Deputy Provincial Grand Master Philip Gunning was the principal guest to witness Ian Woods being installed as master of Poulton le Sands Lodge No 1051 for his first time as a WM. Philip was accompanied by Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters David Ogden and Phil Gardner with grand officers Chris Butterfield, Michael Mashiter (C&W), David Edwards, Neil McGill and Paul Broadley.
Scott Devine, Chairman of Lancaster and District Group was joined by group vice chairman Chris Larder, Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Mick Southern, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modlin, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Tony Jackson, Provincial Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies Larry Branyan and Morton Richardson, Provincial Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works Paul Dent with Provincial Grand Stewards Andy McClements and Phil Renney. Acting as Provincial Deacons were Bryan Cambidge and Andrew Hall.
The lodge was opened by WM Matt Catlow who conducted the installation ceremony with director of ceremonies Steve Plevey. The installing officers were; senior warden Geoff Bury, junior warden Tony Harrison and inner guard Nigel Norris. The organist throughout the evening was David Tattersall. The master elect was presented for installation by his son Ben Woods, Ben also presented the third degree working tools, The second degree working Tools were presented by fellow craft Matt Herod and the first degree working tools were presented by entered apprentice Jason Mulliner.
The WM appointed Gareth Harrison as senior warden and Shaun Stewart as junior warden. The address to the deacons was given by Tony Jackson and to the address to the stewards by Andy McClements. The address to the master was given by Mike Ashton, the address to the wardens was given by Steve Plevey and the address to the brethren of Poulton le Sands Lodge by Philip Gunning.
Philip then brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and congratulated Ian Woods on taking the chair of King Solomon and all those who had taken part in the ceremony, in particularly the three junior brethren who presented the working tools. Philip was then presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities totalling £7,005.35. Philip thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
A total of 91 brethren attended the festive board at which a raffle raised £671 with an additional £50 from the Master’s Swindle. The Master’s Song was performed by John Bates and the toast to the WM was given by Matt Catlow.
Ian Woods was initiated on 28 March 2018 and has carried out all offices on progressing to the chair. Ian has been married to his wife Candice for 36 years. They have two children Ben, a member of Poulton le Sands Lodge, and Joe plus four grandchildren.
Ian played semi-professional football for Darwen, Lancaster and Morecambe when he was in his early 20s, then at the ripe old age of 30, played rugby league for local side Heysham Atoms, until the family decided to move to Spain in 2003, when he was 33 years old. They returned to the UK in 2009 and Ian started working for Catlow`s in Morecambe at their newly acquired gas yard and in his words will probably retire there!!! In his spare time Ian is a keen golfer.