On Tuesday 19 April 2016, Brierfield Lodge No 7560, situated at Padiham in the Burnley and Pendle District, received the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Sir David Trippier, RD, JP, DL, and a Provincial Deputation including WBro John R Farrington the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Northern Area, for the purpose of the District’s annual Hosted Meeting. The Lodge room was buzzing with anticipation.
Also in attendance were a healthy number of District Officers and Provincial Grand Officers of the Year.
The RWPGM and the Worshipful Master with the Provincial & District Delegations
After opening the Lodge and conducting the preliminary business, the Worshipful Master, Bro Maurice McGaffin, announced that the next business was to receive the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master accompanied by a Provincial Deputation.
The Worshipful Master welcomed the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and to his great delight Sir David accepted the gavel and took his place in the Masters chair. The RWPGM was then saluted in due form.
There followed a presentation entitled “From Junior office to the Masters Chair”. This was given by four Brethren ranging from Fellow Craft who has taken on the office of Assistant Secretary to a Past Master, relatively recently through the Chair. All related their experiences and the progress they had made whilst moving through their various Offices to date. They also outlined their hopes and expectations for the future and the support and assistance they would need in their development. The topic was introduced by WBro Steve Jansen, the Burnley and Pendle District Mentor who had worked with the Brethren in their preparations.
The Four Brethren involved were:-
Bro Darren Haigh – Pendle Lodge No 4703
Bro Ray Evans – Abbey Lodge No 2529
Bro Chris Swindells – Calder Lodge No 4564
WBro Steve Irving – Red Rose of Lancaster Lodge No 1504
The RWPGM and the Worshipful Master with the APGM, WBro John Farrington, Burnley & Pendle District Mentor, WBro Steve Jansen and the four Brethren who gave the Presentation
The RWPGM said that in coming to Padiham he knew that it would be a good evening but it had exceeded his expectations; the presentations had been some of the best that he had seen and he thanked WBro Jansen and the four presenters for their efforts. He also commented on some of the issues that had been raised.
Following the Alms collection a retiral procession was formed by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro John A Griffin and the RWPGM accompanied by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the Deputation retired. The Lodge was then closed by the Worshipful Master.
The Social Board was well attended but unfortunately the WM was unable to stay. Nevertheless, it was a happy occasion. WBro Geoffrey Riley, a senior member of the Lodge took the Masters place.
The usual toasts were proposed and duly honoured. WBro Michael Maunders proposed the toast to the RWPGM commenting that it was a pleasure to welcome him to Padiham for his second visit.
WBro Martin Blades, acting as Junior Warden then welcomed the APGM, along with the Provincial Officers and proposed Toast No 5.
The RWPGM in his response commented on the importance of having the support of your wife or partner, as he did, especially when he first started out in Freemasonry at his mother Lodge in “Costa del Rochdale” He also reiterated his view that as Freemasons we cannot stand still but have to move forward.
Sir David thanked everyone for the support that had been given to the 2015 Festival and stated that we should be very proud of our efforts in raising the £2.6 million in such an extreme financial climate. He requested that now the Province is out of Festival we concentrate on the East Lancashire Masonic Charity – our own Charity. He then commented on the sponsored parachute jump and thanked the Brethren present for their participation, relating a particular incident with a night parachute jump he had undertaken in Anglesey. This had not gone as planned when he mistook a corrugated roof for water and ended up breaking both ankles and an arm. This recollection did not inspire the three participant of the sponsored parachute jump in their forthcoming efforts!
WBro John R Farrington, Assistant Provincial Grand Master then proposed the toast to the WM, in his absence and to Brierfield Lodge. He asked that the best wishes of all present be passed on to Bro McGaffin. He thanked the Brethren who had given the presentation and Brierfield Lodge for hosting the meeting; he wished them all well for the future in their relatively new home at Padiham, commenting on the smooth transition and integration from Nelson following the closure of that Hall.
WBro Riley gave a formal response and at 9.50pm the Tylers toast concluded an excellent evening.