PRESTON GUILD’S BRILLIANT CENTURY
Preston Masonic Hall was buzzing throughout the afternoon and evening of
the Centenary Celebrations of Preston Guild Lodge No 4408. Members had arrived
very early to set up the lodge room to make sure all was in order ready to impress
their principal guest. All the lodge collar jewels had been polished to show the Family
Silver in all it’s glory. The tools had a similar treatment. And even the heads of the
DC’s and Deacons wands were shining bright.
The race was on so the room could be left to the Provincial Team, headed up by the
Provincial Grand Master Designate, Mark Matthews, for them to put the final touches
to their ceremony.
In eager anticipation over 90 Masons made their way into the Hall and took
advantage of the bar before proceeding commenced. Well refreshed for an excellent
ceremony.
The members of Preston Guild Lodge assembled in the Lodge room ahead of the
Ceremony to have a portrait to commemorate the day. Everyone was turned out of
grand style.
Consecrated on the 20th June 1922, the lodge was formed especially to become a
Hall Stone Lodge. With none of the seven existing lodges agreeing to take up the
challenge of the Masonic Million Memorial Fund, 17 members of Lodge of Unanimity
No 113, lead by Will Ord, who at the time was an Assistant Provincial Grand Master,
struck out to form a new lodge. As the lodge was to be consecrated in Preston’s
Guild Year, the name Guild Lodge was proposed. No! exclaimed Will Ord, it must be
PRESTON Guild Lodge. In a poignant parallel with 1922, the PGM of the day, John
Burell had himself just been appointed and was yet to be invested by the Province.
At the first lodge meeting after consecration, it was proposed to be a Hall Stone
Lodge and work commenced to achieve that. At the same meeting ten joining
members were welcomed to the Lodge and two new members were initiated.
Demand to join Preston Guild Lodge was high. For many years it was normal to hold
Double Doubles. The lodge would meet early and perform a double ceremony in any
degree. They would then call off and have a rest before returning to perform a
second double ceremony of the evening.
The required contribution of ten guineas per member was achieved in 1925 and Sam
Oliver, Master of the day, went to Grand Lodge on the 2 nd December where the Hall
Stone Jewel was conferred on him. It has been worn by every master of the lodge
ever since.
The lodge was opened and it was wonderful to mark the occasion by acclaiming
Mark Matthews as an Honorary Member of Preston Guild Lodge No 4408. In
addition, notice was given that at the November meeting there would be 12 joining members swelling the ranks of Preston Guild Lodge. The lodge then eagerly anticipated the knock on the door from the Provincial Director of Ceremonies, Malcolm Bell.
The doors of the lodge room were flung open and the Provincial Team paraded in
with all the splendour anyone could wish for. Mark Matthews was escorted in
accompanied by a dazzling array of gold braid from a strong contingent of Grand
Officers including Past Assistants. Banners few and the sword was held high. It
really is more than special for a Provincial Parade to enter a humble lodge room.
Lump in the throat stuff.
Ian Greenwood, the Centenary Master welcomed Mark Matthews not only as the
new PGM but also as the lodge’s newest member. Mark accepted the gavel and the
show began. The Provincial Secretary, Peter Taylor, then read out the Centenary
Warrant which includes his favourite line about members being entitled to wear a
Centenary Jewel on a ribbon not more that one and a half inches wide! The Warrant
was then presented to Ian by Mark, who also added a Centenary Jewel to his
collection. Malcolm Bell then invited the lodge members to stand while they attached
their own Centenary Jewels. A special moment for all.
The Provincial Grand Chaplain, Rev Can John Hall then gave a stirring oration as
only John can do. He drew on some of the history of the lodge and the commitment
Preston Guild Lodge had shown over the last 100 years. He closed by delivering a
Prayer of Rededication of the Lodge.
Steve Derringer, the Provincial Grand Organist provided a unique feature to the
meeting. One of the lodge’s founder members, James Edward Adkins, was a Past
Provincial Grand Organist. He composed music. Steve delighted all present by
including some of James’ music into the ceremony.
Provincial Grand Lodge was closed and Ian Greenwood resumed the chair. His first
act was to present a cheque to Mark Matthews. This was for the sum of £4408 made
in favour of the West Lancashire Freemasons Charity. This suitably impressed the
new PGM and all in attendance.
But Mark’s work was not yet over. In recent months, the lodge had been able to ensure three new members had attained their status as Master Masons. This had involved working through the recess and the assistance of other lodges to perform ceremonies, Mark had the pleasure of presenting the Grand Lodge Certificates to Joey Sahota, Boniface Ogbonna and Callum Conway. What an honour for them.
The Provincial Team reformed and the PGM paraded from the lodge room with the same pomp and ceremony as with the entrance. The Provincial Team did Preston
Guild Lodge proud.
The Ballroom then became a hive of activity. Those attending sought out their seats
on tables that had been named after Founder Members and those of some
significance over the lodges 100 years. Many saw that as a lovely touch and a great
way to honour their memory. They sat down to a recreation of the Consecration
Banquet. The room was buzzing all evening. Amongst the customary wine takings
was one particularly requested by the Master. That was to the Masters and Members
of fellow Hall Stone Lodges. There were eight Hall Stone Lodges present.
The food and wine eaten and drunk, the speeches and toasts celebrated, the room
slowly emptied as everyone made their way home having enjoyed a fine ceremony,
good food and quite excellent company.
Here’s to the next one!
