On a bright and sunny September afternoon, brethren of the Chorley and Leyland Group, along with visitors from further afield, came together for the installation of John Topping at Old Huttonian Lodge No 7614, after serving as senior warden for the last two years.
John, a former Hutton Grammar School sixth former (1973-75) became a joining member of Old Huttonian Lodge back in 2019 and has previously served as master of Lodge of Triumph No 1061, in the South Fylde Group, in 2001, 2010 and 2015.
The ceremony of installation was skilfully orchestrated by director of ceremonies Ian Heyes and installing master John Medcalf, following two well attended practices. The lodge was taken up to the third degree for the procession into the lodge of the esteemed guests. The procession was led by lodge deacons and included the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Neil Ward and Malcolm Worsley, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire, accompanied by Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain Fr Matthew McMurray, Provincial Grand Steward David Grime and group secretary Paul Wharton-Hardman.
During the installation ceremony, the third degree working tools were ably presented by Bill Pearce, the second degree working tools by Alan Scarrott and Steve Miller completed the trio with the first degree working tools. Jeff Lucas then gave a splendid address to the master and Dave Johnson gave the address to the wardens before Neil Ward addressed the brethren of the lodge for the first time as the principal guest.
Immediately following the installation, John presented Neil Ward with an envelope that contained details of charitable donations made during the year of the previous lodge master Damien McKeand. Neil gave an explanation to the brethren of the donations; with £1,500 being for the refurbishment/restoration of the school’s honour boards, which now adorn the school hall, £300 for school department equipment and £300 for the RNLI. A magnificent amount raised totalling £2,100. Neil thanked the lodge for their very generous donations.
In his response during the festive board, attended by 48 diners, the new master said he was thrilled to have been installed into this quite unique Federation of Schools lodge and praised junior warden Jeff Lucas for presenting and addressing him so very well. John thanked all lodge members who attended the practices and delivered the ritual so well.
John Topping explained that Old Huttonian Lodge’s outgoing master, Damien McKeand, was unable to be present at the installation and why joining member John Medcalf had agreed to be the installing master a number of weeks ago. John commented on the 20 years wait that John Medcalf had undertaken, prior to the bye-laws being adjusted for Old Huttonian Lodge to receive stepsons and therefore stepfathers. John Topping said: “What a wonderful development it was for the lodge, to be able to now have an ace ritualist like John Medcalf delivering fabulous ceremonies like the one today.” John continued: “I am sure brethren, that you will all agree that it has been a privilege today to have enjoyed the company of Neil Ward as the representative of the Provincial Grand Master. Thank you, Neil, for being here today at Old Huttonian Lodge and for your kind words.”
Continuing, John expressed his gratitude to those who have accepted office for this coming year, and he praised the director of ceremonies Ian Heyes, lodge secretary Colin Mills and treasurer Dave Johnson for ‘oiling the wheels’ so well in the lead up to the installation. He also commented on how much a joy it is to have an organist playing music at lodge meetings and how fortunate we are to have Dougie Little playing as the lodge’s guest organist. Dougie received a rapturous round of applause by all in attendance.
With regard to the evening, John Topping said: “Tonight has been a very special night for me, both in lodge and in this great festive board. To be surrounded by so many friends and family is a joy, and even though it is my fourth period as a master of the lodge, it still brings a lump to the throat when The Master’s Song was sung to you so brilliantly. Many thanks to Kevin Langshaw for that beautiful unaccompanied rendition.” John mentioned his delight at having his uncle, Brian Taylor, a member of Phoenix Lodge of Installed Masters No 9206 present at the installation and festive board.
John Topping then spoke of the great start planned to the new Masonic season. He said: “A Sunday Lunch Social has been planned for Sunday 29 September to be held at The Palace, St Annes, when we can enjoy three great courses from the menu of the fantastic Lee Munro of Masonic Catering, who has brought the two courses this evening over from The Palace kitchens at St Annes. The places are booking fast so please let our secretary Colin Mills have your bookings as soon as possible. We will be in The Blue Room which is a beautiful, bright open room and we hope to get our fund raising off to a great start.”
He continued: “The October meeting of Old Huttonian Lodge will be a ceremony of passing. We have offered to support our Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No 7258 out by passing their initiated candidate Joe Robinson. This will be very much a ceremony where the ritual will be shared out. The master of Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire is no other than our director of ceremonies Ian Heyes, who kindly offered our services to the lodge. This will be a great night, with many brethren from Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire in attendance. Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire now has almost 70 members, making it one of the largest lodges in the Province, including myself and many in this room tonight. Please contact our secretary Colin Mills on cmsec.7614@gmail.com for more information and booking arrangements for both the Sunday lunch and the October ceremony of passing.”
John concluded his response by adding: “Brethren, there is much to look forward to during this new season within this fantastic Old Huttonian Lodge, and I hope that we can gather here in these numbers during the ensuing months, to enjoy our Freemasonry, help raise much needed funds for those less fortunate than ourselves and continue to thrive as a successful lodge.”
Towards the end of the evening at the festive board, a splendid raffle plus a special lucky whisky bottle £1 draw per number raised the sum of £320. The charity plate in lodge raised £77.
