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CelebrationsMilestones reached by members in Craft & other Orders in our wider Masonic Family
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 Ex Comp. Barry S. Whitehead was Initiated into Royal Forest 401 craft Lodge in 1969 2 years later encouraged by his proposer he joined Limestone Rock 369 Chapter.
He was appointed to PPGstB East Lancs in 1986. In 1991 He was Founder 3rd Principal of Royal Forest Chapter 401 at its Consecration 2nd December 1991 and was installed as MEZ in November 1993. In 1998 He was appointed PPGSoj. Having been Exalted in 1971 he now celebrates his 50 years in The Royal Arch. Which we hope to celebrate with him at our next convocation when rules allow
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 W Bro Danny Kleinman celebrated his 100th birthday on 25th March 2021. Loyalty Lodge 4971 made sure such an occasion was not missed and joined in to mark this milestone to one of their most senior and respected brethren. On the 24th March, a special Zoom meeting was arranged to mark the eve of this very special day. This was well attended by the brethren of Loyalty Lodge who enjoyed memories, stories, and jokes from their beloved birthday boy. WB Kleinman showed us his birthday card from the Queen and read the message, which was of course extremely special. The following day several members of the Lodge presented him with a hamper of all his favourite ‘goodies’, a stunning chocolate birthday/masonic arrangement and a card personalised from the Lodge. The presentation was conducted outside WB Kleinman’s house on a backdrop of celebratory balloons. All in all, this very special day was marked and celebrated in the best way possible under the circumstances. WB Kleinman had a most enjoyable time as did his wife Gilda. W Bro Daniel (Danny) Kleinman was born on the 25th March 1921. A keen athlete as well as a scholar, he suffered a badly broken leg playing rugby and was unable to join the West Yorkshire Regiment into which he was enlisted, and by the time his leg had healed, the “West Yorkshire’s” had already left without him. Sadly, many of the soldiers in that regiment never returned. Once fully fit, he went to a War Office Selection Board in Edinburgh and having passed he was given a commission and joined the Pioneer Corps (soon thereafter renamed the Royal Pioneer Corps). The Royal Pioneer Corps was a British Army combatant corps used for light engineering tasks. It was formed in 1939. Pioneer units performed a wide variety of tasks in all theatres of war, including full infantry, mine clearance, guarding bases, laying prefabricated track on beaches, and effecting various logistical operations. Danny remembers that when they were sent from Newhaven to Dieppe, the boat crossing was particularly rough. On arrival at the quay, as he and his adjutant were so violently seasick during the journey, all they could do was disembark and lie on the quayside. Whilst lying down they spotted a troop of 30 German soldiers marching towards them. In his own words ‘he thought they were done for’, but as they approached, a British Sergeant, the only one with a gun, announced that he was escorting 30 captured German prisoners and was instructed to hand them over to Captain Kleinman. Straight back to the boat and another stormy Channel crossing! On another occasion, he was returning to the base along with his driver. At a T-Junction he thought they ought to turn right, but the driver, who said he knew the area well, said they needed to turn left. After a couple of unfamiliar miles, they were heading straight towards a formidable German Panzer tank. He said the staff car turned around so quickly ‘on one wheel’ and they were gone before the German tank had chance to load its gun! Having assisted the Royal Engineers with the crossing of the Rhine, he was de-commissioned in 1946 with the honorary rank of Captain, which he can use to this day - see attached letter from the War Office. Danny studied law at Leeds University and graduated with an LLB. Although a distinguished career in the legal profession beckoned, Danny put family first and decided his father needed help with the family Fabric & Haberdashery post War business. He opened several shops under the name of Daniel John in Hull, Beverley, Otley, Morley, Horsforth, Armley, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. In 1964 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) becoming a familiar face and Chairman of the Bench for many years He gave distinguished service as a magistrate until the maximum age of 70. Since retiring from business, Danny became a member of the Leeds Luncheon Club, which met at the University site at Devonshire Hall, Leeds and the 52 Club which met at Wike Ridge Golf Club, Leeds. Danny has always been a keen golfer who loved ‘picking up his sticks’ and having a round with friends. He was Captain of Moor Allerton Golf Club in 1968 where he played for 58 years and is their oldest living Past Captain. He was appointed to the prestigious position of ‘Captain of Captains’ for the Leeds & District Union of Golf Clubs in 1976 and again is their oldest living Past Captain. He always looked forward to the annual dinners where he wore his red coat and medals. Danny is fondly regarded by both his home club and Leeds & District Union. He has been made an honorary member of both establishments. Danny married his wife Gilda in 1950 and in 2020 they celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary. They have 2 daughters Stephanie and Janet.  Danny joined Loyalty Lodge 4971 in 1963. He was initiated on 20th February 1963, passed on 17th April 1963 and raised on 26th September 1963. He was WM in 1977/78. He received his first honours on 15th May 1987 PPJGD and promotion to PPJGW on 7th May 1996. He was made an honorary member of the Lodge on 21st December 2016. Danny has a detailed knowledge of our Masonic rules and regulations and his sound judgement and wise counsel has been sought on technical matters numerous times over the years. Danny is a much loved, admired, and respected senior member of Loyalty Lodge and an inspiration to us all.
