Alan was born in 1934 and was educated at Farnworth C of E school before moving to Wade Deacon Grammar School, where he studied from 1946 to 1951. Whilst at school he was a keen rugby union player, playing at scrum half. He continued his rugby playing after leaving school and succeeded in playing for Widnes Rugby Club, I.C.I. Widnes and finally the Army.

He entered the field of banking in 1951 with Barclays, where he continued for the next 38 years, finally retiring as Manager at the Liverpool University branch in 1989. His career in banking was interrupted for two years in 1952 when he completed his National Service with the Royal Artillery.

In 1957 he married his wife, Beryl and this was to lead to a long and distinguished service in Freemasonry.

His father in law, William (Bill) Baynham, was a member of Lodge of Fellowship 3799 and proposed Alan as a member. He was initiated on 2 June 1959. He was seconded by William (Bill) Hill. In April 1963 he became the first joining member of the new Kingsway Lodge 7870. He would have been a founding member of this Lodge but, as he did not become a Master Mason until later in the year, he was unable to do so.

He progressed through every office in both Lodges becoming Master of Kingsway Lodge in 1973 and Master of Lodge of Fellowship in 1975. Whilst in Kingsway Lodge he served as Social Secretary and Lodge Secretary. In Lodge of Fellowship he was the Treasurer until 2005 when he became Master in its final year, before amalgamating with Hale Lodge 8813 into the Hale Lodge of Fellowship 3799. Alan is the current master of this Lodge.

Alan did not confine his Masonry to Lodges but was also an active member in Widnes Chapter 2819, which he joined in September 1963. He has been the Chapter Treasurer for the past 46 years and continues to hold this office. He was a founder member of Kingsway Chapter 7870 when it was consecrated in September 1969 becoming Master in 1976. He is still a regular attendee of all his Lodges and Chapters and practises all the degrees of which he is a member.

His service to Masonry was first recognised in 1983 when he received his first Provincial Honour. He was appointed Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon and in 1992 was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. His service to Lodge Chapters was also recognised in 1992, when he was appointed Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. In 1995 Alan became Assistant General Manager of Widnes Masonic Hall, which he held for three years, becoming General Manager on the death of Gordon Lockett. He held this position for a further 8 years.

Alan has two children, David and Dinah, and four grandchildren. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than in 2004 when his son, David, became a member of Fidelity Lodge 289 in Leeds. He enjoys visiting this Lodge and hopes to continue to do so for many years. Alan has given so much to Freemasonry over the past 50 years and, as we all know, this could not have been possible without the support of his wife, Beryl.