Attendances were 

generally high, as a percentage of the 

Lodge members. 

When I was initiated in 1968, matters 

had changed, but the general effect on the 

Lodge and on attendances had not been 

greatly affected. Then, we were getting 

the blame for late arrival placed on traffi c 

density. Absence because of work was 

limited to those few who were working a 

greater distance from the Lodge, say over 

50 miles or so, and most of those were not 

permanently employed so far away. 

After the time I had passed through the 

chair, in 1981, matters were beginning to 

change at an accelerating pace. I frequently 

found myself working at locations far 

away from Sheffi eld, almost anywhere 

between Londonderry and Lowestoft, or 

between Perth and Penzance. Most of 

these occasions involved work during the 

evening. The chances of returning to Lodge 

for a meeting were non-existent. This was 

exacerbated by conferences abroad, 

which were not scheduled to suit me and 

the exigencies of Lodge attendance. 

Even when I did manage to attend, there 

were occasions when I had to blame trains, 

motorway incidents or fl ight problems 

as the cause for lateness. Attendance 

percentages fell, not because of lack of 

or dwindling interest, but because of work 

pressures. A work-style change reduced 

these pressures markedly, but only 

retirement has restored the luxury of being 

in control of time and place so that Lodge 

can again take a more suitable place in my 

priorities. 

All these and more problems are being 

faced by Brethren in my own and in most 

other Lodges. The problem is not reducing 

but increasing at a seemingly everincreasing 

pace. 

In the light of all the above, we must 

fi nd a way of working fl exibly in our 

Lodges, taking a more relaxed attitude 

to those, mainly younger, Brethren who 

are pressured by their work to be at 

another place on many occasions. Are we 

understanding of their problems? Most 

of the burden of covering for absence will 

rest on the Past Masters. Do they exhibit 

sympathy or do they show irritation and 

make remarks which may drive members 

away? Are we prepared to accept a less 

than 100% attendance in a candidate 

for Master so that he can progress and 

eventually, when work simmers down, play 

his rightful part among the rulers of the 

Lodge and among the senior members of 

the Craft? 

Have we the graciousness to recognise 

that times have changed, probably 

permanently, and members now work 

frequently anywhere in Europe, or indeed 

further away, but that the commitment to 

Lodge and the Craft has not diminished 

necessarily? Unless we can answer 

positively to these points, then we will 

lose many of the most promising of our 

members and the Craft and our own 

Lodges will be the losers. 

St WILFRID LODGE No 6395 IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS PAGE OF THE WHITE ROSE MASONIC NEWS 

Meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month except Aug at Castle Grove Masonic Hall, Headingley, Leeds. LS6 4BP 


9

MASONIC SAMARITAN FUND 

SUPPORTS LOCAL RESEARCH 

ADVENTURE WEEKEND 

FOR MENCAP JYC 

Prof Matthew Holley discussing the finer parts of the research with Prof. Marcetti, Dr Fellerman, 

and Emily Pavey 

Brethren will be well aware that 

the MSF, the youngest of the central 

Masonic charities, provides services 

to Masons and their dependants who 

require services of a medical and 

dental nature, where such services 

are not available on the NHS, or where 

the waiting list is deemed inordinately 

long. Of course, your lodge Charity 

steward can help with this. 

In recent years, the MSF has 

diversifi ed in several directions. 

Amongst the foremost of these 

has been donations to sponsor 

medical research, especially in 

areas where Masons might be 

affected. To this end, research into 

prostate disease and deafness have 

featured. Sheffi eld University School 

of Biomedical science was awarded 

a grant of £25,000 to fund research 

into deafness. This grant has enabled 

Dr Stuart Johnson to work with 

Professor Walter Marcetti in studying 

the intricate workings of the inner ear. 

On the face of it, this pure research may 

not seem to have immediate benefi ts 

to Masons who are hard of hearing, 

but advances in restoring hearing are 

unlikely to bear fruit until the basic 

mechanisms causing deafness are 

understood at a fundamental level. 

Prof. Marcetti’s research examines the 

mechanisms by which hearing develops 

in neonates and children. 

Representatives of the MSF, Dr 

Andrew Henderson, MSF member, 

and Dr Simon Fellerman, MSF Trustee, 

together with Emily Pavey, Senior 

Fundraising executive of RNID (now 

Action on Hearing Loss), were invited 

to the laboratory in Sheffi eld University 

to review the work, and to witness 

progress in the research. 

This was followed by an enjoyable 

and instructive half day touring the 

facilities, at which the University 

expressed their thanks for the 

assistance that the Masonic Grant had 

made to their efforts. 

Mencap, as a whole, provide a range of 

services and activities to improve the lives 

and opportunities of children and adults with a 

learning disability, along with their families and 

carers. The Junior Youth Club is a particular 

group aimed at 14-18 year old’s and offers 

a fun, relaxed, safe place for teenagers with 

additional needs to meet and socialise with 

their peers. 

This month 20 members of the JYC are 

being taken to the Calvert Trust in the Lake 

District for a weekend. The Trust enables 

people with disabilities to achieve their 

potential through the challenge of outdoor 

adventure in the countryside. The benefi ts 

of the activities include the enrichment in 

the life of each individual through adventure 

and personal achievement. They will also 

have the chance to enjoy the countryside 

and recreational opportunities that can be 

transferred into everyday living. 

Pictured with Bro Ralph Lennard (Secretary) 

and W Bro Dinzie Archibald (WM) of Victoria 

Lodge No 2669 are Nicola Goldberg, Louise 

Palin and Jacqui Driscoll of the Leeds Mencap 

Junior Youth Club at the recent presentation 

of a cheque for £1,000 from the Queen’s 

Diamond Jubilee Masonic Grants to fund an 

adventure weekend at the Calvert Trust. 

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SPEEDY RESPONSE TO 

COMMUNITY GROUP 

THE METHOD OF TRAVELLING 

FROM WEST TO EAST 

Members of a Huddersfi eld voluntary group were pleased to accept a 

grant of £1,500 from the PGM’s Fund, secured by the Beaumont Lodge 

No 2035, Kirkburton. 

The team of Community First Responders covering the west side 

of Huddersfi eld, are managed and deployed by Yorkshire Ambulance 

NHS Trust, and are dispatched to potentially life-threatening medical 

emergencies which include cardiac arrest, diffi culty breathing, epilepsy, 

diabetic emergencies and the likes. 

They give their own time, free of charge, to support the Yorkshire 

Ambulance Service and the grant will be used towards further sets of kit 

enabling the time and amount of volunteers operating at any one time to 

be increased. 

The Huddersfi eld (West) team is currently made up of four members, who 

in 2012 provided 1582 hours of cover and responded to 134 emergency 

calls, using their skills to preserve life until the ambulance arrived. 

Photo: Tony Mead, Master of Beaumont Lodge presents the 

cheque to Les Griffi ths and John Kimberley of the Huddersfi eld 

Community First Responders. 

LADIES NIGHT 

IN SYNC 

Cycling along the towpath of the 

Leeds and Liverpool canal one pleasant 

Sunday morning, a group of Pudsey 

Masons decided to put their hobby to 

some use by raising funds for charity. 

One of their number, James Norton, 

who had completed it once before, 

suggested the coast to coast ride from 

Whitehaven to Sunderland, to which the 

others, in their innocence, agreed! 

The charity selected was the 

‘Candlelighters’, which raises funds 

for the Children and Adolescent’s 

Cancer and Leukaemia unit in Leeds. 

Six Brethren: J Norton; P Guest; A 

Learoyd; P Crossland; N Atkins and 

W Oddy agreed to take part in the ride 

and three: T Ridsdale; M Dogget and 

S Schofi eld volunteered to act as the 

support team. The other members 

of the Pudsey Masonic community 

embarked on fund raising. 

Setting off from Whitehaven on the 

Cumbrian west coast in cloud and 

blustery wind the cyclists travelled 40 

miles inland to their fi rst overnight stop. 

The second day brought hills, hills 

and more hills as they crossed the 

northern Pennines. Fortunately the 

weather was calm and fi ne, making the 

journey a little more comfortable than it 

might have been. 

After a steep, muscle searing climb on 

the third day, it was mostly downhill all 

the way to Sunderland lighthouse where 

the group arrived tired but cheerful, 

despite having endured punctures, 

breakdowns and the variety of nocturnal 

noises generated by males in the close 

confi nement of a bunk barn. 

They had travelled a distance of 

140 miles in three days and ascended 

to a maximum height of 1904 feet; 

a far cry from a gentle ride on the 

canal towpath! Their reward was 

the satisfaction of knowing that the 

‘Candlelighters’ were £1,800 better off 

as a result of their endeavour. 

Picture: The cyclists: Nigel Atkins; 

Philip Guest; Anthony Learoyd; Philip 

Crossland; William Oddy and James 

Norton reach the end of their journey. 

From the generosity of the 

Brethren and their ladies during a 

combined Ladies’ Night held for 

Airedale Lodge No 387 and Baildon 

Lodge No 1545, a most welcome 

donation of £500 was made to the 

Insync Baton Twirlers of Bradford. 

The group, established in 2010, 

train at Dudley Hill, Bradford 

and as well as giving displays at 

local events, enter competitions 

throughout the year. 

In a letter of thanks Insync 

chairman, Stephen Kay expressed 

his gratitude and explained that, up 

to receiving the donation, the troupe 

had been forced to use second 

hand batons of differing quality and 

style. Buying new means everyone 

has the same and will, according 

to Stephen, encourage the troupe 

to bond and work hard for further 

success. 

COLNE VALLEY LODGE No 1645 PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS PAGE OF THE WHITE ROSE MASONIC NEWS 

Meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of every month except July at the Masonic Hall, Britannia Road, Slaithwaite HD7 5HF 


11

CONNAUGHT COURT: EXCELLENT SUPPORT TO 

FREEMASONS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS 

A report from Francis Testo of the 

Friends of Connaught Court 

Towards the end of 2011 I was 

approached by a senior member of 

Province who asked whether I would like to 

join the committee of Friends of Connaught 

Court as Area 1 representative. 

Having recently been through the 

somewhat traumatic experience of having 

to arrange for an elderly relative to go into 

residential care I was acutely aware of 

the problems involved. Feeling sure that I 

could make a worthwhile contribution, I was 

pleased to accept the role and attended my 

fi rst meeting in January of 2012. 

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At the time I invited my wife, Margaret, to 

attend so that she would, in future, know 

where I was disappearing to on the Sundays 

when the association meets. After a very 

informative introduction Margaret and I were 

invited by Margaret Cade, the manager 

of Connaught Court, to a conducted tour 

of the building. I have to say that we were 

both completely taken aback by the sheer 

quality of the place. In comparison to the 

home in which we had housed our elderly 

relative, which is bright, modern and clean, 

Connaught Court is vastly superior and could 

rightly be compared to a very well rated hotel. 

In fact, on our departure and passing the 

main dining room, we were amazed but very 

pleased to see waitresses fl itting in and out 

with bottles of wine and other recuperative 

‘imbibations’ for the residents to enjoy with 

their Sunday lunch. 

In March 2012 I attended an Almoner’s 

seminar at which one of the speakers was 

Elizabeth Connolly, a Care Advisor on behalf 

of the RMBI. Elizabeth gave a very interesting 

talk regarding her role and the various 

ways that she is able to help in the care of 

Freemasons and their dependants. During 


the course of her presentation she was asked 

by one of those present “how one would 

make application for entry to Connaught 

Court”, to which her answer was “You should 

know”. This got me thinking because were I 

to have been asked at that time I would have 

to confess that I didn’t know. I therefore made 

a point of fi nding out. However, it occurred to 

me that since I didn’t know, how many others 

might be in the same position? And, after 

giving the matter some thought, I determined 

that one way to make people aware was to 

submit an article to the White Rose News 

giving a description of Connaught Court and 

outlining the application procedure. 

