On Wednesday, 3 December 2025,Trinity Lodge No 5651 met to celebrate the Personal 50th of WBro Allan Bennion, PJGD
The Inner Guard admitted the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro John Lees, who informed the WM that the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Robert Frankle, accompanied by a Provincial Deputation, demanded admission.
When the Provincial Deputation was in place within the Lodge, the WM of the Lodge offered the RWPGM his Gavel, which was accepted. Once the RWPGM took his place, he informed those gathered that they were here to celebrate the 50th personal anniversary of WBro Allan Bennion, PJGD. The RWPGM went on to announce those who were in attendance with him:
WBro Wesley Marchant, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
WBro Nigel Johnson, Area Chairman
WBro Steven Boyle, Provincial Senior Grand Warden
WBro Kevin Reaney, Provincial Junior Grand Warden
WBro John Lees, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
WBro Fraser Mullins, Provincial Grand Sword Bearer
WBro Andrew Evans, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies
WBro John Fleming, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer
and acknowledged those in attendance:
VWBro Nolan Morrison, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
WBro William Waite, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master
WBro Mark Davis, Past Provincial Assistant Grand Master
WBro Peter Hegarty PSGD
WBro Stan Bibby, PJGD
WBro Dr Michael Boden, PJGD
WBro Donald Roberts, PJGD
WBro Gerry Hodson, PAGDC
WBro Chris Bolton, PAGSwdB
WBro Rodney Wild, PGStB
Once the introductions concluded, WBro Don Roberts paid a personal tribute to WBro Allan Bennion. He described their close friendship over many years. Don mentioned how they both became members of Trinity when the Lodge met in Salford. He mentioned that, together with Dominic O’Grady and Norman Clarke, they played a key role in establishing Trinity Lodge 5651 in Audenshaw as it is today. He also pointed out that the Lodge was named after Sacred Trinity Church on Chapel Street, Salford.
The RWPGM requested that two chairs be placed in the body of the Lodge, with WBro Allan Bennion to sit in one of them. The RWPGM took the other chair and engaged Allan in conversation about Allan’s Masonic career. The RWPGM mentioned that their paths had crossed numerous times over the years. He recalled how they would travel together to Provincial Grand Lodge meetings, sharing travel arrangements. The conversation also covered Allan’s involvement in the Royal Arch. Allan became Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Province and, as such, holds the rank of PGSwdB and the Provincial rank of DepGSupt.
The RWPGM read the letter accompanying the celebration of 50 years in the Craft. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies subsequently read the certificate that marked Alan’s initiation into Aldwyn Lodge No 5712 and his 50 years of membership of the Craft.
The area Chairman, Wbro Nigel Johnson, presented a 50th Lapel badge to the celebrant.
The Worshipful Master presented two cheques to the RWPGM, each for £200. One was made payable to the Stanley House Development Fund, and the other was a donation to the PGLEL 2026 Festival Appeal.
The celebration continued at the social board, where many guests gathered to dine, enjoy each other’s company, toast Alan, and share the moment with him.