~~ 2015 ~~
[ Click photos for more details ]

06 January 2015: The first meeting of the new Masonic Year, the Installation meeting.
The WME was installed as Worshipful Master of the Lodge for the ensuing year in an outstanding manner by the Worshipful Installing Master W.Bro. Barry Thompson. W.Bro. David J Biggs PAGDC was the representative of the RWPGM, and was accompanied by two other Officers of United Grand Lodge.

The Lodge Officers appointed and invested are recorded on the Officers Page of this website.

The Secretary reported with regret that he had received a letter of resignation from Bro. Albert Fulcher. Bro. Fulcher has been unable to attend the Lodge for some time now as he lives near Salisbury. He is about to relocate to Wales to be closer to his Daughter. The Provincial Almoner, W.Bro. Brian J Carter PAGDC, who was in attendance, asked for Bro. Fulcher's contact details to enable him to contact the appropriate Province to arrange a care visit.

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 17 members and 12 visitors were present.

03 February 2015: Before the Lodge was opened the Brethren stood for a moment in memory of Mrs Ada Fawcett, widow of the Lodge, who's funeral was held on the 31 January 2015.
The Lodge was opened in due form and the WM greeted the visitors and in particular W.Bro. David Lightbown, PProvJGW, District Chairman on his personal visit to the Lodge.
Those Officers absent at the Installation were invested.
The main business of the evening was to Raise Bro. John Milton Hargreaves to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. For that purpose the WM invited W.Bro. Russell Harwood to occupy the Master's Chair; Bro. Hargreaves was Raised in an exemplary manner assisted by the Officers of the Lodge. W.Bro. Steven Barton PProvSGW then explained the Traditional History and TB to Bro. Hargreaves, Bro. John Hutchison and Bro. Paul Spann in a most excellent manor.

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 20 members and 7 visitors were present.

03 March 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form and the WM greeted the Brethren and visitors, three from Salford and three from the Province of West Yorkshire.
Those Officers absent at the Installation were invested, W.Bro. Ken Allsop as Assistant Secretary.
The main business of the evening was to Pass Bro. William John Patrick Atkinson to the degree of a Fellow Craft. W.Bro. Stuart Rayton PProvGSuptWks took the Chair and opened the Lodge in the Second Degree. W.Bro. Michael Rosney PProvAGDC, DC was invited to occupy the Master's Chair and Bro.Atkinson was Passed to the Second Degree in a most exemplary manner assisted by the Officers of the Lodge. W.Bro. Barry Thompson IPM gave the Charge after Passing. W.Bro. Rayton PProvGSuptWks re-occupied the Chair and closed the Lodge from the Second Degree to the First Degree. The WM then resumed the Chair for the rest of the evening.

Bro. Hargreaves and Bro Spann where presented with their Grand Lodge Certificates.

The Treasurer presented the Lodge accounts duly audited which were passed on a show of hands.

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 18 members and 6 visitors were present.

31 March 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form and the WM greeted the Brethren and visitors.
A ballot for Initiation was taken for Mr. Steven David Thompson which proved in favour of the Candidate.
The main business of the evening was to Raise Bro. ML to the degree of a Master Mason. W.Bro. Stuart Rayton PProvGSuptWks was invited to occupy the Master's Chair and Bro.ML was Raised to the Third Degree in a most exemplary manner assisted by the Officers of the Lodge. W.Bro Derek Smith PProvSGD, SD, gave the Charge after Raising in a most excellent manner and W.Bro. Steven Barton PProvSGW gave the explanation of the Traditional History and Third Degree Tracing Board, again in his usual exemplary manner.

Bro. Hutchison was presented with his Grand Lodge Certificates.

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 18 members and 5 visitors were present.

28 April 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form and the IPM who took the meeting in the absence of the WM, greeted the Brethren and visitors.

The Worshipful Master's of the 'Family of Lodges' were admitted and introduced.

The main business of the evening was to Initiate Mr. Steven David Thompson, and for this purpose W.Bro. Michael Rosney PProvAGDC, DC was invited to occupy the Master's Chair. Mr. Thompson was then Initiated in to Freemasonry in a most exemplary manner by W.Bro. Rosney assisted by the Officers of the Lodge. W.Bro. Russell Harwood explained the WT of the Degree and Bro. Peter Moore gave the Charge after Initiation in a most excellent manner.

