A splendid evening was had with the Vale of Skelmersdale Lodge No 8719 at Ormskirk Masonic Hall when Ian Broomfield continued his mastership for a further 12 months. The lodge was opened in due form at 5:15pm when the ordinary business of the lodge was attended to which included favourable ballot for the re-joining of Peter Scott formerly of the lodge who immediately undertook the important duty of acting as inner guard.
After the lodge had swiftly proceeded to the third degree, director of ceremonies Michael Hennessey retired from the lodge and returned to report that David Hawkes, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, accompanied by group vice chairman Stephen Dunn and Malcolm Sandywell awaited without and sought admission. Following his entrance, David was greeted with words of welcome and a strong handshake. The lodge then rose to salute the grand and Provincial grand officers.
The proclamation began with an eloquent rendition of the working tools by Ronald Dutton which won an appreciative round of applause from the brethren. Labours were then resumed in the second degree when the tools where perfectly demonstrated by senior warden James Roberts, followed once again by a fine rendition of the first degree tools presented by junior warden Phillip Dickinson. The director of ceremonies then loudly proclaimed to all that Ian Broomfield was once again master of Vale of Skelmersdale Lodge for the ensuing 12 months.
Next, the master invested his officers, many of whom retained their previous positions and therefore simply stood to give a court bow to the master to acknowledge their continuation. Junior warden Phillip Dickinson was invested as senior warden and also became the lodge’s new almoner. He was addressed as to his almoner’s duties by Malcolm Sandywell who also mentioned the caring, long and dedicated service of the previous almoner Clifford Boynton who has to retire due to ill health.
Previous senior deacon, Michael Cawley, was invested as junior warden. Both were then addressed by Kenneth Meath. Returning member of the lodge, Peter Scott, the acting inner guard, was then appointed inner guard for the ensuing year for which the master expressed his gratitude. His duties were addressed by the new junior warden Mike Cawley and the promoted deacons of the lodge; Martyn Huyton-Berry (junior) and Ken Meath (senior) where then addressed by the continuing chaplain Bryan Davidson. All addresses were delivered flawlessly.
David Hawkes then rose to give an eloquent address to the brethren and congratulated the lodge on the standard of the ceremony, especially mentioning Ronald Dutton for his presentation of the third degree tools and director of ceremonies Michael Hennessey for his preparation and presentation of the proclamation. He went on to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, who offered his best wishes to the master and hoped for all to continue to enjoy their Freemasonry. No cheques were presented due to the lodge’s emergency contributions to Zoe’s Place and the local food bank in December.
Following first risings, alms were collected to the value of £70. The Provincial representative, David Hawkes, then regressed from the lodge with grand and Provincial grand officers, vice chairman and Provincial guests. Following the risings the lodge was duly closed at 6:30pm when all gathered to receive with applause the proclaimed master and guests to the festive board, which consisted of a splendid three course meal of mushroom soup, pork and apricot main and a desert of ice cream trio. All to the usually high standard of Ormskirk Masonic Hall
In response to his toast, David spoke eloquently about the quality of the ceremony and the obvious preparation and practices which must have taken place. He went on to speak of the need for lodges to recruit and retain new members and to try different things to do this. He gave an example of his own lodge and how they have a different theme at every lodge meeting such as ladies to dine, Burns night, celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar, Christmas themed evenings in December and occasional lectures.
Also, in relation to retention, David mentioned that fellow crafts are being encouraged to join the procession at the spectacle of Provincial Grand Lodge, which will be taking place at the Blackpool Winter Gardens on Friday 9 May. The need for master Masons to join the Royal Arch was also expressed and to this end he reported that the Royal Arch joining fees had now been rescinded and are now integrated into the apprentices’ initial initiation fee.
Responding to the toast to the master, Ian thanked all those in the lodge for their support over the past year and spoke of the eventful year ahead. He also thanked the dignitaries and guests for their attendance and kind words and hoped that we all have had, and will continue to have, a good time in Freemasonry. The Master’s Song was then performed by the chaplain Bryan Davidson, during which, the brethren rose to greet each other in the customary manner.
The evening coming to a close, the lodge presented David with an unusual gift for his lady wife. it was a unique custom-made teddy bear wearing a T-shirt displaying the lodge’s emblem with a certificate of authenticity explaining the crest. The gift was accepted with some amusement and surprise, though he believed his wife would be very pleased with it. The raffle was then drawn raising a further £150 pounds for future charitable giving. The tyler then gave the final toast at eight o’clock and the night concluded with all then slowly departing in harmony and peace.
