Dalton-in-Furness Lodge No 6828 installed its newest WM in the person of Ron Hiseman in the company of 85 brethren, WM Ferdinand (Ferdi) Paule installed his successor Ron, in an extremely capable manner. The ceremony was witnessed by the Provincial Grand Senior Warden Mark Humphrey, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Mark Humphrey was accompanied by the Furness and South Lakeland Group’s newly appointed chairman Chris Gray and vice chairman Harry Chatfield with group secretary Tony Jackson and eight grand officers; Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Grainger and the Past Provincial Grand Master of our neighbouring Province of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson, Rowly Saunders, Alan Jones, John Quiggin, John Wrennall, Phil Preston and Dave Kellet. Adding further to the spectacle were acting Provincial grand officers, Mike Silver, Steve Ellershaw, Steve Murray, Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter, while eight visiting masters completed the array, a testament to WM Ferdi’s visits to other lodges in the group during his year as master.
Ferdi, having opened the lodge in due and ancient form and after the dispensation had been read out, the lodge was opened in the second and then the third degree. Mark Humphrey was admitted into the lodge room with his Provincial escort and the customary salutations were given by the brethren. Ron Hiseman, senior warden and master elect, was presented by the assistant director of ceremonies Peter Dismore, to receive at the hands of the WM the benefit of installation. Once the secretary Jamie Lindsay had read the necessary qualifications for every candidate for the office of master, Ferdi went about his work with skill and sincerity, leading Ron through his obligations and the inner workings with great humility and confidence.
Once installed in the chair of King Solomon, Ron invested Ferdi as the immediate past master of the lodge, master Masons were then re-admitted into the lodge. A single line of six light blue Masons formed in the North, then processed around the lodge, saluting Ron as master Masons in passing. After the first proclamation and greeting from the east, Jason Priss presented the working tools of a master Mason in an excellent manner. The lodge was then closed in full from the third to the second degree, giving installing junior warden Keiron Mullan and installing senior warden Frank Pearson the opportunity to assist the WM in a most dignified manner. A single line of six light blue Masons again formed in the north before processing around the lodge, saluting Ron as fellow craft Freemasons in passing. After the second proclamation and greeting from the west, Howard Ching presented the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason in a most dignified manner. The lodge was closed in the second degree and a line of six light blue Masons again formed in the north before processing around the lodge, saluting Ron as entered apprentice Freemasons in passing. After the third proclamation and greeting from the south, Martin Brun presented the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason in an excellent and dignified manner.
When it came to appointing and investing his officers of the lodge, Ron placed five of the seven progressive officers’ collars on light blue Masons, underlining the strength of Dalton-in-Furness Lodge’s current position. Dave Smith was appointed and invested as senior warden, the jewel, gavel and column were explained by Frank Pearson. Gary Mayes was appointed and invested as junior warden, the jewel, gavel and column were explained by Keiron Mullan. Dave baker was appointed charity steward and addressed by Furness and South Lakeland Group Charity Steward Paul Ackred.
Peter Dismore addressed the deacons, Howard Ching as the inner guard was addressed by Dave Smith. Martin Brun, as the sole steward in attendance, was addressed by the Provincial Grand Steward Andy Baxter. The WM was addressed by Stuart Brackstone, the wardens by David Grainger and the brethren by the Provincial Senior Grand Warden Mark Humphrey.
As the WM reverted back to the summons, Mark Humphrey rose to bring the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and was presented with two cheques of £500 each for Dowdales School and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. It was also noted that other donations had been made throughout the year, bringing the total donated to £3,246.00, a magnificent effort by the brethren of the Dalton-in-Furness lodge. Mark gave thanks to the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations.
At the festive banquet, immediate past master Ferdi admitted to mixed feelings on handing over the mastership of the lodge to Ron and some sadness that his year as master was over, but expressed great joy at being able to hand over the gavel to Ron, a light blue Mason, with gratitude to the brethren for all their support throughout his year as master and especially on the day of installation itself. Gary Rogerson was again in fine voice for his rendition of the Master’s Song ‘a cappella’.
