On 3 April 2025, Royds Lodge 816 changed location of their meeting from Todmorden to Rochdale Masonic Hall to celebrate the milestone of WBro Ian Clarke PProvGSwdB reaching 50 years in Freemasonry.

The lodge was opened in due form by WM Bro Wayne Pilkington and dispensation was read from the Provincial Grand Master to change the venue of the meeting so that WBro Clarke could celebrate his milestone at Rochdale where he had conducted the majority of his masonic career. The first time Royds Lodge banner has been on display at Richard Street.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro John Curry, was admitted into the lodge with a delegation of officers and was offered the gavel by the Worshipful Master. WBro Curry accepted the gavel and took control of the lodge to work the celebration. The lodge was promptly called off and Ian was joined by his wife and family.

WBro Curry gave an account of the time when Ian was born and when Ian was initiated into Freemasonry. Ian was read a letter by the Eastern Area Chairman, WBro Andrew Halford, from the Provincial Grand Master congratulating him on his milestone. WBro Curry also presented Ian with a certificate from the Province. Ian was escorted around the lodge to receive the acclaim of all brethren in attendance.

WBro Curry returned the control of the lodge to the Worshipful Master and the APGM, celebrant and delegation retired from the lodge. A fantastic social board followed.

Personal History:

lan was initiated into Lodge of Naphtali 266 on the 6 February 1975 progressing to become the Worshipful Master of the lodge on the 2 December 1999, and also served as master on 2 further occasions in 2011 and 2018. The lodge regrettably closed and returned its warrant on 7 December 2023. In 2023 Ian joined Roch Valley Lodge 5120 as Tyler and in 2024 joined Royds Lodge 816 in Todmorden.

Ian was exalted into Naphtali Chapter 266 on the 28 September 1978, becoming the Most Excellent Zerubbabel in 2003. Ian continued to be member of the Chapter until 2016. Ian joined East Lancashire Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter 8408 on the 5 December 2011, taking the office of ScribeN on the 6 March 2023 after being 1st Asst Sojouner. Ian also joined Chapter of Probity and Freedom 367 on 2 September 2019.

Provincial Honours:

• • Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon (PProvSGD) 2005
  • District Secretary (DistSec) 2010
  • Past Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar (PProvDepGReg) 2010
  • Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer (PProvGSwdB) 2018

Royal Arch Honours

• • Provincial Grand Steward (ProvGStwd) 2011
  • Past Provincial Grand Steward (PProvGStwd) 2012
  • Past Provincial 1st Assistant Grand Sojourner (PProv1stAsstGSoj) 2013
  • Past Provincial Grand Sojourner (PProvGSoj) 2023

 

Tribute to WBro Robert Ian Clarke presented by WBro Eric Kilbride

A very warm welcome to you all as we assemble in this magnificent Lodge room. I am going to tell you some stories (no porkies!) about a man we have come to honour and celebrate tonight. Worshipful Brother Robert Ian Clarke.

His mother lodge the Lodge of Naphtali 226 met here on the first Thursday of each month, so how fitting it is that we are here this evening.
Ian is a Lewis i.e. the son of a Freemason, and how many masons celebrating 50 years in the Order can boast having Father present? Welcome Dad W.Bro Allen Clarke

Ian was initiated by WM Geroge Ashworth, father to our late brother Keith M A Walker. On that evening his dad was the Tyler, guarding the lodge door but for this special occasion he was allowed in to see Ian initiated!!

So far, I have not mentioned the most important person in Ian’s life Gwen. They were engaged in 1975, married in 1976, can you believe it was by freemason, Rev Donald Pryce, Vicar at St Lukes Heywood later Third Provincial Grand Principal.

They have two daughters Nicole and Alison both are here tonight. Grandchildren Louise and Lucah.

What I have not told you that on Gwen’s 21st birthday, Ian went to the lodge to a second-degree ceremony!

Of course, life is not always a bed of roses and when his mum died in 2001 from breast cancer Ian took on a new challenge. That of running marathons, and he tells me that he got his first London Marathon on somebody else’s ticket. In 2010 he ran the London Marathon on his own ticket in a time of 4hrs 17mins 22secs not bad for a man of 53 years !! Raising £2500 for breast cancer charity. He has done half marathon’s since and run the Great North Run. All in a worthy cause.

So, there you have a snapshot of a special man. Son, Husband , Father, Grandfather, Freemason.