The rain and wet weather were unable to dampen the spirits of the assembled companions for the installation convocation of Semper Sursum Chapter No 5622. The principal guest was Third Provincial Grand Principal Rev John Hall who was accompanied by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson, Past Second Provincial Grand Principal Chris Band, Past Grand Superintendent of the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson accompanied by grand officers: Alan Jones, Peter Schofield, David Jopling and Barry Fitzgerald.
Acting Provincial grand officers in attendance were: Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar Alastair Davidson, Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer David Berrington, Provincial Grand Stewards Les Newlands and Gordon Evans, as well as Chairman of the Furness and South Lakeland Group Chris Gray, along with group vice chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary Kevin Rigg.
Rev John Hall was making his second visit in the Masonic year to the chapter, having attended the celebration of Jack Fawcett’s diamond jubilee in October 2025. Semper Sursum Chapter has also held two exaltations of companions, Andy Travis and Matty Rollinson, a decent 12 month’s work for the chapter as a whole and the three principals in particular.
The chapter was opened in due and ancient form by installing first principal Alan Tomlinson along with fellow principals Steve Harris and David Kyle. The regular business of the chapter was dealt with in a timely manner.
The three principals elect, Steve Harris, David Kyle and Danny Wood, were presented to Alan and installed in excellent fashion with many comments afterwards on how good the installation had been. The scripture readings were undertaken by Bernie McGeough, Bill McCarthy and Steve Leonard. The robe addresses were given in superb style with the red robe address given by Steve Leonard, the purple robe address given by Paul Ackred and the blue robe address given by Alan Hilton.
Bill Merewood gave a fine address to the three principals and Rev John Hall gave the address to the companions. On completion of the ceremony, Rev John Hall rose and brought the greetings and good wishes from Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, congratulating installing first principal Alan Tomlinson, director of ceremonies Alan Hilton and all those who had taken part in the evening’s ceremony.
Newly installed first principal Steve then rose and thanked Rev John Hall for his kind words and on behalf of the companions of the chapter, presented a note which listed payments to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for the sum of £300, Northwest Air Ambulance for £300, Macmillan Nurses for £380 and West Lancs Bowling for £30. Rev John Hall thanked the companions on behalf of all those who would eventually benefit from the chapter’s very generous donations.
The collection in the chapter room raised £121.24 for Masonic charities and the raffle at the festive board raised £390. 46 companions dined and given the inclement weather outside, a meal of steak pie, chips and seasonal vegetables followed by a cheese board was warmly welcomed.