Grassendale Chapter No 4808 meets at Garston Masonic Hall and the first principal was pleased to welcome companions and guests to the chapter for the occasion of their 82nd installation meeting since their consecration in 1944.
Having seated all those present, director of ceremonies Peter Williams called the meeting to order, and so it began. The principals, Gary Devlin, Stephen Cornwell who has received his first appointment as Past Provincial Assistant Grand Scribe Ezra, and Christopher Lyon, as first, second and third principals respectively, opened the chapter in very polished form, their experience as principals shining through.
Having opened the chapter, director of ceremonies, grand officer, Peter Williams accompanied by his assistant William Pinto, asked if they could leave the chapter for a short period. They were soon re-admitted to lead a procession into the chapter, consisting of Provincial Grand Standard Bearer David Berrington, Mersey Valley Group Chairman David Atkinson and principal guest, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Stewart Cranage.
First principal Gary formally welcomed Stewart to the chapter, and the installation ceremony then got under way. Third principal elect, Roger Boyle, was presented to Christopher Lyon, and duly obligated in an outstanding manner, with scribe Ezra Robert James performing the reading to a third principal.
Roger having been seated, treasurer Brian Boyle was asked to deputise as second principal, and it was the turn of Christopher Lyon to be presented to Stephen Cornwell, as second principal elect, again the ritual flowed, and Christopher was obligated perfectly, with scribe Ezra Robert James performing the reading of scripture to a second principal.
Chapter mentor John Leisk, then deputised as second principal, which allowed for the presentation of Stephen Cornwell, to be presented to Gary Devlin as first principal elect. This was duly performed and the duty of reading the scripture to a first principal was completed by David Atkinson.
The installation of Stephen as first principal was performed by Gary with flair, and he was rewarded for his efforts being collared as immediate past first principal, by newly installed Stephen. Stephen continued the excellent ceremony by proceeding to install the second principal, Christopher into the second principal’s chair.
Finally, it was the turn of Roger Boyle who had not been installed as a principal on a previous occasion to be installed as third principal of the chapter, which was consistent with the flawless performance so far, and was made to look easy and Roger was installed in time honoured fashion.
The ritual demonstration continued apace, with the scarlet robe address being delivered by Gary Devlin, the purple robe address was given by Stephen, and finally the blue robe address was given by Christopher, an excellent delivery of robe addresses and made the whole ceremony very enjoyable indeed.
Principal guest, Stewart Cranage delivered the address to the companions of the chapter and obviously took inspiration from the three principals delivering the address with flair and obvious meaning. At the conclusion of the installation ceremony, Stewart took the opportunity to bring the congratulations of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, and of course his own congratulations, stating that the ceremony had run like clockwork and congratulated the three principals, director of ceremonies and the newly installed assistant director of ceremonies, saying that he had big shoes to fill!
Stewart having been presented with cheques to honour the charities and having requested permission to read those to all present, congratulated the chapter on their generosity, £100 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and £100 to the Tithebarn.
At dinner the companions made the guests feel very welcome and a delicious dinner ensued with laughter and companionship evident from what is a very friendly chapter. Stewart Cranage in his response to the toast to his health, thanked the companions of the chapter for a very enjoyable evening, and said that he was looking forward to the occasion of being able to attend the chapter again, a sentiment that was echoed by the many visitors present.
Story by Mike Fox.