Having been established in 1864 Hartington Masonic Lodge No 1021 can lay claim to being one of the oldest institutions in Barrow.

The latest proud head of the lodge is Andy Greenwood who was appointed at a meeting held at Barrow Masonic Hall in Fairfield Lane.

Mr Greenwood served for 34 years in the submarine service before taking up employment with the local shipyard. He also serves the community as a retained firefighter.

The principal guest for this special occasion was John Quiggin. On behalf of the lodge Mr Greenwood presented Mr Quiggin with a cheque for £1,021 for distribution by the national Freemasons’ charity. In addition to this donation Hartington Lodge has given a further £2,500 to charities and good causes over the past year.

Following the business of the meeting 134 members and their guest enjoyed a four course meal in the Fairfield Suite in the hall. The catering was by Mike Elliot of the Crown at North Scale.

The first meeting of the lodge was in the Royal Hotel on the Strand where it met for several years before moving to a purpose built building on Abbey Road. The land for the new lodge rooms was donated by Sir James Ramsden. The building, located next to the Furness Railway, is still standing but in a state of dereliction. When the building became too small for the members of the five lodges which meet in Barrow the move to the present hall in Fairfield Lane was made.