The lodge room at Cleveleys Masonic Hall was full with brethren attending the installation meeting of Lodge of Fidelity No 1256. A fine old traditional lodge consecrated in 1869 at the Bull Hotel, Market Place, Poulton-le-Fylde, then meeting at Poulton Masonic Hall but now meeting at Cleveleys due to the closure of the hall at Poulton.
WM Glenn O’Brien opened the lodge, and the brethren stood in remembrance of departed brethren. The dispensation to hold the meeting at Cleveleys Masonic Hall was read aloud and the business of the lodge was swiftly concluded, which included the minutes of the lodge from 100 years ago. Surprisingly, the WM at that time was a relative by marriage of the master elect.
Once the lodge had been opened in the second and third degrees, there was a knock on the lodge room door and the inner guard informed the junior warden that there was a report. The director of ceremonies entered the lodge and announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax demanded admission. Michael was duly admitted and processed into the lodge accompanied by grand officer John Robbie Porter, North Fylde Group Vice Chairman Tony Farrar, along with acting Provincial grand officers David Sangster, Alan Barlow and Chris Hardingham.
Glenn O’Brien offered the gavel to Michael Tax, who politely returned it, stating that there were many more experienced ritualists here today than he was. Once salutations had been given to Michael and John and they had responded with thanks, the WM invited Philip Watson to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Norman Prue to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and David McKee to occupy the position of installing inner guard.
On returning to the second degree, Derek Wolstenholme presented the master elect, Geoff Fogden, to the lodge. As a past master and therefore already obligated, Geoff reaffirmed that obligation. A Board of Installed Masters was convened and Geoff was installed in the chair of King Solomon according to the ancient custom and tradition of the Lodge of Fidelity.
The first duty of the new WM was to invest Glenn O’Brien as the immediate past master of the lodge and proudly attached a Lodge of Fidelity past master’s jewel to Glenn’s breast pocket. The Board of Installed Masters was closed, and master Masons were admitted who saluted and then greeted the WM as master Masons. Provincial Senior Grand Deacon David Sangster delivered a perfect rendition of the third degree working tools to the WM, made even more special as David only knew about the role when he arrived at the installation meeting that day.
After closing and opening in the second degree, fellow craft Freemasons were admitted who saluted and greeted the WM as fellow crafts. The second degree tools were expertly delivered by John Wright. After the lodge was opened in the first degree, entered apprentice Freemasons were admitted who saluted and greeted the WM as entered apprentice Freemasons. The first degree tools were succinctly delivered by David Eaves. Glenn presented Geoff with the warrant of the lodge, Book of Constitutions of the Order and a copy of Lodge of Fidelity by-laws.
The address to the master was given by Derek Wolstenholme and Geoff continued by appointing and investing the officers of the lodge. The address to the wardens was given by Graham Bannister and the address to the brethren of the lodge was delivered by Michael Tax.
After the addresses, Glenn informed the WM of the conclusion of the installation ceremony. This was the cue for Michael to rise and bring the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Michael went on to say that Mark would have congratulated Geoff on his fourth time in the chair of King Solomon and would also have given a special thank you to Glenn as installing master along with all the brethren of the lodge who had assisted in the ceremony.
Geoff had the great pleasure of presenting Michael with a list of donations raised during Glenn’s year in office. Which included £632 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £225 to Brian House Children’s Hospice, £225 to Blue Skies Blackpool Victoria Hospital, £200 to North West Air Ambulance, £200 to Trinity Hospice (in memory of Ian Ward PAGDC), £100 to Royal Marines Corp, £100 to Army Benevolent Fund, £100 to RAF Benevolent Fund, and £246.48 to the lodge almoner fund. A magnificent total of £2,028.48, Michael thanked the brethren of the lodge on behalf of the recipients.
On the third rising, John Porter responded on behalf of the grand officers by stating that Lodge of Fidelity is a fine traditional lodge and how he had enjoyed listening to the minutes from 100 years ago being read aloud and learning that the WM at that time, being a relative by marriage of the new WM, Geoff Fogden. Michael Tax, the grand officers and the acting Provincial grand officers then retired from the lodge. After the remaining risings, the lodge was closed, and the brethren retired to the Park Club bar for some well-earned drinks before dining on a splendid three-course meal supplied by Lee and his team at Yes Chef Catering.
In his response to the toast to the grand officers, Michael thanked the junior warden for the proposition of the toast, informing the brethren that he had represented the Provincial Grand Master at Lodge of Fidelity’s installation last year and is here again, but on this occasion attending in his own right as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Michael went on to thank the grand officers for supporting him along with Tony Farrar, Vice Chairman of the North Fylde Group and the acting Provincial grand officers.
In his response to the toast given by Glenn O’Brien, Geoff Fogden commenced by saying what a privilege and pleasure it is to be given yet another opportunity to occupy the chair of King Solomon in this fine old lodge and to be installed in such an excellent and most sincere way by Glenn. It was a very rewarding and very memorable experience. Geoff concluded his response by thanking everybody involved in the ceremony and to the members and guests for attending.
Peter Baldwin sang the Master’s Song accompanied by Malcolm Burrill on the piano and the evening ended with the tyler’s toast given by lodge tyler Brian Chesworth.
