Something that’s often seen these days has happened at Dalton-in-Furness Lodge No 6828, a senior and experienced Mason has occupied the chair of King Solomon again to stabilise succession and progression in the lodge and to give junior brethren time to develop in readiness for their turn. What was unusual about this event is that all the progressive offices in the lodge were later occupied on the day by new appointees and all were light blues. There’s clearly something in the water at Dalton-in-Furness Lodge!
The lodge was opened in due and ancient form by the WM Ron Hiseman and once in the third degree, director of ceremonies Owen Osmotherly retired for a short time and upon his return, announced the presence of Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies David Boyes, with the announcement that principal guest Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield stood without and demanded admission.
Peter was admitted with all due ceremonial, accompanied by grand and acting Provincial grand officers, including Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters David Grainger and Keith Kemp. Past Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson with Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bill Morley. Grand officers Rowley Saunders, Alan Jones, Barrie Crossley, Barry Fitzgerald, Phil Preston and David Edwards accompanied by Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, Kevin Rigg, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Hallatt and Provincial Grand Stewards Lee Fisher and Stephen Renney, Group chairman Chris Gray were also in attendance along with vice chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary Tony Jackson. Another less than common occurrence was the presence of 120 brethren to witness the spectacle, principal guest Peter Schofield declared his absolute delight in seeing the temple so full.
Installing officers were Frank Pearson as senior warden, Keiron Mullan as junior warden and Brian Coward as inner guard. Provincial deacons on the day were Steve Murray and David Ozanne. The senior warden and master elect, David Smith, was presented to WM Ron Hiseman by Peter Dismore, to receive at his hand the benefit of installation. Ron carried out his duties with sincerity, immense dignity and humility.
At the admission of master Masons, 10 brethren assembled in the north, who greeted and saluted David in the third degree and the working tools of the degree were presented and explained by Martin Brun, in a most excellent manner. The substituted secrets were communicated in a most dignified manner by Frank Pearson and Keiron Mullan, and the master Masons lodge was closed.
Labour continued in the second degree and the brethren greeted and saluted WM David as fellow craft Freemasons. The working tools of a fellow craft Freemason were presented and explained by Howard Ching in a delightful manner. The fellow craft lodge was closed and labour continued in the first degree, the brethren greeted and saluted WM David as entered apprentice Freemasons. The working tools of the degree were presented and explained by Jay Crowe in an excellent manner, his first work on the floor of the lodge.
Officers of the lodge were appointed and invested, Frank Pearson addressed the senior warden Gary Mayes, presenting him with his column and gavel. Junior warden Ray Williams was addressed by Keiron Mullan, who presented him with his column and gavel. The senior and junior deacons, Jason Priss and Howard Ching, were addressed by Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Kevin Rigg in a most excellent manner. The stewards were addressed by Provincial Grand Steward Stephen Renney in his usual avuncular and accurate manner. The new WM was addressed by Paul Johnson with sincerity, confidence and humility and the senior and junior wardens were addressed by David Grainger in an excellent manner. Peter Schofield addressed the brethren of Dalton-in-Furness Lodge in a manner befitting an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
As the WM reverted to the summons, Peter Schofield rose to bring the greetings and congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Peter was particular in his praise for immediate past master Ron, WM David, director of ceremonies Owen and assistant director of ceremonies Peter, for their hard work and dedication, as well as complimenting the secretary Jamie Lindsay for his preparatory work for the installation and for all the work he does during the year. The three junior brethren were also highly praised for their explanations of the working tools of the three degrees.
David presented Peter with two cheques, one for £750 in favour of West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, another for £500 in favour of St Mary’s Hospice. Further donations were made to Mill Lane Centre £303, lodge building fund £303, West Lancs Masonic Fishing Charity £10, West Lancs Masonic Golf Society £15 and St Peter’s Church restoration fund £100, quite an outstanding amount of generosity. Peter gave thanks to the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations The collection of alms in the temple amounted to £278.59.
At the installation banquet, immediate past master Ron thanked the lodge for giving him the opportunity to serve them as master, alluding to his working and Masonic relationship of 40 years with David, whom he had just installed in the chair of King Solomon and the master’s sweets were handed over in an excellent manner. The raffle made the fantastic sum of £758 and Brian Coward rounded off the evening with a wonderful ‘a cappella’ version of the Master’s Song.
