The installation having been postponed due to the Provincial Grand Ball there were a number of regulars unable to attend due to domestic and occupational responsibilities. However, with willing substitutes encouraged by the DC Peter O’Donnell, the proceedings continued without mishap.
Prior to the formalities of the evening, the installing master Ron Elliott expressed his sincere thanks to the lodge brethren for their loyalty and commitment to himself and his offices over the past two years and recounted some memorable occasions including the successful Ladies Nights and the 2024 Burns Night festive board. He then asked for his thanks to be especially minuted for the continuous hard work of the retiring officers; DC Peter O’Donnell, chaplain Dave Smith and also Malcolm Keen who was noted for his 21 years’ service as charity steward.
For the last time Peter stood and announced that John Robbie Porter, was seeking admission and who was the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. John Robbie was accompanied by Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Graham Chambers, Peter Levick, Brian Cunliffe and Malcolm Alexander.
Master elect Colin Robinson was then presented and the installation continued in flawless form. The third and second degree tools were presented by Peter O’Donnell and Nigel Ainsworth respectively, but most notable was the presentation of the first degree tools by entered apprentice Simon Doherty.
The investiture of officers was notable in the number of new light blues who are now progressing on the ladder. There are five newer members now occupying offices with three waiting for passing and one who awaits raising. Also, five joining members from Minerva Lodge No 4002, three of whom took office including the new master of the lodge, Colin Robinson, secretary Gary Thornhill and assistant secretary Arnie Neale. The address to the brethren of the lodge was delivered by John Robbie, which was a memorable, genuine, resonant and theatrical presentation delivered with sincerity and passion.
With the installation being completed, John Robbie brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master and prior to his sitting Colin presented him with six cheques to the value of £1,700 for the benefit of small local organisations consisting of the Crosby Scout Group, Food Bank, Friends of the Tithebarn, FROTH, WLFC and Air Ambulance. John Robbie then sincerely thanked the master and lodge and the brethren for their generous charitable gifts which he knew would be appreciated by the eventual individual recipients many of whom, of necessity would never know where the donations came from.
He then enthusiastically congratulated the installing team and firmly shook the hands of the hard-working director of ceremonies, the immediate past master and most especially Simon who had so perfectly presented the first degree working tools.
The business of the lodge was then resumed, the charities were honoured to the value of £90 and following the first raising the dignitaries recessed from the lodge for refreshment prior to the festive board. The final lodge business was then completed and the lodge closed.
27 brethren were present at the festive board and in response to his toast, John Robbie rose and again spoke of the considerable donations the lodge had made with its charitable giving of £1,700 at the installation and also mentioned the £10,584 given for the 2021 Festival and also another £130 at festive board. He then talked of the decline in membership over the past years and that we should look to increasing membership.
The Master’s Song was then sung with gusto by the baritone voice by Don Fraser, with much merriment and tidings of good health. The festive board ended at 9:45pm following the tyler’s toast, after which the brethren departed in peace, harmony, contented merriment and lively conversation.