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Bold and St Paul’s second installation
The Companions of Bold and St Paul’s Chapter No 5459 were honoured and privileged to have in attendance at
their second installation ceremony Third Provincial Grand Principal, Rev Harry Ross, who was accompanied by Assistant to the
Provincial Grand Principals John Hutton and Kevin Poynton Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. Also in attendance
were the Widnes Group Chairman David Redhead, together with other Grand and acting Provincial Grand Officers.
A well attended convocation witnessed the officers and members of the chapter, including immediate past and installing principal,
Barry Horabin and director of ceremonies Dave Lewis, conduct a well run ceremony in installing John Baldwin as First Principal,
David Lace as Second Principal and Frank Parle as Third Principal.
Harry congratulated the three Principals and
wished them an enjoyable and successful time during their year in office.
One change to the officers of the chapter
for the ensuing year is worthy of note, Ian Locke retired as Scribe E after nearly nine years, he was congratulated for his
long service and hard work by everyone present and given a spontaneous round of applause. Alan Pattinson was duly invested
as Scribe E to take over from Ian.
In replying to the toast to his health, Harry again congratulated the three
Principals and all who took part in the ceremony. He then went on to congratulate two of the companions present on their promotion,
which takes effect from next April. John Hutton is promoted to Second Provincial Grand Principal following the resignation
of Christopher Band and Kevin Poynton is promoted to Assistant to The Provincial Grand Principals, taking over from John Hutton.
All present offered their congratulations the John and Kevin and they were given a spontaneous round of applause.
Harry then gave a very passionate explanation of Royal Arch by using each letter to give a meaning. Retention; Openness; Yourself;
Assessment; Listening; Activities; Ritual; Charities; Hall.
In concluding, Harry mentioned the Bi-Centenary of
the Royal Arch, which takes place in two years time and asked that we keep the Festival Fund in mind when giving to charities.
He then thanked the companions of Bold and St Paul’s Chapter for the warmth and friendliness of their hospitality and
looked forward to being back again in Widnes.
 Pictured
left to right, are: David Redhead, David Lace, John Hutton, John Baldwin, Frank Parle, Harry Ross and Kevin Poynton.
Alan
celebrates 50 years in the Royal Arch
The golden jubilee celebration meeting to commemorate the achievement of 50 years in the Royal Arch by Alan Locke was a very
special and memorable occasion. Rev Harry Ross (Third Provincial Grand Principal) said: “I am honoured to be able to
officiate at such an achievement of a great friend”. 43 Companions and friends witness the occasion including John Hutton
(Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals), Ed Mawdsley (Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah), Kevin Poynton (Provincial
Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies) and David Redhead (Chairman of Widnes Group).
Harry said: “Alan was born in 1931, when things were very different, we had the first
electric shaver, trolley buses were introduced in London, Sunday cinema was legalised, the Derby was the first TV sport to
be televised and you could live on £410 per year!”
Alan’s education started at Simms Cross Primary School followed by Wade Deacon Grammar School.
He was a choirboy at St Paul’s and a captain in the 1st Widnes St Paul’s Boys Brigade.
His working career started in 1948 as a junior clerk and he quickly
moved up to an accounts clerk, cashier, auditor and finally an accountant. Alan was always a keen sportsman, he played hockey
and cricket, and is a lifelong Widnes Rugby League season ticket holder. In May 1955 he married Marjorie and they had three
children. Sadly, Marjorie passed away in December 2007. Alan now has five grandchildren.
Freemasonry came into Alan’s life in January 1956 when he was initiated
into St Paul’s Lodge No 5459; he has been WM of this lodge three times. He was a founder member of Hale Lodge No 8813
and was made an honorary member of the lodge in 1990. Alan was exalted into Bold Chapter No 7583 in May 1961 and was installed
as First Principal in 1971. He was appointed Scribe E in 1974 and held that position until 1978. As a further measurer of
his enthusiasm for Freemasonry and Royal Arch in particular, he was a founder member of St Paul’s Chapter No 5459 in
1972 and was First Principal in 1973. He became the ADC of St Paul’s Chapter in 1976 and DC in 1977, an appointment
he held for five years.
Alan was the Acting Provincial
Grand Standard Bearer in 1977 and was promoted to PPrGSN in 1982. His first Grand Chapter appointment came in 1983 when he
was appointed PGStdB with promotion following in 1991 to PAGSoj.
Widnes Masonic Hall benefitted greatly from Alan’s talents as he served as Treasurer from 1967 to 1972. He was appointed
Widnes Group secretary in 1977, vice-chairmen in 1982 and chairman in 1884, a position he held for ten years. Alan served
the Province as an Acting Steward in 1977 and was promoted in 1981 to PPrJGW. His Grand Lodge appointment to PAGDC came in
1983 and this was followed by promotion to PJGD in 1991. Alan also holds a high rank in six other Masonic orders. Outside
Masonry, Alan puts his many talents to work as a Justice of the Peace.