We congratulate him on his centenary and wish Danny and Gilda health and happiness for the future. Loyalty Lodge 4971  W Bro. Leslie Marten PPGReg was initiated in Hadassah Lodge no. 4871 in Sheffield on the 24th February 1971.
He was installed as WM in 1988, and is still a member of a very active Master’s Circle. He became a joining member of the Lodge of Dawn no. 6511 in 1973, and is a regular attender. Leslie was presented with his 50 year certificate at the regular weekly zoom meeting of the Lodge of Dawn on the 2nd March 2021 by his good friend W Bro. Jeffrey Hillman PAGDC.  Two senior brethren of The Lodge of Peace No 149 both recently attained 50 years of continuous service in Freemasonry, receiving their respective Jubilee Certificates virtually in Zoom meetings, held on what would normally have been their Lodge Nights.
The first of these was Bro. Bryan H Jones, PPGSuptWks on the 12th December 2020. Although Bryan has never been through the chair, he received Provincial Honours and a promotion for his work in the Lodge, especially with the more Junior brethren. The Zoom meeting was very well attended, with VW Bro Jack Pigott, PDPGM presenting the certificate and three other PAPGMs and W Bro Robert I G Cole, APGM also in attendance, along with the majority of the brethren of the Lodge. The second Zoom meeting was for W Bro. Malcolm McMath, PPGReg on the 13th February 2021. Again very well attended. W Bro. Robert I G Cole presented Malcolm with his certificate, whilst W Bro. Allan Swift, PPGSuptWks spoke of times in the Lodge, and W Bro, John Briggs, PJGD chatted with Malcolm recalling their long association via work. All in all, two excellent evenings marking the outstanding achievement of these two well-respected brethren.  Only the cricket score can spoil this day! On Wednesday, 24th February 2021, Eric Gosnay celebrated his 100th birthday quietly with his family. He was absolutely overwhelmed with the cards from the numerous Orders he is in and from individual Masons, which took him several days to open. I have been asked by the Gosnay family in general and by Eric, in particular, to write and thank you for the tremendous kindness you have shown him in celebrating his 100th birthday. I have spoken with his son this evening, who informs me his dad has retired to bed because he is exhausted and disappointed with England's first innings test score in India. If you are the secretary/recorder of an Order, please convey Erics thanks to your rulers, and if you are an individual secretaryrecorder, please thank all your members for taking the time to make Eric's day so special for him. I appreciate that some of your members may receive this notification from several sources but hopefully not 100. Best Wishes and Stay Safe Derek Smart Lodge of Unanimity No 154  Eric, surrounded by his 108 cards, including a much prized one from Her Majesty the Queen.
On 28th January Cambodunum Lodge No 3953 opened their monthly Zoom meeting with 16 Brethren present including our Liaison Officer. But this was no ordinary meeting as W Bro. John Warden was celebrating his 50th Masonic Birthday. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions caused by the Covid Virus John’s certificate from the Provincial Grand Master had to be sent to him by post. John was delighted to receive this and told all the Brethren how pleased he was, mentioning a lovely letter, also received, from W Bro. Robert Cole, APGM for Area 2, in which the APGM promises to visit the Lodge to meet John when circumstances are permitted. John was initiated into Cambodunum Lodge on 28th January 1971 and was Passed and Raised the same year. Due to work commitments, John had to move away from Huddersfield first to Keighley then to County Durham where he joined The Rose of Raby Lodge No 1650. Eventually, in 1977 John re-joined Cambodunum and progressed through various Offices to be Worshipful Master in 1985. John is not one to relax, and after going through the Chair, he continued to take offices within the Lodge and is currently the Lodge Chaplain. We also had two other Brethren celebrating a Masonic Birthday on 28th January - W. Bro. Howard Habron, IPM - 22 years and Bro Arthur Wainwright, SW - seven years  - raising a glass for Brother Warden
From W. Bro David Walker, On January 22nd 2021, my blood Brother, W. Bro. H.B. Walker (Brian), will have been a member of Kirklees Lodge for 70 years. His 21st birthday was on January 6th, 1951. Our father, W. Bro. Herbert H. Walker was a founder member of Clifton Lodge at Brighouse and a very enthusiastic Mason, also a member of The Royal Arch and The Knights Templars. He was in the Chair as Master, and he Initiated Brian (a Lewis) on the January 26th 1951. Brian was Passed on February 23rd, Raised on March 30th and Exalted into the Holy Royal Arch on January 1st 1954. Brian took to his Freemasonry with great enthusiasm and joined Mirfield Chapter. Becoming Z in Mirfield Chapter No.1102 in 1995. He has now attained the Provincial Rank of PPGSN. He was a founder member of Woodsmoke Lodge, also meeting in King Street, Mirfield. He was Master of Kirklees Lodge 4710 twice, firstly in 1985-86 and secondly 1989-90, He has been Director of Ceremonies for 2 years and Master of Woodsmoke Lodge 9317 in 1985. He donated to the Lodge a large handmade wooden banner which is mounted on the wall behind the Worshipful Master's Chair in the dining room and is shown behind Brian in the photograph below.  THEN and NOW - from 70 years ago, to the present day a member of Kirklees Lodge.