Connaught Court 

Situated in extensive parkland close to York 

city centre Connaught Court was purpose 

built in 1971 for the use of Freemasons 

and their dependants from the Provinces 

of Yorkshire, West Riding; Yorkshire, North 

and East Ridings and Lincolnshire and is 

owned and operated by RMBI. The home 

can accommodate 90 residents at present 

and offers 65 residential, 15 nursing and 10 

dementia care places. All rooms are bright 

and spacious and offer en-suite facilities. 

The home has recently undergone extensive 

refurbishment using light, modern materials to 

give an open and airy feel throughout. There 

are several lounges, some of which have 

adjoining conservatories that also add to the 

feeling of airiness and spaciousness, along 

with dining areas and kitchens. Additionally, 

there is the main lounge and dining room, 

which are also used for entertainment 

that includes musical evenings, concerts, 

parties and communal activities. There is a 

hairdressing salon, fully stocked library with 

computer facilities and a chapel. 

An extensive and varied range of activities 

are arranged by the Activities Co-ordinator 

taking residents to concerts, quizzes, 

shopping trips, places of interest and the 

occasional Masonic Meeting. In addition to 

the main building, Fred Crosland House, 

which was opened in February 1998, offers 

specialist facilities for those with severe 

memory loss and dementia and consists 

of ten single rooms with en-suite facilities. 

Whilst this area is self-contained it is formed 

around a central courtyard surrounded by 

a covered walkway enabling the residents 

to gain safe access to outdoor space. Staff 

in this unit are specially trained and offer 

individual care using up-to-date techniques 

to engage with the residents. No soporifi cs 

are used. There are also up to four sheltered 

housing places for those who prefer to live 

more independently, but with support close 

by for emergencies. There are also laundry, 

catering and maintenance facilities. The 

building is situated in extensive, manicured 

grounds with beautiful outside areas that 

were created during the recent refurbishment. 

The home is run by a dedicated team 

of qualifi ed and professional individuals 

employed by RMBI and under the 

leadership of Margaret Cade, a registered 

nurse, who is also registered with the Care 

Quality Commission. 

Residency is on a fee paying basis 

and is open to Freemasons and their 

dependants over the age of 65 years. 

There are qualifi cations for entry but no-one 

would be refused on the grounds of lack of 

fi nance. Help in making application is readily 

available at Lodge level via your Almoner, by 

contacting the representatives of the Friends 

of Connaught Court, the RMBI Care Advice 

Team, or from the staff at Connaught Court. 

The Friends of Connaught Court 

The Association of Friends of Connaught 

Court is a registered charity whose 

membership comprises Freemasons from 

each of the Provinces that have links to the 

home and whose aim is, working closely with 

the management team of Connaught Court, to 

provide funds for those items over and above 

what is provided by the RMBI to enhance the 

residents enjoyment of the home. 

They support the regular entertainments 

and events that take place as well as funding 

for electronic goods such as televisions, 

computers and music centres. They also, very 

importantly, provide funds for the specially 

adapted minibus used to take the residents 

on their regular outings, as well as being a 

source of volunteer drivers for the bus. 

The Friends play a pivotal role in 

befriending residents who have minimal or 

no contact with relatives, providing comfort 

and reassurance where needed. They also, 

through one of their dedicated members and 

his wife, run a small shop within Connaught 

Court for those little items that the residents 

would fi nd hard to get otherwise. 

The friends raise funds through regular 

annual fetes and other events held at the 

home as well as through direct donations 

from members and Lodges. 

Should you or a dependent wish to know 

more about the home or wish to make 

application then the fi rst approach should 

be to your Lodge Almoner. However, if you 

want to make a more confi dential approach, 

the best method is to call the confi dential 

helpline. Telephone 0844 9 020202. 

You can also make approach to the 

Provincial Almoner, Alan Jackson. 

ANOTHER GOOD 

SHOW AT PENISTONE 

Once again, the Barnsley and 

Penistone Masonic Association had a 

stand at the annual Penistone show. On 

a day when the sun was giving of its best 

the show had an excellent turnout with an 

exceptionally high level of visitors, a good 

number of whom visited the BPMA stand. 

In fact quite a number of people were 

keen to know more about Freemasonry 

and its role both in the local community 

and nationally. 

A real indication of the positive impact 

Masons have was brought home when a 

lady and her daughter visited the stand 

to thank the Freemasons for the Teddy 

her daughter had been given at the 

hospital early in the week. 

A thank you goes to those who gave 

their time at the show ground. See you 

next time. 

LORD MAYOR 

RETURNS TO LODGE 

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Dale 

Smith, accompanied by his wife, Margaret, 

reacquainted himself with the Lodge of 

Amity No 4148 by attending the Ladies’ 

Evening at the Masonic Hall, Hoyle Court, 

Baildon. 

In 1956-57 the Lord Mayor’s father, 

Thomas Raymond Smith was Master of 

the Lodge and as a boy, teenager and 

young man, Dale was a regular at the 

Lodge social functions both at Hoyle Court 

and at the long since demolished Shipley 

Masonic Hall in Wainman Street. 

The senior Past Master of the Lodge, 

Roy Edmondson joined the lodge in 1963 

but now the Lodge, through the Lord 

Mayor, can take their living history back to 

the early 1950s. 

Picture: Robert Allitt, Master presenting 

a cheque to the Lord Mayor for his appeal. 

HALEZ-FAX LODGE No 4135 Meeting on the 4th Wednesday of every month at Birdcage Lane, Savile Park, Halifax, 

West Yorks, HX3 0JQ PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THIS PAGE OF THE WHITE ROSE MASONIC NEWS.S 


13

SUPPORT FOR 

YORKSHIRE AIR 

AMBULANCE 

AND AIREDALE 

HOSPITAL 

The Immediate Past Master of Craven 

Lodge No 810 in Skipton, Martin Barrow, 

has had the privilege of 

donating £1753 to the Yorkshire 

Air Ambulance after holding 

three fund raising events during his 

year in offi ce. 

A visit to Craven Country Ride, 

where friends and family enjoyed a 

scenic tour around Pot Haw Farm at 

Coniston Cold, a Strawberry Fayre 

held at his home and a tombola all 

helped to boost the funds. Martin 

said, “We chose to support the YAA 

as anyone within the community may 

need to call upon the services which 

are provided by this great charity.” 

Martin also chose to support the 

privacy and dignity work the staff are 

doing at Airedale Hospital. 

At the annual Christmas party, Martin 

challenged the Brethren and their 

guests to fi ll Santa’s sock with more 

socks. To his amazement, 243 pairs of 

assorted socks were donated. 

The Lodge has a history of supporting 

various aspects of work at the hospital. 

The privacy and dignity room supports 

patients with essential items when 

unexpectedly admitted into hospital 

and it is hoped that the donation of 

socks goes some way to providing 

patients with some comfort until they 

are able to wear their own items. 

A raffl e raised £250 which was 

donated in supporting the work for 

patients with dementia. 

HUDDERSFIELD 

FREEMASONS HELP 

WITH NEW WICKET 

FOR LOCAL 

CRICKET CLUB 

When Brethren of Concord Lodge No 

4126 heard that Honley Cricket Club’s 

wicket was worn out, they applied to 

the Provincial Grand Master’s Queen’s 

Diamond Jubilee Fund for fi nancial support 

for a new artifi cial wicket. The new wicket 

will cost around £4,000 and Concord 

Lodge has promoted the contribution of a 

quarter of the cost of replacement. 

Andrew Cribbis, Master said: “We are 

delighted to be able to help this local club. 

Freemasonry is always keen to promote 

the endeavours of young people. The 

new wicket will help support the junior 

teams, who are key to the future success 

of the club.” 

Cricket has been played at the Far 

End Lane facilities of Honley Cricket Club 

since 1879, and the club was in fact one 

of the founders of the Huddersfi eld District 

League in 1886. The main focus of the selffi 

nancing club today is the development 

of its junior section, which it achieves 

GRANT FOR A GOOD START 

by combining well-qualifi ed coaches 

with high quality facilities. Inevitably, 

resources like a wicket do not last forever 

and the last one installed almost 15 years 

ago was in urgent need of a replacement. 

Continual use by senior and junior teams 

as well as the under 11’s and under 13’s 

teams had simply worn it out! 

Rob Moore, captain of Honley Cricket 

Club said: “We are extremely grateful for 

the generous donation of £1,000 towards 

our new wicket. Our club like many others 

is funded entirely by sponsorship, bartakings 

and fund raising activities. The 

new wicket will enable us to continue to 

develop our facilities for all our members, 

but especially our juniors who are the 

stars of the future!” 

Photo: (l to r) Ray Beardsell; 

Andrew Cribbis, Master; Rob Moore, 

Club Captain. 

Stephen Bray, charity steward of 

the Lodge of Probity No 61 presents 

a cheque for £1,000 from the 

Provincial Grand Master’s Fund to 

Mrs. Mary McClung, chairperson of 

the Halifax Swimming Club towards 

the purchase of new diving blocks 

and computer equipment. 

Photo: Members of the Halifax 

Swimming Club 

Photo: One of the YAA’s Paramedics 

accepting the donation from Martin. 


FROM BATLEY TO BERKSHIRE 

W Bro Cecil Underwood 

Five Brethren from Howley Lodge No 

5012, Batley travelled down to Berkshire 

earlier this year, battling heavy snow to 

attend Engineers Lodge No 8226 to 

help W Bro Cecil Underwood, PPJGW 

celebrate 50 years in Freemasonry. 

Cecil, a Past Master of Howley Lodge, 

moved to Berkshire eight years ago 

to be nearer his daughter and he now 

resides at the RMBI Home, Sindlesham 

Court, which shares its grounds with 

the Berkshire Masonic Centre where the 

Engineers Lodge hold their meetings. 

Cecil, who is 92, is chaplain of his 

lodge and still plays an active part in 

ceremonies. David Archer of Howley 

Lodge presented him with a Jubilee 

Certifi cate on behalf of the Provincial 

Grand Master for the Province of 

Yorkshire West Riding, and V W Bro 

Faulkner, presented a further certifi cate 

on behalf of the Provincial Grand 

Master for Berkshire, along with a 

silver goblet from the Brethren of the 

Engineers Lodge. 

An entertaining and amusing festive 

board followed during which there was 

much banter between the Brethren 

from the north and those from the 

south. New friendships were formed 

and a fraternal visit from the Engineers 

Lodge to Howley Lodge is being 

planned for those southerners brave 

enough to travel north of Watford Gap! 

REACHING OUT 

Glenn Carroll, of Brighouse Lodge No 

1301, has recently joined the ranks of Past 

Masters. During his year in the chair he 

was active in raising funds for the Horton 

Outreach Centre in Bradford, chosen in 

memory of his late grandmother, Mrs Audrey 

Pickard, who was a regular attendee at the 

centre. 

Glenn, along with Andrew Daly and 

Glenn’s mother, Mrs Margaret Carroll, had 

the pleasure of attending the Outreach lunch 

club and presenting a cheque for £500 to 

Mrs Hilary Greed, who runs the day centre. 

