Ferdinand Paule has been installed into the chair of King Solomon at Dalton-in-Furness Lodge No 6828. The ceremony took place at Barrow’s Fairfield Masonic Hall in the company of 114 brethren. The principal guest was Kevin Poynton, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, the representative of Mark Matthews, the Provincial Grand Master.
Kevin was accompanied and supported by grand officers Rowley Saunders, Alan Jones, Phil Preston, David Kellet, John Quiggin and Barrie Crossley. Adding further to the splendour of the ceremonial, the acting Provincial grand officers present were, Phil Renney, Tony Jackson, Mort Richardson, and Andy McClements. They were accompanied by Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Alan Pattinson and vice chairman Chris Gray. (Tony Jackson is also group secretary and Phil Renney is group charity steward.)
The attendance was bolstered by a visiting contingent of 11 brethren from the neighbouring Province of Cumberland and Westmorland, mainly from the Lodge of Friendship No 8275, which meets at Cleator Moor. They including Deputy Provincial Grand Master William Henry Morley, as well as John Wrennall, South West Cumberland Group Chairman. Over several years, a strong bond has formed between the two lodges.
Installing master Daniel Greaves’ interest in the Craft was ignited following a chat at work with colleague Steve Causer, then a member of Lodge of Friendship. Daniel was guided to speak to David Grainger at Dalton-in-Furness Lodge by William Morley. Regular mutual visits have followed, tracing Daniel’s progression through the offices and on through the chair. Sadly David Grainger was absent on the evening after a recent fall during inclement weather. Later in the evening, during his reply, WM Ferdinand also mentioned David, having first met him while working in a care home. It must be swiftly acknowledged that David was only visiting, not actually a resident!
The working tools of the third, second and first degrees were presented and explained with great style and precision by light blue brethren, Francis Pajarillaga, Howard Ching and Jason Priss respectively.
With the new master installed and the officers invested, Kevin Poynton rose to bring the greetings of Mark Matthews, the Provincial Grand Master, and to compliment the quality of the ceremony thus far. Praise was particularly heaped on the work put in by director of ceremonies Owen Osmotherly, as well as WM Ferdinand and IPM Daniel. Kevin was presented with two cheques for £200, one for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and one for St Mary’s Hospice.
Mention should be made that over the year Dalton Lodge has also made donations of £500 to the Lupus Charity, £500 to the lodge’s widows, £100 to Barrow Foodbank and a further £370 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, as well as sponsoring a Christmas Tree to the tune of £100 for the festival at Dalton Parish Church. Kevin thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
The addresses were delivered impeccably by Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Tony Jackson (to the deacons), Provincial Grand Steward Phil Renney, (to the stewards), Eliseo Terre Jr to the WM (and in two languages), Kieron Mullan (to the wardens) and Kevin Poynton (to the brethren of the lodge).
Musical accompaniment was provided by Howard Linaker. Alms collected in the lodge room amounted to £276 and the raffle held at the festive board realised a magnificent £685. Brian Coward sang a fluent and stylish Master’s Song à cappella. The master of the lodge and his principal guest retired at 9:30pm.
