The evening started with the WM Ian Hainsworth opening the lodge, having been proclaimed as master of Cuerden Lodge No 6018 for the 10th time last year, having first taking the chair of King Solomon in 1998. In 2021, Ian installed his son Michael as master of the lodge and there was a similar family theme during tonight’s meeting, albeit with a different member of the lodge.
Following the confirmation of the lodge’s new master for the issuing year, Ian invited Mark Rothwell, a past master and junior warden of the lodge, to take the chair and conduct the ceremony of initiation for his step-son Chad McDonald. Mark was all too pleased to step in for this occasion and was joined by several brethren from his other lodge, James T Callow Lodge No 3596 in Mersey Valley Group, who came to support him.
Chad was welcomed into Freemasonry brilliantly by the lodge and Mark delivered the first degree ceremony with great heart for his step-son. It was clear they both have great respect for each other and that continued throughout the evening into the festive board as Chad quickly settled in and showed a keen initiative to get involved.
At the festive board, news was shared that Cuerden Lodge had another initiate coming into the lodge soon, this time Mark’s son-in-law Matthew Banister. It was great to see Cuerden Lodge welcoming new members, as their last initiation held in 2020, and there was certainly a buzz about the lodge and its members.
With a new master lined up for their next installation in October this year, Bill Ricketts expressed his plans to continue the growth of the lodge during his year as master and support the new members who will help secure the future of Cuerden Lodge.
