Blackpool Group of Lodges
Meet the new secretary for Blackpool Group
The retirement from office of the Blackpool Group Chairman, Ian Robertson, at the next meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge has led to several changes in the executive structure of the group which will take effect at the May 2012 meeting.
Amongst the changes which have been announced is the appointment of David Cook who is to become group secretary of the Blackpool Group. He will take over the reins from the current holder of that office, John Turpin.
David is an experienced Mason who was initiated into Mount Lodge No 6654 in April 1987 becoming the lodge’s WM in 1996. He was director of ceremonies of Mount from 2000, a position he held until 2008 when he took over the role of lodge treasurer. He subsequently joined Senatores Lodge of Installed Masters in 2001 and is currently that lodge’s WM. Province recognised his many achievements when he was appointed to the acting rank of PrJGD in 2002 and promoted to PPrGSuptWks in 2006.
David is also the North Fylde Group Mentor, a position he has held since 2008 and he is a familiar figure at initiation ceremonies in the group, greeting its newest members and using his very approachable manner to set at ease newly made entered apprentices as he welcomes them to Freemasonry. Dave was a keynote speaker on the benefits of mentoring at Leyland when he addressed group and lodge mentoring officers from throughout the Province on the topic.
In the Royal Arch he joined Blackpool Chapter of Sincerity No 4175 in 1999, assuming the First Principal’s chair in 2007. In 2009 he became the chapter’s treasurer. David joined Senatores Chapter of Installed First Principals in 2007 and in 2009 became its charity steward. He was appointed to the acting rank of Provincial Grand Steward in 2010.
An active member of Fleetwood Masonic Club, he has been a very active committee member since 1992 and its treasurer since 1999. His sound advice has resulted in achieving significant savings against the club’s tax bill, amongst many other contributions he has made to the well-running of the club. David also is a key organiser of Heritage Open Days which he introduced to Fleetwood Masonic Hall having seen the success the event had in Blackpool and its interaction with the local community.
David is ‘sand grown’, or, born and bred in Blackpool, which event took place on 7 December 1946. He received his education at St Joseph’s college, Blackpool. Married to Patricia, his only other relatives live in Australia and he has made the trip around the world for visits on several occasions.
He made a career in the Civil Service, a job which took him all over the country before he took retirement in 1996.
David’s main hobby, apart from Masonry, is football. He founded Highcross FC in 1991 and is still the club’s secretary - being voted ‘Secretary of the Year’ in the Preston and District Football League 2010/2011.
He also finds time to run but says with typical humour: “It’s more like jogging these days!” Despite this self deprecating remark his best time for a marathon is a creditable two hours 47 minutes!
David says he is eagerly looking forward to taking on his new role as Blackpool Group Secretary and getting round the lodges to meet the members of the lodges which meet at the group’s Adelaide Street base.
David Cook.