The Roman Suite at Liverpool Masonic Hall on Hope Street was the venue for the installation of Jon Tyrer into the chair of King Solomon at Temple Lodge No 1094 for his first time as master of a lodge. Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James was the principal guest.
John was accompanied by grand officers and members of Temple Lodge; Liverpool Group Chairman Dave Johnson, Tom Lovatt, Rob Fitzsimmons and Stephen Walls, the lodge junior warden. The principal guest was also accompanied by Provincial Grand Steward Christopher Bruffell, also a Temple Lodge member.
The WM Andy Williamson, having opened the lodge to the third degree, and the principal guests having been announced by the lodge DC John Cherry, Andy formally welcomed John James as the principal guest, together with accompanying grand officers and acting Provincial grand officers. Andy attempted to hand the gavel over to John James, but Andy was in a polite manner, told that it would be best if he maintained control for the ceremony. Salutations were then given.
The lodge was adjourned to the second degree and the WM was assisted by Stan Merrill taking the position of the senior warden, Stephen Walls remaining in the position of junior warden and Les Bramhill assisting as the inner guard. Ray Parkins, a lodge guest and relative to the master elect, then presented Jon Tyrer to the WM for the benefit of installation.
There then followed a sincere ceremony of installation, with Andy completing the first part of the ceremony. Stewart Hyde explained the working tools of the WM, with Howard Youdan then proclaiming the new WM to master Masons, fellow craft, and entered apprentices, assisted by directions from John Cherry.
Placement addresses were given to the senior warden and junior warden, by Stan Merrill and Ray Parr respectively. Dave Johnson gave the address to the newly installed WM. Stewart Hyde gave the address to the wardens and Ray gave the address to the stewards. The address to the brethren of the lodge was given by the principal guest John James.
Upon completion of the installation ceremony, John James rose to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the newly installed master and spoke of the excellent and enjoyable ritual conducted by the installing master, recognising that a lot of work had taken place. John James thanked the installing master Andy and Howard Youdan, for the work they had done in the ceremony.
The newly installed master then presented cheques to John James totalling £1,094 to the following charities: £300 to Tithebarn House, £200 to Liverpool Women’s Hospital Neonatal, £200 to Ronald McDonald Charity Housing for Families, Alder Hey £200 and Liverpool Masonic Hall £194 John James thanked the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations.
Following the ceremony, the brethren retired for a magnificent festive board. John responded to his toast, by congratulating Jon and hoping that he has a successful year in office as the new WM, reminding him that he had plenty of experienced officers to assist him if required. John thanked the group chairman Dave for his sterling work and thanked Chris Bruffell for his assistance and duties as a Provincial Grand Steward. The communications and updates from Grand Lodge and provincial were discussed including brethren numbers, and the links to chapter.
The newly installed WM, Jon Tyrer, responded to the toast to his health by thanking the immediate past master for his work, although Andy was unfortunately unable to attend the festive board, Jon also thanked Howard and the other officers who had assisted in his installation. Continuing, Jon thanked his proposer and seconder for their admittance into the lodge as without them, he would not be in the position he was now in. Jon finished by stating he was looking forward to a good year. The proceedings were brought to an ending with the tyler’s toast.
