The 2024 installation meeting of Lodge of Chivalry No 3974 held at Ormskirk Masonic Hall in October was a very well attended event with over 60 brethren present. The brethren were honoured with the presence of the principal guest, John Robbie Porter who was representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
John was accompanied by grand officers; Colin Rowling, Malcolm Alexander and Graham Chambers the Chairman of Ormskirk and Bootle Group. There were also with four acting Provincial grand officers; Martin Stewart, Mike Fox and David Lyon, Provincial Grand Stewards and Andrew Oliver Provincial Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works.
Paul Kay had the honour of presenting the master of Neptune Lodge No 1264 with two solid silver deacon wand tops dated at 1885. The wand tops had been found in the loft of a Mason who had sadly passed away. Both Mark Holloway and Paul Kay researched and found the tops belonged to Neptune Lodge who were still actively meeting at the Masonic Hall in Castle Street. They were greatly received by the brethren of Neptune Lodge who thanked the brethren of Chivalry Lodge for returning them.
The outgoing WM, Stuart Flynn, thanked the assembled brethren for their help and support over the last two years and asked them to continue their support for the incoming WM in the ensuing year. Andrew Bradshaw then presented Adam Woods as the master elect and the ceremony proceeded in due form. The third degree tools were presented by Nigel Pye, the second degree tools by Craig Kitts and the first degree tools by Andrew Sephton. The three brethren who delivered the working tools were light blue’s, and they were word perfect in their delivery.
Stuart then gave the address to the new master of the lodge in another flawless display and was word perfect as he was throughout the ceremony. Acting Provincial Grand Steward and newly appointed DC of the lodge Martin Stewart gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
John Robbie Porter congratulated the Adam on attaining the chair of the lodge, He also congratulated Stuart on the manner in which he had delivered the ceremony of installation, he also congratulated the old and new DC’s, and those brethren who presented the working tools for a job well done as they did themselves and the lodge proud.
On behalf of the lodge, Stuart then presented to John with charitable donations for an exceptional total amount of £4,000. Donations were given to a number of charities; Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Prostate Cancer Research, The Learning Rooms and The Marfan Trust, all receiving £500 each. The Masonic Charitable Foundation, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and the Ormskirk Masonic Hall Association each received a donation from the lodge of £500. John commented on this as a tremendous figure and stated how welcome and needed these donations were to the respective charities.
After lodge was closed in the usual manner, the brethren retired to the festive board, which was an excellent four course meal provided by Gary O’Brien and his staff. In response to the toast to his health, John again thanked the brethren who had participated in the ceremony and gave the assembled throng a history of Lodge of Chivalry which was founded in 1919.
John looked at the group membership from the 70’s and the master elect at that time was Tom Bradshaw whose son was present at the festive board. John reminded the brethren that part of the Membership Pathway was the importance of looking after the members we already have. John also gave a brief history on the Royal Arch and its importance and the need to ask people, no matter how long they have been a Mason, to consider joining.
At the end of the evening, it was apparent that those assembled brethren were certainly well looked after at this festive board and a happy time was had by all.
