FRIENDSHIP
One of the oldest social organisations in the world, Freemasonry is not defined by an ideology. It is open to people from all religions and political persuasions, and provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last for life.
Welcome to the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire website.
This site has been designed to provide an insight into Freemasonry and we sincerely hope it will be of high interest to both Freemasons and non-Freemasons alike.
Here you will find information on what it is to be a Freemason, our proud history, how to join, what charitable works we’re involved with and coming social events. For a more complete view of current news and events, plus the views and opinions of our many members, please visit our social media pages.
You’re also welcome to contact us anytime if you have any queries.
Begin Your Journey
There are probably as many explanations of Freemasonry as there are Freemasons and every member will be able to tell you exactly what Freemasonry means to them.
THE PGLEL 2026 FESTIVAL APPEAL
We are all well initiated on the importance of Charity, It is now our time to give something back. The Province hopes to have raised £2.4 M by the end of the Appeal and we can only achieve this with your help.

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER
Took Place on THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 2025, at 3.00 pm.
The Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter took Place at the Toughsheet Stadium on Thursday 20th March 2025
Congrtulations to all Companions who recived honours or Promotions.
See below for the complete list of honours and the Most Excellents Address to the Companions

PGC Honours 2025
Nominee | Nominating Organisation | Proposed Rank |
---|---|---|
HOLLAND Andrew | C37 Concord Deane | ProvGSE |
KENNY Anthony Michael | C462 Bank Terrace with Leopold | PGSN |
COWEN David Joel | C6005 Good Companions of Commemoration | ProvGTreas |
MCMILLAN Gordon | C462 Bank Terrace with Leopold | ProvGReg |
LEES John | C277 Tudor | ProvGDC |
BEAMAN Edward William | C1055 Derby | ProvGSwdB |
BASGER Jonathan | C6594 Ark and Menorah | ProvDepGDC |
EVANS Andrew Barry | C367 Probity and Freedom | ProvDepGDC |
STEPHENSON Tony | C5041 Vis Unita | ProvGAlm |
TAYLOR John | C266 Naphtali | ProvGChStwd |
SPIBY William David | C3788 Kitchener | ProvGMO |
KENNEDY Darren Michael | C274 Chapter of Fidelity | ProvGCO |
FRIEND John Edwin | C37 Concord Deane | ProvGSoj |
REES Peter Ian | C815 Blair | Prov1stAGSoj |
WRIGHT David Arnold | C226 Chapter of Benevolence | Prov2ndAGSoj |
HARTLEY Clive | C219 Loyal Todmorden | ProvAGSE |
SAGAR Richard Michael Piers | C126 Chapter of the Nativity | ProvAGDC |
DAVIES Francis Ernest Scott | C268 Union | ProvGStB |
FLANAGAN Steven James | C1055 Derby | ProvGStB |
MULLIGAN David John | C350 Chapter of Meribah | ProvGStB |
WILSON Brian James | C3336 Samaritan | ProvGOrg |
DAVIES Benjamin Thomas | C6575 Portland | ProvGStwd |
DOVER Vincent David | C1723 St George's | ProvGStwd |
HARWOOD Russell John | C2529 Abbey | ProvGStwd |
JACOBS Jonathan | C6594 Ark and Menorah | ProvGStwd |
JONES David Morgan | C54 Chapter of Hope | ProvGStwd |
VAMANU Ionut Marian | C3336 Samaritan | ProvGStwd |
CARROLL Clive David | C462 Bank Terrace with Leopold | ProvGJan |
PROMOTIONS | ||
BOND Eric Peter | C2529 Abbey | PPGSN |
DARBY Barrie Danford | C2185 Ardwick | PPGSN |
KAY Leslie Warren | C7224 Fairfield | PPGSN |
RILEY Harry | C348 St John's | PPGSN |
SMITH John Hartley | C993 Alexandra | PPGSN |
WOOTTON William | C5712 Aldwyn | PPGSN |
ASTON Jeremy Hesketh | C1055 Derby | PPGReg |
BEDFORD David | C381 Hutchinson | PPGReg |
ELLIS John Stanley | C116 Cana | PPGReg |
GREENHALGH Andrew | C1219 Renaissance | PPGReg |
HARTWELL Brian | C381 Hutchinson | PPGReg |
PESTELL David | C6163 Werneth | PPGReg |
SURTEES David Ralph | C221 Maritime | PPGReg |
ROWLATT Kenneth Thomas | C266 Naphtali | PPGReg |
THORNTON Ian Frank | C9659 Internet | PPGReg |
WINSTANLEY John Graham | C44 Chapter of Friendship | PPGReg |
BOWDEN Roger Paul | C1055 Derby | PPGSwdB |
CLARK Paul Ernest | C274 Chapter of Fidelity | PPGSwdB |
GILBERT Martin | C6575 Portland | PPGSwdB |
HOLCROFT Stephen Paul | C9640 Red Rose of Lancashire | PPGSwdB |
KINSEY Andrew Richard | C1055 Derby | PPGSwdB |
SEDDON Peter | C128 Prince Edwin's | PPGSwdB |
SPRAY Arthur Desmond | C2185 Ardwick | PPGSwdB |
TAYLOR Harvey | C854 Albert | PPGSwdB |
TAYLOR John Walter | C6577 Mossley | PPGSwdB |
CASSON Gregory John | C44 Chapter of Friendship | PPDepGDC |
CHAPMAN Robert Gamble | C8763 Tonge Hall | PPDepGDC |
CLAYTON David Lees | C2185 Ardwick | PPDepGDC |
CROMPTON Thomas | C344 Chapter of Beauty | PPDepGDC |
GREEN William Ormerod | C116 Cana | PPDepGDC |
HENTHORN Christopher | C277 Tudor | PPDepGDC |
LAIDLAW Kenneth | C42 Chapter of Unanimity | PPDepGDC |
RAWAL Soshil Kumar | C44 Chapter of Friendship | PPDepGDC |
RALSTON Edward Lee | C1083 Townley Parker | PPDepGDC |
WOOD Christopher Charles | C369 Limestone Rock | PPDepGDC |
BALL Jack | C7958 Unitas Fratrum | PPGSoj |
BARNES David Edmund | C6575 Portland | PPGSoj |
CATLOW William Anthony | C381 Hutchinson | PPGSoj |
CLARKE Phillip James | C5041 Vis Unita | PPGSoj |
DUNN Colin Clifford | C54 Chapter of Hope | PPGSoj |
HALLIDAY Arthur | C3867 West Salford | PPGSoj |
LAMBSHEAD Kenneth | C219 Loyal Todmorden | PPGSoj |
MELLOR Frank James | C381 Hutchinson | PPGSoj |
PRYCE Melvyn Stuart | C128 Prince Edwin's | PPGSoj |
STEWART Alan | C219 Loyal Todmorden | PPGSoj |
TEINERT Simon | C6163 Werneth | PPGSoj |
FENTON Bernard | C42 Chapter of Unanimity | PP1stAGSoj |
FORBES Bernard Arthur | C266 Naphtali | PP1stAGSoj |
