George Ruben Heavyside’s 50 years of Freemasonry
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland was delighted to accept the gavel from
Cyril Phelps, Worshipful Master of Westhoughton Lodge, during the recent ceremony to
mark George Ruben Heavyside’s fiftieth anniversary in Freemasonry which was
extremely well attended by brethren of all ranks.
Ray honoured George with a commentary of his Masonic career, in a most sincere and professional manner.
George was born on the 22nd May 1920 at number 97 Wigan Road, Westhoughton but sadly his father died, aged 30, when George was a mere six months old, which was a severe blow to George’s mother, Mrs Mary Evelyn Heavyside and meant for some very hard times for the family.
George attended Westhoughton Parish School and later Westhoughton Central Council School before leaving, at age 14, to become a trainee weaver.
Several career moves followed when, in 1947, George joined R.T.Marsden, suppliers of dairy equipment as a sales representative. He later joined competitor J & C Hall, with whom he eventually entered into a partnership where his duties became many and varied, requiring George to quickly adapt to all aspects of office administration.
As a young boy George was a very talented footballer and played half back for Horwich and Westhoughton Schoolboys but in later years he developed a passion for both tennis and Crown Green bowling, reaching the Provincial Bowling Competition semi-finals on two occasions and once, to the final only to be “pipped’’ at the post by a Mason from Preston.
George eventually became Chairman of the Chorley & District Bowling Section, a role he fulfilled for 10 years and was a Sidesman and Church Warden at St. John’s Church , Wingates, for around 10 years.
George was also secretary of the Parish Church Council for 6 years.
George married Alice, a farmer’s daughter, on the 07 October 1942 and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage together before Alice sadly died following a long illness. George and his partner Doris now live in Tyldesley
George’s son, George Thomas, who lives at Bolton, is a former Bank Manager and is now a lay reader at St. John’s Church, Wingates.
George’s Masonic career began when he was initiated into Westhoughton Lodge no. 4215, on the 22 December 1960, was passed on 21 September 1961 and was raised on 16 November 1961. George has held virtually all the progressive offices in the Lodge.
He has served as assistant secretary for 7 years, Director of Ceremonies for 3 years and Chaplain for 10 years, George became P.Pr.S.G.D. in 1983 and was promoted to P.Pr.J.G.W. in 1993.
George was exalted into Westhoughton Chapter in 1963, becoming MEZ in 1976 and has held the offices of Assistant Director of Ceremonies for 8 years and Director of Ceremonies for 10 years.
George became P.Pr.P.G.Soj. in 1985 and was promoted to P.Pr.G.S.N. in 1992.
Chorley Group Chairman John Robson paid a moving tribute to George during the ceremony and this was complemented during the excellent Festive Board by Alan Byers, who amused all those present by his recollections and reminiscences .
There must really be something in the water in Westhoughton as the Lodge can now boast of having two members, Alan and George, with more than 100 years Masonic experience between them, a truly remarkable achievement!
l to r: Paul Hesketh, John Ashton, Ray Martland, George Heavyside, Cyril Phelps, John Robson, Alan Byers, David Kavanagh
l to r: Ray Martland, George Heavyside, Cyril Phelps, John Robson