The prevailing atmosphere at an installation meeting of St John’s Lodge No 2825 is that of a family gathering. Indeed, the installing master, Dom Earnshaw, is the grandson of lodge almoner John Earnshaw and the master elect, Malcolm Davis, is the brother-in-law of John Earnshaw. Malcolm’s uncle was a Freemason and his aunt was a lady Freemason.
Installing master Dom opened the lodge and swiftly dealt with the routine business which included a ballot for a new candidate and a joining member. Principal guest at the installation was Stuart Thornber, accompanied by the Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly and usual retinue processed into the lodge to witness the proceedings of the day.
The installing officers; Bob Bennett as senior warden, Anthony Rigby as junior warden and Steve Smith as inner guard, were placed into their respective chairs and positions and the ceremony commenced. The installation ceremony, under the erudite direction of lodge director of ceremonies Jonathan Selcoe was first class and was enjoyed by everyone present.
Once installed into the chair of King Solomon, the working tools were succinctly presented by Martin Bleaker with the third degree working tools, Craig Green the second degree working tools and John Todd the first degree working tools.
The explanations of the jewels of the wardens and deacons were given by Jonathan Selcoe for the senior and junior wardens and John Forster to the deacons. The address to the master was also given by Jonathan Selcoe and to the wardens by Neil Winkley. To conclude the ceremony, principal guest Stuart gave a faultless presentation of the address to the brethren of St John’s Lodge.
With the ceremony of installation being declared complete by the director of ceremonies, Stuart brought greetings and congratulations from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, thanking everyone who had taken part in the proceedings on this day. Cheques were presented to the value of £2,825 (the lodge number) in aid of various local and Masonic charities. Stuart thanked the brethren for the magnificent donations.
At the festive board, Stuart thanked his colleagues of grand lodge for supporting him and to Stephen Jelly for the kind invitation to represent the ProvGM at this special event. After the toasts, Steve James performed the Master’s Song with John Wall on the piano.
Following the tyler’s toast, the brethren retired to the club bar for a final night-cap and no doubt a few stories from the guests of Lodge Hamilton No 233 of Scotland. There has been a connection of mutual visits between St John’s Lodge and Lodge Hamilton since 1983.
