Over 30 Masons attended the installation meeting of Woolton Lodge Unity No 1086 which meets at Woolton Golf Club in the Geoffrey Hirst Masonic Suite. Provincial Grand Mentor Stewart Cranage was the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and he was accompanied by Mersey Valley Group Chairman David Atkinson and grand officer David Withey.
After being announced by the DC Stephen Lynch, Stewart and his entourage entered the lodge in due form where they were met by the WM Colin Skelland and warmly welcomed. Colin requested Dave Moore to occupy the chair for the remainder of the ceremony.
The lodge was opened in the third degree and salutations were offered to Stewart who suitably replied after which the lodge was adjourned to the second degree. Presenting officers Alan Riley and Stephen Lynch presented Michael Daly who reaffirmed his acceptance of the ancient charges and regulations before proceeding to reaffirm his obligation.
The ceremony was conducted in a very sincere manner and all who took part played their respective parts comfortably. Stephen Lynch presented the working tools in the third degree and Dave Moore those in the second and first degrees. Dave Moore also provided the address to the WM whilst Stewart gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
After Dave Moore had informed the WM that the ceremony was completed, Stewart rose to convey the greetings and best wishes of Mark Matthews saying that had Mark been present, he would certainly have congratulated all who had taken part and wished that everyone would enjoy their Freemasonry. Stewart went on to say that he had thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony and that the harmony of the lodge strongly showed through.
Michael Daly presented Stewart with the following cheques: £350 for the Friends of Tithebarn, £350 for Marie Curie and £386 for the West Lancs Freemasons’ Charity making a magnificent sum of £1,086. Steward thanked the lodge brethren for their generosity and that the money would be put to good use.
After communications from grand Lodge, Stephen Lynch formed the recessional party. The lodge was closed in due form and the brethren made their way to the dining room to continue the festivities. In response to the toast to his health, Stewart said that the ceremony had been wonderful and flowed along with the harmony of the lodge.
The second part of the festive board was to celebrate George Wilkinson’s 100 birthday, in his 64th year as a Freemason. George was asked what the secret of his longevity was and replied: “Wine, women” and then sang, but he had a terrible voice! Which was received too much acclaim from the brethren. David Rimmer had arranged for all present to sign birthday card which he presented to him along with a bottle of his favourite tipple! George has known eight Provincial Grand Masters and proved he was in good spirits as he responded to the toast to his health.
A raffle raised the sum of £180. The evening ended with the lodge making a small presentation to Stewart Cranage and David Atkinson before the tyler proposed the last toast.
Article by Colin Roberts.