On Saturday 8th February 2025 at the Masonic Hall, Southwood, Birdcage Lane Halifax. A new Court in the Masonic Order of Athelstan was consecrated.
This was a very special occasion within the Province of Lindsey, bringing the total number of Courts within the Province up to an impressive 12.
There were in excess of 50 Court Master Masons in attendance of all ranks.
The name of the new Court derives from the modern Saddleworth. During the reign of King Athelstan 894-939. Edmund 1 939-946 and Eadred 946-955 Saddleworth was known as Thoac. Saddleworth including the villages of Shaw, Milnrow and Newhey were then part of Rochdale and Thoac referred to “the place over the hill near Rochdale where Yorkshiremen live”.
The court will meet in Uppermill, which is one of the seven main villages of Saddleworth, which explains the use of the name for the court from King Athelstan’s time.
As with all new Athelstan Courts a number of brethren who were not currently in the Order (Unique Founders) had to be Instructed. There were 12 candidates (Two other unique founders were unable to attend due to illness and will be Instructed by the Court of Thoac at a later date). The Instruction Ceremony was carried out under the auspices of Cildru Court No. 134 with the Master W Bro. Michael Shakesby doing a most excellent job assisted by members of Cildru Court and Provincial Grand Officers.
Then four of the founding members of the Court of Thoac were Specially Progressed to the rank of Past Master so that they could undertake certain roles within the Court. This ceremony was conducted by V W Bro Dr. Ling Faang Yu our Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
After Cildru Court was closed there was a buffet lunch and the Consecration of the new Court commenced at 2.00 p.m.
The Consecration Ceremony was conducted by the Provincial Grand Master R W Bro Michael Carter GCAG in due and excellent form assisted by Acting Provincial Officers of the year.
At the conclusion of the Consecration W Bro Lance Milburn KAG PGBannerB ProvGSec was Installed as the Primus Master.
The first task of the new WM was present gifts to the PGM the Deputy PGM and R W Bro Paul Clarke KCAG PJGW Past Deputy PGM who stood in as Provincial Grand Organist at the last minute.
A wonderful day was had by all in attendance. The new Court will met at the Masonic Hall, Uppermill on the second Friday in March (Installation) June and September.
The WM and members of the Court of Thoac with Consecration Team
The WM of the Court of Thoac, W Bro Lance Milburn with the Consecrating Officer the Provincial Grand Master R W Bro Michael Carter.