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 39 Brethren witnessed the making of a Mason this evening, this included 17 members and 22 visitors.

26 May 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form by W.Bro Derek H Smith PProvSGD who took the Chair in the absence of the WM.

WBro John R Farrington PSGD APGM along with a deputation from the District were admitted.

W Bro Farrington PSGD APGM was given due salutations, and this being the first occasion that the District Chairman had attended the Lodge after being appointed PAGDC salutations were given to the GL officers present. The PM in the Chair offered the APGM the Gavel, which on this occasion he gratefully accepted. He then introduced the members of the delegation, including WBros Heskett and Harwood who are assistants to the District. He then continued to conduct the Lodge for the celebration of WBro David Thomas Bury PProvGSuptWks 50 years in Freemasonry.

WBro G Casson PProvDepGReg acting JW read the minutes of his initiation; WBro C Harris read the minutes of his Installation in 1977 and WBro D H Smith PProvSGD, PM in the Chair, delivered a tribute to WBro Bury. The APGM gave an address and stated that he was particularly pleased to be able to attend the Lodge as both the Lodges prior to the amalgamation had been in the Rossendale District when he was the District Chairman. He presented an Illuminated Certificate to WBro Bury and a letter from the PGM. WBro Lightbown then presented a Certificate from the Lodge (produced by WBro S Rayton PProvGSuptWks) and a lapel badge for 50 years service. The PM in the Chair then presented a cheque for £500 for the Festival from the Lodge.

The junior Brethren of the Lodge also distinguished themselves in various acting offices, Bro. Will Atkinson (FC) as IG, Bro. Peter Moore (MM) as JD and Bro. Paul Spann (MM) as SD.

CELEBRATING

WBro David T Bury PProvGSuptWks

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 32 Brethren celebrated with David his 50 Years in Freemasonry, included 17 members and 16 visitors.

At the Festive Board W.Bro Bury presented a personal cheque for £500 to W.Bro Farrington in aid of the 2015 Festival.

June - July - August 2014:
The Lodge is in Summer recess during these months

15 September 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form by W.Bro Derek H Smith PProvSGD who took the Chair in the absence of the WM. W.Bro David Bury PProvGSuptWks occupied the JW Chair, Bro. Paul Spann was acting as SD and W.Bro Stuart Rayton PProvGSuptWks acting JD.

The Secretary W.Bro Dennis Heskett PProvSGD read the dispensation to allow us to hold our meeting one week early.

The W.Bro in the Chair requested that the meeting stand to order with respect to departed merit for W.Bro Stanley Baker PProvAGDC and W.Bro Frank Horrocks PProvJGD, coupled with the names of Mrs Longworth (Widow) and Mrs Hollows, the wife of W Bro Jack Hollows PProvDepGSuptWks, who had all died during the Summer Recess.

W.Bro Stuart Rayton PProvGSuptWks then invited Bro Steven Thompson (EA), Bro R Spensley (FC - Limestone Rock Lodge No.369) and Bro Paul Spann (MM) to join him on the floor of the Lodge to receive an explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board.
The W.Bro in the Chair thanked W.Bro Rayton for his exemplary explanation of the Tracing Board and the Lodge members suitably responded.

The Lodge recorded the resignation of Bro Steven Charnley who had for some time now been unable to attend Lodge meetings due to changes in his work commitments.

W.Bro R Critchley PProvDepGSuptWks of Standish Lodge No.4955 (West Lancashire) presented to the Lodge a minute book which had come into his possession via a convoluted route. However, the minute book had been found in the attic of a house in Haslingden and was the second minute book belonging to Rossendale Forest Lodge No.4138 which had been missing for some time. W.Bro Smith thanked W.Bro Critchley for it's return and said that this now plugged a huge gap in our history, as it recorded events from December 1930, through the War Years up to March 1954.

The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep., Mentor and the 2015 Festival Rep. all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 16 members and 5 visitors were recorded in the Tyler's Book.

