Colin Preston remained in the chair of King Solomon for a second year in a row when he was proclaimed master of Scorton Lodge No 5791 in the presence of Paul Broadly, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Paul Broadley was accompanied by the Chairman of Lancaster and District Group Scott Devine along with Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steven Ellershaw and Provincial Grand Steward Andrew Baxter.
The lodge was opened by Colin Preston who conducted the proclamation ceremony together with assistance of the lodge director of ceremonies Andy Gardner. The third degree working tools were presented by James Newhouse, the second degree working degree tools were presented by Michael Milburn and the first degree working tools were presented by a joining member, Kirk Mulhearn.
The WM appointed Chris Yates as senior warden and James Newhouse as junior warden. There was no address to the master. The address to the wardens was given by lodge secretary Arthur Ashcroft and the address to the brethren of the lodge by Kirk Mulhearn.
At the end of the ceremony, Paul Broadley brought greetings from Provincial Grand Master and congratulated Colin Preston on taking the chair of King Solomon for the second year running and all those who had taken part in the ceremony. Paul was presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities totalling £3,880. Paul thanked the brethren of the lodge on behalf of the recipients for their generous donations.
The organist for the evening was Keith Jackson. There were a total of 34 brethren who attended a very enjoyable festive board. The toast to the WM was given by Ken Parker.
Colin Preston is the Managing Director of Castlegate Security Services Ltd, a company he started in 1989, specialising in manned guarding, keyholding and standalone CCTV pods. He also had a company with several trucks that delivered a vast range of goods throughout the UK, including train wheels and carriages. This was later reduced to just one heavy crane unit and low loader which was sold in 2022.
Colin joined Scorton Lodge in 2016 and he is also a member two other lodges, Duke of Lancaster Lodge No 1353 and the Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancaster No 6615, of which he is lodge mentor.