Liverpool Mercantile Lodge No 4319 has a long and distinguished history, having celebrated its centenary in November 2021. Looking at the summons, there are a handful of members who have had the honour of being installed as master of the lodge for a second time.
Members and visitors gathered at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool for the 103rd installation in the lodge history and on this occasion, it would be the second time in the ‘chair’ for Rauf Kukaswadia. The last time, Rauf occupied the chair of King Solomon was 19 years ago, and in a nod to wedding anniversaries revealed that this would be a ‘bronze’ anniversary.
WM John McKay opened the lodge in fine form and proceeded through the necessary degrees, the first order of business was to hold a ballot for a joining member, Professor Michael Jones, with the ballot proving unanimous.
Acting director of ceremonies Paul Shepherd announced that the principal guest, Malcolm Bell, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, stood without. John announced that the lodge would be honoured to receive him, and all stood as Malcolm accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James, Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, grand officers, Paul Broadley and Michael Jones, Provincial Junior Grand Warden David Rigby, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon John Reynolds, Gladstone Group Treasurer Paul McLachlan and assisted by Provincial grand officers, Steve Senneck and Mike Melling, processed into the lodge.
John James formally introduced Malcolm Bell to the master of the lodge John McKay and having welcomed Malcolm to the lodge on behalf of the brethren, acting director of ceremonies, Paul Shepherd led the necessary salutations that were due to Malcolm. Paul then requested all brethren below the rank of a Past Provincial Grand Master to stand, and again salutations were given to Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison who is an honorary member of Liverpool Mercantile Lodge.
John McKay requested would Provincial Junior Grand Warden, David Rigby honour the lodge and occupy the chair of junior warden. Provincial Grand Charity Steward Paul Shirley occupied the chair of senior warden and Ian Elsby occupied the position of inner guard.
Presenting officers Stephen Robinson and David Hilliard, collected master elect Rauf and presented him to the WM John McKay. John recited the necessary qualifications of a master elect to which Rauf signified his unqualified assent. Rauf was faultless in his obligation as master elect, and having been duly obligated was then installed in the chair of King Solomon in fine form by now immediate past master John.
Having closed the board of installed masters, acting director of ceremonies Paul Shepherd, requested that master Masons be admitted and having performed the necessary salutations in that degree, Michael Woolf delivered the working tools of a master Mason.
The lodge resuming labour in the second degree, Paul then called for fellow crafts to be admitted and Mike Melling and Ken Meath joined with the fellow crafts and performed the necessary salutations in that degree. Dylan Thomas then delivered the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason, again in impressive form following the example set by Michael.
The lodge then resumed labour in the first degree, and as before Paul called for entered apprentices to be admitted, with volunteers Steve Senneck and Peter Lees, joining the ‘apprentices’ for the salutations in that degree, with hand clapping to the number of the lodge 4319 to follow. The volunteers did very well following Paul who expertly demonstrated the salutations to be given. Paul then delivered the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason.
Immediate past master Jim gave the address to the WM Rauf. Following the investment of officers, David Rigby gave the collar address to junior warden, Michael Woolf. After the investment of stewards, David Hilliard gave the address to the stewards and David Rigby the address to the wardens.
At the conclusion of the installation ceremony, Malcolm Bell, addressed the brethren and congratulated Rauf on being installed as master of the lodge and thanked all brethren who had taken part in the ceremony, including immediate past master John McKay and crossed the floor to congratulate, Michael, Dylan, and Paul for their delivery of the tools.
The lodge was closed in solemn form by master of the lodge Rauf, and all retired to the Pearce Suite for the festive board. At the festive board, Malcolm gave his personal congratulations to Rauf and the brethren of Liverpool Mercantile Lodge, expressing a wish that they enjoy and continue to enjoy their Freemasonry and the year ahead.
With an initiation planned and plenty of work for the lodge, WM Rauf will have a busy year and we look forward to hearing more about the activities of Mercantile Lodge in the future.
