Semper Sursum Lodge No 5622 takes its name from the Barrow-in-Furness coat of arms and means ‘ever upwards’, or ‘always rising’. Of the 135 brethren in attendance at the installation meeting, you would not find any who felt that the lodge was not living up to this name.
The lodge room was, as principal guest Mike Silver said: “Bursting at the seams”. This in turn produced a wonderful atmosphere for Paul Ackred to be installed as master of Semper Sursum Lodge. Installing master David Shaw opened the lodge in each of the three degrees in fine style, ably assisted by his officers.
When moving from the second to the third degree, three fellow crafts who are Semper Sursum Lodge members retired. When the lodge was opened in the third degree, director of ceremonies Phil Renney retired and upon his return announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield demanded admission.
After the procession into the lodge was completed, Semper Sursum Lodge member and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield placed Mike Silver in his rightful seat as the principal guest. Peter and Mike were accompanied by Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Grainger, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland Keith Beaumont, along with seven other grand officers and 10 acting Provincial grand officers. Also in attendance were the Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, vice chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary Tony Jackson.
Phil Renney was in total control of the lodge room and was flawless in directing the officers through their roles. David Shaw moved smoothly through the beginning of the installation as he thanked all the officers and brethren who had supported him throughout the last 12 months. The solemnity of the ceremony continued as Phil presented Paul Ackred to the installing master, who recited the ancient charges and regulations with great precision.
Paul recited his obligation in a sincere and impeccable manner. Having taken every office of the lodge in his stride, Paul seamlessly took over the role as master from David and displayed the appropriate decorum immediately after his first use of the gavel. Alan Tomlinson presented and explained the tools of an installed master superbly. David Kyle, Danny Wood and Ross Keenan, all light blues, gave brilliant renditions of the third, second (long version) and first degree working tools.
There was a nice surprise for the new WM as his longtime friend and fellow Semper Sursum Lodge member Steve Leonard delivered the address to the new master of the lodge in an exemplary fashion. In a first for many in the lodge room, Kevin Rigg gave an address to the immediate past master David Shaw, which was sincere and dignified in its delivery.
On the appointment of the senior and junior wardens, they were addressed by Phil Renney and Steve Harris in an impeccable fashion. Peter Schofield gave the address to the wardens, Keith Bennett and Andy Baxter recited the address to the deacons and also to the stewards in a very personal and thoughtful manner as they explained their roles and duties.
Mike Silver addressed the brethren of Semper Sursum Lodge in a superb, heartfelt and touching style before he stood once more and brought the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Paul presented Mike with details of charitable donations of £3,740 that had been made in the previous 12 months, including £1,380 to South Walney Junior School PTA, £500 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, and £500 to St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston. Mike thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
The charitable nature of the brethren continued with £345 raised for Masonic charities in the lodge room and £1,205 raised in a raffle held at the banquet. At the banquet, Steve Harris gave a wonderful performance of the Master’s Song. The brethren were able to enjoy a first-rate three-course meal and a relaxed atmosphere well into the early hours.