Grange-over-Sands is a seaside town in Cumbria located in the Cartmel Peninsula overlooking Morecambe Bay. Its Masonic hall can be found on Hampsfell Road and is home to Arthur John Brogden Lodge No 1715 and Grange Chapter No 1715.
For the 2026 installation, Grange Chapter companions were honoured to have as their principal guest, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson. Accompanying Gary were the Grand Superintendent of Cheshire David Dyson, Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson, grand officers Rowley Saunders, Alan Jones and Peter Schofield.
Acting Provincial grand officers present were Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah John Topping, Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar Alistair Davidson, Provincial Deputy Grand Scribe Ezra Mick Southern, Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer John Pitches, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Neil Hartley, Provincial Grand Stewards Gordon Evans and Les Newlands.
Also in attendance were Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, along with the Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra Bob McMillan of the Province of Cheshire and the Provincial Assistant Grand Scribe Ezra of the Province of Cheshire.
When the chapter had been duly opened and the regular business dispensed with and all the above-named officers had processed in, the business of installing the three principals elect began in earnest. Director of ceremonies Nigel Higginson presented Malcolm Long, Alan Telford and Paul Hardy. Alan Telford having already been installed on a previous occasion, the ceremony of installation was slightly shortened. However, Malcolm Long and Paul Hardy were both installed with the full ceremony and in fine style by first principal Scott McMillan and the aforementioned third principal Alan Telford.
The scripture readings were given by Tim Horsfall and John Martin. Incoming first principal Malcolm Long is the uncle of outgoing first principal Scott McMillan and Scott later spoke at the festive board of the pride he felt in installing Malcolm. There were fine robe addresses from Bob McMillan (Scott’s father keeping a familial air to matters), Nigel Higginson and David Ozanne.
When the officers had been invested and the summons reverted to, Gary Rogerson rose and brought the greetings of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews. Gary also congratulated everyone who had taken part in the ceremony and all those who had taken office. He singled out the three principals, Scott McMillan and director of ceremonies Nigel Higginson.
First principal Malcom then handed a list of donations to Gary which totalled £650 which included £200 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and £300 to St Mary’s Hospice, Ulverston. Gary gave thanks to Malcolm and the companions of the chapter for their generous donations. A raffle held at a very convivial festive board raised the sum of £204.