PRITCHARD David | C9397 Three Shires | PP1stAGSoj |
Appointments | ||
BOYD Robert Christie Craig | C8763 Tonge Hall | PP1stAGSoj |
WEDGEWORTH Thomas Raymond | C152 Chapter of Virtue | PP1stAGSoj |
BINNS John Charles | C367 Probity and Freedom | PP2ndAGSoj |
BELL Richard Jennison | C2891 Lord Stanley | PPGStB |
BLADES Martin William | C1504 Red Rose of Lancaster | PPGStB |
GOFF John Anthony | C2185 Ardwick | PPGStB |
GREENHALGH John Michael | C9640 Red Rose of Lancashire | PPGStB |
GRUBB Noel Richard | C2891 Lord Stanley | PPGStB |
MORAN David Thomas | C369 Limestone Rock | PPGStB |
O'GRADY Dominic Sean | C1322 Waverley | PPGStB |
TURNER Kenneth Robinson | C815 Blair | PPGStB |
WOSKI Artur | C2185 Ardwick | PPGStB |
BAXENDALE Brian | C344 Chapter of Beauty | PPAGDC |
CLARE Michael Harry | C344 Chapter of Beauty | PPAGDC |
ADAMSON Peter Hugh | C6577 Mossley | PPAGDC |
GAY Irwin | C7958 Unitas Fratrum | PPAGDC |
SAMSON Brian Ivan | C344 Chapter of Beauty | PPAGDC |
THOMPSON William | C6575 Portland | PPAGDC |
ZOLTIE Richard Lawrence | C6594 Ark and Menorah | PPAGDC |
HITCHEN Thomas Richard | C7958 Unitas Fratrum | PPAGDC |
ME Grand Superintendent Address PGC 2025
Companions,
I will shortly have the great pleasure of greeting and investing those Officers of Provincial Grand Chapter who are being appointed, reappointed and promoted today. I congratulate you all and wish you good health and enjoyment in your new or continuing rank. Every appointment is well deserved, and you should feel proud.
I look forward to meeting many of you again at events throughout our Province, and also at East Lancashire Provincial Grand Officers Chapter No 3747, which I encourage you to join if you are not already a member.
One being appointed today is Companion John Lees, as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies – whilst continuing as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in the Craft. Provincial Grand Deputy Directors of Ceremonies will serve terms in office in both the Craft and Royal Arch – One Journey, One Organisation, Companions.
2025 is a significant year for us. It is the Bi-Centenary of the Province of East Lancashire. Time doesn’t permit me to go into much detail today, But I’d like to spend a few moments summarising that part of our history.
The Province of Lancashire had been established in 1734, but eighty something years on, all was not well, with discontent and even rebellion – I have to say, with apologies to our West Lancashire guests, mainly centred around Liverpool.
It’s relevant to point out that a major part of that discontent was over the treatment of the Royal Arch following the Union in 1813.
It led to the formation of the Grand Lodge of Wigan – but that’s a story best saved for another occasion.
As a consequence, in 1822, the then Provincial Grand Master was suspended, and the Grand Chancellor was appointed to be in charge of Lancashire.
The Grand Master decided to separate the Province, East and West, and in late 1825, the first Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire, RWBro John Crossley, was appointed.
We will be acknowledging and celebrating this important event later in the year. Details are yet to be finalised, but we hope will include a Service of Thanksgiving and a dedicated Provincial Meeting hosted by one of our Lodges.
For the sake of completeness, I should add that following establishment of East Lancashire, the Grand Chancellor remained in charge of the remainder of Lancashire until 1826, which is why our West Lancashire cousins will be celebrating their own Bi-Centenary next year.
When I addressed this Meeting last year, I announced that our Festival total stood at £1.4 million. Today, a year on, it now stands at £1.8 million. Our Lodges and Chapters, and ultimately of course, you and all our members, have been hugely generous. I am both proud and grateful for that support.
With just over 18 months remaining, I am hopeful that we will reach our target of £2.4 million – hopeful, but not complacent. I do ask you to continue with your wonderful generosity, and, particularly addressing those who have not yet made a personal direct commitment, there is still time to do so, which will also provide a much-needed Gift Aid boost.
Companions ‘ One Journey, One Organisation’ . It is a fundamental part of our strategy restating the 1813 Declaration in a modern and succinct form. It articulates that Pure Ancient Masonry consists of the three Degrees and then the Royal Arch.
That journey starts with the Initiate, and for many, continues in due course, into the Royal Arch. That’s why I’m continuing a theme I spoke about at Provincial Grand Lodge last November, and it’s this.
We seem to have got out of the habit of approaching and introducing potential members, relying on people joining who have made their own enquiries, or whom we reach through social media.
Self-sponsored candidates can and do make excellent members, but that should be in parallel to, and not instead of, personal introductions.
Companions, please think about who you might approach to join. Discuss and encourage introductions with members into your Lodges, particularly with newer members, who perhaps have a wider circle of connections outside of freemasonry.
We are rightly proud of the Royal Arch in East Lancashire – our long and distinguished history, our values, and our achievements. Companions, thank you for all you that you do to ensure that our meetings are fulfilling and happy, and that our membership of our Order is rewarding. Your efforts and your passion for the Royal Arch ensure that we can look to our future with confidence.
Thank you.

