“It’s not usually this way round!” was the comment made by numerous visitors to Lodge of Triumph No.1061 on the evening when one of the latest installed masters in the South Fylde Group raised his own dad. Only four weeks earlier, South Fylde Group Secretary Will Buchanan was installed in fine style in the presence of the Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison. Will’s first regular lodge meeting was to undertake a third degree ceremony and to raise his father William Buchanan Snr.
The lodge room at The Palace, St Annes, was buzzing with excitement as Will Jnr and his school-teacher colleagues arrived ready for a normal start time, following an after-school Parents Evening. The new team, mainly of light-blues were on form and the main lodge business was conducted to an impeccable standard. William Buchanan Snr had clearly done his homework and delivered his responses in a superb manner.
The WM then delivered and performed a ceremony of raising that was nothing short of perfect; demonstrating an enormous amount of preparation and hard work over recent months. All the officers had learned their own particular parts within the ritual, which was quite evident with the high quality of floor-work.
Will was ably supported by past master Mike Boxall who gave a superb delivery of the Traditional History, the WM completing this narrative with a fine explanation of the working tools.
Immediately following the ceremony, South Fylde Group Mentor, Ken Greenwood, presented William Buchanan Snr with an envelope of documents that contained an explanation of the third degree ceremony and a letter from Ben Gorry, the group chairman.
Greetings from grand and Provincial grand officers focused on the high quality of the ceremony and all concerned and the comment: “It’s not usually done this way round!”
During the festive board, the WM received further accolades for the manner in which he had raised his father and everyone wished William Buchanan Snr good health and happiness within Freemasonry as he now continues as a Master Mason.
