The Masonic Hall at Hope Street, Liverpool, was pleased to host the installation of Bryan Crouch into the chair of King Solomon of Woodend Epworth Lodge No 5381. The ceremony and festive board included presentations of several certificates, including a 50 years in Freemasonry certificate and a Solomon diploma.
The celebrations were attended by twenty-four brethren and the proceedings were under the guidance of the lodge director of ceremonies Dave Bruffell.
WM, Peter Lewis and his wardens entered the lodge and occupied their respective chairs. Peter opened the lodge in the first degree and the lodge dispensation and minutes of the previous meetings were accepted, several late brethren were admitted and gave apologies to WM Peter and the members present.
Director of ceremonies Dave retired and was re-admitted and he announced that principal guest, grand officer Roy Ashley, representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews was outside and seeked admission. After receiving an affirmation, Roy processed into the lodge room accompanied by Liverpool Group Vice-Chairman Neil Francis. Salutations were given and gratefully received by those who deserved them.
The lodge was then opened in the second degree, Martin Ledson occupied the chair of the senior warden and Robert Ledger occupied the chair of junior warden for the purposes of the installation ceremony. Brian Wearing and Richie Sutton then presented master elect Bryan Crouch to Peter and after taking the usual obligations, the lodge was opened in the third degree.
Tony Christie then occupied the position of inner guard for the purposes of the ceremony and Peter thanked all the members of the lodge for their work and passion during the year he had been WM, reminding them that they had been active during the whole year which also included a visit from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
The lodge was then declared a Board of Installed Masters and the inner workings and installation for the master elect Bryan completed. After the Board of Installed Masters was closed, members of each degrees were admitted and Bryan was declared and proclaimed as the new WM in all parts of the lodge.
An explanation of the working tools for each degree was given by light blue brethren of the lodge. Matthew Taylor presented the third degree tools, with a sharing of the work for the second degree tools given by Tony Scoggins, Adam Norris and Adam Ledger. The first degree tools were presented by Mark Graham and Martin Noonan.
The placement address for the senior warden was given by Ritchie and the placement address for the junior warden given by Ray Moorcroft. Peter gave the address to the deacons, with David Murray addressing the lodge mentor. The address to the stewards was given by Martin Ledson. Ray gave the address to the newly installed WM Bryan Crouch and Derek Evans addressed the wardens. Principal guest Roy gave the address to the brethren, before Bryan was presented with the lodge Hall Stone jewel.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Roy brought congratulations from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and congratulated all those involved for a fine and sincere ceremony, which was a credit to the lodge and the lodge director of ceremonies Dave. Roy particularly noted the work completed during the ceremony by Ray Moorcroft and the light blue Masons who had delivered the working tools.
The lodge then presented Roy with details of the donations made to various charities; Liverpool Masonic Hall £450, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Masonic Charity £450, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity £569.30, Anfield and Breckside Food bank £250. The lodge also donated £250 to St Mary’s Church for their weekly Dementia Friendly afternoon teas and their movement to music programme.
During the first risings, Roy presented Bryan Wearing with a certificate celebrating his 50 years in Freemasonry. Neil read the script from the certificate before it was gratefully and emotionally received by Bryan.
The members of the lodge then retired to enjoy a festive board meal consisting of black pudding stack, roast leg of lamb, and cheesecake, served with wine and soft drinks. During the festive board WM Bryan rose to congratulate Bryan on receiving his 50 years in Freemasonry certificate and took the opportunity to have the brethren sing happy birthday for his 82 years birthday celebration, presenting him with a gift from the lodge, as well as a certificate produced by the lodge secretary, Steve Foster. The certificate detailed music, sport, movies, news and costs from 50 years ago. Bryan gave a short response stating that he had been overwhelmed by the wishes he had received both for his 50 years in Freemasonry and for his 82 years birthday.
One of the first delightful duties that Bryan had as the new WM was to present Peter with a past master’s jewel. Roy then took delight in presenting Matthew Taylor with his Solomon diploma, which he had completed, with Roy explaining to the brethren, how it had been achieved.
In the response to his health, Roy thanked the senior warden for the way in which he had proposed the toast and took the opportunity to bring his own personal best wishes to both Bryans. Roy explained how he had enjoyed the ceremony and that the lodge should be very proud of the light blue Masons in the lodge and the work they had completed in the ceremony.
Roy congratulated the lodge on their membership, of new members and urged them to continue with whatever they were doing, creating and maintaining happiness within the lodge. Roy once again thanked the brethren and the lodge for their charity donations and reminded them of the need to access the Masonic charities should a member require it.
Roy also reminded the brethren of the importance of the fourth step in Freemasonry and membership of the Royal Arch, Roy also urged the brethren to use the new Portal membership system as the way forward for details of their Masonic career.
Roy thanked Neil and the group representatives for their work and representation, reminding brethren of the dates for both Craft and Royal Arch Provincial meetings, finishing by reminding brethren to enjoy their Freemasonry.
Peter then gave a toast to Bryan as the new WM, hoping he would have a good year and to enjoy his year in office, as it will soon pass by. Peter stated that he was certain that Bryan was the right character for that of an excellent WM and with the support of the brethren he would have an excellent year and advised him to visit other lodges.
Bryan responded by saying he was looking forward to a good year and would accept any help form the talented senior members and young keen light blue Masons.
Ray Moorcroft gave a toast to the guests, with an explanation by director of ceremonies of the shot glasses and the toast to Eddie Tucker, both historical and pertinent.
Group membership officer Peter Fay responded to the toast to the health of the guests and thanked the lodge for a most sincere ceremony, also congratulating the light blue Masons of the lodge.
A gift was presented to Ray, before the tylers toast finished a most enjoyable afternoon and evening.