Pictured, from left, Mrs Margaret Carroll, W 

Bro Carroll, Mrs Hilary Greed, W Bro Daly 

A SPORTING DINNER RAISES £1,700 

Howley Lodge No 5012 held its fourth 

annual Sporting Dinner at Blenheim House, 

Batley in February. Over 100 guests heard 

an amusing and informative talk by Phillip 

Hodson, the recently retired President of the 

MCC, who also played for Yorkshire County 

Cricket Club in his younger days. 

During the evening a raffl e and auction 

raised over £1,700 to be shared between a 

local Scout Group and the Kirklees Duke of 

Edinburgh’s Award Trust. The main auction 

prize, generously donated by the speaker, 

was a pair of tickets for the Ashes Test at 

Lord’s this summer, including corporate 

entertainment. This was successfully bid 

for by Johnny Flowers, of Howley Lodge. 

Previous speakers at Howley’s Sporting 

Dinners have been Norman Hunter, Willy 

Thorne and Tony Dorigo. 

Photo: Bro Flowers is pictured receiving 

his Ashes tickets from Phillip Hodson 

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15

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AT HOLGATE 

FLYING THROUGH 

THE PAST 

The RW Provincial Grand Master, John K 

Clayton took great pleasure in presenting a 

60-year Craft jubilee certifi cate to John Edward 

Dowthwaite at St John’s Lodge No 4779. 

Chairs were placed on the fl oor of the lodge 

and W Bro Dowthwaite PAGDC, PPSGW was 

conducted to take one and RW Bro Clayton 

the other. 

The Brethren present were held spellbound 

by W Bro Dowthwaite’s narrative as he was 

encouraged by the PGM to reminisce over 

his 67 years of marriage to Irene; his time in 

Masonry since his initiation in December 1952; 

the history of how Hoyle Court came to be 

purchased and so became a Masonic Hall; 

his time in the local Defence Volunteers (later 

known as the Home Guard) when he guarded 

a railway tunnel armed with one rifl e and six 

bullets shared with fi ve other volunteers and 

how, at the age of 18 years, he volunteered for 

aircrew and subsequently learnt to fl y solo in 

Tiger Moths after just 11 hours tuition. 

John was posted to South Africa and 

obtained his wings fl ying Airspeed Oxfords 

and Ansons and he told of, on his return to 

England, his horrifying experience when he 

was involved in an air crash when the pilot fl ew 

into Kinder Scout in the Peak District whilst 

on a navigational training fl ight. John suffered 

severe injuries and was in and out of hospital 

for three years. 

RW Bro Clayton duly presented John with 

a framed certifi cate commemorating his 60 

years in Freemasonry and incorporated in the 

frame, a plaque acknowledging his “Wings” 

gained during the Second World War. 

The meeting of Holgate Lodge No 4792 

in December last year was a very special 

occasion. Their longest serving member, 

Lt. Col. Stanley Bernard Ball, OBE, LGR was 

honoured with the presentation of a Golden 

Jubilee Certifi cate by J Rodney Tolson, 

Assistant PGM. 

Stanley is a ‘Lewis’. His father, Charles 

Bernard Ball was Master of the Lodge in 

1952 and he occupied the Master’s chair 

on 17 December 1962, specifi cally to Initiate 

his son. He also offi ciated at the raising 

ceremony a few months later. 

Stanley enjoyed a long and distinguished 

military career both before and after joining 

the Craft. Whilst his duties necessarily 

prevented his regular attendance at Holgate 

Lodge meetings, he always, without fail, 

submitted his written apologies with suitable 

greetings to the Master and Brethren. 

It was whilst serving in Egypt he enquired 

about joining Freemasonry. He was offered 

membership of a military Lodge in the Irish 

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Constitution, but his father talked him out of it. 

Returning from Egypt, he was for a time 

transferred to the MOD in London and posted 

to the bacterial and chemical warfare division. 

He also spent time at the Canadian National 

Defence HQ in Ottawa as a UK representative. 

A military man through and through, he 

became a joining member of Nil Sine Labore 

Lodge No 2736, London; he was installed as 

Master in 1987. Stanley holds London Grand 

Rank in both the Craft and Royal Arch. He is a 

32nd degree member of the Rose Croix 

Stanley, who now lives in Swindon, was 

delighted that he had been able to attend 

Holgate Lodge for the presentation, exactly 

50 years to the day of his Initiation. Receiving 

his certifi cate from W Bro Tolson, Stanley 

commented that it was without doubt the 

highlight of his Masonic career. 

Photo: L to r: Tony East SW; Michael 

Simmons, Master; J Rodney Tolson, APGM, 

Michael Butterworth and Michael Ward, JW. 

Seated: Lt Col Stanley B Ball 

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60 YEARS ENJOYING FREEMASONRY 

Edmund Gill 

The R W Provincial Grand Master, 

John K Clayton was pleased to 

present a 60-year Craft certifi cate 

to W Bro Edmund Gill PPJGW at a 

meeting of the Lodge of Connaught 

and Truth No 521 at Greenhead 

Masonic Hall, Huddersfi eld in March 

this year. 

Edmund, now a sprightly 89-yearold 

and former Bevin Boy, enjoyed 

reminiscing about his subsequent 

work as a funeral director and a career 

in Freemasonry which had begun as 

a member of the former Connaught 

Lodge No 3800 in November 1952 

when he was Initiated by his father. He 

was Installed as Master of Connaught 

Lodge in October 1970. 

Being born in the Holme Valley 

in March 1924, he attended local 

schools until aged 14 when he left to 

join the family business, earning ten 

shillings a week, which went straight 

to his mother who then gave him one 

shilling spending money. He married 

Marjorie, his childhood sweetheart 

and they had two children, Dianne 

and Michael. Unfortunately Marjorie 

passed away a few years ago. In 

his social life, Edmund was a good 

cricketer, taking all ten wickets for 

only 41 runs in one match. 

Edmund explained that it had not 

been an easy decision to join the 

newly amalgamated Lodge in 2004 

but this had proved a correct decision 

and he had continued to enjoy his 

Freemasonry, agreeing with the PGM 

that the new spirit of openness in the 

Craft had proved very benefi cial. 

R W Bro Clayton referred to some 

of W Bro Gill’s experiences, including 

his duties as purveyor, which were 

somewhat more demanding than the 

present day. 

The PGM concluded by wishing W 

Bro Gill good health to continue to 

enjoy his Freemasonry. 

50 YEARS AND STILL ROLLING ON 

Caravanning enthusiast, Neil Howard 

Beaumont of the Holme Valley Lodge No 652 

has been pleased to be presented with a 50- 

year jubilee certifi cate by Maurice Bendig, 

Past APGM 

Neil was Initiated into the Lodge on 18 

October 1962, being Installed as Master in 

December 1978. Having been appointed 

Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1988 he 

was later promoted to PPGReg. 

Having retired some 17 years ago from 

manufacturing fancy effect yarns, Neil and 

Anne, his wife of 53 years, have pursued 

their passion for caravanning. He has been 

a member of the Caravan Club for nearly 

as long as he has been a Freemason and 

has been a member of the Masonic Caravan 

Club, touring most European countries as 

well as Great Britain. 

Photo: W Bro Beaumont is pictured 

with his jubilee certifi cate. 

50 YEARS FOR ROY 

The Assistant PGM for Area 5, David S 

Pratt, attended The Saint Oswald Lodge 

No 910, Pontefract and presented a Jubilee 

Certifi cate to Roy Littlewood. 

W Bro Littlewood became a Mason in 

the newly consecrated Tateshall Lodge 

No 7645 in January 1962, being only its 

ninth Initiate. Roy and his father, Horace, 

worked together as directors in the family 

business, Littlewood Soft Drinks and 

decided to seek membership of the Craft 

at the same time through a mutual Masonic 

friend. The surprising part of the story is 

that Horace elected to join De Lacy Lodge 

No 4643 whilst Roy chose Tateshall. De 

Lacy had a waiting list at the time which 

meant that, most unusually, Roy was able 

to witness the Initiation of his father into De 

Lacy almost a year after he himself became 

a Mason. 

When the family business was sold Roy 

embarked on a new career; for 30 years 

running the Milford Hall Country Club. This 

created a problem for Roy with Tateshall 

meeting on Fridays, a very busy night in the 

restaurant world. 

Roy, therefore, became a joining member 

of The Saint Oswald Lodge No 910, the 

grandmother Lodge of Tateshall, meeting 

on Wednesdays. 

Having established himself in The Saint 

Oswald Lodge, Roy enjoyed a successful 

year as Master in 1993. 

Roy and his wife Margaret later enjoyed 

a few years of retirement in Scarborough, 

where he became a member of the Old 

Globe Lodge No 200. They subsequently 

returned to their home area and settled 

in Selby and Roy rejoined Saint Oswald 

Lodge in 2004 where he is held in high 

regard by the Brethren who are especially 

grateful for his time, advice and patience 

at the Junior Lodge of Instruction in recent 

years. 

Photo: W Bro Littlewood, PPAGDC with 

David S Pratt, APGM 

THIS PAGE IS SUPPORTED BY CHEVIN LODGE No 6848 meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of every month 

except August at the Masonic Hall, Westbourne House Otley LS21 3LG 


17

50 YEARS FROM FOWER NOWT ONE 

In 1930 Sgt Major Joseph Spencer and 

his wife Lily were based at the Cavalry and 

Infantry barracks in Edinburgh. Joseph was 

serving in The Cameronians (Scottish Rifl es) 

and Lily was a housewife and weaver when 

she became pregnant. 

Lily wanted her baby to be born back 

home in Skipton and in September 1931 a 

bouncing baby boy named George came 

into the world. Little did they know that 

their bundle of joy would become a life-long 

Freemason. 

After schooling, George began his working 

life at 14 in the Clifton Colliery where he 

worked until National Service called. He 

joined the Royal Army Pay Corps and was 

posted to Singapore. 

Sgt George Spencer was de-mobbed 

in 1953 and became a time-keeper at 

Thornybank Colliery in Accrington. He 

married farmer’s daughter Mary Bailey, 

whom he met at a dance hall in Nelson. 

George’s Masonic career began in 

November 1962 when he was initiated into 

‘Fower Nowt One’, the colloquial name 

for the Royal Forest Lodge No 401 in the 

Province of Yorkshire, West Riding. However, 

in 1966 he was moved to the new National 

Coal Board computer nerve centre in Lowton 

near Leigh, where he was responsible for 

the payroll, pensions and accounting for the 

whole of the NCB. 

He retired in 1984 and joined The Lodge of 

Truth No 6235, Leigh in 1985, and was also 

an active member of Chapter. But tragedy 

struck a few months later when Mary died. 

As well as developing his Masonic career, 

joining Leigh Lodge No 4744 in 1991, George 

was a golfer and a School Governor. He 

was appointed PPGStB in this Province and 

PPSGD in West Lancashire two years later. 

George maintained a varied and active life 

until 2009 when he suffered a stroke whilst on 

a Caribbean cruise. He was transferred to St 

Lucia and subsequently fl own home. George 

now resides at Holcroft Grange in Culcheth, 

Cheshire. 

It shows the regard and esteem in which he 

is held that, as a tribute to this popular Mason, 

17 members of ‘Fower Nowt One’, D Stuart 

Cummins, Assistant PGM accompanied by 

the Lodge Liaison Offi cer, W Bro Newhouse, 

crossed the Pennines to pay their respect 

to this very popular Freemason and his 50 

years in Masonry. 

Tony Bent, Assistant PGM, West 

Lancashire who led the ceremony, has 

known George since he joined Leigh group. 

When addressing George in his summing 

up, he said, “50 years service in any aspect 

of life is a commendable achievement. 

