W Bro. Nolan (Noel) Talbot, PPDepGReg

7/4/2020

Lodge Acacia 2321 /
Pentalpha Chapter 974

W Bro. Noel Talbot P.M. Lodge Acacia 2321 died unexpectedly on April 7th at the age of 44 yrs, despite “no underlying illnesses.”

Noel was initiated into Acacia in 2002, and his enthusiasm for the Craft never wavered. He would proudly tell anyone and everyone that he was the youngest ever master of the lodge at the age of 33 yrs in 2009-10.

An excellent ritualist in Craft and Chapter (He was Past Second Principal in Pentalpha Chapter 974) he tackled everything he attempted, as in life. With huge enthusiasm.

He was an excellent Mentor in his lodge, also serving as Director of Ceremonies.
He was especially proud of his Provincial Promotion to Acting Asst. Dir. of Ceremonies, a position in which he excelled. The job was ideal for him, with his upright intention booming voice and commanding presence.

Noel began his working life as a policeman, before setting up a successful joinery business with his father, David. All who worked for him spoke highly of him. Unfortunately, the company folded due to fraudulent activity from an outside party. Not to be deterred, Noel set out on another career in the building industry and was proud of the many qualifications which he gained. He eventually became site manager for many significant developments in Yorkshire, London and finally the nuclear sector in Cumbria. At any one time, he might have had 400 or more people working for him, and they would not all have been easy folk to deal with!

Noel was a knowledgeable character, always ready to share his views, sometimes in a forthright fashion. As his partner, Jess commented, “he would find somebody to argue with even when he was asleep”. Behind this formidable exterior, he was a sensitive, caring man always ready to give a quiet word of support and concern, as many of us will remember.

After many years of difficulty and turmoil, Noel had finally found, in the last 5 yrs, peace and fulfilment with Jess and eldest daughter Sophie.
Jess was the perfect foil for Noel, an absolute sweetheart, as Noel knew very well.
Life was indeed looking bright…

He leaves his parents Audrey and David, a brother and 3 children aged 17yrs 8 yrs and 6 yrs.

17 Comments

Brian Lawless

6/2/2021 12:29:50 pm

Rest In Peace Noel.
Sincere condolences to Jess and all the family.

Mark Sheldon

6/2/2021 12:30:16 pm

Live respected, die regretted. Noel was the epitome of a freemason. He will be much missed.

Marcus Greenwood

6/2/2021 12:30:52 pm

Noel was a member of a very special group of past and present Provincial D.C’s and he will be sadly missed by them all.
A memorial meeting of this group was held online on Tuesday 7th April at 9.00pm to mourn his passing and offer condolences to his family.
May the GAOTU bless his soul and watch over and protect his family.

Richard Brown

6/2/2021 12:31:17 pm

I had the honour of inheriting his wand as Prov. Asst. DC and always knew Noel was a very hard act to follow and a great example. RIP my dear brother, you will be sadly missed.

Malcolm Whiteley

6/2/2021 12:31:44 pm

Always the gentleman and a gentle man. Had some memorable discussions about Freemasonry, policing and music. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family at this very difficult and sad time.

Alan Elstone

6/2/2021 12:33:45 pm

Having worked with Noel professionally and having had the immense pleasure of benefiting from his impeccable style and services as one of the Provincial Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies, it is heartbreaking to learn of Noels passing. May I offer my sincere condolences to his family in the hope that they gain some measure of comfort knowing how much Noel was loved and highly regarded.

Edward Sissling

6/2/2021 12:35:18 pm

I first met Noel when he was a teenage apprentice joiner working at Rogers & Ramsden Ltd in Bradford. He and his father would later buy-out the firm, after Noel left the Police Service. From that point on we became firm friends, both in Freemasonry and business, and he was to prove to be a deeply honourable man in both spheres.

I had the honour to be one of the team of Principals at C974 who Exalted him into the Royal Arch, an Order that he loved.

Noel often laughingly remarked that we made good DCs as we had both been around a few Parade Grounds in our time! His always immaculately bulled Masonic boots and pristine Morning Dress bore testament to the deep pride, enthusiasm and commitment he took in every aspect of his life.

He will be much missed by all who knew him.

Norman Sterling-Baxter

6/2/2021 12:36:44 pm

When I joined Lodge Acacia 2321 I joined a group of honourable and good men. Noel stood out, not simply by virtue of his voice, as having clear and definite views. His guidance to me was always thoughtful and considered; something I could rely on every time.
His character was a great mix of authority and mischief and I am sure he was an excellent father.
As Master-Elect there could only have been one D of C for my team. Noel did me the honour of accepting the office and being the D of C that I needed.
I will greatly miss his presence in Lodge and his friendship in life. I can only offer my heartfelt condolences to his family at their loss.
He truly lived respected and died regretted.

Steve Sheard

6/2/2021 12:38:21 pm

Noel was a good Man, a good Mason, a good friend.
Having worked with him as he came on board as ProvAsstGDC he immediately shone through, exemplary dressed, proud and dedicated to service. He often rang me for advice on various aspects of the job and we always ended up putting the world to rights!
He was very interesting to listen to and he had a great intelligence on all we talked about.
Noel made, and left his mark on this earth, loved his family, extremely talented in his job, and loved his freemasonry. As Acting DC’s we immediately bond as a unit, and Noel was no exception.
Noel, you have been a great asset to life itself. Rest in Peace, May the Great Architect of the Universe love and protect you.
No doubt you’ll be asking him for a job!!
A sad loss to all who knew him, especially his DC colleagues.
My sincere condolences to his family.
A pleasure to have known you.

