Burton Brewing up a Centenary
 
The Stafford Council No. 37 meeting at Burton-on-Trent in the West Midlands was the place to be on Friday evening, 13th December 2019. Our Purpose wasn’t to follow in the footsteps of William Bass who started Brewing his famous beer here on the High Street in 1717, but to celebrate 100 years of the continuous working of this ancient and honourable Council in the presence of the Grand Master. Stafford Council No. 37 was consecrated on 24th May 1919 and has significant links to West Lancashire which will be explained later.
 
4 cars carrying around a baker’s dozen of West Lancashire Allied Masons, including the Grand Master, DGP and Dep.DGP, set out for the Journey to Freemasons Hall at Burton-on-Trent, with all the Brethren looking forward to a happy and convivial occasion. Some of the Brethren set out mid-morning with a view to booking into a premier inn in Burton for an overnight stopover, some setting out later and intending to return home immediately after the meeting ended.
 
“Portal Partisans”
For those stopping over, we reached our hotel well in time for a shower and change into our regulation dress before setting out for the Freemasons Hall at Burton on Trent and an early 5.15pm start. The reason for this early start was a packed agenda, including a St Lawrence ceremony for the Admission of Bro. Barry Wilkes, in addition to the centenary celebration.
“Calm before the storm”
I mentioned earlier that Stafford Council in the West Midlands had a connection to West Lancashire, and in particular with Portal Council No. 1 which currently meets at Garston. The main connection is that 6 of the 7 Founders of Stafford Council in 1919 were in fact members of Portal Council, including: Bro. James Turner (SW Designate); Bro. William MacIntosh Valon (JW Designate); W. Bro. Andrew Parr; W. Bro. John Starky; W. Bro. Benjamin Arthur Edmonds and Bro. Adolph Erwin Thomas. The remaining Founder was W. Bro. Samuel Withers of Four Kings Council No. 7
 
Why these hardy souls from Lancashire went on tramp to help form another Council, so far away from their Mother Council in 1919, is to be pondered over. John Starkey, apparently an energetic and determined man, also a soldier and very committed Freemason, had moved from Liverpool to Staffordshire and probably persuaded the other Liverpool based Brethren to join with him as Founders. A booklet containing the history of Stafford Council has been published and a copy given to every Brother attending the Centenary meeting.
“A Garrison of West Lancashire Allied Masons with Commander in Chief”
Another historical link between Burton and Lancashire resulted from the daring dos of one Thomas Tyldesley, of Morleys Hall in Astley in the Parish of Leigh (now part of Wigan Metropolitan Borough), Lancashire. On 4th July, 1643, during the English Civil War the garrison at Burton was stormed in what is termed – ‘The Battle of the Bridge’. An army commanded by Thomas Tyldesley, a Royalist commander, led a cavalry charge across the bridge to attack Burton.  At the end of the battle, so much booty was taken that the Queen (wife of Charles 1), who witnessed the battle, recorded that the soldiers “could not well march with their swollen bundles”.
 
I can vouch that the Brethren from West Lancashire who attended the Centenary meeting came in Brotherly love and peace on this occasion, with no signs of looting or pillaging to be seen. Although the well-stocked bar required replenishing at the end of the night, but I don’t think that would qualify?
 
Current members of Portal Council No. 1 who attended the Centenary included, current WM, Brother David Atkinson, VW Bro. Malcolm Bell and W. Bros. Edwin Schofield, Andy Whittle, John Murphy, and Al Comber. They were warmly received by the WM and Brethren of Stafford Council, and Edwin Schofield responded on behalf of Portal Council. I’m sure that John Starkey and the other Founders would have been proud to see so many members of his Mother Council, and the wider West Lancs Allied fraternity, present on this special occasion.
“Some of the Portal Members at the ready”
During the packed agenda, the Centenary Warrant was read and presented to the WM by the Grand Master, who later gave an interesting commentary on Stafford Council.
 
The meeting was followed by a banquet which included: Pear, cheese and Walnut salad starter; cod mornay; chicken and usual trimmings, profiteroles and chocolate sauce together with the usual beverages. A plentiful supply of wine during the meal kept us in the right spirit (sorry about the pun). It was a veritable feast which put the final touch on a superb evening amongst the many Brothers of St. Lawrence who attended.
“Let the banquet begin”
The meeting ended with the WM wishing us a safe journey home. West Lancashire Brethren retired to the bar as we awaited our taxis to take us back to the hotel. Is there any truth in the rumour that we were the last to leave the bar?…………….. See below the photograph taken in the bar after the conclusion of the meeting and make your own mind up!!!!
“Your carriages await”
The following morning, Brethren who had stayed overnight had a hearty breakfast in the adjacent restaurant before returning home. Another well supported sojourn to foreign parts by West Lancashire Allied Masons. Why not join us on one of the future fraternal outings, you are assured of a very warm welcome.
 
Words and photographs by Thomas Tyldesley’s Aide-de-Camp.