Lodge of Loyalty No 86, which meets at Prescot Masonic Hall, was opened on time by the WM Mark Hodgson and Thomas Chambers junior warden and Paul Warburton senior warden promptly at 18:30hrs in a word-perfect manner The secretary of the lodge circulated the minutes of the last regular meeting to all brethren and were duly approved.
The next item on the agenda was to ballot for Ravikumar Venkata Pydisetty who was proposed in open lodge by Peter Roberts and seconded by Tom Chambers, the ballot was in favour of Ravikumar Pydisetty. WM Mark Hodgson then asked all entered apprentices and fellow crafts to retire for a short time before opening in the second degree without a word dropped by anyone.
Andrew Nulty’s big moment had come! He took up his position and performed his role admirably flanked by the senior and junior deacons Gary Armitage and Paul Rowlandson respectively, who also performed their duties in a manner befitting such ranks who rehearse tirelessly honing their skills to what can only be described as perfection.
The nervously excited Andrew then left the lodge for a short time while it was opened in the third degree, the junior and senior wardens performed their duties just like the deacons did throughout the ceremony flawlessly a marvellous spectacle to witness.
The third degree continued as the rest of the evening had done, perfectly. The newly made master Mason, Andrew performed like a pristine Prescot made watch showing impeccable movement and timing throughout the proceedings, word perfect just like all the other brethren had done during the evening up to that point!
The solemn obligation was taken by Andrew, who proudly boomed it out like so many men have done before him in this worthy temple of upstanding gentlemen, his voice bouncing off the walls with a tremendous confidence. The excitement and challenge were impressive, a masterful display no doubt the result of hours of tireless practice with Peter Hornby.
Andrew was then permitted to retire to restore himself to his personal comforts now supporting his new badge of the third degree, upright and oh so proud. He returned a short time later escorted by Gary and Paul. The traditional history was also delivered by Peter in a steady and measured pace as though he was addressing an old friend with no hint of nerves at all and the working tools of this degree was masterfully delivered by the worthy lodge’s WM, Mark Hodgson.
Andrew, having completed the third degree, was escorted to his seat, the lodge was closed in the third and resumed labour in the first degree, the entered apprentices and fellow crafts were readmitted into the chamber. The communications were given by the lodge secretary, the apologies followed this for the absent brethren of the evening, then a joining member was proposed and seconded and finally the lodge was then closed by Mark and his wardens for the evening at 20:03hrs peacefully and harmoniously as ever.
The festive board was a joyous occasion, which included toasting the man of the hour, Andrew The courses offered on the night were a treat for the tastebuds which started with wonderfully crunchy spring rolls accompanied by a tangy chilli sauce followed by fish and chips, mushy peas and plenty of bread and butter before a dessert of hot apple crumble and custard or a charcuterie board if requested, which comprised of a range of cheeses from red Leicester to stilton which looked very good indeed and finally finished off with tea or coffee and mints.
Throughout the evening the conversation and merriment kept coming only to be rounded off by thunderous laughter when one of the evening’s guests was invited to respond to the visitors’ toast. The gentleman stood up with purpose determined but calm, the room fell silent eagerly awaiting what was sure to be a response worthy of the great halls of old only for this brother to say WM, brethren all, thank you and sat back down. Tom Chambers observed that this small act of unexpected humour brought the curtain down on a successful third raising ceremony, in no small part due to the lodge director of ceremonies Ron Brown, who worked without a break all evening.