Harry MacKay celebrates 50 years in Freemasonry 

W.Bro. Terry Hudson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren of Emblem Lodge and their many visitors with the personal and Masonic history of W.Bro Harry MacKay. P.Pr.A.G.D.C.

Terry informed the meeting that Harry had been born in Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire on 14^th, December, 1927. He came from a family of engineers, his father, John, who was also a Freemason, worked on the shipyards as a driller. Harry after serving in the R.A.F. followed his trade as a ship repair worker in the docks at Fleetwood.

 n 1960, Harry moved on to work for the Atomic Energy plant at Salwick as a maintenance welder a job he held for 28 years. He met his first wife Marie at the Tower Ballroom, where Harry was a regular attender. Terry, with a fondness in eye recalled that he also danced the night away in that very same ballroom. Oh happy days. It was recalled that Harry was a life long supporter of Blackpool Football Club and could remember those halcyon days of Matthews, Mortenson, ErnieTaylor, Harry Johnson, Jimmy Armfield and many others. Terry pointed out, with tongue in cheek that Harry’s life long fascination for the fortunes of Blackpool Football Club was somewhat lost on the more rational of us.

Harry was installed as Master of Emblem Lodge in 1973, and has dedicated his Masonic career entirely to Emblem Lodge. His loyalty and commitment was rewarded by the Province when in 1985 he was appointed to the rank of P.Pr.A.G.D.C.

The scroll, which had been received from the R.W.Pr.G.M, Brother Peter Hosker in recognition of 50 years in Freemasonry, was then read, and presented to Harry by the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, W.Bro. Ian J.Robertson.P.A.G.D.C. 

Photo; from left to right.

W.Bro. Terry Hudson. P.S.G.D.   Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Bro. Peter Smith. Worshipful Master, Emblem Lodge. W.Bro. Harry Holmes MacKay. P.Pr.A.G.D.C.