Your membership of the Craft has seen 

the greatest changes in the way our Order 

presents itself to the world and the way 

in which we, as Masons, are making the 

world at large much more aware of what 

we stand for and believe in. You may look 

back on those years with pride and no little 

satisfaction; that the foundation stone placed 

all those years ago, was well and truly laid.” 

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IN THE CHAIR 

AGAIN, AFTER 

50 YEARS 

Stephen Richard Ashworth has 

celebrated fi fty years in De Warren 

Lodge No 1302 by serving the Lodge 

as Master for the second time. 

Having been Initiated in January 1963 

he was Installed as Master of the Lodge 

in October 1976. He was appointed 

Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1986 

and later promoted to PPJGW. 

Earlier this year Jack Pigott, Deputy 

PGM was pleased to present W Bro 

Ashworth with a jubilee certifi cate. 

Stephen, a retired Head Teacher, 

was also presented with a number of 

paintings and a bottle of whisky by the 

Brethren at the festive board. 

Picture shows W Bro Ashworth 

receiving his jubilee certifi cate from 

Jack Pigott, Deputy PGM. 

50 YEARS OF SERVICE GREATLY APPRECIATED 

The M E Grand Superintendent, 

Companion John K Clayton showed 

his obvious delight in leading the 

congratulations and good wishes to E 

Comp Raymond Howarth, PGSwdB, Past 

Deputy Provincial Grand Superintendent, 

who recently celebrated 50 years in 

Chapter Masonry. 

Presenting a detailed resume of E 

Comp Howarth’s achievements, the M 

E Grand Superintendent in a relaxed 

manner, chronicled a host of Masonic 

milestones. These included being Exalted, 

in December 1962 into the Chapter 

of Prosperity No 290, Master of the 

Huddersfi eld Lodge No 290 in 1974 and 

First Principal of the Chapter of Prosperity 

in 1976. 

Chapter honours followed; E. Comp 

Howarth was appointed Past Provincial 

Grand Sojourner in 1983 and promoted 

to PPGSN in 1991. Appointed Past Grand 

Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand 

Chapter in 1993 he became Deputy 

Grand Superintendent in Provincial Grand 

Chapter in 1995 and he now enjoys the 

Grand Rank of PGSwdB. 

E Comp Howarth is a retired Chartered 

Accountant and has been both Lodge and 

Chapter auditor for many years. M E Comp 

Clayton acknowledged his efforts during 

the Charity Commission inquiry, “Your help 

then, was and is, greatly appreciated.” 

Various Masonic subjects, covering the 

last 50 years were discussed, including 

changing attitudes in Craft and Chapter 

members to ritual and attendance; the 

openness of Masonry, diffi culties with 

ritual and the changes in the Chapter over 

the last few years, for better or worse. 

On a lighter note, the Provincial Grand 

Superintendent referred to E Comp 

Raymond’s hobbies which include 

motoring; travel; a love of the countryside 

and coastline; music and a penchant for 

good food and fi ne wines. 

He took great pleasure in presenting 

a jubilee certifi cate before joining some 

50 Companions for an excellent festive 

board. 

Picture: John K Clayton; Andrew Palmer 

MEZ; Raymond Howarth. 

UNUSUAL DOUBLE EXALTATION 

Richard Payne, First Principal of The 

Spa Chapter No 7069 performed a 

double Exaltation ceremony for father 

and son, Tony and John Wilkinson. 

The ceremony was arranged so 

that Tony and John were together 

for as much as was appropriate. 

The occasion was well supported, 

with 39 members and seven visitors 

attending. 

Tony and John are both members 

of Forest of Knaresborough Lodge No 

7452, Tony being Initiated in January 

2010 and John the following month. 

Photo shows Tony and John with 

current First Principal, Tony Walker 


19

FULL-HOUSE AT INSTALLATION OF 

JOHN BARRY GLEDHILL, APGM 

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disruption, there was a ‘full house’ at the 

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Master, John K Clayton, was pleased to 

Install John Barry Gledhill as Assistant 

Provincial Grand Master with responsibility 

for Area 2, which encompasses Halifax 

and Huddersfi eld Lodges. 

In speaking of W Bro Gledhill’s 

contribution to our Province, R W Bro 

Clayton made particular reference to his 

time as editor of the newsletter, now the 

White Rose Masonic News. This was 

a commitment he fi rst undertook in the 

summer of 1995 and which he relinquished 

only in the autumn of last year. 

The Installation ceremony was 

conducted with great warmth and sincerity 

by R W Bro Clayton, assisted by two of his 

Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and 

other Provincial Offi cers. 

W Bro Gledhill was escorted into the 

Lodge by W G B McGolpin, Alan Hurdley, 


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T Malcolm Cruise, 

Alec Oldham, Kelvin 

Lord, Dennis Bowyer 

and David Mann, 

representatives of 

the Lodges and other 

Masonic Orders with 

which he is involved. 

He was Initiated into 

Thornhill Lodge No 

1514 in July 1978 and 

served as Master in 

1992. He received his 

fi rst appointment in 

the Province in 1996 

as PPSGD and was 

promoted to PPGReg 

three years later, being 

further promoted in 

2002 to PPSGW. 

Grand Lodge honours 

came in 2003 with an appointment to 

Past Grand Standard Bearer before being 

promoted to PAGDC in April 2011. 

For over ten years he was liaison offi cer 

for the Savile and Facula Lodges in Halifax. 

A joining member of the Rugby Football 

Lodge No 9011, he served on the Provincial 

Craft Installation Panel for a number of 

years, a role he has now resumed. 

In the Holy Royal Arch, E Comp 

Gledhill is a Past First Principal of 

Perseverance Chapter No 275, a member 

of the amalgamated Perseverance and 

Prosperity Chapter No 290 and Criterion 

Chapter of Installed First Principals No 

6220. Having been appointed Steward 

in Provincial Grand Chapter in 2003 he 

was appointed Assistant to the Provincial 

Grand Principals three years later and 

holds Grand rank of Past Grand Standard 

Bearer. 

He holds Past Provincial rank in Knights 

Templar, being a Past Preceptor and Past 

Prior in Hope Preceptory No 4. 

As well as being a past president of 

the Huddersfi eld Royal Arch Council 

he has been president of the Yorkshire, 

West Riding Grand Offi cers’ Mess. He is 

a director and now chairman of Yorkshire, 

West Riding Masonic Activities Ltd. 

Prior to his retirement in 2006, John was 

a sports journalist and later sports editor 

with the Huddersfi eld Daily Examiner, a 

career spanning 45 years. 

A qualifi ed referee at both Association 

Football and Rugby League, he played 

golf at both Meltham and Outlane Golf 

Clubs and was for many years a member 

of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. He 

maintains a keen interest in the fortunes 

of ‘The Yorkshire Club’, Huddersfi eld Town 

AFC. 

John has been married to Sylvia for over 

40 years and they have two daughters and 

a granddaughter. 

At the Festive Board some 90 Brethren 

heard from W Bro T Malcolm Cruise, a long 

time friend of W Bro Gledhill, how John 

became known to journalistic colleagues 

as ‘Jeeves’ for his impeccable grooming. 

Fortunately for those present, John did 

not demonstrate that other trait of the 

character, a convoluted speech. 

W Bro Gledhill, delighted that his 

Installation could take place at Lindley, 

surroundings which represent all that is 

best in Thornhill Lodge’s proud tradition 

said, when responding to the toast to 

Provincial Grand Lodge, that he felt 

privileged and honoured to be the second 

member of the Lodge to become Assistant 

Provincial Grand Master, following Harry 

Dunnill, his seconder into Freemasonry. 

He referred to the tremendous support 

he had received from the R W Provincial 

Grand Master, John K Clayton; Nevil 

H Parkinson and Raymond Howarth; 

Keith Madeley, Stewart Carley and Stuart 

Cummins and to the support, advice and 

encouragement from his predecessors, 

Maurice Bendig and Colin Dent. 

Photo: R W Bro John K Clayton, 

Provincial Grand Master congratulates W 

Bro Gledhill on his Installation as Assistant 

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300 years of Masons in Bradford 

The year was 1713 and the first Masons 

were admitted in Bradford....now 300 

years on and a special re-enactment 

has just been performed in front of 108 

Bradford Masons. 

Wearing dress appropriate to the era 

including wigs, waistcoats and frock 

coats 13 “actors” recreated the moment 

the first Mason was admitted. 

The scene was set in a simple pub 

room with bread and cheese on the table 

where chatter could be heard amongst 

squires and local titled gentlemen about 

the news of the day including slavery in 

the Americas and the end of the Queen 

Anne wars. 

Characters were played by members 

of several local lodges who spent six 

months rehearsing and preparing for the 

performance which was hosted by the 

Lodge of Hope 302 at Spring Bank Place, 

Bradford, to near capacity audience 

including the Provincial Grand Master 

the Right Worshipful Bro John K Clayton. 

The 300 year old theme followed 

through to the Festive Board where 

traditional fare included mushroom soup, 

steak pie and jelly for dessert. 

Planning of the event has taken two 

years and was the brainchild of W Bro 

Keith Grandison of Prince of Wales 

Lodge, who has given talks about 


the history of Masonry in Bradford for 

over 20 years. 

Keith explained that according to the 

minute book records for 1713, the first 

Masonic meeting of York Grand Lodge of 

All England, states ‘...when 18 gentlemen 

of the first families of that neighbourhood 

were made Masons.’ 

Although it is unclear exactly when a 

full lodge was consecrated in Bradford, 

Keith says there is evidence of lodges in 

London in 1690 and in York in the 1500s 

during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 

As this 300th anniversary moved 

nearer Keith felt it was a perfect 

opportunity to mark the occasion with 

something special and so the idea of the 

re-enactment came about. 

“Although I had a great deal of historical 

information I also took advice from the 

very knowledgeable Rev Neville Barker 

Cryer, the Very Worshipful Brother Past 

Grand Chaplain, who was a huge help 

to me. Even at 89 years of age he was 

keen to travel from York to see what we 

had put together on the night and was 

very rather pleased with the way it went,” 

said Keith. 

“I also worked very closely with W Bro 

Paul Tottle from Lodge of Charity who 

was responsible for much of the script 

for the re-enactment and the evening 

went wonderfully well. So many people 

made comment about how interesting it 

was to see something so unusual. The 

atmosphere was great and it made all 

the planning worthwhile,” said Keith. 

In fact two days later the thespians 

were equally well received when they 

performed a second re-enactment at the 

lodge of St Peter & Harmony at Hoyle 

Court, Baildon, attended by 60 Brethren 

including Assistant Provincial Grand 

Master W Bro Stuart Cummins. 

And the travelling players might not be 

hanging up their wigs just yet. 

“There is even a whisper now that 

further lodges around the Yorkshire area 

would like to see it, so we may be to 

performing again soon!” said Keith. 

The Brethren who took part were: W 

Bro John Stone, W Bro George Gothard 

and W Bro Neil Johnson all of the Lodge 

of Hope; W Bro Simon Buckingham, 

Criterion Lodge; W Bro Edward Bairstow, 

Lodge of Felicity; Bro David Thrippleton 

and Bro Raymond Wilson both of Prince 

of Wales Lodge; Bro Terry Stammers, 

Lodge of Charity; W Bro Jason Moody, 

King Edward VII Lodge; Bro Richard 

Brown, Lodge of St Peter and Harmony; 

W Bro Mark Sheldon, St John’s Lodge; 

Bro Matthew Bass, Lodge Acacia and W 

Bro Malcolm Jones, Corinthian Lodge. 

21

YOUNGEST MASTER OF THE CENTURY? 

