Scott Deakin has been installed as the new WM of Hartington Lodge No 1021at Fairfield Masonic Hall, Barrow. On a day packed with laughter and happiness, 114 brethren packed into the temple to witness installing master Andy Greenwood place Scott in the chair of King Solomon for the second time. Andy was ending his second separate term of office on a high, both in installing his proposer and being the recent recipient of a letter offering first appointment into Provincial Grand Lodge.
Having opened the lodge, Andy was pleased to welcome Furness and South Lakeland Group’s own Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Peter Schofield, accompanying the principal guest Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Thomas. Peter and David entered the lodge accompanied by Past Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Dave Grainger and Rowley Saunders, grand officers Alan Jones, Barry Fitzgerald and Phil Preston.
The full Furness and South Lakeland Group executive were in attendance, led by group chairman Chris Gray, vice chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Tony Jackson. Acting Provincial grand officers attending were Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald, Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Grand Senior Deacon Kevin Rigg and Provincial Grand Steward Stephen Renney. Nine masters of other lodges added even more lustre to the ceremonial proceedings. Provincial lodge deacons for the day were Harry Chatfield and Terry Pearson.
Before placing David Thomas in the chair reserved for the principal guest, Peter commented on how highly both Andy and Hartington Lodge were regarded in the Furness and South Lakeland Group. A selection of past masters were requested to be installing officers, Harry Chatfield occupied the chair of senior warden, Graham Benson occupied the chair of junior warden, Gary Gibson, WM of Hindpool Lodge No 1225 occupied the position of senior deacon and Carl McWhan WM of Barrow Lodge No 3928 occupied the position of junior deacon. The position of inner guard was occupied by the WM of Semper Sursum Lodge No 5622. The stage was set, as retiring officers assembled in the north and were thanked profusely by Andy for their hard work and support over the past 12 months during his tenure as WM.
Scott Deakin, senior warden and master elect, was presented to Andy to receive at his hand the benefit of installation and he was witness to some excellent floor work from the immediate past master. Scott was greeted by the assembled Board of Installed Masters, then saluted in passing by past masters of his lodge and visiting masters. Lodge secretary, Ian Thompson, presented and explained the working tools of an installed master in an excellent manner.
The Board of Installed Masters was closed and master Masons readmitted. Among the company were two brethren, father and son Charles and Liam, who had travelled from Unity Lodge No 1332 in Crediton, Devon. Charles is a former Royal Navy shipmate of Scott and Liam is Scott’s godson. Truly wonderful to see them in the temple. The working tools of a master Mason were presented and explained by Ray Burrows in a most excellent manner.
After the lodge was closed in the third degree, work resumed in the second and Andy Baxter presented and explained the extended version of the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason, which was greatly appreciated by all present, as was his work, a first-rate rendition of ritual.
After the lodge was closed down to the first degree, Kevin Taylor, one of Hartington Lodge’s newer members, gave an excellent presentation and explanation of the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason. Immediate past master Andy returned to the fray and presented to Scott the lodge warrant, centenary warrant, Book of Constitutions, lodge bye-laws and the explanation of the master’s column with gusto, finishing his day’s labour in the temple on the floor to a very high standard.
Scott then busied himself appointing and investing his wardens and officers of the lodge. David Proctor was reminded of his duties as senior warden by director of ceremonies Mort Richardson on his way to the west. Installing senior warden Harry Chatfield presented the gavel and explained the column and pillar of his office to him in a most dignified manner. Zak Stephenson was appointed and invested junior warden by Scott on the way to the south, assistant director of ceremonies Andy Baxter reminded him of his duties and installing junior warden Graham Benson presented Zak with his gavel and explained the column and pillar in an excellent manner. Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald rose, ‘tongue-in-cheek’ to inquire who the WM wished to appoint as the two most undervalued and overworked officers in the lodge, Mort Richardson and Andy Baxter were appointed respectively as director of ceremonies and assistant director of ceremonies.
Keith Templeton, Darran Curtis and Ray Burrows were appointed stewards and were addressed by Provincial Grand Steward Stephen Renney with great style. David Dryden took a position in the north west and addressed the WM of the lodge with great dignity and presence. Harry Chatfield addressed the wardens with his own kind avuncular manner and principal guest David Thomas addressed the brethren of the lodge with humility, precision and great warmth. After Scott had presented Andy with his immediate past master jewel, David again rose, this time to bring the greetings of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, congratulating all who had taken part in what was a very pleasurable and satisfying ceremony.
David was presented with a list of charitable giving to date during 2026, which included £1,021 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £40 to Furness and South Lakeland Group Boxing, £15 to West Lancashire Freemasons Clay Pigeon Shooting and £25 to West Lancashire Freemasons Bowling Society. David thanked the brethren of the lodge for these generous donations.
Alms collected amounted to £273.91 and at the feast of St John, the raffle further swelled the coffers of the building fund and almoner’s fund with 50% each of £760.00
The number of visitors, especially masters, drew comment during David Thomas’s reply, as one of the best characteristics of the Furness and South Lakeland Group. To round the evening off, David Dryden again gave a fine a cappella rendition of the Master’s Song.
