On a cold winter’s evening in January, members of Everton Lodge No. 823 and their distinguished guests gathered at the Liverpool Masonic Hall for their annual installation meeting. The lodge was honoured by the presence of Roy Ashley, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, along with several other notable guests.
It was an especial installation as Philip Eddowes was to be installed in the chair of King Solomon of this venerable lodge by the installing master Jim Eddowes, Philip’s brother. In a splendid ceremony, Jim Eddowes delivered a faultless ritual and placed his brother Philip in the chair of King Solomon.
Following the appointment of the officers of the lodge, Roy Ashley offered the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews in becoming the WM of Everton Lodge for the first time. He also congratulated Jim Eddowes for his excellent work as the installing master and he added that there was something special and meaningful when family members are involved.
Phillip Eddowes then presented Roy Ashley with details of the donations that Everton Lodge had made that evening: £200 to the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund and £200 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
He then listed the donations the lodge had made throughout the year to the following charities and organisations: Blood Bikes, Friends of the Tithebarn, Foodbank Appeal, Ukrainian Children Christmas Party, Brain Charity, Hoylake Royal Naval Lifeboat Institution and Christmas Toys for Children with a grand total of £1835.00.
At the Festive Board, Roy Ashley thanked the Lodge for their outstanding donation to the charities and organisations and he added that Everton Lodge exemplified the values of Freemasonry: integrity, friendship, respect and service.
The members and the guests had a surprise when the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, who was in the Masonic Hall at another event, called in to offer his personal congratulations to Philip Eddowes and his best wishes to all the brethren. It was the perfect end to a perfect evening for the members of Everton Lodge and their guests.