Andrew Schofield

6/2/2021 12:39:32 pm

Noel will be greatly missed by all his family and Lodge members
I had the pleasure of been part of the DCs team when Noel was appointed as an Asst DC he was always a pleasure to be with
May I offer my condolences to all his family

Tony Donoghue

6/2/2021 12:40:35 pm

I was a colleague of Noel's. I found him to be an excellent Police Officer with very high amount of integrity and ability. His ability and endeavour obviously carried him into his new career where he was always going to be a success. I will miss seeing Noel when I visit Acacia, always smiling and easy to speak.My condolences go out to his family and my thoughts are with them during this terrible period.

Fraser Talbot

6/2/2021 12:41:54 pm

Truly fantastic words for my brother Nolan. I'm sure you can all imagine how devastated the whole family are. Noel was truly a larger than life character. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Reading these comments makes me extremely proud. As said above, had finally found happiness and his sole mate in Jess.

David Talbot

6/2/2021 12:44:46 pm

Thank you so much for your wonderful tribute to our son Nolan. It is heartwarming to see such love that you have all expressed for him. He certainly loved freemasonry and all it stands for.
He was a fantastic son who was sadly taken far too early in life. He had found his perfect partner in Jessica a truly wonderful soulmate for him and they were set to have a great future together.
RIP son.
Mum and Dad.
Audrey and David Talbot.

Paul Fixter

6/2/2021 12:49:52 pm

I first met Noel in 2001 at work, and with some other colleagues and musicians, formed a band (Ten Feet Tall), and after many months of practicing played its first gig in April 2002. Over the next few years, Ten Feet Tall played around 90 gigs and had hundreds of rehearsals. Many a late night had in far flung places all over Yorkshire and beyond, playing gigs to sometimes a few people, to occasionally audiences of hundreds, but always with a good following.

Noel played rhythm guitar and sang backing vocals, and sometimes lead vocals. He was the driving force with getting hold of all the equipment - PA, cables, mics - he always had good contacts in the pro music industry and whatever the band needed he got it.

On one occasion we played a gig in deepest rural Derbyshire - Noel got hold of a van for band personnel and equipment, whilst I led the way in my car. The sat nav took us down many single track roads and across fords, and we all arrived with the shakes after a tricky journey, but proceeded to play one of the best gigs we ever did.

One thing is for sure, the band would have been a lot less fun without Noel around, ever the comedian who used to make jokes during songs or over-exaggerate Status Quo-like guitar movements to have us all in stitches. There are so many great memories to be had when listening to recordings from rehearsals and gigs.

Noel was a big character indeed who was very happy in the band, and was upset to have to leave the music behind in 2010 due to ever increasing work commitments and working all over the UK for weeks at a time. Noel's last gig with Ten Feet Tall was on 11th Sept 2010 at Mold Green Conservative Club in Huddersfield, and we were all sorry to see him go.

On a personal level, I was delighted to keep in touch with Noel for a few years after he left the band, and in 2015 we even discussed him coming along to jam with the band again some time, but unfortunately due to ongoing work commitments we never managed to pull it off. I am pleased to see that Noel continued to flourish in the work-related arena, and maintained many out of work interests and never lost his love for music, and I know how much he loved and was proud he was of his family and children.

All the best Noel, it's been a pleasure.

David Meakin

6/2/2021 12:50:34 pm

I met Noel when he was a police officer and he was in need of financial advice, which I provided, and immediately we became friends. I am proud to say I am also friends with his family. To cut a long story short, Noel and I discussed joining freemasonry and we were initiated into Lodge Acacia in 2002. It was agreed I would be initiated first, in January, because I was the oldest, and Noel would be initiated in February. In hindsight this was a wise decision because Noel was a hard act to follow. We agreed to go on the ladder and fulfil every office leading up to Master of the Lodge. One of my proudest moments was installing Noel into the Chair of King Solomon. His knowledge of Freemasonry was immense and I often joked with him that he had to much time on his hands if he had time to learn and study the Book of Constitutions. However that was Noel being Noel and he always gave it 100%. When Noel attended practice nights, we all knew we would be in for an enjoyable evening and Noel always ensured we received our daily advancement in masonic knowledge. His passing has left a massive void which will never be filled. He lived respected and died regretted.
RIP Noel, it was my honour and privilege to have known you.

Christopher Binns

6/2/2021 12:51:24 pm

Noel introduced himself to me many years ago...knocking on my office door at Bradford Central Police Station.
He, then as a young PC, told me that my name has been read out in his lodge as a potential candidate for Freemasonry.
I was some what taken aback.
Especially when he followed this up with...'Don't worry Boss, I've put in a good word for you'
Fron then on we formed a close friendship.
He invited me to Lodge Acacia and I invited him to my lodge.
We met on numerous other occasions.
I am truly sorry to learn of his passing.
A strong healthy Brother as you would wish to meet. With a great sense of humour.
Please pass on my sincere sympathies and condolences to his family and also to the Brethren of the Lodge Acacia.
W.Bro Chris Binns
President
Airedale Wharfedale & Bradford IMA
And all members of the Association.

Paul William Wallace Durkin

6/2/2021 12:52:26 pm

Noel and I shared a historic family connection through his Auntie Jacqui and this created a bond between us. A charismatically abrasive Yorkshireman strong in body and mind he and I hugged each other at the last Lodge Acacia meeting I attended to symbolise the truly cheerful embrace of Charity. As all others I will miss his fine company and catching up on our family connection God Bless You Noel ♥️

In Memoriam

W Bro. Nolan (Noel) Talbot, PPDepGReg

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Malcolm Whiteley

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