Thomas Newton PPrGJW celebrates 50 years as a Mark man
 
The brethren of Ormskirk Mark No 734 assembled at Ormskirk Masonic Hall for a very special evening.
 
Ian Nairn, Tom Newton and Andrew Cunningham
The Worshipful Master Andrew Cunningham welcomed the visitors to the lodge and said he hoped they enjoyed the evening, he then opened the lodge. Following a knock on the door Andrew welcomed Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ian Nairn, who was accompanied by several acting officers.
Barry Fisher, Arthur Robinson, Tom Newton, Eric Payne and Stuart Boyd
Ian took the chair of the lodge and said: “It is my honour to lead that celebration tonight of 50 years in Mark Masonry of a very distinguished Brother who has freely given his time and energy to the welfare of his family, to his business, and to Freemasonry in general but Mark Masonry in particular”.
 
Arthur Robinson the Provincial Grand Deputy Director of Ceremonies placed the celebrant before Ian who asked Tom if he was sitting comfortably. Ian then addressed Tom:
 
“You were born in 1922, so you will be 96 this year and you look very well on it.
In 1922 the year you were born it was a truly eventful time. The world was slowly returning to normal, prices were stabilising at about 80% over pre-war prices and the British population were getting on with their lives. George V was on the throne and the British Empire was at its largest, covering over a quarter of the world and ruling one in four people - hard to imagine now!
Ian Nairn, Tom Newton and John Bicknell
The BBC was formed and began transmitting radio services first in London and then from major cities in the UK- for which a licence fee was first charged 10 shillings or 50p in new money.
Howard Carter discovered the entrance to King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the valley of the Kings in Egyp.t
The first female solicitor was admitted to practice.
The brethren enjoy the festive board
Tom grew up at the family farm, Newbridge Farm in Simmonswood out near Rainford. His father ran the farm whilst Tom’s mother brought up Tom and his brother James.
Tom attended Bickerstaffe Elementary School. To get there he had to walk 3.5 miles away. I guess that made it a long day for you.
Tom left school at 14 having qualified to go to Ormskirk Grammar School, but his father wanted him to work on the farm so that’s what he had to do.  Farming in the 1920s was hard work and selling produce was even harder. Tom remembers his father selling potatoes to the Co-op for £1.00 per ton. To put that into perspective that equates to about 450 5lb bags for half a penny a bag in old money - Not a lot of reward for all that hard work.
Tom played football for Bickerstaffe in the Ormskirk League and travelled all over the county on his bike.
Tom has been a farmer all his life. The farm was originally owned by Lord Sefton as was most of the land north of the railway at Rainford, but inheritance taxes after the death of the 6th Earl in 1930 meant he had to sell much of the land and tenant farmers were told to buy the land or move away. So, money was raised and Newbridge Farm, all 56 acres were acquired by the family.
In 1950 Tom rented and eventually bought one of the farm labourers houses in Rainford about three miles from the farm and has lived there ever since.
The celebration cake
Tom met the love of his life Marion, a local girl, at the local village dance during the war. Tom was exempt from being called up farming was a protected and vital occupation.
Tom married Marion in 1945. They enjoyed nearly 70 years of marriage before Marion sadly passed away in 2014. Tom has a daughter, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Tom is very proud of
them all.
Despite your busy life Tom still found time to play Bowls and enjoyed playing for Rainford North End for many years. He was also a member and very active in the Young Farmers Club but when 25 became too old. So he looked round for an alternative and found Freemasonry.
Tom was initiated into Beacon Lodge 6072 in 1957, became WM in 1974 and later appointed PPrJGD and subsequently promoted to PPrJGW in 1994.
In 1964 he joined Stanley of Bickerstaffe Royal Arch Chapter 3511 and was first principal in 1980. Tom was appointed PPrAGSoj in 1988 and promoted to rank of PPrGSoj in1997.
In 1968 Tom was advanced into Ormskirk Mark Lodge No 734on 14 March 1968. He was proposed by J Rigby and seconded by R. Webster.
Tom was installed on 12 January 1978 as master by S Dugdale in the presence of                 RWBro Kenneth Maxwell Stodart Provincial Grand Master.
Tom’s first appointment to Provincial rank came in 1984 PProvAGDC, promotion to PProvGJO in 1991 and in 2008 he was promoted to PProvGJW”.
Tom is also a member of many other Masonic Orders.
Ian concluded: “Although you are now an Honorary member of Ormskirk Mark Lodge over the years you have certainly committed to and enjoyed your involvement in the Mark Degree and we can all appreciate that your commitment to all the different orders previously mentioned has been immense.
WBro Thomas Newton Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden of the Mark Province of West Lancashire – You have set an example to us all in your life, a life full of hard work, commitment to family, success in business and dedication to this fine brotherhood to which we all belong.
Tom’s 50th Mark Master Masons pin
It gives me great pleasure to present you with this certificate marking your achievement of 50 years in Mark Masonry and wish you on behalf of all your friends here the best of health to enjoy many more years in your company.
Ian then surprised Tom and all the brethren present by promoting WBro Thomas Newton to the very high rank of Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden of the Mark Province of West Lancashire.

After the meeting closed the brethren retired to a very enjoyable meal where Tom was presented with a 50 year Mark pin and a cake to celebrate his wonderful achievement.
 
Words by Mark Holloway
And pictures by Stephen Brereton