East Lancashire Bicentenary – Treasure Hunt

Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride!

Coast to Coast Cycling Challenge!

Personal 50th of Steven Price PProvJGW

Langley Lodge Trophy Cup

WBro Graham Inskip: Celebrating 60 Years in Freemasonry

Lodge Of Union Cabaret Evening

Johnny’s Golden Gavel on tour in the City East Area

Springhill Hospice Hot Food Trolly Grant

Johnny’s Golden Gavel on tour in the Eastern Area
What our Brethren Say
The lessons taught have helped me in my personal life and my lodge brethren continue to amaze me in their dedication to each other and our wider community. I’m proud to be a Freemason and would recommend anybody who is curious to come and enquire.
Gareth Baron
St Martin’s 2320
As a 20-year member I became a Mason because I believed I was joining men who thought in a similar way to myself. Very true to a large extent, what I hadn’t realised was that wherever you go when visiting you are immediately among friends you had yet to meet.
.
Colin Smith
Grants 8825
Freemasonry is like being part of a fantastic story, you just want to learn more and more. While doing so, you meet new friends, that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Andy Beaumont
Good Report 7370
Freemasonry is great way to make new friends and connect with old ones. It gives you the chance grow as a person and share that knowledge with others. It’s more than a brotherhood; it’s a family.
Andy Robson
Lodge of Union 268
Freemasonry has complimented and helped me to understand my journey in life. I’ve also met new friends who will stay with me for the rest of my journey.
Sonny Welsh
Felicity 4365
But that’s only a very small part of the story. It’s not about why I joined, but more about why I’ve stayed. I’ve stayed because I’ve seen with my eyes, and felt with my heart, the love, care, friendship and support that Masons give each other, not just within the framework of the Lodge Room or meetings, but in the wider world. A better bunch of lads I’ve yet to find..
Roger Bowden
Knowsley 4661
Freemasonary is a guaranteed social life. It’s a great way to make new friends and stay in touch with old ones. It’s the ability to grow as a person and extend what has been learnt to others seeking similar growth…
Chris Daniels
Iron Road 4964