John Berry was installed as master of the Duke of Lancaster Lodge No 1353 in the presence of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden Ben Gorry, as the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Ben was accompanied by Neil McGill and the Chairman of Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder. Also present were by Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steven Ellershaw, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Steven Murray, Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant Sid Bateson and Provincial Grand Steward Stuart Bateson.
WM Bob Tyson opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge after which Ben Gorry, accompanied by grand officer Neil McGill, acting Provincial grand officers and the group chairman were admitted. The lodge was opened in the second degree and the WM invited Alan Physick to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Graham Earl as installing junior warden and Colin Preston as installing inner guard. Master elect John Berry was then presented for installation by Adrian Gifford. Prior to closing the board of installed masters, IPM Bob Tyson presented the working tools of an installed master in fine style.
On admitting master Masons, the third degree working tools were presented by Andy McClements. The second and first degree working tools were presented by Colin Preston and Charlie Holl respectively. The WM appointed Jimmy Greer as senior warden and Sandy Forsythe as junior warden. The address to the master was given by Andy McClements. The address to the wardens was given by Adrian Gifford and Alan Physick gave the address to the brethren of Duke of Lancaster Lodge.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Ben Gorry brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM and wished him a successful, busy, happy and healthy year. He congratulated John on a superb ceremony. Ben was presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities totalling £2,345. Ben thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
The organist for the evening was David Tattersall and the Master’s Song was performed by Nigel Parrish. A total of 46 brethren attended the festive board, where the toast to the WM was given by Adrian Gifford.
WM John Berry has been installed in the chair of King Solomon on two previous occasions in 1981 and 2013 as a member of Ashlar lodge No 5154 in the Blackpool group. He is currently second principal in Rowley Chapter No 1051.
