We met together at Three Shires Lodge, a few weeks ago, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary in Freemasonry of WBro H David Moore PProvSGW. Our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro A John Pearson was in attendance to lead the celebrations of this very special occasion. He in turn was supported by the District Chairman, WBro Peter Douthwaite, three District Officers, two Acting Officers and Philip Collier, ProvDepDC along with some 40 Guests and Lodge Members.
WBro David Moore with WBro John Pearson and the members of Three Shires Lodge
After processing into the Lodge, WBro Pearson accepted the proffered gavel and took the Chair of Three Shires Lodge to conduct the Ceremony. He related the story of David Moore’s progression through life and freemasonry, so far, in a lot more detail than I will include here. David Moore was born in the same year as Tom Courtenay, Susan Hampshire and Bobby Charlton. So far, he is wearing very well.
He attended Dobcross Primary School in Saddleworth and was awarded a West Riding Scholarship to Oldham Hulme Grammar School. After leaving Hulme he attended a 2-year course in Pure Photography at Manchester College of Science and Technology followed by a 2 week holiday when he cycled to Lands’ End. Soon after that he did his National Service, training with the Royal Engineers at Malvern and then Farnborough and attending the School of Military Survey at Hermitage before being posted to 42 Survey Engineering Regiment, Cyprus. After being demobbed he commenced work as a Scientific & Technical Photographer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
David’s personal guests
David married his wife at about the same time that the MW Grand Master, the Duke of Kent, married Katharine Worsley at York Minster. By the way, the average price of a house was £2468.00 in that year.
David Moore was initiated into Hollingworth Lodge no 2702 on 17th May 1967. He was to later join Halcyon Lodge no 5300, Lodge of Friendship no 277 and Three Shires Lodge no 9397. He was installed as Master of Hollingworth Lodge in 1977 and Halcyon Lodge later. As well as conducting his fair share of the three ceremonies, he has Installed 3 Masters and served at a very high level in another Degree. He has written the histories of Hollingworth Lodge in its Centenary year and of Hollingworth Chapter for its Golden Jubilee. He was exalted into Hollingworth Chapter no 2702 in 1975 and was Installed as First Principal in 1981.
He served as District Secretary for 6 years and as Deputy District Chairman for 4 years. In total he has spent 32 of his 50 years acting as Secretary or Treasurer and that does not take into account the years he must have spent in similar positions in other degrees in order to attain such high rank.
David receives his illuminated Certificate from WBro A John Pearson, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master
I am sure that everyone reading this will agree that this is a marvellous record of service to Freemasonry. Certainly, on the night, following the presentation of his illuminated certificate by WBro Pearson, David received a standing ovation from all the brethren present at the ceremony.
He was appointed a PProvAGDC in 1985 and promoted on three occasions before reaching the highest Provincial rank of PProvSGW in 2010. In the Royal Arch his first appointment was as PProvGStdB in 1989 and was again promoted on two occasions before reaching the highest Provincial Chapter rank of PProvGSN in 2014.
The Text of this article and all associated photographs, whether published on this page or on the remote Photo Gallery are
© Kevin Hall, District Communications Officer for Ashton & Mossley District
More photographs of this event can be found in a Photo Gallery on Google Photos which can be accessed by going to https://photos.app.goo.gl/WQTExUs9Gqm48nBY2