On Thursday 17 October 2024, the great and good of Mark Masonry and other orders, gathered to celebrate the promotion of V.W.Bro. Alan Oldfield, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of West Yorkshire.
Surrounded by family and friends, both in and out of Freemasonry, we were honoured by the presence of many rulers and past rulers of this and other Provinces. In addition, we were graced by the presence of James Henry Newman, as both a senior Mark Mason of our Province and Prov.G.M. of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding in the Craft.
“Top of the Bill” was occupied by M.W.Bro. John H. Prizeman, Pro Grand Master of our Mark Degree. He had travelled from his lair in London following a personal request by our Prov.G.M. R.W.Bro. J. Trevor Bolton, to promote Alan to the office of Past Grand Junior Warden, thus making him a Right Worshipful Brother. In normal circumstances, such a promotion would be conferred in London at the annual meeting in September. Many will know that Alan is very ill, and some urgency was requested.
The Pro Grand Master began the informal gathering with a retrospective of Alan’s many Offices and achievements on the way to Deputy Provincial Grand Master, mentioning briefly that his medical condition had prevented him from being fully considered for the Office of Provincial Grand Master. He also took a moment to thank R.W. Bro. Bolton for taking this high office, on the retirement of R.W.Bro. Jim Steggles.
Alan’s achievements and past offices include being the Company Secretary for West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd and promotion to Grand Lodge in the Craft, plus a whole list of aprons in the Mark. This begins with the Provincial Treasurer through the Officers of Assistant, Deputy and then Provincial Secretary. Onwards then to Grand Steward, Past Grand Junior Deacon, Past Grand Senior Deacon, Past Grand Junior Overseer and, his present Provincial Office in the Mark and, Royal Ark Mariners of Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of West Yorkshire.
He ended the presentation by asking Alan’s permission to open and read a letter from the Grand Secretary which had been written at the instruction of The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO, which confirmed his immediate promotion to the rank of P.G.JW. and the prefix, Right Worshipful Brother. Best of all, as a field promotion, there is no fee of honour.
Flowers were then presented to Kathleen, Alan’s wife of nearly fifty years, and gifts of fine malt whisky and Provincial merchandise were presented to M.W.Bro. Prizeman. All were gratefully accepted. Following this, we all enjoyed a tasty hot roast beef sandwich with Mirfield Masonic Hall’s famous chunky chips, fried in beef dripping.
The main parts of the afternoon were live streamed to V.W. Bro. Philip Oldfield and his wife, Nicola, who were aboard a cruise ship and could not be with us. This also resulted in a video record which will be published for wider viewing.
In his remarks in reply, Alan reminded us that his promotion to Grand Rank in the Craft made him Mirfield No.1102 first Grand Officer and that this Mark promotion made him the highest-ranking Officer at Fearnley Mark No. 58 in over 150 years.
When considering the Masonic rank of the attendees, the major promotion conferred and the honour of having the Pro Grand Master travel to us, instead of the usual, this was a unique occasion. It celebrated the achievements of a dedicated Mason, who in this degree particularly, and in others, has truly Marked Well.
With thanks to
W.Bro. Chris Oldfield P.G.J.D.
‘You’re Alan’s younger, better looking brother’ – Most Worshipful Brother John Herbert Prizeman 17/10/24