Three members of the same family; the R W 

Provincial Grand Master John K Clayton; 35 visiting 

Brethren; the Brethren of the Lodge and one of the 

youngest ever Master Elects. What more could one 

ask for at an Installation? 

That was the privilege that Beacon Lodge No 

4066 had at the Installation in November of Tobias 

Alexander Reece who, at 28 years of age, can 

claim to be one of the youngest Masters in the 

current century. 

Bro Reece was presented by his father, Arthur who 

also had the pleasure of being the Installing Director 

of Ceremonies and delivering the address to the 

Master. Tobias’ uncle, David Reece was appointed 

Inner Guard. 

The new Master was Initiated into Beacon Lodge in 

October 2005 and raised in April 2006. His enthusiasm 

for all aspects of Freemasonry is infectious and there 

is no doubt the Lodge will benefit from this and his 

knowledge of Masonic matters. 

He is a member of Alfred Chapter No 306, a 

Prince in the Order of the Secret Monitor and a 

Mark Master Mason. 

CORONATION GRANT 

SPORTS KIT 

Brethren of Coronation Lodge No 2922, Leeds were recently 

involved in providing a £500 grant (courtesy of The Leeds 

Masonic Charity) to the Garry Chappelow Memorial Fund. This 

is a charitable organisation whose aim is to support local Sport 

Teams and Individuals by providing grants to enable them to 

purchase kit and equipment. Donations have been made to 

assist boxing, karate, rugby, football, cricket, gymnastics, 

martial arts, tennis, dance groups and cheerleaders. 

To date, the Garry Chappelow Memorial Fund has donated 

over £90,000 to applicants. 

Photo: Derek Sykes of Coronation Lodge; Les Marshall, secretary of the 

Memorial Fund; Glenn Davies, treasurer of the Memorial Fund, Ken Perkin 

and Alex Hook, charity steward of Coronation Lodge. 

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GRANT FOR 

VILLAGE HALL 

At the recent Annual General Meeting of 

the Appletreewick Village Hall Committee, 

Roger Newhouse of Craven Lodge No 810, 

Skipton was delighted to present them with 

a cheque for £500 towards new kitchen 

equipment. 

The grant was made by West Riding 

Masonic Charities Ltd through the Provincial 

Grand Master’s Fund. 

Chris Fawcett, charity steward of Craven 

Lodge was also in attendance. 

W Bro Newhouse, chairman of West Riding 

Masonic Charities Ltd, said at Appletreewick 

how pleased he was to be able to present 

the cheque at their AGM and congratulated 

the committee on the excellent job they have 

done in refurbishing the village hall. 

Patrick Walker of the Village Hall Committee 

thanked the Freemasons for their generosity 

and extended an invitation to W Bro’s 

Newhouse and Fawcett to return and inspect 

the new kitchen, once it had been installed. 

Later the same month another presentation 

was made to Cononley Village Hall, Craven 

Lodge having successfully applied for a 

grant of £500 from the PGM’s Fund towards 

fi reproof curtains for the hall. 

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PRINCE’S TRUST GIVEN £10,000 BOOST 

The Yorkshire and Humberside arm of a 

national charity which helps change the lives 

of young people has been given a signifi cant 

boost. 

Members of Don Valley Lodge No 

3890, Doncaster hosted the presentation 

of cheques totalling £10,000 to two 

representatives from the Prince’s Trust. 

The donations, £5,000 from West Riding 

Masonic Charities and £5,000 from the 

Freemasons’ Grand Charity, were presented 

to Prince’s Trust Regional Chairman, Andrew 

Farley and Prince’s Trust Youth Ambassador, 

Rebecca Taylor by R W Bro John K Clayton, 

Provincial Grand Master. 

Rebecca told the meeting how the Prince’s 

Trust had totally transformed her life. She left 

school at the age of 15 with no qualifi cations 

and in 2007, whilst carrying her fi rst child, she 

was made redundant, subsequently lost her 

home and her unborn-baby’s father walked 

out on her. 

“I lost everything,” she said. “I went to 

various organisations and literally begged for 

help, but there was no help. Then I was told 

to approach the Prince’s Trust. They listened 

and they believed.” 

“I had done a beauty course and they gave 

me a grant to learn to drive so I could ‘go 

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Rebecca approached the Frenchgate 

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youngest tenant. 

As a way of repaying the Trust, Rebecca 

went to them with an idea which has now 

been adopted nationally. The Tomorrow 

Campaign aims to help 55,000 young people 

a year into employment. 

“I owe everything to the Prince’s Trust and 

this donation is fantastic. I can’t get over how 

much you have raised. This is going to make 

such a difference.” 

R W Bro Clayton said: “We are delighted 

to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. 

The Prince’s Trust does fantastic work in 

supporting young people and Rebecca is 

testament to this.” 

“She is a true inspiration. When others 

had written her off and consigned her to the 

scrapheap, the Princes’ Trust listened to her 

and more importantly, believed in her.” 

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Master, Prince’s Trust Regional Chairman, 

Andrew Farley and John K Clayton, PGM. 

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23

MAWSIS LODGE 

SUPPORT PROSTATE 

CANCER UK 

At their January meeting, Brethren from 

Mawsis Lodge No 4644, Skipton presented 

a cheque for over £800 to Bro Geoff Driver 

from Prostate Cancer UK. 

The cheque was the culmination of a 

fundraising and awareness campaign 

held over the previous 12 months which 

included social nights and a lecture by Bro 

Nick Shahk, one of the regions leading 

Urologists. 

Prostate Cancer UK fi ghts to help men 

survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better 

quality of life. They have three priorities: 

to support men and provide information, 

to fi nd answers by funding research and 

to lead change, to raise awareness and 

improve care. More information can be 

found at www.prostatecanceruk.org 

NEW BATH FOR 

LEONARD CHESHIRE 

A new sensory bath unit is to be installed 

for the benefi t of the disabled residents of 

Leonard Cheshire Homes, thanks to a 

successful application to the PGM’s fund 

by the Lodge of Fidelity No 289. 

K D McKinnes, Master presented a 

cheque for £5000 to Mrs. Mary Harrison, 

Manager of Leonard Cheshire homes and 

Mr. D Williams MBE. 

SOCIAL EVENTS 

SUPPORT 

CANCER CARE 

Graham Mallinson, IPM of Rokeby 

Lodge No 6301, Halifax and members 

of the Lodge raised £1,000 from social 

events held during his year in the Chair. 

Events included a ‘Greek Night’ with 

live music and traditional food, a Murder 

Mystery evening in the style of Fawlty 

Towers and a Christmas social. 

Graham was pleased to be able to 

donate the money to Marie Curie Cancer 

Care in memory of his father who was 

supported by the charity prior to his death. 

Marie Curie Cancer Care provides ‘end 

of life’ care, free of charge, to terminally ill 

patients in their own homes or in one of 

their hospices. 

GETTING TOGETHER 

Photo: W Bro Mallinson and his wife, 

Margaret presenting the cheque to Mrs. 

Beryl Richie, treasurer of the Halifax 

Fundraising Group. 

St John’s Lodge No 827, Dewsbury hosted a joint social evening with the 

ladies from the Dewsbury Club of Soroptimist International, a Professional 

Women’s Organisation that works to promote social justice and equality and 

the empowerment of women through economic independence and greater 

participation in decision making at all levels. 

Entertainment was provided by “Songsational” a local music group 

and a very enjoyable evening was had by the members and guests of 

both organisations. 

The evening raised £315 which was donated to the Howland Centre, a 

Dewsbury Support Group for disabled people. 

The events started in 2009 when John Davis was Master of St John’s 

Lodge and Mrs Linda Davis was President of the Soroptimist International 

Club of Dewsbury. The previous events have included a quiz night, an 

amateur X-Factor Show and a Call My Bluff Wine Tasting Evening. 

This latest event was the fi fth annual joint social evening between the two 

organisations, previous year’s events having raised £250 for Jo’s Cancer 

Trust and £340 divided between Kirkwood Hospice and Help for Heroes. 

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MARK MASTER 

MASONS 

SHOW THEIR 

WORTH 

Members of Sight Airedale, formerly 

the Keighley and District Association 

for the Blind, were last year delighted to 

receive a donation of £5,000 from the 

Cleeves and Whitehead Trust following 

an application by the Worth Lodge of 

Mark Master Masons No 727, Keighley. 

Mr Kevin J Baldwin, Chief Executive 

of Sight Airedale said the money would 

be used towards much needed roof 

repairs; renewal of essential kitchen 

equipment and the replacement of 

computer equipment. 

Sight Airedale has a membership of 

534 sight impaired members from an 

area covering Bingley, Ilkley, Keighley 

and Skipton. 

Photo: Kevin Baldwin is pictured 

(right) receiving a cheque for £5,000 

from Trevor Bainbridge, Master of the 

Worth Lodge of MMM accompanied 

by Terry Dudley, trustee of the Cleeves 

and Whitehead Trust. 

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HOSPICE 

The Rotherham Hospice was one 

of 14 hospices within the Province to 

receive part of the £44,432 granted by 

the Freemasons’ Grand Charity when a 

cheque for £2,987 was presented by two 

of the town’s Lodge charity stewards. 

Pictured making the presentation are 

Terry Beatson, Rotherwood No 4392 and 

Len Blakesley, Sandbeck No 7275. 

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Thanks to a donation of £500 made 

at their annual Christmas dinner by 

W Bro Roger Harvey of Keresforth 

lodge No 7641, the Multiple Sclerosis 

Society, Barnsley Branch are able to 

upgrade their computer system. The 

funds were made possible by the 

Provincial Grand Master’s Fund. 

Photo (left to right): Deputy Mayor 

Cllr. Karen Dyson, President Len 

Collet, W Bro Harvey. 

HELP FOR 

ECCY MECCY 

Members of Savile Lodge No 1231, 

West Vale successfully petitioned the 

Provincial Grand Master’s Fund to help 

Bradford based Eccleshill Youth and 

Community Association Ltd with a grant for 

Men @ Eccy Meccy. 

The group also strives to build and recycle 

support, by encouraging those who benefi t 

from the scheme to volunteer their experience 

to help other vulnerable older men develop 

skills and confi dence. 

Amongst other projects, they are taking 

responsibility for the planting around the 

Mechanics Institute. With the grant of £500 

they will buy tools and a shed. 

Photo: Members of the group with leader, 

Jonathan Thelwell (left) and Jim Wilson, charity 

steward alongside Mrs. Janet Menebhi. 

FOR LOADS OF 500 KILOS UP TO 50 TONNES 

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25

INDUSTRY SERVES 

THE INDUSTRIOUS 

A FAMILY AFFAIR 

The Joseph Stone Centre is a trust that 

provides an important base for various groups 

in the local Mosborough community such as 

Activity for the Elderly, Scout, Air Cadets and 

Guides as well as being home to a variety of 

village activities. 

It is a self-fi nancing operation and continually 

needs to raise funds. Maintenance and 

cleaning are carried out by members of the 

different organisations on a strictly voluntary 

basis and the donation was used to provide 

some much needed equipment to assist in 

these endeavours. 

The facility provides essentials services to 

the local residents and plays a vital role in many 

of the lives of both young and old. 

Photo: Presentation of £500 to Mrs Hill, 

Secretary of the Joseph Stone Centre, 

Mosborough, Sheffi eld by W Bro S Derek 

Cooper of Lodge of Industry No 6579. 

The Tyler at Studley Lodge No 6364 

may not have done a very good job 

at the recent Installation meeting, 

allowing four ‘Cowens’ admission to 

the Lodge. 

Paul Cowen became the fourth 

member of his family to attain the 

Master’s chair at Studley Lodge 

when he was Installed by his father in 

October last year. 

