Semper Sursum translates as “ever upwards” or “always rising” and is a testament to the ambitions of the town’s founding fathers, several of whom were Freemasons in the Victorian infancy of Barrow-in-Furness and who used it as the motto of the town, a move echoed by several of its schools. The lodge that takes the same name was founded in May 1935, maintaining proud traditions and high standards.
At its installation meeting, Semper Sursum Lodge No 5622 welcomed Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Frank Umbers as its principal guest. Accompanying Frank were Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, Past Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman James Thompson, grand officers Harold Rowland Saunders, John Lawrence Quiggin, Alan Jones, Barry Fitzgerald, Philip James Preston and Philip Davis.
Acting Provincial officers in attendance were; Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Michael Southern, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Peter Littlehales, Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andrew McClements, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Kevin Rigg, Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Paul Cummings, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Hallatt, Provincial Grand Pursuivant Adam Simpson, Provincial Grand Stewards Ryan Mangnall and Stephen Renney. Along with Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Bryan Cambidge. Supported by the Furness and South Lakeland Group, headed by chairman Chris Gray and supported by vice-chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Tony Jackson.
The lodge was tyled at 4pm prompt and WM Paul Ackred opened in due and ancient form and the regular business was completed promptly. The lodge was subsequently opened in the second and third degrees. and shortly after opening in the third degree, a report was announced, heralding the entrance of Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Peter Littlehales, who informed the assembled brethren that Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers stood without and demanded admission. Paul responded that the lodge would be delighted and honoured to accede to that demand and Frank Umbers and his entourage processed into the lodge room.
After salutations had been given to those deserving them, the installation began in earnest. Jack Fawcett occupied the chair of installing senior warden, Alan Everett occupied the chair of installing junior warden, Scott Deakin, WM of Hartington Lodge No 1021, occupied the position of senior deacon, Gary Gibson, WM of Hindpool Lodge No 1225 occupied the position of junior deacon and Carl McWhan, WM of Barrow Lodge No 3928, occupied the position of installing inner guard. The brethren of Semper Sursum Lodge assembled in the north, enabling WM Paul Ackred to thank them all for their service and hard work during his year as master. The lodge has held two initiations, two passings and a raising.
Senior warden and master elect, Jon Reed, was presented by Philip Renney to Paul Ackred, to receive at his hand the benefit of installation. Paul recited the necessary qualifications in every candidate for the office of master. Jon then turned to secretary Alastair Davidson who read the Ancient Charges and Regulations of the Order.
Jon advanced to the pedestal, impeccably reciting his first obligation. The lodge was opened back up to the third degree and all below the rank of an installed master retired. A Board of Installed Masters was then opened. Paul Ackred carried out the floor work with enthusiasm and installed Jon into the chair of King Solomon superbly and with humility, attention to detail and no small amount of momentum. Paul Ackred was then invested as immediate past master of the lodge. The newly installed WM of Semper Sursum Lodge Jon Reed was afforded all of the usual accolades before Alan Tomlinson presented and explained the working tools of an installed master, in a wonderful manner.
Visiting master Masons, then master Masons of Semper Sursum Lodge were re-admitted to the lodge room. The brethren assembled in the North and director of ceremonies Steve Harris proclaimed Jon Reed WM of Semper Sursum Lodge from the east and the brethren greeted Jon as master Masons with three, then after processing around the lodge they saluted him in passing. The working tools of a master Mason were presented and explained by Andy Travis in a most excellent manner. The master Mason lodge was closed, and work continued in the second degree.
The brethren assembled in the north and director of ceremonies Steve Harris proclaimed Jon Reed WM of Semper Sursum Lodge from the west and the brethren greeted Jon as fellowcraft Freemasons with five, after processing around the lodge they saluted him in passing. The working tools of a fellowcraft Freemason were presented and explained by Matt Rollinson in the extended version, faultlessly and with great dignity. The fellowcraft lodge was closed and work continued in the first degree.
Again, the brethren assembled in the north. A point well worthy of note here is that those eleven brethren were all light blues, boding well for the lodge’s future. Indeed, all the progressive offices were filled by these light blue brethren.
Director of ceremonies, Steve Harris, proclaimed Jon Reed WM of Semper Sursum Lodge from the south and the brethren greeted Jon as entered apprentice Freemasons with three, then after processing around the lodge the brethren saluted him in passing. The working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason were presented and explained by Richard Oliver in a highly accomplished manner.
The Warrant of Semper Sursum Lodge, the Book of Constitutions of the Order and the By-laws of Semper Sursum Lodge were presented by Paul to Jon with great confidence and vigour. Phil Renney gave the address to the WM with his customary polish and competence. Kevin Rigg gave the address to immediate past master, Paul Ackred in an excellent manner.
At the investiture of the officers, Bernie McGeough and Bill McCarthy were appointed and invested as senior and junior wardens respectively and were addressed by Semper Sursum Lodge member, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield. In a change to the director of ceremonies team, Stuart Braithwaite was invested as assistant director of ceremonies, relieving Phil Renney of his duties. Dave Kyle was appointed and invested as almoner, Danny Wood and Steve Leonard were appointed and invested as senior and junior deacons respectively. The deacons were addressed faultlessly by Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Kevin Rigg. Four stewards were appointed and invested; Simon Stringer, Ross Keenan, Matt Rollinson and Richard Oliver. The stewards were addressed impeccably by Provincial Grand Steward Stephen Renney.
The brethren of Semper Sursum Lodge were then addressed with consummate dignity by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers. Frank had barely settled back into his seat when director of ceremonies Steve Harris informed WM Jon that the installation ceremony was complete and he should revert to the summons. Frank, taking his cue, rose and brought the greetings and congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, in particular for the WM, immediate past master, director of ceremonies and secretary. Also singling out for special mention the junior brethren of the lodge who had presented and explained the working tools of the three degrees so well, Andy Travis, Matt Rollinson and Richard Oliver.
As Frank returned to his seat, Jon presented him with an exhaustive list of the lodge’s charitable donations during the past year, an impressive list noted here: Friends of Vickerstown Primary School Charity £600, St Mary’s Hospice £455, Duddon Inshore Rescue £455, Dunnerholme Junior Golf £455, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Masonic Charitable Foundation £300, Furness Prostate Cancer Support Group £300, West Lancashire Bowling, Golf, Fishing, Clay Pigeon Societies £130 and the Furness and South Lakeland Boxing £40. Totalling £2,735.
At the second rising, greetings on behalf of the Provincial grand officers present were given by Jeff Lucas and at the third rising, greetings on behalf of all visiting brethren were given by the WM of Barrow Lodge Carl McWhan.
WM Jon Reed, rose to thank the brethren for their greetings and all who took part in making this installation meeting so memorable and especially to thank Norman Thomas for his musical interludes as stand-in organist and to Bob Carr for occupying the position of tyler for the afternoon.
Alms collected amounted to £376, an excellent end to a happy afternoon of Freemasonry.
At the Feast of St John, the raffle achieved the magnificent amount of £1030 augmented by £25 from the visiting masters’ swindle and Gary Rogerson gave a superb ‘a capella’ rendition of the Master’s Song.