Brethren of Anchorsholme Lodge No 5854, meeting at Cleveleys Masonic Hall, were honoured to have Duncan Smith, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, as their principal guest in attendance to witness David Rowbotham being installed into the master’s chair
Born in 1948 in the town of Bury, David started his working life as a police officer in Great Manchester, moving to work in the labs for the Coop making soft drinks; followed by returning to education to enter the building trade.
When David met his partner Linda in 1989, they went to work for themselves running a fast-food business and guest house in Keswick. Whilst in business he joined the local Lions, became Secretary of the Lions and President of the Chamber of Trade, President of the Victorian Fayre Society, member of the Civic Society and Keswick in Bloom. He also trained with Mountain Rescue in his spare time.
David was initiated into Shakespeare Lodge1018 in Bradford in 1990, but later was to transfer to lodges in Cumberland and Westmorland before eventually joining Anchorsholme Lodge, which brings us to his installation.
Anchorsholme Lodge was consecrated in 1942, due to the desire of a number of Freemasons, who due to ‘war time’ restrictions on travel, were unable to visit their lodges outside the Fylde area of Lancashire on a regular basis. During those early years of Anchorsholme Lodge it had many distinguished events and its members have assisted in the development of the Fylde and later the North Fylde Group. It has played its part in establishing Cleveleys Masonic Hall.
The lodge was opened by Bob Stafford, thanking those who had supported him during his year in office. He then dispatched the administrative business of the lodge. Bob swiftly moved through to the second degree and after opening in the third, the evening’s distinguished guest, Duncan Smith, entered the room together with fellow grand officers Harry Cox, Keith Jackson and the North Fylde Group Vice Chairman Tony Farrar. Joining this distinguished group were acting Provincial grand officers, Michael Tax, Russell Forsyth, Bob Marsden and Geoff Diggles. Geoff is also a member of Anchorsholme Lodge and is its hard-working director of ceremonies.
On completion of the formal greetings and salutations the installation ceremony got underway with David being presented for installation by Harry Cox and reaffirmed his obligation. Bob cordially asked for the assistance of Harry Cox, Derek Abbott and Eric Peat as installing officers. Bob proceeded to install David into the chair in what was a flawless ceremony.
Once the board of installed masters was closed to the third degree and master Masons were readmitted, they saluted the newly installed master in due form. The third degree tools were explained by Jamie Blundell. David closed the lodge to the second degree and the presentation of the second degree tools was given by Ron Newton. The lodge was then closed to the first degree where Ian Blundell explained the first degree tools.
The address to the master was given by Jim Fallow. David then appointed his officers for the coming year. The address to the wardens was delivered by Harry Cox, the address to the deacons by Geoff Diggles and the address to the brethren of the lodge was left in the very capable hands of Duncan Smith.
Once the installation was complete, Duncan brought the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, following which David had the great pleasure of presenting cheques for; £595 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £600 to Great Arley School in Thornton, £600 to Blackpool Victoria Hospital Cardiac Unit, £400 to the Cleveleys Masonic Hall, £75 to the British Heart Foundation in respect of departed member Edwin Fisher, £116 to Dementia Care, £200 to Fleetwood Foodbank and £20 to Fylde Bowling. Duncan thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
David then completed his first meeting in charge by closing the lodge, secure in the knowledge that he had been superbly installed into the chair of a fine lodge and the promise of looking forward to the next 12 months under his mastership.
The brethren then moved to the dining room to enjoy an excellent festive board, followed by the enthusiastic toasts. Receipts from a raffle, totalling a magnificent £390, was a firm start to what heralds to be a fantastic year for David. The Master’s Song was delivered in fine style by Barry Thompson with the tyler’s toast being delivered by Bob Major.
In the days after the installation, David Rowbotham and Bob Stafford had the pleasure of attending the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital to present the cheque for £600 to the unit staff for purchase of equipment.
The unit plays a vital part in the rehabilitation and recovery of patients who have gone through heart surgery. The role they perform is vital in getting patients back to good levels of fitness following, in some cases, seriously invasive surgery and the trauma associated with that surgery.
Bob Stafford, who has recently undergone heart bypass surgery, stated that he was not just extremely grateful to the rehabilitation staff for their support in his recovery but to all the staff in the Cardiac Unit at Victoria Hospital for the marvellous work they do and the selfless way in which they carry out their respective roles. Bob was only too glad following his year in the chair of Anchorsholme Lodge to show his appreciation in some small way, by presenting the cheque from the charity funds raised by the brethren and visitors.
