A wonderful evening at Chapter of Unity and Perseverance No 580 was only slightly marred by the absence of the first principal Leon Teasdale, due to his car breaking down. At short notice Trevor Tomlinson did an excellent job standing in for Leon.
The convocation was graced with the presence of Graham Chambers, the Group Chairman of the Ormskirk and Bootle Group, who was the representative of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews. Graham was accompanied by the vice chairman Stephen Dunn and Provincial Grand Steward Malcolm Sandywell.
Trevor opened the convocation with help from Mike Dutton and John Mercer and a minute’s silence was observed after the sad passing of Keith Murden. Before the proceedings began, Stephen Brereton was elected as an honorary member of the chapter.
The ceremony of installing the three principals was conducted excellently throughout by the director of ceremonies Mike Rimmer who had been at the lodge room most of the day setting up for the evening.
For the purposes of the ceremony, Alan Johnson occupied the third principal’s chair and Bob Taylor occupied the second principal’s. There then followed the installation of Mike Dutton as first principal, John Mercer as second principal and Adam Woods as third principal.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Graham chambers proceeded to thank the members of the chapter and congratulated them on a job well done, particularly Mike Rimmer, and to Andrew Mercer for his excellent address to the purple robe that was being worn by Andrew’s dad, John Mercer.
Graham proceeded to announce the chapter’s charitable donation for the year; £100 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £100 to the Hall Committee, £100 to Tom Harrison House, £100 to the West Lancashire Air Ambulance, £100 to the Friends of Tithebarn and £80 to the Ophthalmic Trust. A grand total of £580, the same number as the chapter. Graham thanked the companions of the chapter for their generous donations. The alms plate then went on to raise a further £47.60.
The convocation was closed in due and solemn form and those present gathered for the always excellent festive board where Graham congratulated the companions of the chapter personally for a great ceremony which he had very much enjoyed. A raffle raised a further £90 for charity which added a fine touch to a wonderful evening.
