Brethren of Wavertree Gateacre Queensway Lodge No 2294 hosted their October 2024 installation meeting in the beautiful Adams Suite, at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope St, Liverpool. In attendance as the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews was Robb Fitzsimmons accompanied by Dave Johnson the group chairman.
Joining other visiting brethren at the meeting were three master Masons from the Netherlands, who very kindly donated a gold set of square and compasses to the lodge. The lodge DC proudly placed them in their appropriate place on the WM’s pedestal to great acclamation from all the brethren present.
The incumbent WM, Ian Webster, having opened the lodge to the third degree formally welcomed Robb Fitzsimmons and then led the lodge in the salutations before inviting past master Dave Colquhoun to take the master’s chair. Dave said he would be honoured to do so. Before continuing the ceremony of installation, he asked for the master elect Derek Connor to be presented before him.
There then followed a truly excellent ceremony of installation with Dave flawlessly leading the way. Dave delivered the address to the newly installed master of the lodge, whilst Dave Bell delivered the address to the wardens and Robb Fitzsimmons delivered the address to the brethren of the lodge.
The lodge was proud to hand over a list of donations for eight different charities totalling £4,200 to Robb Fitzsimmons. Robb was delighted to see the amount raised and thanked the brethren of the lodge for their truly outstanding generosity and incredible hard work raising such an amazing total. Dave Johnson was then invited to present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Colin Kuka, which he readily did.
At the festive board, the brethren were treated to a sumptuous three meat carvery, so well presented by the hall caterers, which brought great acclaim from everybody dining. The atmosphere was very lively with laughter and happy conversation filling the room. In response to toast 3, Robb spoke of the need to focus on recruitment and retention, not only in the Craft but also in the Royal Arch, encouraging anybody not currently a member of a chapter to consider becoming a Royal Arch Mason as soon as possible.
Robb also congratulated three brethren, Derek Gaskell, Steve Crane and Jorge Perez on receiving their preferment this year. Robb again thanked the lodge members for their generous support of good causes.
The evening was rounded off with the tyler’s toast before Robb and Dave were each presented with a beautiful floral arrangement to take home to their respective wives, with the thanks of the brethren for allowing them out to play! The perfect end to a perfect meeting.
