The members of the Provincial publicity team are normally very busy taking pictures and writing articles about what goes on in our Province and throughout our groups. It’s an essential task that they carry out, mostly behind the scenes to publicise the work that we as Freemasons do, not only in our lodges and chapters but also the good works that Masons do in the wider community. As many as 70 articles and stories are written, edited and published in an average month on the Provincial website by the team.
With the recent announcement of Provincial appointments to acting rank, first appointments and promotions it transpires that a few of the publicity team are going to be in the news, rather than reporting it!
In what is believed to be a ‘first’, three of the newly announced Provincial Grand Stewards to be appointed at Provincial Grand Lodge are members of the team. Russell Skidmore, joint publicity officer for the Ormskirk and Bootle Group, Andy Sumner, publicity officer for the Leyland Group and Stewart Aimson, publicity assistant for the Lancaster and District Group have all been appointed to this prestigious rank.
Other members of the team who have received honours include; Mark Holloway, communications officer for the MCF 2021 Festival and Tercentenary, who is to be promoted to PPrSGW. Phil Cragg, publicity officer for the Preston Group and Dave Sear, publicity officer for the Furness and South Lakes Group, who are both to be promoted to the rank of PPrJGW. Robert Thornton–Davies, publicity officer for the Southport Group will receive a first appointment to the rank of PPrSGD.
‘The Press Gang’; pictured from left to right, are: Stewart Aimson, Russell Skidmore and Andy Sumner
Speaking about these appointments, Kevin Poynton APrGM with responsibility for publicity and communications said: “I was delighted to learn that these brethren have been recognised for their commitment. They work so hard and go out in all weathers to ensure promotion and awareness of what is going on in the lodges and chapters within their groups.” Kevin continued: “Publicity and communication in this Province is managed by highly professional and dedicated people who, in my opinion, are the best of the best. The honours they have received are not only for their past endeavours but also for what I know they will continue to do in the future.”
The publicity team are always looking for brethren to help in our efforts to maintain the reputation of our Province as one of the most widely and successfully promoted in the country. If any brother thinks that they can help contribute in any way to our goal, they are encouraged to speak with their group chairman or local publicity officer.