Sir David Trippier, The Provincial Grand Master

Sir David Trippier, BGS Old Boy (1962) and Patron of The Way Forward Appeal, has been appointed The Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic Province of East Lancashire.

Below is a press release received from the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire, February 2012:

Sir David Trippier, RD, JP, DL, appointed as the Leader of the Freemasons of East Lancashire

Over 1000 Freemasons from East Lancashire and the surrounding Provinces turned out at King George's Hall, Blackburn, to celebrate the appointment of Sir David Trippier as their leader: The Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic Province of East Lancashire.

Sir David said, "My Father introduced me to Freemasonry in 1968, when I was 21 years of age. I am extremely proud of my membership of this organisation because it has always been a huge part of my life. It has been a force for good and part of the fabric of our society for almost three centuries. To lead and serve this Province's 6000 Freemasons is a tremendous privilege.  The enjoyment our members and their families and friends share during our social and fund-raising activities ensures that many people benefit from our ideals and efforts. The donations we make to charity and the work we do to support our local communities represent Freemasonry in action."

There are many thousands of Freemasons in East Lancashire who meet at Masonic Halls scattered between the urban areas of Manchester, Salford and Audenshaw, taking in Bolton, Rochdale, and Bury, then extending as far north as Blackburn and the rural areas around Clitheroe, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. Nationally almost 300,000 Freemasons and their families enjoy the fellowship and fun offered by this global fraternity. It often surprises people to realise the time and money that Masons give to Charity. Nationally, since 1980, the Freemason's Grand Charity has given over £100 Million in grants and donations to other National Charities. In East Lancashire alone it is estimated that over £1 million is given by Freemasons each year, to support local community good causes and other charities. No other organisation in the UK, other than the National Lottery, gives more money to charitable causes.

Sir David, who many will remember as the MP for Rossendale (from 1979) and then later Rossendale and Darwen (1983 - 1992), has enjoyed an outstanding career in public and private service over almost five decades. Educated at Bury Grammar School he served as an Officer of the Royal Marines Reserve for 30 years during which time he qualified as a Commando, Parachutist and served on active duty in Singapore, Malaysia, Malta and Norway. In Government he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (1982-1983) to the then Minister for Health (Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP). Subsequently he served as the Minister for Tourism, Small Firms and Enterprise and later as Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction. He was then promoted to become the Minister of State for the Environment and Countryside.

Sir David was knighted by the Queen in 1992, when he was 46 years of age. He has been a Director or Chairman of many notable companies including ITV Granada, WH Ireland Group plc, and Cambridge Horizons. His Charitable work has taken him to leading positions in the North West of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, St John's Ambulance in the County of Lancashire and the Royal British Legion.

In 1994 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire, a position he still holds. He was High Sheriff of the County from 1997 to 1998.

In 2006 Sir David won a National Award for ‘Outstanding Leadership' sponsored by the Daily Telegraph and was nominated as one of the 100 of Britain's most influential men and women in the Public and Private Sectors.

With such a tremendous CV it is little surprise that the Grand Master for the United Grand Lodge of England, HRH The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC, has selected Sir David to lead one of the largest Provinces. Sir David will follow in the footsteps of a long line of well-known, respected and prominent figures in Lancashire, including the Earl of Derby. Sir David was invested today by the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes.

For further information on Freemasonry in East Lancashire or Membership details see: http://www.pglel.co.uk/ or telephone 0161 832 6256. For further information about Freemasonry Nationally see: http://www.ugle.org.uk/