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Senatores Lodge moves to The Savoy
Senatores Lodge of Installed Masters, the Lodge for all Installed Masters on the Fylde, has undergone a remarkable renaissance during the last couple of years and now boasts a membership of over 220. The founders of the Lodge advise that the name Senatores was derived from the Latin and simply meant Council of Elders. However, with such a large membership, the Lodge is limited as to where it can meet; but this was overcome on the 31st January 2007 by holding the regular Lodge meeting at the Savoy Hotel on Queens Promenade, Blackpool. Lodge furniture was transported from Masonic halls all over the Fylde and the Savoy transformed into a superb Temple. 187 members and guests, which included the Rt. W. Provincial Grand Master, attended the meeting (which was a demonstration of sharing the work in a third degree ceremony) and afterwards were treated to an excellent festive board. The Savoy was definitely value for money and our next meeting, the Installation of W.Bro. W.T. Eardley as Master, on the 31st May will be held there. Any Installed Master interested in joining should contact the secretary for details. W.Bro. P.J. Bentham 15A Lower Green, Poulton Le Fylde. FY6 7JL.
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W.Bro L.D.Tax. W.Bro N. Tate. W.Bro E.
Picton
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The South Fylde Group was delighted that the R.W.Provincial Grand Master Brother Colin Penty Wright visited The Palace, St. Annes on Monday 14 May 2007. He conducted a most interesting Question and Answer Session to a packed Lodge Room. With just an odd exception, all Lodges and Chapters of The South Fylde Group were represented by the Master/First Principal accompanied by one or more of the Lodge’s/Chapter’s Junior Brethren/Companions. The Provincial Grand Master took time out to visit our display of The South Fylde Group Development Plan 2006-2008 and saw the progress we have been making as a Group through the short-lived Focus Group (that has examined Membership Trends and good practice in Lodges), the Mentoring Scheme being developed by our three Group Mentors, our £3000 Group contribution towards the 2010 Festival (recently raised during a Group Sponsored Walk) and the wealth of Provincial Communications featured in the media and in our special media display cases. Following our Provincial Grand Master’s response to his good health our Group Chairman – Eric Picton spoke, saying : ‘History informs us that in 1950 the resurgence of popular music in the UK was inspired by the 2I’s, which for those of you too young to remember was a coffee bar in London where artists such as Tommy Steele first performed in public. I would like to think that in another 60 years the renaissance of freemasonry in West Lancashire and in South Fylde in particular will be attributed to not 2 but 3 I’s. The first I is the Inspiration we gain from our Grand Superintendent and PGM in conjunction with his provincial teams in both RA and the craft, not only for their presence and support today but for their continued commitment and enthusiasm. Second is Innovation, which is being demonstrated in lodges and chapters in the areas of recruitment, retention and equally important recovery of members. I am delighted that most lodges are taking advantage of the Group Mentor scheme and the small number, who have decided to “go it alone” have adopted a pro-active stance. Communications both internal and external are continuing to expand but I have noticed that photographs for release in the local press appear to be arranged for times not necessarily convenient to the Group Chairman – I have heard the term excessive reflection used when the topic is raised. More seriously, it is extremely gratifying to John Topping and myself that nearly all lodges are contributing – keep up the good work. Our newly designed web site continues to grow and I am informed by the web-master, Tony Farrar, that since its inception less than 12 months ago we have received an impressive number of hits – to those of you at the same knowledge level as myself that means people logging on to the site. Tony has received some interesting contacts worldwide, for example Wilhomena of Fort Lauderdale thinks that Leon Tax looks quite cute but the Group Chairman is a bit shifty eyed. The third I is Inclusion and in the last year Group Officers have seen that amply demonstrated in lodges as we have supported and welcomed new initiates and master masons. Brethren, sharing does not diminish our ritual but can when careful thought is given enhance it. It is imperative that lodges and chapters explore all avenues to ensure that every member can participate fully and appropriately not only in the ritual but also ruling and governing. Brethren the three I’s are important to the future of the South Fylde Group but it is my belief that only a continued application of our precepts and principals which place such a high value on the qualities of humanity, morality and fraternity which will ensure that our unique institution not only survives but grows. Finally, I must thank St Annes Lodge for relinquishing their regular meeting date so that this dinner could take place here today, to Barbara Rowe for the splendid meal and to the Group Secretary, Ian Ward for his impressive organization’.
Photo : left to right - The Provincial Grand Master – Brother Colin Penty Wright discussing the successful aims and objectives of the South Fylde Group Development Plan with Group Chairman W.Bro. Eric Picton.
Photo left to right :
John Topping – Provincial Communications Officer
Bill Eardley – Chairman of the Blackpool Group
Peter Elmore – Vice Chairman of The South Fylde Group
Leon Tax – Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Karen Dyke – Centre Development Manager of Blackpool Carers Centre
2nd Kirkham Scouts spend their Friday evenings practising canoe skills down on the canal. This useful activity was under threat due to the need for a new canoe trailer and other pieces of equipment. A bid was made by Martin Hampson, a Past Master of Kirkham Lodge to the Community Fund of West Lancashire Freemasons.
The total cash granted to the youngsters of 2nd Kirkham Scouts was £750 which enabled the trailer to be manufactured. Leon Tax, Assistant Provincial Grand Master said : ‘In these days it is pleasing to be able to see young people learning new skills and trying adventurous activities within a controlled and supervised community. The Scouts and all our uniformed groups deserve all the support they can get’ 
Photo left to right 2nd Kirkham Scouts, Peter Robinson (kneeling - South Fylde Group Charity Steward), Leon Tax – Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Peter Elmore (Vice Chairman of South Fylde Group), Martin Hampson (Past Master of Kirkham Lodge)
Ansdell Medical Centre asked local Ansdell Lodge of Freemasons to help them provide a range of specific reading material for youngsters who may be visiting the Medical Centre with their parents/carers. Master of Ansdell Lodge – Brian Howarth (on the right) immediately rose to the challenge and quickly the members of the Lodge raised £250 for the requested book titles.
Photo shows Connor Burnett aged 3 years examining the new books with (left to right) David Randerson of Ansdell Lodge, Lynn Bentham of Ansdell Medical Centre and Brian Howarth – Master of Ansdell Lodge.
It was a pleasure to attend Semper Fidelis Lodge No.4428 in The Palace, St. Annes on Monday 2 April 2007 to see the Raising of Bro. Julian Hale and to present Julian with the congratulatory letter from our R.W. Provincial Grand Master and other letters from our South Fylde Group Chairman.
The Worshipful Master being Julian’s Godfather, W. Bro. Nigel Bradshaw PPrJGW. The ceremony was magnificently delivered by W.Bro. Bob Hargreaves PPrSGD.
Unfortunately, the Minute Book for the early years of Semper Fidelis Lodge has been lost but it would seem that Julian’s grandfather, W. Bro. Leslie Hale was initiated into Semper Fidelis Lodge in the early 1930s and succeeded Sir William Edge, a joining member, as Master in 1940. He later became Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge. Julian’s father W. Bro. Tony Hale was initiated into Semper Fidelis Lodge on the 6th April 1970 and succeeded R. W. Bro. Sir Knowles Edge as Master in 1977. Tony acted as Charity Representative for ten years and recently resumed the task. Following the family tradition Julian was initiated into Semper Fidelis Lodge on 6th November 2006.
Ken Halstead 50 years in Freemasonry
Ken Halstead celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry on Wednesday 6th March in The Lodge of Harmony 298, Rochdale. Please click on the photo below to read the full article.
