Jim Richards, a highly experienced and well-respected Freemason, was installed as WM of Thurston Lodge No 2525. Thurston Lodge was founded in 1894, originally in Coniston, but the lodge has been based at Kings Road Masonic Hall Ulverston since the 1990s.
Outgoing WM Stuart Brackstone has had a busy year, having been a very prolific visitor to the lodges in the Furness and South Lakeland Group, representing his lodge with great distinction and dignity and making many new friendships.
49 brethren were present to witness the ceremony. Principal guest on the day was Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald, representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. He was accompanied by grand officers: Rowley Saunders, Chris Band, Alan Jones, Phil Preston and Gary Rogerson, who lent an air of spectacle to the proceedings, augmented by Provincial Grand Steward Matty Woods, Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, vice chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Kevin Rigg.
Stand-in director of ceremonies Barry Hadley retired almost immediately after the lodge was opened and re-entered to inform the WM that principal guest Barry Fitzgerald requested admission.
Barry Fitzgerald entered with his retinue and was introduced to Stuart, who expressed the hope that Barry and the whole company would have an enjoyable afternoon and evening.
Installing officers were Alan Jones as senior warden, Alan Pattinson junior warden, Peter Trelore as senior deacon, Harry Kilgour as junior deacon and Graham Lloyd as inner guard. The retiring brethren of the lodge assembled in the North and were thanked most sincerely by Stuart for their hard work and support in his year as WM.
Salutations were given to the distinguished guests after the lodge had been opened in the second and the degrees.
Jim Richards was presented to Stuart Brackstone by Barry Hadley, to receive at his hands the benefit of installation.
Jim renewed his obligation, having previously been WM of Newby Bridge Lodge No 4598 and Lodge of Furness No 995 on four occasions. Stuart declared a Board of Installed Masters open and installed Jim in a most delightful and exacting manner, with confidence, precision, and humility from both brethren.
It is here noted that the collar which Stuart had worn, and with which he invested Jim, was adorned with a Thurston Lodge founder’s jewel. A really nice touch! The brethren of Thurston Lodge and the five masters of other lodges passed around the lodge, greeting Jim as installed masters. The whole room gave salutations to the newly installed master, and the Board of Installed Masters was closed. Master Masons were then re-admitted.
Nine brethren assembled in the North and processed around the lodge, greeting the WM Jim in passing as master Masons. James Charles Richards was proclaimed as WM of Thurston Lodge for the first time from the East by director of ceremonies Barry Hadley. The working tools of the degree were presented by Alan Jones in an excellent manner.
The lodge was closed in the third degree and work resumed in the second. Brethren assembled in the North, processed around the lodge and saluted WM Jim in passing as fellow crafts, who was proclaimed as WM of Thurston Lodge for the second time from the West by Barry. Harry Kilgour presented the working tools of the degree in an excellent manner, with great precision.
The lodge was closed in the second degree and work resumed in the first. Brethren assembled in the North, processed around the lodge and saluted WM Jim in passing as entered apprentices, who was proclaimed as WM of Thurston Lodge for the third time from the South by Barry. The working tools of an entered apprentice were presented and explained by Chris Eccles in a most pleasing fashion and with great gusto.
During and after the investiture of officers, the addresses were carried out with alacrity by the more senior members of the lodge. Alan Jones, who recently celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry, gave the address to the WM Jim Richards with decorum and humility. Alan Pattinson gave the address to the senior warden Geoff Waters and junior warden Martin Rigby in a most excellent and precise manner. Barry Fitzgerald rose and gave the address to the brethren very dynamically and with great authority.
As Jim reverted to the summons, Barry again rose to bring the greetings of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, congratulating Jim on attaining the chair of King Solomon again and he was also lavish in his praise of installing master Stuart Brackstone. Barry was at great pains to mention the hard-working and undervalued position of the director of ceremonies. Barry also thanked the three brethren who had presented and explained the working tools and secretary Chris Eccles for his preparations and hard work.
Jim handed Barry a note that listed donations to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity of £750 and a further £380 that had provided equipment for a local boxing club, to be officially presented soon.
At the festive banquet, the raffle raised £340 and was supplemented by a further £20 from the visiting masters’ swindle.