Andrew Greenwood was installed as the WM of Hartington Lodge No 1021, chronologically the oldest lodge in the Furness and South Lakeland Group for the second time. The ceremony took place in the presence of the principal guest, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers.
A whopping 125 brethren packed into the lodge room at Barrow’s Fairfield Masonic Hall. Among them were eight grand officers, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dave Grainger, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of our neighbouring Province of Cumberland and Westmorland Keith Beaumont, Past Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson and Rowly Saunders, Alan Jones, John Quiggin, Barry Fitzgerald and Phil Preston.
Also in attendance were eight acting Provincial grand lodge officers, Ryan Modlin, Phil Renney, Steve Ellershaw, Steve Murray, Syd Bateson, Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter, plus Barry Fitzgerald Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, not technically acting but still in attendance. The glorious spectacle of 16 visiting masters was a testament to the hard work put in by outgoing WM Matty Woods during his year in office. Matty has worked tirelessly, representing and flying the flag for Hartington Lodge all across the Furness and South Lakeland group.
The regular business of the lodge being concluded, Matty opened the lodge in the second and third degrees, and Provincial Deputy Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin then entered. He informed the WM that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, stood without and demanded admission. Frank was admitted with his Provincial escort and seated. Salutations were given and the lodge was adjourned to carry on working in the second degree.
Andrew Greenwood, senior warden and master elect was presented to the WM to receive at his hand the benefit of installation. The lodge was re-opened in the third degree and a board of installed masters was opened. Matty went about his work installing Andrew with impeccable delivery, dignity and humility. Lodge secretary Ian Thompson presented and explained the working tools of an installed master in a most excellent manner. The past masters of Hartington Lodge and visiting masters saluted the WM and the board of installed masters was duly closed.
Master Masons were re-admitted to the lodge and a rank of six light blue Freemasons formed in the north. They processed around the lodge, saluting Andrew as master Masons in passing. After the first proclamation and greetings from the east by the lodge director of ceremonies Mort Richardson, Zak Stephenson presented the working tools of a master Mason in an excellent manner.
The lodge was closed in the third degree. A rank of six light blue Freemasons again formed in the north. They passed around the lodge, saluting Andrew as fellow craft Freemasons in passing. After the second proclamation and greetings from the west, Scott Deakin presented the long version of the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason with great style and precision. The lodge was closed in the second degree and a rank of six light blue Freemasons again formed in the north, passing around the lodge, saluting Andrew as entered apprentice Freemasons in passing. After the third proclamation and greetings from the south, Keith Templeton presented the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason in an excellent and dignified manner.
During the appointment and investment of officers, group mentor Ian Cottam addressed lodge mentor Andy Baxter, outlining his role and the role of every member of the lodge to afford instruction and support to their junior brethren. Senior deacon Zak Stephenson and junior deacon Colin Blyth were addressed by the group secretary Tony Jackson. The WM was addressed by Ian Bethell, in a most excellent and dignified manner. The address to the wardens was handled by Harry Chatfield in a most capable and sincere manner. Frank Umbers addressed the brethren of the lodge in his own inimitable style.
As the WM reverted to the summons, Frank rose to bring the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, congratulating Andrew, Matty and all who had taken part in the ceremony. He was presented with a note of charitable donations given by the Hartington Lodge brethren, which reads as follows: Charitable giving in 2024; West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity £1,021. West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society £15. Alice’s Escapes £240. West Lancashire Bowling Charity £20.Headlines Cranio-Facial Support £280. Furness and South Lakeland Boxing Charity £40. Xmas Foodbank £20. Giving a total of £1636. Charitable giving in 2025 (up to installation): West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity £1,021. West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society £15. Xmas Foodbank £145. Totalling £1,181.
At the festive board, WM Andrew expressed his intention to uphold the standards and traditions of the lodge, and his pride at following in the footsteps of some 160 previous masters. He paid very notable tributes to both his IPM Matty and lodge director of ceremonies Mort Richardson for their hard work in the preparation that had made the day so special.
Special mention should also be made of the healthy contingent who travelled from the neighbouring Province of Cumberland and Westmorland, including the aforementioned Deputy Provincial Grand master Keith Beaumont and Past Provincial Grand Master Norman Thompson, the WMs of both Whitwell Lodge No 1390 and Huddleston Lodge No 6041 and several other very distinguished brethren, an indication of the close links that bind local Freemasons.