At the November meeting of Woodend Epworth Lodge No 5381, Adam Norris took his first steps into Freemasonry. The ceremony was held in the Roman Room at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street. Adam, a civil engineer, was supported by his proposer and seconder, Bob Ledger and Adam Ledger, father and son, both also colleagues of the same kick boxing association.
The WM Alan Evans and his wardens were ceremonial admitted into the lodge. In true Masonic fashion, due to sickness of the senior warden, one of the visitors, Eric Binks, assisted the lodge in the chair of SW. Having opened the lodge, Alan invited Ray Moorcroft to take the chair as the WM for the initiation ceremony.
A sincere and excellent ceremony was then conducted by members of Woodend Epworth Lodge. The presentation of the entered apprentice apron was given with sincerity and feeling by the lodge’s last initiate Adam Ledger, who was also the seconder for the newly installed member. Richard Sutton gave the address in the northeast part of the lodge, and the working tools were presented by a trio of lodge members Bob Ledger, Matthew Taylor and Dave Brufell. Dave Brufell than gave the newly installed initiate an impeccable delivery of the Charge After Initiation, with the conclusion of the afternoon being a presentation of white gloves by Peter Fay, the Liverpool Group Membership Officer.
The social festive board that followed the initiation was the usual enjoyable affair, including several informative explanations for the benefit of the new member. The toast to the WM, and Ray Moorcroft was given by the IPM Colin Patterson, who thanked the Ray for his work during the ceremony. Colin also thanked all the brethren that had taken part in the joyous occasion.
Ray Moorcroft gave the 9 o’clock toast to absent and seafaring brethren with an explanation to the new member, explaining the strong link to Liverpool as a maritime port. The names of those brethren that were absent due to sickness were individually read by the brethren of Woodend Epworth Lodge. The toast to the newly installed initiate was given by Bob Ledger, who also thanked Adam for the many times that Bob had been on the receiving end of his kicks, during their sessions.
Adam responded to his toast and explained that his searching for Freemasonry on google had only increased his initial fears and was pleased that the only animal seen that night was that which was enjoyed by the members at the festive board. Adam thanked Peter Fay for his assistance in easing his fears, whilst also managing to maintain the mystery of what would occur on the evening.
Further education was then parted to the brethren by Ray Moorcroft and Dave Brufell in relation to the lodge firing glasses, and the link with muskets, which was then turned into a unique method of making a toast. This included the ready, aim, draw, fire, and Tucker response. A toasting method to be recommended when visiting the lodge.
The toast to the visitors was given and then responded to by Peter Fay the Liverpool Group Membership Officer. Peter thanked the lodge on behalf of the visitors and in his capacity as the membership officer sent his wishes to Adam from the Liverpool Group Chairman Dave Johnson.
The Festive board was closed with the usual tyler’s toast, and the lodge is looking forward to its next meeting, which will hopefully be a double initiation, and a chance for further ‘ready, aim, draw, fire, Tucker responses.