At the appointed hour the WM of Hale Lodge of Fellowship No 3799, Christopher Farley, opened the lodge; there were several guests and members present to witness the installation of John Gibbon at the Kingsway Rooms at Widnes Masonic Hall. The usual business on opening the lodge was conducted and Ian Broomfield was received as a joining member.
The lodge was then opened to the third degree and the director of ceremonies, Brian Horabin, announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Murphy stood outside the lodge room and demanded admission. John was accompanied by grand officers Kevin Poynton, David Redhead, Neil Pedder and group secretary Brendan Hutchinson together with two Provincial deacons entered the lodge room and were warmly welcomed by the WM. Salutations were offered to John Murphy and then the grand officers.
WM Christopher Farley asked John to receive some cheques on behalf of the lodge. £1500 was donated in three cheques: £500 to Halton Haven, £500 to West Lancs Masonic Charitable Fund, £500 to the Widnes Masonic Hall, which will be a welcome donation to help in the continuing upkeep of the building. John thanked the lodge for its very generous donations and said the monies would be put to very good use by the recipients.
Michael George was requested to occupy the chair of King Solomon for the remainder of the meeting and proceeded to appoint past masters of the lodge to assist him with the ceremony and then adjourned the lodge to the second degree. John Gibbon was presented by director of ceremonies Brian Horabin as master elect and reaffirmed his obligation. The ceremony of installation continued in a structured and sincere manner orchestrated by the director of ceremonies. John Gibbon then appointed and invested his officers.
The third degree tools were presented by Rob Fleetwood; the second tools by Neil Pedder and first degree tools by Brian Horabin. Les Williams gave the address to the WM John Gibbon; Brian Horabin gave the address to the wardens and John Murphy provided the address to the brethren.
The installing master informed the WM that the ceremony of installation was completed and this prompted John Murphy to rise and convey the congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, thanking John for occupying the chair of King Solomon again; the officers who had participated in the ceremony were also thanked for their hard work and dedication. The director of ceremonies requested the Provincial deacons to lead the procession of grand and Provincial grand officers from the lodge room.
No further business appearing for the Hale Lodge of Fellowship in particular and the lodge was duly closed with the brethren retiring to the dining room for lunch and to continue the festivities.