The Adams Suite at Liverpool Masonic Hall on Hope Street was the venue for the installation of Jhun Ronario into the chair of King Solomon. 25 brethren and guests were honoured to see what was described as a masterclass installation. Prior to the opening of the lodge, the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, David Boyes, ensured that the Provincial attendees and other officers were aware of their perambulations for the entrance of the principal guest, assisted by lodge director of ceremonies Kevin Dempster.
Merchants Lodge No 241 was opened by the WM Mogan Athmanathan and, with the usual minutes and correspondence being dealt with, late visitors and members were admitted and the lodge was opened to thesecond degree and third degrees.
The lodge then admitted David Boyes into the lodge, who announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Johnson demanded admission. David was admitted into the lodge accompanied by Vice Chairman of the Liverpool Group John Reynolds and grand officer Michael Jones. The procession was led by Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Alan Routledge and acting Provincial deacon Don Evans. The Liverpool Group Chairman Neil Francis was also present, as the acting secretary of Merchants Lodge.
Mogan welcomed David on behalf of the lodge and offered him the gavel of the lodge, which was politely returned. Salutations were then given to David Johnson, grand officers and Provincial grand officers, which were received with thanks. The lodge was adjourned to the second degree; Mogan then requested Ray Fitzsimmons to occupy the chair of King Solomon for the purposes of the installation ceremony. Ron James occupied the chair of senior warden and Mal Povall occupied the chair of junior warden.
Master elect Jhun Ranario was then presented by Kevin Dempster and Barry Marsden to Ray, who then proceeded to recite his obligation with no prompting required. The lodge was opened in the third degree and Mogan then thanked all the officers and brethren of the lodge for the assistance they had given him over the past 12 months, which included a busy schedule of ceremonies, of all different degrees.
Brethren below the rank of an installed master were requested to retire and the lodge was declared a Board of Installed Masters. Ray then completed an excellent ceremony of installation.
The Board of Installed Masters was closed and the lodge resumed in the third degree. Master Masons were re-admitted. Ray then declared Jhun as WM of Merchants Lodge and greetings and salutations were given. Murray McLeod gave the explanation of the third degree working tools. The lodge was resumed in the second degree and fellow crafts were re-admitted; Ray again declared Jhun as the WM of Merchants Lodge and salutation and greeting again given. The lodge was resumed in the first degree and entered apprentices admitted, with a heartfelt lodge rendering of ‘Prosper the Art’ sung by all. Jhun was once again declared as the WM of Merchants Lodge.
Jhun’s first delightful duties were to invest and appoint the officers for the ensuing year. Ron James gave the placement address for the senior warden, with Mal Povall giving the placement address for the junior warden. The deacons were appointed and invested and received the address from Ray. Upon Neil Francis being appointed and invested as the assistant secretary, Jhun thanked Neil for his excellent work as secretary, congratulating him on his new role as chairman of the Liverpool group.
The address to the stewards was given by group publicity officer Ray Parr, Neil then addressed the newly installed WM. Ray Fitzsimmons gave the address to the wardens. The brethren of Merchants Lodge were then addressed by David Johnson.
This concluded the installation of the new WM, at which point David Johnson rose to bring the personal greetings and congratulations from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, who wished Jhun the health to enjoy and have a productive year. David then thanked Ray for what was ‘a masterclass’ installation and reminded the brethren that Ray had completed the role of WM six times previously in West Lancashire.
David also thanked Mogan on behalf of Mark Matthews for his work during the past 12 months and also the work that had been completed by the lodge during his mastership. He thanked Kevin for his work as the director of ceremonies for a long period of time within the lodge and congratulated Murray on his appointment as junior warden and for the explanation of the third degree working tools. David also referred to the fellow craft Freemason within the lodge, congratulating him on his appointment as a steward of the lodge. David passed on the best wishes to all members of Merchants Lodge from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and hoped that they would continue the work of what is a very fine lodge.
Neil Francis, Ray Fitzsimmons, John Reynolds and Don Evans.
David was then presented with charity donations from the lodge which totalled £1100. St Andrews community network, £500, RNLI £200, Liverpool Masonic Hall, £200; and Alfies Squad, £200. Alfies Squad supports children, young people and their families who have been bereaved by suicide.
David Johnson and his retinue then retired and the lodge communications were dealt with, before brethren retired to the festive board. The brethren were treated to a soup starter, followed by fish and chips with mushy peas and a choice of gravy or curry. Followed by treacle sponge served with custard. Finishing with tea or coffee and mints.
Toasts were proposed, including that to Simon Morley, WM of the Lancashire Scouting Lodge of Allegiance No 6384, of the Province of East Lancashire. David Johnson thanked the senior warden for the toast to the grand officers and to his health. David brought his own personal best wishes to Jhun, wishing him a productive and happy new year, and he had no doubt that with Merchants Lodge, that would happen.
David pointed out that within the lodge room were several globes, which truly identified the lodge and its brethren, with brethren from Malaysia, Turkey and other areas of the globe and this reflected the concept of Freemasonry being universally spread.
David thanked Ray once again for what was a truly fantastic ceremony, also thanking the grand officers present, Alan and David Boyes who had supported him as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. David thanked Neil for his sterling work as lodge secretary and fully appreciated his need to step down to concentrate on the role of chairman of the group. He thanked Mogan for his work once again in the lodge and as his previous 12 months as WM.
David talked about the membership strategy within Freemasonry and how the lodge had been doing well with its new members. The link to the Royal Arch and community engagement. David reminded brethren of the Solomon learning modules and the Portal membership system. Also reminding the brethren of the special bi-centenary meeting to be held on 27 November 2026 at Blackpool and the Liverpool Group Burns supper. David once again thanked the senior warden for the toast and his kind words, wishing everyone well and an enjoyable year ahead in Freemasonry.
Mogan proposed the health to Jhun, explaining that his 12 months in the chair of King Solomon would go by quickly and for him to enjoy the experience. The brethren then all joined in, singing the Masters Song to Jhun. Jhun responded by reminding Mogan that when he had approached him about becoming WM, he was a shy person and had a lot to learn, but with the experiences that existed within the lodge, he had plenty of help and was looking forward to any forthcoming ceremonies. He thanked the brethren for attending and especially Ray for the installation ceremony, including all those brethren that had taken part. Mogan presented Jhun with his past master jewel, which, after an excellent explanation, left Mogan speechless.
Before the principal guests retired, David thanked the lodge for the flowers his wife had received from the lodge and that they had taken pride of place in the conservatory.
The toast to absent and seafaring brethren was proposed by Kevin, with Neil proposing the toast to the guests, thanking them for attending and for being exceptional company.
Ray proposed the tylers toast which closed the festive board. All brethren having an exceptional experience of observing a ‘masterclass’ installation.