27 October 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form by W.Bro Stuart Rayton PProvGSuptWks who took the Chair for the evening in the absence of the WM. Bro. Paul Spann was acting JD.
The main business of the evening was to raise Bro William John Patrick Atkinson to the Sublime Degree of a MM. W.Bro. Rayton worked the Third Degree Ceremony, ably assisted by the Officers of the Lodge. W.Bro. Derek H Smith PProvSGD, Senior Deacon and Almoner, escorted the candidate and gave the Charge after Raising. W.Bro. Barry Thompson IPM explained the Working Tools of the Degree and W.Bro. Steven Barton PProvSGW presented the Traditional History and explained the Third Degree Tracing Board. All performed their work with the utmost sincerity and to a very high standard.
The candidates Father W.Bro C Atkinson, London Grand Rank, had travelled from his home in Berkshire to witness his Son's raising. Bro. Atkinson was also supported by two Masonic friends from Kirklees Lodge No.4710 in the Province of West Yorkshire.

The Almoner, Charity Steward and District Rep., all gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 17 members and 3 visitors were recorded in the Tyler's Book.

24 November 2015: The Lodge was opened in due form by W.Bro Barry Thompson IPM who took the Chair for the evening in the absence of the WM.
W.Bro. Andy Shaw PProvAGDC was acting IPM and Bro. Peter Moore was acting JD.

There was a report and W Bro D Heskett PProvDepGDC was welcomed into the Lodge following his promotion at PGL.
Unfortunately W.Bro. Stuart Rayton who had also received a promotion at the PGL meeting to the rank of PProvGSwdB, could not attend the Lodge meeting as his Daughter was undergoing major Heart Surgery that day in Blackpool.

The main business of the evening was to 'Pass' Bro Steven David Thompson to the Degree of a Fellowcraft and W Bro Michael Rosney PProvAGDC DC was invited to occupy the Master's Chair for the purpose of conducting the Ceremony.
W Bro Rosney, in addition to conducting the Ceremony also explained the SW corner and the WTs and it must be stated to the highest standard. W Bro Derek H Smith PProvSGD SD conducted the candidate with dignity. W Bro Barry Thompson resumed the Chair and then thanked W Bro Rosney for the work this evening. The Charge after Passing was delivered by W Bro Barry Thompson IPM.

The Almoner and Charity Steward gave their reports.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 19 members and 0 visitors were recorded in the Tyler's Book.

22 December 2015:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the WM, Bro Cains.

The Secretary read the Bye Laws.

The Secretary advised that there was only one nomination for WM, W Bro Derek Henry Smith PProvSGD; the WM asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, W Bro Smith was elected WME for 2016. W Bro Smith thanked the Brethren for the confidence in him and he was looking forward to the coming year.

The Secretary advised that there was only one nomination for Treasurer, W Bro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC; the WM asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, W Bro Heskett was elected Treasurer. W Bro Heskett thanked the rethren and advised that he had been observing W Bro Shaw and learning how to retain the money in the accounts and would try to improve on the high standards set by W Bro Shaw.

W Bro D Smith PProvSGD SD proposed and Bro R Godwin JD seconded that the WM be empowered to appoint a Tyler without emolument from amongst the subscribing members of the Lodge. The proposition was approved by the Brethren.
W Bro A Shaw PProvAGDC CS proposed that certain sums of money be donated to Charity.

W Bro A Shaw Treasurer PProvAGDC proposed that the subscriptions remain the same as per 2015. W Bro D Bright PProvGSuptWks supported by the brethren said that they would be expecting the next Treasurer to continue to maintain the subscriptions at the same level next year!

The Grand Lodge Certificate for Bro W Atkinson had not yet been received; however, W Bro D Heskett gave an explanation of the GLC to Bro W Atkinson and Bros P Spann Stwd and Bro ML Stwd who had received their certificate on a previous occasion.

W Bro Gordon McMillan PProvDepGDC DORA then gave an presentation "Take a Closer Look at the Royal Arch" the excellent presentation gave much thought to those members who had yet to join the RA. The WM thanked W Bro McMillan for his presentation which was well received by the brethren. The RA Representative W Bro Heskett then advised the Brethren that he was always available to advise on the RA and would seek to introduce them to a well operating Chapter. The RA Rep W Bro D Heskett also advised that many of the members of the Lodge are members of Abbey Chapter 2529 in Whalley and that a present all 3 Principals are from the Lodge; W Bro Heskett (Z), W Bro Bright (H) and W Bro Rosney (J).

The Almoner and Charity Steward gave their reports. The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 17 members and 3 visitors (one visitor from the Irish Constitution) were recorded in the Tyler's Book.