The Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, said that he has always considered it a privilege to lead the celebrations for a brother who has completed 50 years of service to Freemasonry. Although long service to Freemasonry is becoming much more common, he added that we should never forget that 50 years of service is a very worthy and significant achievement.

On this occasion the celebrant was a good friend and brother, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Brian Wright.  He said that it was very pleasing that so many were present to salute and pay tribute to Brian.

The Provincial Grand Master asked for Brian Wright to be placed before him so that he might address him.  He spoke of them having been friends for many years and for four years, 2003 to 2007, in this great Province of West Lancashire he and Brian worked together as APrGMs. It therefore made it a special pleasure to lead the celebrations at this event.

Brian was born on 12 February 1935, the year in which King George and Queen Mary celebrated their Silver Jubilee. Brian is, of course, a true ‘Sandgrown ‘Un’, being born and raised in Blackpool. The PGM had read somewhere that for visitors, the sound and smell of Blackpool can mean many different things, but for a Sandgrown ‘Un, it will always be home.

Brian was educated at Baines Grammar School and had the special distinction of being head boy.  It ceased to be a grammar school in 1977, and it is now called Baines’ School. The PGM was advised that such was the importance of the school, that the name change only came about after an Act of Parliament.  The PGM was educated down the road at Kirkham Grammar School and he played with an oval ball, unlike Baines who played with a round ball. Clearly this is where Brian’s love of Blackpool Football Club began.

Academic success at Baines Grammar School resulted in Brian going up to Bradford University, a University whose mission statement says simply - ‘Making Knowledge Work’. Certainly Brian’s knowledge and hard work enabled him to graduate in pharmacy.

In 1958, Brian qualified as a member of the Pharmaceutical Society, after which he practised as a pharmacist in Grange Park, Blackpool from 1959 to 1987.  He subsequently set up a joint practice with his brother in King Street until his retirement in 1998. The PGM had met Brian’s brother on a number of occasions in another service organisation namely Rotary.  He became a leader and had given outstanding service above self and rose to the high office of district governor.

Brian is married to Corrine and have one daughter and one step-daughter. His extended family now consists of a grandson and a granddaughter.

The PGM commented that it is interesting that in the same year that Brian qualified as a member of the Pharmaceutical Society, 1958, he came into Freemasonry. Brian was then 23. He was initiated into Mereside Lodge No 6360 on 6 October 1958. The PGM added that it was not altogether surprising that Brian joined the Craft as both his father and grandfather were both prominent local Masons and both held Provincial Rank.  Brian resigned his membership of Mereside in 1972.

At the age of 27, in 1962, Brian became a founder of Baines Lodge No 7844.  He was the youngest founder.  At the other end of the scale, the senior founder was James A Walton who became an APrGM in 1966, with responsibility for the Eccles Group. It was he who recruited several old boys, including Brian, to form the lodge. James Walton’s son David held the high office of Second Provincial Grand Principal in the Royal Arch Province of West Lancashire and his other son, the late Tony Walton became the West Lancashire Provincial Grand Master in the Mark Degree.

Brian became the Master of Baines Lodge in 1968.  There are only two surviving founders of this lodge, namely Brian and Dennis Tofts, the present DC of the Lodge.  Brian became a joining member of Senatores Lodge of Installed Masters No 8966 in 1989, and a joining member of Lathom Lodge No 2229 in 1999. Brian was made an honorary member of Emblem Lodge No 6727 and an honorary member of North Shore Lodge No 7916, although he was a subscribing member of both lodges for a number of years.   

The PGM reported that from 1989 to 1998, a period of nine years, three different groups had much to thank Brian for.  First, in 1989, he became the South Fylde Group Secretary.  Secondly, in 1991, he became the Vice-chairman of the South Blackpool Group.  Thirdly, in 1994, he was appointed to the office of Group Chairman of the North Blackpool Group.

In 1998, Brian was appointed to the office of APrGM by Colin Wright.  The PGM stated that Brian was an important member of Colin’s team hence the reason for Colin wanting to be at this event; to support Brian as he had supported him.

Brian’s Masonic honours in the craft are many. In the Province, PPrJGD in 1976 and PPrJGW in 1988. In Grand Lodge, PAGDC in 1992 and PSGD in 1999.

In the Royal Arch, Brian was exalted into Blackpool Chapter No 1476 in 1964 and its First Principal in 1973.  He served as a DC for a number of years. Brian was a founder of Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals in 1985 and its first Principal in 1998. He was also a founder of Blackpool Chapter of Sincerity No 4175 in 1988, and now an honorary member of that Chapter.  He was also a joining member of Quadrant Chapter No 8044 in 1988.

Brian’s Masonic honours in the Royal Arch are many: In the Province, PrGStdB in 1984, PPrPGSoj in 1988 and PPrGSN in 1992. In Supreme Grand Chapter, PGStdB in 1994 and PAGSoj in 2004.

The PGM and Brian are both members of the Arnold Moreton Mark Masons Lodge No 1649 in the Province of East Lancashire and Brian was its Master in 2004. Like the PGM, Brian has enjoyed the hidden mysteries of nature and science including the ancient art of playing golf on the Fylde.

The PGM said that everyone knew Brian and everyone thinks of Brian as his friend.  He commented that there are many reasons for this and mentioned a few, namely that Brian is a very approachable person; he possesses a friendly and engaging manner; and most importantly he has worked ceaselessly for Freemasonry on the Fylde.  Because of Brian’s nomadic service to Freemasonry, which the PGM believes is unique, he has visited every one of the craft lodges on the Fylde. During the four years when he and the PGM were both APrGMs, the PGM enjoyed Brian’s warm and loyal friendship, and his infectious personality. He especially recalled Brian’s determination, as a member of the finance and administration committee, to ensure that the finances of the Province were put and kept on a sound basis – something that has been built upon to this date.  The PGM said that it is important that we all leave a legacy and Brian can be extremely proud of his good works and his legacy as a Man and as a Freemason.