James Sutcliffe
Past Senior Grand Deacon
Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Jim’s proposer into Freemasonry was W. Bro. Rennie Wellock, PJGD seconded by W. Bro. Brian Ashton. He was initiated into Abbey Lodge on 16th March 1972 and became Worshipful Master in 1979. He was Treasurer from 1984 until 1989 when he took on the Office of Lodge Secretary until 1993. In 2009 he again took on the Office of Treasurer relinquishing it in 2024.
He is a founder member of the Valleys Lodge of Installed Masters No. 9396 and has been a Trustee of the Abbey Masonic Club since 1984.
He was appointed Secretary of the Rossendale District in 1993 and became Deputy Chairman in 1996 before being appointed Chairman in 2001, an Office he held until his appointment as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in May 2005 a position he held until 2011.
Other positions Jim has held in the District are Communications Officer for 5 years and Membership Officer for 1 year. He was a member of the Benevolence Committee from 1997 until 2005 and championed the Changing Times initiative making numerous presentations around the Northern Area.
As District Chairman of Rossendale, W. Bro. Sutcliffe introduced the practice of Mentoring which was a first for the Province.
In 1985 Jim was appointed PProvAGDC and was subsequently promoted to PProvGSwdBr in 1993 prior to receiving Grand Lodge honours as PAGSuptWks in 2001, following his appointment to APGM he was promoted to PSGD in 2006.
Whilst as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM), Jim introduced another practice, that of inviting local charities and dignitaries (including women) to attend Shuttleworth Lodge where all the Lodge Offices were explained in the Lodge Room. At the Festive Board that followed cheques being presented to the local charities on behalf of the then District.
Jim also introduced and lead the idea of gentlemen attending social boards both in Abbey and Shuttleworth Lodges. Not everyone agreed with this innovative move at the time. Today it is a common practice at Abbey Lodge providing another means by which prospective candidates can gain a better understanding of Freemasonry in general and our Abbey Lodge in particular.
Past Grand Standard Bearer
Jim was Exalted into the Royal Arch in Abbey Chapter in 1976 becoming the First Principal in 1984 and went on to hold the office of DC for many years. He is currently the senior member of that Chapter and was appointed to the acting rank of Prov 1st AGSoj in 1990 then to PProvDGReg in 1994 and PProvGSN in 2000. In 2007 he received Grand Chapter honours of PGStdB.
Jim celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry in 2022 whilst Worshipful Master of Whalley’s daytime Lodge, Whalley Arches. He hold the utmost respect from all Whalley Masons and is always happy to assist or advise when called upon.
To achieve 50 years in a Craft Lodge is remarkable; to reach that same milestone in the Royal Arch Freemasonry is extremely rare, especially when those she is have been filled with such tireless work and responsibility.
It was, therefore, a true privilege for the many Companions from right across East Lancashire and beyond to witness yet another Masonic Golden Jubilee for Excellent Companion James “Jim” Sutcliffe, PGStD.
To accommodate the high attendance, Padiham Masonic Hall kindly hosted Abbey Chapter on the evening of the 19 February 2026, ensuring that everyone who wanted to, could properly acknowledge and celebrate Jim’s extraordinary service.
The Scribe E., Excellent Companion David Tyman, read the minutes of the Abbey Chapter meeting from 50 years ago when Excellent Companion Sutcliffe was Exalted into the Royal Arch. Excellent Companion Graeme Wilkinson then gave a personal tribute to Excellent Companion Sutcliffe, “Jim”.
Excellent Companion Anthony Freemont, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal representing the Provincial Grand Superintendent then read aloud a letter from the Provincial Grand Superintendent to Excellent Companion Sutcliffe before presenting him with an illuminated scroll marking this auspicious occasion (see image above).
The images accompanying this short tribute show how many Companions wanted to be present to witness the happy and harmonious Chapter workings and congratulate Excellent Companion Sutcliffe on his personal achievement.
Congratulations, Jim on such a rare achievement of 50 years in both Craft and Chapter.