There was a 'live in' Steward and his wife at the Lodge rooms at King Street. Only Past Masters were allowed in the Bar Lounge, Junior Brethren had to consume their drinks in the entrance Lobby. If any Junior Brethren set foot in the Past Masters' Room, it was extremely frowned upon and robustly challenged. There was a full-size Snooker table in the Dining Room. The WM had his own private reserved Car Parking Space. At the Children's Christmas Party, which was free to attend, 30 to 40 children would be present, the WM provided all the savoury food with the sweet course donated by the Lodge Wives. All the Christmas presents were paid for by the W. M., a costly affair. Ritual books were not allowed in the Temple even on Practice nights. You were expected to learn the ritual. The Master Elect was never allowed to sit in the Master's chair until the day of their Installation. A chair was placed on the floor of the Lodge where the incoming Master could practice. As a mark of his outstanding achievement of 70 years in Freemasonry, Brian has been promoted to PPSGW. This is no more than he deserves. As your Brother, and on behalf of the Brethren of Kirklees Lodge, I congratulate you on a remarkable Masonic career.  Sunday the 8th November saw the actual date that Knaresborough Priory Lodge no 4171 was consecrated 100 years ago.
Obviously due to the times that we are living in the official celebrations of this milestone has had to be cancelled however, the Brethren of the Lodge felt that this momentous event couldn't be just ignored so a special Zoom meeting was held on that date at which many of the Brethren and Honorary Members were in attendance.During this get together a brief history of the Lodge was given and then many memories of the Lodge were exchanged. At 4pm (time of the consecration meeting) all raised glasses to the Lodge. Even though the Lodge currently is unable to celebrate on a face to face basis plans are now been put in place to arrange for a full celebration to held in 2021 and further details are to follow.  Last night, 13th October 2020 we hosted our usual weekly Lockdown Zoom Lodge, with 31 brethren in attendance, along with two guests.
However this wasn’t a normai, well at least not ‘New Normal’ normal, weekly meeting. We were all delighted to attend a very special occassion. We were all there as Brother David Goldsbrough received his 50 year certificate EXACTLY 50 years to the day since he was initiated into Freemasonry. It was lovely that the Master for the night, Brother Christian Higgins, is a personal friend of Bro. Goldsborough going back many, many years, and he was able to deliver a warm and very personal ‘toast’ to David. In return Bro David spoke about some of his time in The Craft and how much he has enjoyed from it. Whilst not the ideal ceremony for such a wonderful achievement, it was definitely a special night. Congrats, Bro David.  A very early abiding memory is while wearing short trousers, sliding down the staircase bannister at Willow Royd Masonic Hall, West Vale, Halifax, at Savile Lodge Children’s Christmas parties.
