Liverpool Masonic Hall Hope Street was the venue for Commercial Travellers’ Lodge No 2631 to install its newest ruler. It was a dignified ceremony, which saw Pat Keane install his son Jonathon Keane, into the chair of King Solomon.
The lodge was opened in the first degree by the WM Ashley Marsden, and his senior warden Jonathon Keane, and junior warden Liam Dean in due and ancient form. Having opened the lodge, the WM granted director of ceremonies Jason Hengler permission to retire for a short while. Upon his return, Jason announced that Sam Robinson, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews stood outside and was seeking admission.
Sam was admitted alongside his retinue of grand officers and Provincial Deacons. Sam was welcomed warmly by Ashley, and the lodge was opened in the second and third degrees. Once the salutations were complete, the lodge adjourned in the third degree and resumed work in the second degree. Officers took their respective chairs: Andy Ambrose, the incoming master’s uncle, as installing senior warden, Ciaron Murphy as installing junior warden, and Tom Williams as installing inner guard.
Ken Granby presented the master elect Jonathon to Ashley to receive the benefit of installation. Jonathon recited the necessary qualifications, and the Ancient Charges and Regulations of the Order were read with composure and clarity. Jonathon gave his unqualified assent to each. Jonathon then recited his obligation as master elect faultlessly.
The fellow craft lodge was then adjourned and work continued in the third degree. Members below the rank of an installed master retired briefly, and a Board of Installed Masters was established. Jonathon was then installed into the chair of King Solomon by his father Pat, with genuine warmth and sincerity. Jonathon promptly invested Ashley as the lodge’s immediate past master, presenting him with the collar and jewel of office. Jason, the lodge DC then conducted salutations from all present. The newly installed WM Jonathon gavelled, and the Board of Installed Masters was closed.
Master Masons were re-admitted and gathered in the north. Jason proclaimed Jonathon Keane as the WM of Commercial Travellers’ Lodge for the first time from the east. Jonathon was greeted and saluted with all due ceremonial honours. Andy Ambrose then presented and explained the working tools of a master Mason to his nephew. The lodge was closed in the third degree and work continued in the second degree. Fellow craft Masons were readmitted, led by the lodge’s newest fellow craft Fahad Ameen, and gathered in the north. Jason proclaimed Jonathon as the WM of Commercial Travellers’ Lodge for the second time from the east. Jonathon was greeted and saluted with all due ceremonial honours. Liam Dean then presented and explained the working tools of a fellow craft Mason to his long-standing friend Jonathon. The lodge was closed in the second degree and work continued in the first degree.
Entered apprentice Masons were readmitted and gathered in the north. Jason proclaimed Jonathon as the WM of Commercial Travellers’ Lodge for the third time from the east. Jonathon was greeted and saluted with a fine chorus of ‘prosper the art’ and the number of the lodge, 2631, sounded out with rapturous claps. Mal McFarlane then presented and explained the working tools of an entered apprentice Mason to the Jonathon.
The wardens were addressed by Roy Pyne in his usual excellent manner. The address to the steward was given by Eddie Thompson, one of the lodges guests for the evening. For the first time in many years, the lodge saw no past masters in the ladder positions, which bodes extremely well for the future of the lodge. Andy Ambrose gave the address to his nephew Jonathon with great sincerity and pride.
Sam Robinson rose and addressed the brethren of Commercial Travellers’ Lodge with great authority and his usual impeccable accuracy. Jason then declared the ceremony of installation completed. Sam then rose to bring the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, congratulating all who had taken part and had organised the event, singling out the two brethren who had delivered the explanations of the working tools as light blues.
As he was about to take his seat, Jonathon presented Sam with a list of the lodge’s charitable giving over the past year, which covered Masonic and non-Masonic charities, totalling £775. Prostate Cancer research £100, West Lancashire Freemasons Charity £100, Liverpool Masonic Hall, £100, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital £200, Lodge Widows, £175, Jospice, £100. Sam thanked the brethren of the lodge on behalf of all the recipients for their generous donations.
It was then time to refill the coffers, and the lodge honoured the charities. After the first rising, Jason, the lodge DC then conducted the recession, of the representatives. Following the second and third risings, the lodge was closed with great skill by the master and his new team. The brethren then retired for a festive board.
The health to the newly installed WM Jonathon was given emotionally by his father Pat. Sam gave the response to his health and congratulated the newly installed master and all those who had taken part in the ceremony, including the matter being a family affair, and the connection with Mal and Liam. Sam also congratulated the light blues for their work with the working tools and reminded the lodge that he had visited them on numerous occasions, but this was the first as a representative, he was also pleased to see the lodge growing in numbers, and recruitment. The tyler finished off what was a memorable evening with the tyler’s toast.
Report by lodge DC Jason Hengler.