Old Boltonians Lodge welcomed the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Dr Simon Archer, and Western Area Chairman, WBro Martin Horan, to its regular meeting on Friday 25th September 2026. The meeting took place at Bolton School’s Arts Centre, following a recent move from the Boys’ Division Library, which had been the Lodge’s home for many years.

Following the meeting, Mr Philip Britton, former Headmaster and now Head of Foundation, spoke about the school’s bursary fund and its Open Futures Campaign. He explained how the scheme enables bright young people to benefit from a Bolton School education, continuing the spirit of access associated with its former status as a direct grant school. Currently, one in five pupils receives bursary support, with an ambition to increase this to around one in three.

The Lodge presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Open Futures Bursary Campaign. This latest contribution builds on a longstanding commitment: over the past 25 years, the Lodge has donated more than £30,000 to the bursary fund, demonstrating the strong bond it retains with the school and its ethos.

The occasion also provided an opportunity to remember the Lodge’s Secretary, WBro David Gerard Poppitt, whose funeral took place that day following his unexpected death on the 23rd August 2026.

David had worked in the school’s Development Office for many years and played an instrumental role in establishing the bursary fund in its early stages. During his address, Mr Britton recognised David’s contribution to the scheme and his work in developing the fundraising that sustained it.

The donation was a fitting reminder of the commitment shared by David and the Lodge to opening opportunities for future generations of Bolton School pupils.