The four consist of Robert, Master 

in 1975; his brother Edward, Master in 

1983 and 2011; Edward’s eldest son 

Philip, Master in 2008 and Paul. 

Paul was presented for Installation 

by his brother Philip; Installed by his 

father Edward; addressed by his uncle 

Robert and presented with a Masonic 

Bible, on which he took his obligation, 

by brother Philip. 

A real ‘family affair’ enjoyed by all 

present. 

Photo: (l to r) Robert, Edward, Paul 

and Philip Cowen 

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ANOTHER NEWMAN 

IN THE CHAIR 

W Bro James H Newman was 

pleased to Install his son, Peter into 

the Chair of Old Malvernian Lodge 

No 4363 in London in January this 

year. Peter was Initiated in 2005 and 

is the fi fth generation in the family 

and fourth generation Newman to 

be a Mason. 

A couple of weeks later in February, 

James was Installed into the Chair of 

Old Wellingburian Lodge No 5570 

in the Province of Nothamptonshire 

and Huntingdonshire, which is coincidentally 

the Daughter Lodge of 

the Old Malvernian. 

Photo: James is pictured with 

Peter, Master of Old Malvernian 

Lodge at his Installation. 

THE END OF AN ERA 

The regular meeting on 13 November 

2012 was the last to be held in the 

lodge rooms at Bath Road, Cleckheaton 

before Zetland Lodge No 603 moved to 

the Masonic Hall in Heckmondwike. 

Some 132 years of Masonry in the 

rooms ended before over 50 members 

and guests, who had travelled from 

across the Province to witness the event. 

The minutes of the fi rst meeting held 

at Bath Road on 14 December 1880 

were read by the Secretary. The Master 

then shared details of early Installation 

menu cards, showing how lavish the 

festive boards were in the early days. 

Senior Past Masters reminisced about 

times past and Masons whose names 

were synonymous with life in Spen 

Valley and Zetland Lodge in particular. 

The sale of the building, which had 

been purchased for the princely sum 

of £760 in September 1880, by an 

amazing coincidence, was completed 

on 14 December 2012, 132 years to the 

date after the fi rst meeting! 

W Bro Stephen Wood, PPJGW, 

Master, commented, “It has been a 

bittersweet evening, full of confl icting 

emotions. Sad to be leaving rooms 

which have been a big part of so many 

of the Brethren’s lives for so long. 

We are, however, a single occupancy 

lodge in an ageing building, with 

all the problems that brings. At 

Heckmondwike we are moving into 

lovely rooms and have been made 

to feel very welcome by the Hall 

Management Committee and all the 

Brethren there. We move forward with 

confi dence to develop the next stage 

of the history of Zetland 603.” 

Photo: Adrian Collins, Master of 

Amphibious Lodge No 258 and Nahar 

S Somel, Master of Spen Vale Lodge 

No 4515 welcome Stephen Wood, 

Master of Zetland Lodge (centre) at 

their fi rst meeting in Heckmondwike 

Masonic Hall on 1112 December 2012. 

WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE THE WOOD 

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Your Contacts: David Lee (Notary Public) Marc Gledhill 

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27

MASTER MY SON 

John E Betts had the privilege of Installing his son, Steven G Betts into the Chair 

as his successor and the 86 th Master of Loyalty Lodge No 4971, Leeds. This 

unique occasion in the Lodge’s history, held at the Allerton Masonic Hall, was 

attended by Jack Pigott, Deputy PGM. 

Photo: From left to right: Jack Pigott; Steven G Betts, Master; John E Betts, IPM 

LEWIS, LEWIS, LEWIS 

The Master of The Lodge of Peace 3988, W Bro Michael I Astley, has had a very busy and 

successful year since his installation into the chair of King Solomon last November 

His year was highlighted in September when he initiated Mr Terence Cunningham, who had 

been proposed by his son Jason, into the Lodge. 

There are currently three Lewis’s in the Lodge but this is believed to be the fi rst time in the 93 

year history of the Lodge that a brother has proposed his father into the Lodge 

A very enjoyable evening at Hoyle Court was had by all those present and the picture shows 

W Bro Astley welcoming Bro Cunningham Snr, accompanied by his son Jason. 

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Dewsbury Lodge of Mark Master Masons 

No 641 celebrated its centenary in March 

this year and some 74 members and 

guests were present at the Masonic Temple, 

Dewsbury to witness a Centenary Warrant 

being presented by the RW Assistant Grand 

Master, H Keith Emmerson. 

This number, coincidentally, was the exact 

same number as attended the Consecration 

meeting held on 29 January 1913 at the 

Masonic Lodge, Longcauseway, Dewsbury. 

James Steggles, RW Provincial Grand 

Master, joined Michael J Littlewood, Master 

in welcoming the distinguished guests from 

Grand Lodge, with the Assistant Grand 

Master being accompanied by the Deputy 

Grand Secretary, W Bro Lt. Cdr Angus P D 

Hannagan and V W Bro Paul P Paterson 

acting as Director of Ceremonies. 

The Provincial delegation included 

Deputy PGM Robert Corfi eld, Assistant 

PGM John F Clough, together with Past 

Rulers and twelve Acting Offi cers. 

The Centenary Warrant was read 

by W Bro Hannagan and presented 

to W Bro Littlewood, Master by the 

RW Assistant Grand Master who then 

presented centenary jewels to the 

members of the Lodge. 

A memorable Oration was given by the 

Provincial Grand Chaplain, VW Bro Edward 

K Patnick. 

Extracts of the Minutes of the 

Consecration meeting were read by the 

secretary and a brief synopsis of the Lodge 

history was given by the Master. 

The evening concluded with an excellent 

festive board. 

APPOINTMENTS TO GRAND 

RANK IN THE MARK DEGREE 

The following Brethren are congratulated on the honours to be conferred at the Annual 

Investiture Meeting of The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons on 11 June 2013. 

First Appointments to Acting Rank 

Fraser McPherson Prince Edward Lodge No 14 GStdB 

Philip Oldfi eld Fearnley Lodge No 58 GStwd 

First Appointments to Past Rank 

Andrew Charles Jagger Old York Lodge TI PAGDC 

Ian Robert Pattinson Beaumont Lodge No 1523 PAGDC 

John Ernest Dennis Haywra Lodge No 525 PAGDC 

John Rodney Tolson Portal Lodge No 127 PAGSwdB 

Alan Morson Dartmouth Lodge No 545 PAGSwdB 

Tony Mackrell Fearnley Lodge No 58 PGStdB 

Lachlan John Hendry Copley Lodge No 111 PAGStdB 

Howard Maurice Bott St Chad Lodge No 374 PAGStdB 

Promotions 

Michael John Littlewood Dewsbury Lodge No 641 PGJO 

Keith Robinson Eland Lodge No 493 PGSD 

Duncan Smith Integrity Lodge No 110 PGSD 

29

SADNESS AFTER TWO KNIGHTS 

REWARDED WITH CERTIFICATES 

LONG SERVICE 

ACHIEVEMENT 

Maxwell J Armitage received a 40-year 

certifi cate from the Provincial Prior, R E Kt 

Paul Grafton, at a meeting of the Fearnley 

Preceptory No 39, Dewsbury. 

He had been Eminent Preceptor in 1990 

and went on to receive Provincial Rank as Past 

Registrar. Maxwell also holds Provincial Rank 

in Craft and the Holy Royal Arch as a member 

of the Three Grand Principles No 208. 

Maxwell and R E Knight Grafton enjoyed a 

discussion as to how the Order has changed 

over 40 years and also the “characters” which 

he had met as a Knight Templar. 

John (Jack) Binks MBE, who sadly 

died in March this year, was earlier in 

the month presented with a 50-year 

certifi cate to mark his devotion to the 

Integrity Preceptory No 205 of Knights 

Templar, during which time he attained 

Great Priory Rank of PGtA-deC. 

Over 60 Knights were at Thornfi eld 

House, Morley when the Provincial 

Sub Prior, E Kt Hearl Lenton, 

presented Jack with his certifi cate 

and revealed that this was the fi rst 

such 50-year award. 

CASTLE GROVE HOSTS SPECIAL EVENT 

A very special, if not unique, event in Yorkshire 

freemasonry, occurred in February when a body of a 

foreign jurisdiction of Freemasonry was allowed to hold 

a meeting hosted by an English Order. 

In February, at the invitation of the Prior, Rt. E. Kt. Paul 

C. Grafton, the Province of West Yorkshire was visited 

by the Preceptory of St. Front le Vaillant No. 15 of the 

Province of Guyenne, of the Great Priory of France. 

This Preceptory was consecrated on the 30th of 

October 2004 and is in the fortunate position of being 

able to hold one of its meetings each year in England. 

The meeting selected is the most important, the 

installation meeting. This is because the consecration 

of the preceptory was very much an English affair with 

considerable support from English founders and the 

English Province of Worcester. The founders wanted to 

ensure that the preceptory always kept its English roots 

alive, therefore, the principle is enshrined in its bylaws. 

Knights and their Ladies from all over England and 

France began to converge on Leeds on Friday and an 

informal supper, hosted by Knights of Fidelity Preceptory, 

was arranged on their behalf at Castle Grove MH. 

David Child was Installed a Knight 

Templar in St Laurence Preceptory 

No 298 by his father in 1970 and 

on his 40th anniversary he was 

promoted to Past First Constable 

by the Provincial Sub Prior, VE Kt W 

G B McGolpin. 

Subsequently, in February this 

year, E Kt Lenton was pleased to 

present a 40-year certifi cate to 

David which added to the 50-year 

Craft certifi cate he had received in 

the Craft as a member of Lodge of 

Friendship No 750. 

On the following day, the installation meeting took 

place. The “Gothic” setting of the large temple provided 

a perfect setting for the glittering spectacle of the regalia 

and banners of the 140+ Knights, amongst whom were 

the Past Grand Master of the Great Priory of Spain, the 

Most Eminent and Supreme Kt William G B McGolpin. 

The ceremony, which was conducted entirely in French, 

commenced with the installation by the Preceptor, Em 

Ch Eric Chanteau, of his successor, Em Ch Yves Sere, 

for the ensuing year. The ceremony was followed by 

a magnifi cent seven course banquet, comprising the 

best of French cuisine, a high proportion of the food and 

all the wine being imported by the preceptory. 


A DOUBLE STAR 

AT KEIGHLEY 

EDWARDIAN HAND BELLS TO GET NEW LIFE 

Douglas H Weston has been a very 

active Freemason for over 50 years. He 

was Initiated in Royal Yorkshire Lodge 

No 265 in July 1961, exalted into Judea 

Chapter No 265 in November 1963 and 

installed a Knight of the Temple in Plains 

of Rama Preceptory No 3 in April 1967. 

He is already in possession of a 

certifi cate marking his 50 years service 

to Freemasonry, presented to him in 

2011 and at the January meeting of 

Plains of Rama Preceptory, V E Kt W B 

G McGolpin, PProvSubPrior presented E 

Kt Weston with a certifi cate of 40 years 

service to the Order of the Temple. In 

his professional life E Kt Weston is a 

Chartered Engineer being a Fellow of 

the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. He 

was based both at home and in Germany 

and specialised in the design and 

construction of escalators, becoming an 

expert in this fi eld. He was the Project 

Director of O & K Escalators and the 

Principal UK Delegate on the Engineering 

Standards Committee. 

In December last year the Bingley Hand 

Bell Ringers gave a Christmas concert at the 

festive board of the Lodge of Amity 4148, 

Hoyle Court, Baildon. 

