An installation ceremony is always a well anticipated meeting, and the hard work and preparation for such a meeting is well known to all members of a lodge. For Cecil Lodge No 3274, it was an extra special occasion as they prepared to welcome the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the lodge, at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.
WM Don Evans, who is also the Gladstone Group Hall Chairman and Publicity Officer to boot, opened the lodge in fine form, assisted by Ian Knowles and Shaun Sutton, as senior and junior wardens respectively. The lodge had relocated to the Crosby Suite, owing to the large number of visitors and guests in attendance.
Having worked through the various degrees, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald, announced that the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews stood without and demanded admission, WM Don in response announced that the lodge would be honoured to receive him.
The brethren stood as the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews made his way into the lodge in a large procession, led by Provincial Grand Steward Colin Higginson, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer David Douglas. Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Dermot Maloney, Provincial Grand Registrar John Gibson, Provincial Grand Almoner Alan Riley, Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies Peter Littlehales, David Boyes and Greg Pinnington, Gladstone Group Chairman Paul Storrar, Provincial Senior Grand Warden John Reynolds, Provincial Junior Grand Warden Ezra McGowan, Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James and Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers. They were all accompanied by a plethora of grand officers, consisting of Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Phil Gunning, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Kevin Poynton, grand officers, Paul Shepherd, Mike Jones and Rob Fitzsimmons.
WM Don Evans formally welcomed Mark to the lodge and wished him a pleasant evening and that the lodge brethren hoped that he would enjoy the ceremony enjoy their company at the festive board. After all necessary salutations had been expertly handled by the various Provincial directors of ceremonies assembled, the main business of the evening began. that of the installation of a new master.
WM Don, called for Provincial Senior Grand Warden John Reynolds, who is also the lodge secretary, to occupy the chair of senior warden and for Provincial Junior Grand Warden Ezra McGowan to occupy the chair of junior warden. The lodge being duly set, director of ceremonies Rob Burgess, presented master elect, Ian Knowles to the installing master Don for the benefit of installation.
A first-class installation ceremony followed, which from the distinguished and esteemed brethren present, was executed with confidence and flair. Master elect Ian orated his obligation faultlessly, and it was clear that Ian will be a great asset to Cecil Lodge, and the installing master Don was equally impressive in the way he conducted the installation ceremony.
WM Ian Knowles having been installed and saluted in the chair of King Solomon, then called for the admission of master Masons, fellow crafts and entered apprentices in each of the relevant degrees, with director of ceremonies, Rob, instructing the brethren in each of the degrees with the correct salutations. Following the appointment of officers, both Provincial Senior and Junior Wardens, John and Ezra respectively installed their lodge equivalents with impressive displays of ritual knowledge.
The entire ceremony was a delight to watch and illustrated by the praise delivered by the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to all of those who took part in the ceremony, congratulating WM Ian Knowles on his installation, and immediate past master Don as well.
WM Ian then requested Mark, to please accept donations to honour the charities, and Mark read out to all of the assembled brethren a very impressive list of charitable giving by the lodge, £2,000 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £400 to Alder Hey Hospital, £400 to Claire House, £100 to Salvation Army, £200 to MIND and £15 to Masonic Clay Pidgeon Shooting Society, an amazing £3,515 in total. Mark thanked Ian and the brethren of the lodge for all their very generous donations.
The lodge stewards took their leave to prepare the bar in the nearby Empire Suite, and as custom in the first risings, a lengthy procession retired. The lodge then closed in solemn form and at dinner, 73 brethren assembled to continue the celebration of the installation of WM Ian. Dinner was a lively affair, thronged with laughter and conversation, as the brethren reminisced on what had been a first-class installation meeting, aided by the attentive lodge stewards who ensured that all glasses were charged and all brothers suitably accommodated.
Immediate past master Don led the toast to his successor Ian, congratulating him on attaining the master’s chair, and in return Ian thanked Don for his leadership and hard work in carrying out such an impressive installation ceremony. The Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews exhorted all to continue to enjoy their Freemasonry, and from the very palpable enjoyment at dinner, everyone could agree that aim had been achieved.
