Gareth Harrison was installed as master of Poulton le Sands Lodge No 1051 in the presence of Past Assistant Grand Registrar David Edwards, who was the representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. David was accompanied by Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Philip Gardner and Keith Kemp, grand officers Neil McGill, Michael Mashiter and Paul Broadley, with Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder.
Also in attendance were Provincial Deputy Grand Superintendent of Works Ken Greenwood, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steven Ellershaw, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Steven Murray, Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant Sid Bateson, Provincial Grand Stewards Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter.
WM Ian Woods opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge, after which David Edwards, accompanied by grand officers, acting Provincial grand officers and the group chairman, were admitted. The lodge was opened in the second degree and Ian invited Geoff Bury to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Tony Harrison as installing junior warden and Frank Heath as installing inner guard. Master elect Gareth Harrison was then presented for installation by Matt Catlow. The lodge was opened in the third degree, after which all those below the rank of an installed master were requested to retire from the lodge for a short while.
On closing of the board of installed masters, master Masons were admitted and the third degree working tools were presented by Mike Ashton. The second and third degree working tools were presented by Matt Herod and Frank Heath, respectively. The WM appointed Peter Cleminson as senior warden and Tony Clarke as junior warden. The address to the master was given by Neil McGill. The address to the wardens was given by Tony Harrison and David Edwards gave the address to the brethren of Poulton le Sands Lodge. The address to the stewards was given by Stuart Bateson.
On completion of the installation ceremony, David Edwards brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to Gareth and wished him a successful, busy, happy, and healthy year. He congratulated Ian on a superb ceremony. David was then presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities, totalling £6,806.64. David thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
Organist for the evening was David Tattersall and the Master’s Song was performed by John Bates. A total of 87 brethren attended the festive board at the Lothersdale Hotel, where the toast to the WM was given by Matt Catlow.
WM Gareth Harrison was born in May 1971 in Carlisle Hospital to former Penrith car dealer Joseph and housewife Jennifer. He lived in Catterlen near Penrith with his older sister, Michelle. The family moved to Morecambe in 1972, where his father established Bay Wood Services to supply local businesses with cut-to-size wood and materials.
Gareth was educated at Lancaster Road Primary School from 1976 to 1982 and later Morecambe High School, which he left in 1988 to become under-keeper for Sir Richard Bigland at Bigland Hall. Gareth has always loved the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing. Gareth achieved qualifications in Wildlife and Fishery Management and has met some great characters, including the late Prince Philip and the Crown Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia, with whom he used to go deer stalking.
Following the breakup of his parents’ marriage, his father asked him to join the business, and 32 years later, Gareth has one more year to do before retirement. Gareth met his wife, Jayne, at the age of 15 and they have a son, Ewan, who is married to Becca, and a grandson, Ezra, who is two years old. Ewan and Becca are expecting a daughter in June 2025. Ewan is keeping the Bay Wood business going, and Gareth is immensely proud of him for being the third generation in the business.
Gareth’s hobbies are still field-oriented, although his second love is football and he has supported Manchester United from an early age. He wasn’t very good at playing the game and preferred playing rugby union primarily as a prop-forward, where he enjoyed a fisticuff battle. Gareth is a proud Cumbrian with Norwegian and Middle Eastern (Jordanian and Israeli) heritage. He is the event organiser for The West Lancs Masonic Fishing Charity, as well as the safeguarding and welfare officer for Bolton-le-Sands Angling Club. Gareth is currently scribe Nehemiah of Lancaster Castle Chapter No. 5952 and is a founder member of the new Lodge of Opportunity, a fishing lodge in Kendal. The lodge number to be confirmed when consecrated.