At the conclusion of the concert WM 

Steve Isaacs and charity representative W 

Bro Anthony Donoghue together with W Bro 

Christopher Binns presented a cheque for 

£500 from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund 

to the group. 

This will enable the Bell Ringers to fully 

restore a set of Edwardian Hand Bells that 

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had recently been found rusting away in 

Bingley Parish Church Tower. Solna Burnham 

secretary of the group thanked the Brethren 

saying the restored Bells would allow the 

group to perform more intricate pieces of 

music, extending their repertoire as they 

continue to perform at various functions 

throughout the community. 

Photo shows Bingley Hand Bell Ringers 

with Solna Burnham secretary together with 

WM Steve Isaacs, W Bro Tony Donoghue, and 

W Bro Chris Binns. 

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Gordon Smith PPGSwdB of De Grey 

& Ripon No 387 and Linton Lodge No 

9444 makes the case for an Organist 

at Lodge meetings 

PULLING OUT THE STOPS 

Of all the liberal arts and sciences, 

music must surely rank high in the 

conduct of a Lodge ceremony. 

The Province is blessed 

with Brethren of many talents, 

particularly of a musical nature, 

having provided organists of 

a calibre to hold Grand Lodge 

appointments. There are however, 

many jobbing organists across the 

Province, endeavouring to provide 

music for Lodge ceremonies. 

Not all these organists are 

professionally trained, but will have 

drifted into playing the organ from 

an ability to play the piano. All have 

a common aim, which is to play all 

the right notes if not necessarily 

in the right order. The scarcity of 

Lodge organists has been likened 

to the writer as ‘hen’s teeth’ or 

‘rocking horse droppings’ and 

as time progresses, the situation 

is not going to get better. Fewer 

young people are learning the 

keyboard and this will be reflected 

in future Freemasons. 

Even now, I know of some lodges 

where a CD and laptop are the 

order of the day. In my view this is 

a shame, there is no substitute for 

live music in a Lodge, no matter how 

good or bad. An organist’s mistakes 

are usually good for a little levity 

after all! 

An organist’s duties can be quite 

tedious, having to sit on a stool, 

probably without a backrest, be 

attentive to the ritual throughout the 

ceremony as well as playing both 

before and after the ceremony and 

at the festive board. No taking a 

quiet snooze as some seniors are 

seen to do! 

The position of organist is not 

always one held by a member of 

the Lodge; they tend to be nomadic 

or peripatetic and are often called 

upon when visiting a Lodge. An 

anomaly I have come across is 

where the office of organist is a 

progressive one within the Lodge, 

whether he can play or not. It is 

weird to be playing for a ceremony 

whilst the non-playing organist sits 

alongside you. 

My own Masonic career as an 

organist began when I left the Chair 

of Studley Lodge No 6364 in 1991 

and became a Founder Member 

of Linton Lodge No 9444. I was 

volunteered as Founding Organist, a 

position I still hold. At the same time I 

was asked to play for Stability Lodge, 

Leeds and as ‘guest organist’, did 

so for 12 years, travelling from my 

home in Ripon. I was told at one 

time that my attendance record was 

the best in the Lodge! During this 

time I also played for Zetland Lodge 

No 1311, Leeds. 

Having moved to Ripon I joined De 

Grey and Ripon Lodge No 387 and 

yes, you’ve guessed it, immediately 

became the Lodge organist and still 

am. I played for Corona Chapter No 

2922 for several years and still help 

out at Vale of Nidd Lodge No 4984 

and Falcon Lodge No 1416, Thirsk 

(Yorks. N & ER). 

This potted history is by no 

means typical of every Lodge 

organist but I am sure many of my 

fellow musicians will be in accord 

with the situation. Individually, I 

am sure that the Lodges to which 

I have referred have been grateful 

to have music to accompany their 

ceremonies. I feel however that the 

position of organist is low down in 

the ‘pecking order’ and that more 

recognition could be given to the 

office by Province, perhaps given 

mentoring as other ranks. If not 

then we could see more and more 

electronic music in ceremonies (‘a 

good thing,’ I hear some say?). 

I believe it will be a sad day for 

Masonry should this be the case. 


33

PROVINCIAL ACTING OFFICERS 2013 

Senior Grand Warden James Moreland Denby Zetland 1311 

Junior Grand Warden Dr Andrew Angus Henderson Acacia 2321 

Grand Chaplain Peter Holt PAGSwdB Harmony 275 

Grand Treasurer Brian John Priestley PAGDC Moorland 6591 

Grand Registrar Martin William Vesely Integrity 380 

Grand Secretary Keith Tolan PPJGW Connaught and Truth 521 

Grand Director of Ceremonies Robert William Bowhill PAGDC Harrogate and Claro 1001 

Grand Sword Bearer John Whitworth Sincerity 1019 

Grand Superintendent of Works Adrian Michael Depledge Hope 302 

Deputy Grand Chaplain Keith Malcolm Marriott Danecastre 4843 

Deputy Grand Registrar Andrew Lindsay Taylor Danecastre 4843 

Deputy Grand Secretary Richard Haigh Mexborough 6117 

Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Dr Raymond Charles Johnson PPDGReg Rotherwood 4392 

Paul Nash PPDGReg Iuventutis 9338 

Gary William Clark PPDGReg Harrogate and Claro 1001 

Grand Almoner Alan Jackson King Arthur 9311 

Grand Charity Steward Stuart Charles Grantham PAGDC Don Valley 3890 

Grand Orator Peter Sutherland Forest of Knaresborough 7452 

Grand Mentor James Johnson Ryburn 1283 

Senior Grand Deacon Phillip John Dewhirst Eccleshill, Faith and Fraternity 1034 

Barry Robert Martin Regent 2856 

Joseph James Anthony Ringrose Horsford 5339 

Peter Harwood Thornton Old Giggleswickian 8263 

Junior Grand Deacon Stephen Anthony Joseph Bray Probity 61 

Hugh Alexander Crossley Peace 149 

Jeremy Sample Castleberg 2091 

Maurice Christopher Anthony McGrath Pathfi nder 8236 

Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Andrew George Schofi eld PPDGReg Peace 149 

Marcus Stephen Greenwood Candour 337 

John Brendan Driscoll Leodiensis 4029 

Roger Skinner Faith, Hope, and Charity 4102 

Brian Duncan Littlejohn Royal Brunswick 296 

David Mann Thornhill 1514 

Howard Patrick Habron Cambodunum 3953 

Richard John Payne Spa 7609 

Assistant Grand Sword Bearer Mark Blount Saint Oswald 910 

Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works David Robert Bachelor Zetland 603 

Grand Organist Dr Simon Geoffrey Lindley PGOrg Zetland 1311 

Grand Standard Bearer Alan John Gilder Liberty 5871 

Michael Jefferson Forest of Knaresborough 7452 

Grand Pursuivant Robert Alexander Thoresby 4920 

Grand Steward Christopher Melville Royal Wharfedale 1108 

John Madigan Armitage 2261 

Peter Hugh Jesty Calcaria 2677 

Nirmal Singh Unity 3930 

Sydney Parke Strafford 4174 

Raymond Philip Sheller Benevolence 5612 

Eric Edward Stocks Hall Cross 5744 

Simon Morris Fellerman Dawn 6511 

Grand Tyler David Pickover MBE PPJGW Rectitude 4383 


WHAT DO THE OFFICERS OF 

THE PROVINCE DO FOR YOU? 

In the first of a series of interviews, the deputy editor asked W Bro Andrew G Schofield, 

Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge of Peace No 149 about 

his role as an Acting Officer within the Province. 

W Bro A G Schofield ProvAGDC 

Q. What makes the offi ce of Assistant 

Director of Ceremonies different from 

the majority of fi rst appointments to 

Provincial Rank? 

A. When accepting the appointment of 

a Provincial AGDC, it is for a minimum 

period of two years. There are eight 

Assistant Directors of Ceremonies in the 

Province; usually four are replaced each 

year at the Provincial meeting. 

Q. What are the duties involved? 

A. Our principal duty is to take either a 

Provincial Ruler or the acting Senior and 

Junior Warden to Installation Ceremonies 

at various Lodges within the Province. 

We are also required to offi ciate at 

jubilee certifi cate presentations, usually 

50 year membership of the Craft and 

also ‘surprise’ promotions that take 

place in Lodges. 

Q. Do you receive training in the role? 

A. Having been appointed, the 

Provincial Director of Ceremonies 

organises three training sessions, these 

are usually held on Saturday mornings in 

July and August. The Provincial Director 

of Ceremonies; the three Deputies: 

the eight Assistants and the newly 

appointed Senior and Junior Wardens 

are asked to attend. 

Q. How much of a commitment are you 

expected to give to the role? 

A. Our duties are split into two periods 


September - December and January – 

July; within each period we normally have 

four dates on which we will carry out the 

duties. 

Q. How do you go about the role in 

lodges throughout the Province? 

A. When we have received a list of 

the Lodges we are to attend, we are 

required to visit a Lodge rehearsal prior 

to the Installation. This is to ensure that 

the ceremony and festive board run 

smoothly and that we are familiar with the 

surroundings and Brethren of the Lodge. 

Contact is usually made with the 

Secretary or Director of Ceremonies 

and we request that the Master and 

the principal offi cers forming the escort 

are present; usually the Director of 

Ceremonies, Assistant DC, the Deacons 

and Wardens. 

An escort usually consists of Grand 

Offi cers and Past Provincial Offi cers 

(usually Senior or Junior Wardens), whilst 

some Lodges invite any Acting Provincial 

Offi cers that may be present. 

It is our duty to form up the escort, so 

we enquire if any Grand Lodge Offi cers 

are to be in attendance and who might 

be expected to form part of the escort. 

We fi nd out if the Ruler or Representative 

are to close the volume of the Sacred 

Law; if there are any other religious books 

to be closed and if so by whom; will the 

Ruler or Representative be entering in 

the fi rst or second degree; have they 

been sent a summons; is there a parking 

space reserved; are they to present a 

Past Master’s Jewel to the IPM and has 

the Lodge got the correct toast list? I 

often fi nd many Directors of Ceremonies 

are not in possession of the correct toast 

list after an Assistant PGM has been 

appointed or a Ruler has been promoted 

within Grand Lodge. 

Q. What do you enjoy about the role? 

A. I have been a Provincial AGDC for 

two years; it has been a very rewarding 

and enjoyable experience. It gives you 

a wider knowledge of how the Province 

is run and the amount of work all the 

Rulers do within it. 

I have had the privilege of visiting 

many Lodges and Masonic buildings 

that I would not normally have had 

the opportunity to visit and met many 

Brethren, who have always extended 

an open invitation for me to return to 

another meeting. 

Anniversary 

Celebrations 

Ralph Hewitt of Don Valley Lodge 

No 3890 and his wife, Grace celebrated 

their Diamond Wedding anniversary on 

9 October 2012. 

Derek Healey of Perseverance 

Lodge No 3197 and his wife, Mollie 

celebrated their Diamond Wedding 

Anniversary on 20 December 2012. 

Bruce Parker of the Lodge of Probity 

No 61 and his wife, Hope celebrated 

their Golden Wedding anniversary on 

22 December 2012. 

David Battye of Hillsborough 

Lodge No 5444 and his wife, Dorothy 

celebrated their Golden Wedding 

Anniversary on 13 April 2013. 

100 YEARS YOUNG 

AND STILL GOING 

STRONG 

William Jerome, an honorary member of 

Loyalty Lodge No 4971, Leeds celebrated 

his 100th birthday on their Lodge night. 