Dad had followed his dad Arthur into Savile Lodge. Arthur had died in his year of acting office as PrAGDC in 1948 shortly before I was born – my lack of a grandad was to be somewhat compensated by senior brethren of the Lodge whom I looked to as surrogate grandfathers. An early lesson learnt that still holds true is that there are old men of 30, and young men of 70 – it’s all a question of attitude. Following positive encouragement from beyond either family or Savile Lodge, I went through the membership application process and was initiated into The SAVILE LODGE 1231 on Thursday, 6 August 1970 by my father, W Bro Jack Priestley, during his year of office as WM; I was subsequently to be passed on 4 February 1971; and raised on 6 January 1972. With the exception of Inner Guard, but including Organist when I couldn’t play a note, I served in the progressive offices of the Lodge culminating in INSTALLATION as MASTER on 3 December, 1981, a ceremony attended by RW Bros Norman H Fowler PrGM, and Fred Crosland PPGM. I was appointed DC of the Lodge in December 1984, a position to be held for 8 years, including acting as Installing DC on the occasions of his 2 visits to The SAVILE LODGE as Provincial Grand Master by RW Bro. J Trevor Broadley. I was invested as Grand Pursuivant in the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, in May 1990, fulfilling the duties as Inner Guard previously missed in Lodge. RW Bro David Welch PrGM observed that my stentorian voice was suited to the Royal Hall, Harrogate – the Pursuivant was not then provided with a microphone! During that year the Acting Officers would be involved in consecrating a new Lodge at Otley, and the dedication of Masonic Halls at Southwood, Halifax, and The Allerton, Leeds. Invested as Junior Grand Warden in the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, in May 1994, being promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in May 1995; from 1994 to 2000, I formally attended 59 Installation Ceremonies across the Province as the Personal Representative of the Provincial Grand Master. In April 1996, I was invested as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the United Grand Lodge of England at Great Queen Street, London, by the MW Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Kent. Consequently was appointed as Secretary of the Halifax Grand Officers’ Panel in succession to W Bro. John Burnham upon his Installation as Assistant Provincial Grand Master. When W Bro. John was succeeded by W Bro. Robert Scorer, the Secretary’s remit was expanded to include Huddersfield and District, and Uppermill, the whole being designated as the Pennine Area of the Province. This appointment continued in total for some 10 years, latterly during the appointment of W Bro. Maurice Bendig as Assistant Provincial Grand Master. This period coincided with visiting VICTORY LODGE, RYBURN LODGE and MEXBOROUGH LODGE, as Liaison Officer, services of 10 and 11 years to the latter two culminating in my election to Honorary Memberships. I served on the Formation Committee of the WEST RIDING ACTING OFFICERS LODGE 9645, being inducted as its Founding Senior Warden at the Consecration and Installation Ceremonies at the Connaught Rooms, Bradford, in April 1997. In 2013, I was inducted as Junior Warden of Mother Lodge, SAVILE; serving as Senior Warden for 2015, and being installed as Master of The SAVILE LODGE 1231 for a second term of office in December 2015. This ceremony was attended by W Bro. D Stuart Cummins PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, a courtesy returned as I had attended W Bro. Cummins’ installation as Master of the LODGE of CHARITY 4105 in October 1994 as Personal Representative of the Provincial Grand Master. In December 2016, having installed my successor, I was invested as Secretary of the Lodge in which office I served for 2 years, moving to Charity Steward in December 2019, my current office. A highlight of The Savile Lodge’s recent years, actively promoted by this third-generation member, was to be its Sesquicentenary, joyously celebrated in 2018. Maybe we can look forward to acknowledging Willow Royd’s century of use as a masonic hall come 2026. With the encouragement of my father, I was to be exalted into the Royal Arch CHAPTER of PROSPERITY 290, meeting at Greenhead, Huddersfield, on 20 December 1972. Service in the progressive offices culminated in my Installation as First Principal in March 1990. My later term of appointment as DC of the CHAPTER included the celebration of the Chapter’s Bi-Centenary in 1998 attended by MEComp The Lord Farnham, Pro First GP, and EComp. J Trevor Broadley, MEGSupt. Interwoven with my early Masonic career were my studies at the School of Architecture at the Manchester College of Art and Design, which would continue with periodic block releases until 1973. During one such interlude, while working in Huddersfield, I met Jenny: we became engaged in 1970 and were married in August 1971. Temporary residence in Manchester would cease in 1972 when we found we were to expect a baby in the October – we decided to return to Huddersfield to set up home. Emma duly arrived to be followed 2 years later by Hannah. The dynasty has since increased by 2 granddaughters and 2 grandsons, ages ranging from 9 to 21. I secured employment in Halifax in 1973, finally qualifying in 1974 with election to corporate membership of the RIBA. I established my own practice in 1979, which would continue until my retirement in 2009. As our children grew up, I found I could resume my interest in golf. I joined Elland Golf Club in 1978, was its Rabbits Captain for 1985, twice Captain in 1993 and 2002, and President for 2007-9. I was Chair of its Centenary Committee from 2003 to and through the celebrations in 2010 and served as Captain of Captains of the Halifax and District Past Captains Golfing Asociation for 2015. Is there time for anything else? Reading, country walking, historic buildings and industrial archaeology, DIY, selective gardening, rail and street transport (steam railways - full size and OO gauge – trams and trolleybuses), warships, travel at home and abroad…... |
Adrian CollinsProvincial Communications Team Archives
April 2021
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