A report by C. Bell
In 2016 Fraternity Lodge 4072 welcomed two new candidates who wished to join the lodge. The first was Mr Abraham Anthony Sonnah who was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of freemasonry on 14th September. The following month Mr Gerard Michael Cox was initiated into the lodge on 12th October 2016.
Brother Sonnah, went on to be Passed on the 8th February and eventually Raised to the position of Master Mason on 13th September 2017. Following closely on Bro. Sonnah’s heels, Brother Cox was Passed to a Fellow Craft on 8th March 2017 – He became a Master Mason following his Raising ceremony on 10th January 2018.
Another couple of candidates notified the lodge that they wished to become members. Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Denis Greenwood – Peter was Initiated on 14/3/2018, he was Passed to Fellow Craft on 10/10/20 and finally became a Master Mason after being Raised on 11/9/2019. Denis was not far behind when he was Initiated on 12/9/2018, Passed on 9/1/19. He became a fully fledged mason following his Raising on 11/3/20.
Some very sad news for Fraternity Lodge when two long-serving, popular members sadly passed away. W. Bros John Whittall PPrJGW and Barry Kay PPrJGW.
Both men had been ill for some time and their passing hit the lodge hard, as they were invaluable and experienced and dedicated freemasons.
A most enjoyable experience for many of the members of the lodge was witnessing the 50th celebration of W Bro. John George Michael Marsden PPrSGD reaching his 50 years in masonry. The ceremony on the 12th March, 2019, was conducted by W. Bro. David Winder APrGM. He recited a splendid, memorable and extensive background of W. Bro. Marsden’s colourful life as an engineer as well as his achievements in sport, especially tennis. W. Bro Winder commented on Bro. Marsden’s strong commitment to masonry, he followed his father into freemasonry and eventually became the Worshipful Master of Fraternity Lodge in 1981.Since his wife Noreen died several years ago W. Bro. Marsden said that freemasonry had become his family. A certificate commemorating his 50th anniversary from the Provincial Grand Master was read out prior to being presented it to W. Bro. Marsden.
Occupying the Master’s Chair at the time was W. Bro. Chris Butterfield PAGDC, not only a Grand Officer, but a fount of knowledge in regards to Freemasonry.
Prior to Fraternity Lodge amalgamation with Broughton and Vanguard Lodges in 2004, Chris was a long serving member of Broughton Lodge 5437, he has also been connected with several Craft and Chapter lodges in West Lancashire. He has the distinction of occupying the Master’s Chair of every lodge he has been a member of. Quite an achievement.
One of the biggest shocks to hit this country since the Second World War was when Covid 19 spread around the world and for almost two years this country was locked down and social contact was strictly limited.
For some time Fraternity Lodge 4072 had been planning arrangements for the fast approaching Centenary Ceremony, which was in doubt because of Covid. However, once the injections to combat the infection got underway there was a light at the very long tunnel.
A first for Fraternity Lodge was a double celebration when two candidates were initiated at the same time. Mr Luke Walton, the son of W. Bro. Mark Walton PPrAGSwdB, the current DC and Mr Paul van Eker became Entered Apprentices on 8th January 2020.
On 8th September 2021 – a year after the centenary date – the lodge was able to go ahead with the spectacular Centenary celebrations when 70 plus freemasons gathered at Preston Masonic Hall, in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master the most Worshipful Brother Anthony Harrison, accompanied by a large team of Provincial Officers and many Grand Officers from this area. Prov. Grand Master said this was a wonderful occasion which he commented was a great achievement and one to be extremely proud of.
Unfortunately, prior to August 2022, the lodge had two resignation, one due to work commitments and the other the pressure of work and illness. W.Bro. Mark Walton and Bro. Paul Van Eker – Paul was now living and working in London while Mark who lives in Anglesey, suffered a heart attack.
At the start of the Masonic year in September the lodge members were well into practice mode as they prepared to do yet another double Initiation ceremony – originally it was planned as a triple ceremony, but one of the candidates pulled out and said he was not ready to commit himself just yet.
So at the Dispensation meeting on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, Samuel Harry Kilner, a marketing officer, DOB 12/4/1996 and Christopher Jeffcott, an activities co-ordinator DOB, 8/2/1966, were balloted and later Initiated at the same time, in a very polished performance from all those taking part. This was also the last meeting for the current Worshipful Master, Bro. Alan Brindle, who has been the chair of King Solomon, since being Installed in 2020.
Getting prepared to take over as Worshipful Master, is W. Bro. M. L. D. Clifford, this is the seventh time that Malcolm will have occupied the Chair, having two spells of staying on as Master in 2010/11 and again in 2015/16 – his first spell as Master was in 1994 and again in 2003. Malcolm is currently the longest serving and most valuable member of Fraternity Lodge.