W.Bro. Alan Fordy Collett. 50 years a Mark Master Mason

Thursday 19th December Uppermill Masonic Hall.  Brethren from both West Yorkshire and East Lancashire gathered to celebrate a significant milestone for Alan.  W. Bro Andrew J. Brown, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master in attendance escorted by members of the West Yorkshire Provincial Grand Stewards lodge No.2018.   

Andrew and Alan sat together for an informal ‘this is your life’ chat to discuss Alans Masonic career and his life in general.  Alan has an unusual middle name which he explained was his mother’s maiden name who came from a family of well know builders at that time George Fordy and sons in Teesside.    

Alan is a family man originally from Stockton-on-Tees married to Christine and has four daughters.  He worked in Mechanical Engineering and served his time as a draughtsman in Stockton-on-Tees.  Later becoming an assistant college lecturer in Middlesborough where he had been a student.  In 1967 he moved to Oldham and became a lecturer in the mechanics of Fluids and enjoyed many years in this senior post until his retirement in 1990.    

His Masonic career started in 1971 when he joined Albert Craft Lodge in Oldham.  He later became a founder of Pennine Craft Lodge, going on to join the Holy Royal Arch being exalted in to the Chapter of Confidence in 1974.  Alan became First Principle in 1984. 

The time was now right to join the Mark which he did by joining Integrity Mark Lodge No.1369 in the Province of East Lancashire on the 10th December 1974.  Going on to join Peace Mark Lodge No.681 in this Province on the 25th October 1990 becoming Worshipful Master in 1997.  Alan is also a founding member of Peace Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner.  He is kept busy both at Peace Lodge and many others as he plays the organ, and his talent is well received by many Lodges. 

Andrew talked with Alan, and they recalled many things from 1974 such as the Watergate scandal, a pint of milk being 4 1/2 pence, the Rubik cube being invented, petrol just 53 pence a gallon, with a pint of beer at 20 pence.

Andrew presented Alan with his 50th Certificate’s on behalf of the Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Prince Michael of Kent and our own Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. J. Trevor Bolton.   V.W.Bro. Edward Barton also presented Alan with a certificate on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire.  A very special night indeed for Alan which was clearly evident in the way he thanked everyone present for such a wonderful evening.  One he will no doubt remember.

With thanks to

W. Bro John M Fitzpatrick

P.Prov.G.Stwd.