Also attending this unique event 

in the Lodge’s history was Robert 

Bailey, ProvJGW who added his own 

congratulations to those of the Brethren 

present. With such a long Masonic career, 

which started when William was Initiated 

into Loyalty Lodge in December 1946, it 

wasn’t surprising that W Bro Bailey took 

the opportunity to discuss how Masonry, 

life and times had changed since then. 

Photo: (l to r) Robert Bailey; William 

Jerome; Steven Betts, Master; Stanley 

Jacobs, Senior Past Master. 

DISCLAIMER 

Every effort is made to ensure 

the information contained in 

White Rose Masonic News is 

correct, but neither the Editor nor 

Provincial Grand Lodge can accept 

responsibility for any error that 

might inadvertently appear 

35

INTER-ISLAND VISIT 

Brethren of De Warren Lodge No 

1302, Halifax recently visited one of the 

smallest Provinces under the UGLE, 

the Province of Guernsey & Alderney, 

to witness the Initiation of Charles Price 

into St Ann’s Lodge No 593, Alderney. 

Charles is a former resident of Halifax 

where he was head of personnel at the 

former Halifax General Hospital and a 

Special Constable at Brighouse where 

he became friends with David Whitteron, 

a Past Master of De Warren Lodge. 

Having retired, Charles moved to 

Alderney and continued there as a 

Special Constable with paid duties as 

the island’s traffi c warden and gaoler. 

Following the Initiation ceremony, at 

a splendid festive board, the Entered 

Apprentice Song was led by David 

Smithies; Peter Reeve brought the 

Brethren together for the Apprentice’s 

Chain and W Bro Whitteron responded 

to the visitors’ toast. 

The following day, on Guernsey, 

the De Warren Lodge Brethren 

were entertained at the magnifi cent, 

purpose-built Masonic Centre, St 

Martin’s by members of Loyalty Lodge 

No 243. 

The Province of Guernsey & Alderney 

is not within the United Kingdom, 

the Channel Islands having been a 

possession of the Duke of Normandy 

long before 1066. The Islands remain 

British Crown Dependencies in a 

unique relationship under the British 

Monarchy. 

Photo: (l to r) David Smithies; David 

Whitteron; Charles Price; Peter Allen, 

Master of St Ann’s; David Wadsworth 

and Peter Reeve. 

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LIFELITES ARE A LEADING LIGHT FOR YORKSHIRE CHILDREN 

The Eye Gaze equipment in use at Martin House 

As reported in the Spring 2012 edition, the 

Province made a donation of £20,000 towards the 

Lifelites project at the Forget-Me-Not Children’s 

Hospice, Huddersfi eld. The donation allowed the 

charity to install a wonderful piece of equipment – 

the Sound Beam - that enables children with even 

the most profound physical and learning disabilities 

to make music using whatever movement they can. 

In autumn 2012 Lifelites returned to Yorkshire 

to install a similarly innovative package at Martin 

House Children’s Hospice in Wetherby. 

The package, which includes training for care 

staff and on-going maintenance and technical 

support, boasts the UK’s fi rst ever children’s 

hospice radio station and includes some of the 

very latest gaming and educational software which 

the hospice care team say is ideal for improving the 

children’s communication and social skills, as well 

as their confi dence and creativity. 

Caroline, a music therapist at Martin House 

said, “The radio project is important because it 

will help the young people we care for to become 

more confi dent, enable them to create something 

special together and, most importantly, to have 

fun. They have already started to record jingles 

and are looking forward to learning how to 

become presenters.” 

The package also includes state-of-the-art 

technology such as the Eye Gaze, which works 

by tracking the user’s eye movement, enabling 

children with severely limited movement to play 

computer games and communicate. 

Simone Enefer-Doy, Lifelites’ chief executive 

said, “Our work isn’t just about providing the latest 

gadgets for kids. Children in hospices won’t have 

the same opportunities as their contemporaries 

to run and play or ride a bike for example. What 

we try to do at Lifelites is level that playing fi eld: 

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our specialist equipment gives them opportunities 

to make fi lms, record music and the chance to 

play computer games that their disabilities may 

ordinarily prevent. The chance to be ‘normal’, 

to have a choice and to participate; that’s what 

Lifelites is all about, that’s what our technology 

enables these children to do.” 

It’s been a busy two years for the charity, which 

has just installed its fi rst packages of 2013 in the 

three UK baby hospices for the fi rst time, taking the 

total number of Lifelites projects up to 49, including 

fi ve in Yorkshire. 

This work would not be possible without 

donations: each Lifelites package costs 

around £37,500 to install and maintain over 

four years, which is about £9,000 a year; a 

sum which a number of Provinces are already 

pledging to match. 

Simone said, “It’s impossible to imagine Lifelites 

without freemasonry. Of course, Masons from all 

over the country have been there from the start – 

providing their technical expertise to ensure Lifelites 

projects remain in good working order. One of 

the key ways that freemasons have been able to 

support Lifelites is to take part in our fundraising 

activities. Yorkshire, West Riding is a great example 

of that – your wonderful donation really set the 

bar for other Provinces to match. Our work never 

stops. We must continue to be innovative so that 

the children in hospices can make the most out of 

the precious time they have.” 

For more information about Lifelites and how 

you can support their innovative approach to make 

a make a difference to children in hospices please 

contact Deri Jones at djones@lifelites.org. 

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37

ARE YOU A 

WINNER? 

MASON IS MADE HONORARY PRESIDENT 

OF HUDDERSFIELD TOWN FC 

On this and future issues 

of White Rose Masonic News 

you will find a unique number 

printed on the cover. This 

number is your chance to win 

a delightful prize of six bottles 

of wine courtesy of Colin Dent, 

Past APGM. 

To see if your number 

has been drawn simply visit 

the Yorkshire West Riding 

Province web site at: 

http://www.wrprovince.net 

If you do not have access to 

the internet simply write to me: 


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David A Taylor of Loyalty Lodge No 

4971 and West Riding Acting Offi cers 

Lodge No 9645 has been named 

honorary president of Huddersfi eld Town 

Football Club. 

The accountant, who is an Independent 

examiner of the accounts of the 

Association Of Friends of Connaught 

Court, has just celebrated his 70th 

birthday and holds Provincial rank in not 

only the Craft but also the Royal Arch and 

in both the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner 

degrees. 

He became the football club’s eighth 

chairman in just over a decade in January 

2002 and was at the helm through one of 

the most diffi cult periods in their history. 

Despite his efforts at reducing losses of 

£13m, the club fell into administration in 

March 2003. 

Before that, the former Batley Grammar 

School pupil was a long-serving director 

between 1993 and 1999, becoming vicechairman 

for the fi nal two years of that 

spell. 

W Bro Taylor saw his fi rst Town game 

in 1951 and still watches the club home 

and away. 

Current Town chairman Dean Hoyle 

wanted W Bro Taylor to receive recognition 

for his service to the club. 

“David became chairman during an 

incredibly diffi cult period and in that time 

made a lot of personal sacrifi ces,” he 

said. “Every decision he made during his 

tenure had the survival of Huddersfi eld 

Town at its heart and he has not missed 

a game home or away for 20 years. His 

passion for the club is unsurpassed.” 

Photo: David Taylor is pictured (right) 

receiving a commemorative shirt from 

Dean Hoyle. 


ROYAL AWARDS CEREMONY RECOGNISES MASON’S 

CONTRIBUTION TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

Tim Brooksbank, Past Master of the 

Lodge of St.Peter and Harmony No 600, 

Past First Principle of The Chapter of 

Faith No 1034 and chairman of Baildon 

Masonic Hall Company Ltd, on behalf 

of his Bradford based company Calibre 

UK Ltd, recently accepted a chalice and 

certifi cate presented by the Grand Master 

HRH The Duke of Kent at an offi cial awards 

ceremony at Calibre UK’s Bradford factory. 

The award was presented in recognition 

of outstanding export performance and 

winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise 

2012 in the international trade category. 

This award is regarded as the highest 

company accolade in business attainable 

in the UK and held in very high regard 

throughout the world and requires 

personal approval of HM The Queen on 

recommendation from the Prime Minister. 

The packed event was attended by 

local dignitaries from the Lord Lieutenant’s 

Offi ce as well as the local Council, plus 

several international and UK clients 

representing Calibre UK in Europe, Asia, 

Japan, the Middle East and North America. 

HRH The Duke of Kent attended as the 

personal representative of HM The Queen 

to perform the presentation as well as 

undertake a factory tour. The Duke was 

then W Bro Brooksbank’s guest of honour 

at the luncheon which followed in the 

Company’s Bradford offi ces and which 

was catered for excellently by the staff 

from Hoyle Court. 

W Bro Brooksbank said, “To receive this 

award is in itself a huge honour but, as an 

active Freemason, for HRH The Duke of 

Kent, who is of course The Grand Master, 

to come to visit our factory to present this 

to me is absolutely fantastic, especially as 

I understand this is something which he 

requested to do.” 

The day after the ceremony in Bradford 

W Bro Brooksbank and his wife, Pauline, 

received an invitation on behalf of HM The 

Queen to attend at Buckingham Palace for 

a reception being held by Her Majesty in 

honour of the winners of this prestigious 

award. This proved to be most interesting 

to them both, not only to see Her Majesty 

and the inside of Buckingham Palace, 

but especially as HRH The Duke of 

Edinburgh introduced himself personally 

and engaged in a most interesting 

conversation with Tim and Pauline at that 

event. “The Duke of Edinburgh is clearly 

a very interesting person and quite a 

character,” noted W Bro Brooksbank. 

Photo: Tim Brooksbank with HRH The 

Duke of Kent 

Need a lift? 

Quote the White Rose Masonic News 

for a 10% discount 

Spot hire and lease 

options to get you 

where you need to be. 

Whether you need one lift or a whole fl eet of them, Clark has the fl exibility to meet your needs. 

Our fl exible short-term hire or long-term lease options mean we can create a forklift and 

warehousing equipment package to suit your business, at tariffs that ensure you won’t be 

taken for a ride. 

So give Clark a call, and give your business the lift it needs. 

The lean, green lifting machine. 

Forktruck Solutions Ltd, Clark House, Milner Way, Longlands Industrial Estate, Ossett WF5 9JE 

tel: 0845 555 7770 fax 0845 555 8880 www.forktrucksolutions.com 


39

Go for the 

green 

Servicing solutions to 

keep you on course. 

Breakdowns can be a real handicap to your business, and a real headache for you. 

Clark has a range of service options for all makes of Forklift to prevent costly breakdowns and 

keep you out of the rough. And because we’ve driven our labour charges down, it might 

cost you less green than you’d think. 

Keep your business on course, and go for the green. 

The lean, green lifting machine. 

Forktruck Solutions Ltd, Clark House, Milner Way, Longlands Industrial Estate, Ossett WF5 9JE 

tel: 0845 555 7770 fax 0845 555 8880 www.forktrucksolutions.com 

A new approach to community living 

We tailor care to your needs –including independent and 

assisted living, respite, convalescence and post operative care. 

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, supportive and 

friendly community. 

Luxury appointed apartments & studios 

24 hour care available 

Superb restaurant 

Companionship care 

Day care 

24 hour security 

Members’ lounges 

Hair salon 

Private lake 

Landscaped garden 

and most importantly... 

Your own front door 

Arrange a visit by calling 0114 232 1583 (local rate) or just pop in any day 

between 10am - 5pm – we look forward to welcoming you 

www.signature-care-homes.co.uk/loxley-park 

Signature at Loxley Park. 

E enquiries.loxley@signaturesl.co.uk

White Rose - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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