Garston Masonic Hall was the venue for the installation of Robert (Bob) Rowlands of the Lodge of Harmony No 220. The first occasion that Bob had been installed as WM was in 1983 at Brittania Lodge No 4768.
WM, Eirwyn Jones, opened the lodge in due form and completed all the domestic business of the lodge. Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Rob Fitzsimmons then announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle was outside the door of the lodge and demanded admission. The brethren were then asked to be upstanding to receive Andrew accompanied by John Gibbon, Vice Chairman of the Mersey Valley Group and other distinguished brethren.
The installation began with presenting officers Harry Jones and David Finney collecting Robert Rowlands as master elect who then proceeded to confirm and ratify his previous obligation. Bob was installed as WM in exemplary manner by the installing master Eirwyn Jones who also the explained the working tools in the various degrees.
The address to the WM was completed by Harry Jones after the officers of the lodge had been invested and addressed. Andrew Whittle addressed the brethren of the lodge and then congratulated Bob for being installed as WM and passed on the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Bob presented Andrew with several donations; £1,600 West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, also £2,200 to Garston Masonic Hall, a considerable amount of money had been spent successfully eradicating dry rot. £1,200 was donated to Down Syndrome Liverpool, a parent led charity that provides a range of support to parents, carers and families to enrich the lives of young people and adults with Down Syndrome from Liverpool and the surrounding areas.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Andrew presented and explained to Ryan Fleming his Grand Lodge Certificate. The brethren then retired to the drink’s reception and then on to the festive board for a roast Christmas turkey dinner which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
Andrew, in his response to the toast to his health, brought his own personnel congratulations for an excellent ceremony he commented that there was a steady flow of young men coming into the lodge. He also mentioned that recruitment that is a priority and that the registration forms are sent to the Leyland office as soon as possible.
Continuing, Andrew spoke about West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, which several of the funds are in legacies and which only the interest can be used for donations to deserve causes, but it is still being underused by Masons who could be in need.