The Liverpool Masonic Hall was the venue for the installation meeting of Woodend Epworth Lodge No 5381. There was a noticeable atmosphere of excitement in the robing area as the brethren were preparing for the ceremony and the following festive board.
The lodge was duly opened and then the Liverpool Group Chairman David Johnson, the representative of the Provincial Master Mark Matthews, entered the lodge accompanied by officers of the group and Provincial Deacons.
The WM Alan Evans asked his Derek Evans to be the installing master for the ceremony. The master elect, Peter Lewis, was WM of Woodend Epworth Lodge in 1999, and unfortunately for his lodge, his work commitments took him overseas with his family. On his return, he was keen to restart his Masonic career and he rejoined the lodge where he was warmly welcomed back.
The installation ceremony was conducted in a proficient manner with the guidance of the director of ceremonies David Bruffell, and Peter Lewis was duly installed in the chair of King Solomon. The working tools of the three degrees were each presented expertly by three different junior Masons and the address to the WM was superbly given by Ray Moorcroft in a most profound manner.
At the closing of the installation ceremony, David Johnson rose and offered the heartfelt congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to Peter Lewis for taking the chair of the lodge again. He also thanked the installing master Derek Evans for a first-class ceremony and thanked the immediate past master Alan Evans for his commitment and work during the previous year. Finally, David Johnson offered the best wishes from Mark Matthews to the brethren of Woodend Epworth Lodge for the forthcoming year.
In return, the WM rose and presented cheques to David Johnson; £200 to the Liverpool Masonic Hall, £200 to the Liverpool Group Charity and £200 to Tithebarn House. David thanked Peter and the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations.
The festive board was exuberant with Masons keen to celebrate the new WM and to enjoy themselves. Ray Moorcroft sang the Master’s Song with such panache and at the finale, the sound of firing glasses could be heard throughout the hall. The joyful celebrations continued until the end of the evening.
Story by Neil Francis.