The celebration meeting was followed by an excellent festive board which concluded with David presenting
Alan with a medal for 50 years in Royal Arch and an engraved whisky tumbler.
 Alan
Lock, on the left, being congratulated by Rev Harry Ross.
Pictured
left to right, are: Kevin Poynton, John Hutton, Alan Locke, Harry Ross, Ed Mawdsley and David Redhead.
Bold
and St Paul’s Chapter’s first exaltation
Just two months after their amalgamation ceremony Bold and St Paul’s Chapter No 5459 held its first exaltation ceremony.
The meeting was very well attended with around 40 Companions, including four grand officers, three first principals and visitors
being present to witness David Redhead, Chairman of the Widnes Group, exalt his son Lewis, a 25 year old teacher, into Royal
Arch Freemasonry.
The ceremony performed by David
was excellent in every sense as it invoked sensations like humility, dependence, enrichment and gratification as Lewis was
taken on his journey to become a Royal Arch Companion and the legend unfolded. Andy Maginn had a key role in the ceremony
in conducting Lewis along his journey, which he did magnificently and with precision. The signs of a Royal Arch Mason were
explained impressively and professionally by Ian Locke.
Following the ceremony at the festive board David had a very joyful task to perform in proposing a toast to the health of
his newly exalted son Lewis. David said “This is a very proud moment for me and I am sure that Lewis will do well in
this Chapter”. In his reply Lewis said “I have been a Freemason for four years and have enjoyed every minute.
The ceremony tonight was a wonderful experience and I now look forward to the future”.
 David,
on the left, congratulating his son Lewis.
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A very auspicious occasion at Widnes
Following the amalgamation of Bold
Chapter No 7583 and St Paul’s Chapter No 5459 which took place in London last November The Provincial amalgamation ceremony
of Bold and St Paul’s Chapter No 5459 took place at Widnes Masonic Hall.
For this very auspicious occasion
the Principals and members of the chapter were extremely pleased and honoured to welcome the Grand Superintendent Peter Hosker,
accompanied by the Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid along with Christopher Band (Second Provincial Grand Principal),
Rev Harry Ross (Third Provincial Grand Principal) and John Hutton Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals.
Norman Thomas the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and other Grand Officers and Acting Provincial Grand Officers, the
Provincial Choir, Provincial Organist and about 50 other companions were also present for this very special ceremony
This is only the third time a chapter amalgamation ceremony has been carried out in England, the second in the Province of
West Lancashire and the first to be conducted by Peter, which he did in a totally sincere and professional manner ably assisted
by his team.
During the ceremony which was moving and full of significance and symbolism, Companions were reminded
that Masonry is a progressive science, and the ceremony reflects that aspect. At the start of the ceremony Peter said that
“The Royal Arch relies on its keystone for stability and strength and on this occasion that keystone is a sense of harmony
of mind, spirit and intent. The two Chapters have come together to unite as one unit and progress onwards with replenished
energy and enthusiasm until time shall be no more.”
Before the oration from The Third Grand Principal, the
Provincial Choir, in magnificent voice, sang a fitting hymn for the occasion. In his oration, Harry likened the amalgamation
to the coming together of two precious metals, gold and silver to form an invaluable bond united in harmony of mind, sprit
and intent, and by keeping this harmony in the forefront of our minds the Chapter will grow in strength and friendship and
develop an unbreakable union.
The ceremony then continued with a number of presentations and readings delivered
by Peter, Steven, Christopher, and Harry.
Peter concluded the ceremony with the presentation of the charters and
certificate of amalgamation into the care of Bold and St Paul’s Chapter’s First Principal, Barry Horabin. This
was then followed by Barry giving heart felt thanks to Peter and all of his team for a most excellent and memorable ceremony,
one to be remembered for a very long time. Barry then presented Peter with two cheques, one for £200 to be passed on
to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and the second for £200 to be passed on to Widnes Masonic Hall
The amalgamation ceremony was followed by a very enjoyable festive board which concluded with Barry presenting Peter and Steven
with bouquets of flowers for their wives.
 Pictured
with the Grand Superintendent and his team of Grand and Provincial Grand Officers are the three Principals of Bold and St.Paul’s
Chapter.
The
Provincial Choir, left to right, Gerald Bullough, Derek Hughson (Provincial Grand Organist), Arthur Ford-Giltrap,
John
Hindle, Chris Knowles and Amos Millington.
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