Ian Cottam has been installed as the master of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters No 9422 at Kings Road Masonic Hall in Ulverston. In a late reshuffle due to illness, Peter Schofield, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was the principal guest.
Also in the temple were Alan Pattinson, Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman and nine grand officers, Rowley Saunders, Norman Thompson, Past Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Cumberland & Westmorland, John Quiggin, John Lee, Peter Mason, John Wrennall, Chairman of the South West Cumberland Group, Allan Jones, Phil Preston and Dave Kellet. A total of 60 brethren witnessed Ian’s presentation by Alan Pattinson.
Installing master Kevin Rigg carried out the ceremony with dignity, precision and some tender loving care, as Ian is recovering from an accident. He was very carefully placed in the chair by Kevin. Also, on hand to witness the ceremony were acting Provincial grand officers Tony Jackson the Group Secretary and Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, Provincial Stewards Phil Renney and Shaun Brookhouse, and Lonsdale Lodge director of ceremonies Mort Richardson who is a Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
After Ian had taken the chair, the working tools of an installed master were presented and explained by Tony Cassells with his customary sincerity. Ian was congratulated by Peter Schofield who brought the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews. Peter also commended Kevin Rigg for his work on the day and throughout the year as travelling ambassador for the lodge.
Kevin has been a prolific visitor around the Furness and South Lakeland Group and beyond during his tenure as WM. The director of ceremonies Mort was also complemented for his hard work in shepherding proceedings along. Ian then presented Peter with a cheque for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity in the sum of £500. Peter gave thanks to the brethren of the lodge for their generous donation.
The working tools of the three degrees were presented by Keiron Mullan, Gary Mansfield and Steve Harris. Addresses to the WM, wardens and brethren of the lodge were handled formidably by Dennis Laird, Alan Pattinson and Peter Schofield respectively.
At the festive board, Ian paid tribute to his father-in-law Roy Chisman and thanked Roy for proposing him into Freemasonry. Roy remembered Ian stating his preference for staying out of the limelight when he was initiated. How times have change! Ian also pointed out to his nephew, Jason Priss, a recent addition to the ranks at Dalton-in-Furness Lodge No 6828, that by sticking in and enjoying his Freemasonry he could potentially enjoy a long and successful journey in the Craft.
A Chorley raffle conducted by Phil Renney realised the sum of £302 to nicely complement the £152.56 in alms, donated in the lodge room.
