Prescot Masonic Hall was buzzing with excitement as the members of James T Callow Lodge No 3596 gathered for what promised to be a very special evening, the raising of Gary Smith to the sublime degree of master Mason. For Gary, this was always going to be a memorable night, but the occasion took on an extra dimension with the news that the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, would be in attendance. No pressure there then!
Before the meeting got underway, the brethren and visitors made the most of the chance to chat informally with Mark, who was clearly in his element. There was no standing on ceremony; Mark was genuinely delighted to be amongst the members, listening to their stories, sharing a laugh and making everyone feel at ease. The hall was filled with the kind of lively, good-natured banter that Freemasons do so well, and it created a lovely, relaxed atmosphere that set the perfect tone for the evening ahead.
Gary, no doubt taking it all in, could have been forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed, but if he was, he certainly didn’t show it. The afternoon was just getting started. The time had come. Director of ceremonies Joe Richardson called upon the brethren to clothe themselves, and the room quickly shifted from warm social gathering to purposeful preparation as everyone took their places ahead of a prompt 3pm start.
After opening the lodge, WM Kevin Langshaw took a moment to formally welcome the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews, expressing how honoured the lodge was to have him present for such a special occasion. As is his right, Kevin graciously offered Mark the gavel of the lodge. Mark accepted it with a smile, paused for a moment, and then warmly returned it to Kevin, making clear that he was there simply to enjoy the ceremony and that the evening was very much in Kevin’s capable hands. It was a lovely gesture that immediately put everyone at ease.
A very welcome addition to the evening was the attendance of brethren from Leyland St Andrew’s Lodge No 7391, and Kevin extended a warm invitation to their WM Jeff Lucas, to take the chair and conduct Gary’s ceremony. Jeff accepted gladly and wasted no time in placing his fellow members of Leyland St Andrew’s Lodge into the officers’ positions for the ceremony. The lodge was now in very capable hands, with Chris Hughes as senior warden, Darren Norris as junior warden, Luke Walton as senior deacon, Eddie Cornish as junior deacon, Gerry Barrett as inner guard and Robin Dodd as tyler.
Jeff proceeded to open the lodge to the second degree. Jeff then called upon his deacons to present Gary so that the necessary questions could be put to him. Gary answered each one with confidence and clarity, with a little assistance from Luke along the way, as is perfectly customary. Luke then guided Gary to the master’s pedestal, where Jeff entrusted him with the pass grip and password. With that done, Gary retired to be prepared for the next and most significant stage of his Masonic journey so far. The lodge settled, and the real business of the evening was about to begin.
Jeff Lucas then opened the lodge to the third degree, and with that, the atmosphere in the room took on a deeper, more solemn quality, as it always does at this most significant of moments in Freemasonry. From outside the lodge door came the appropriate knocks from Robin Dodd, the tyler, signalling that Gary was properly prepared and ready to continue his journey. Inner guard Gerry Barrett assured the WM that all was in order and admitted Gary into the lodge, where he was received into the safe and capable hands of senior deacon Luke Walton.
With junior deacon Eddie Cornish alongside him, Luke guided Gary around the lodge with quiet confidence and expertise. It was clear that both deacons had prepared well, and their steady guidance gave Gary every reassurance he needed as he took each step forward into one of Freemasonry’s most profound and moving ceremonies.
Luke guided Gary steadily around the lodge, presenting him first to junior warden Darren Norris and then to senior warden Chris Hughes. Chris, having satisfied himself that all was in order, informed WM Jeff that Gary was properly prepared to be raised to the third degree. Jeff duly directed him to instruct the deacons to advance the candidate to the east by the proper steps.
And so, Gary Smith was guided forward, step by measured step, until he stood before the master’s pedestal in the east. Jeff addressed him directly and honestly, making clear that a more serious trial of his fortitude and fidelity lay ahead, and asking Gary whether he was prepared to meet it as he ought. There was no hesitation. In a strong, clear and determined voice, Gary replied: “I am.” It was a simple answer, but it said everything. The room remained still and attentive and with those two words, Gary signalled to every brother present that he was ready. The most solemn part of the evening was about to unfold.
What followed was a masterclass in Masonic ceremony. Jeff, acting as WM, was quite simply exceptional, composed, precise and clearly in command throughout. The exhortation and charge were delivered by John Medcalf in an exemplary manner that drew quiet admiration from all present. Every word was measured and meaningful, and the standard set by all involved was one that the brethren of Leyland St Andrew’s Lodge could be enormously proud of.
As the most solemn part of the evening was now concluded, Gary retired to restore himself to his personal comforts, no doubt taking a quiet moment to reflect on what had just taken place. Jeff then called upon David Bishop to occupy the chair of King Solomon and present both the traditional history and the working tools of a master Mason. Dave rose to the occasion magnificently. His presentation of both was outstanding, delivered with clarity, warmth and obvious care, and it was met with great and well-deserved acclaim from the brethren. It was one of those performances that reminds everyone in the room exactly why they love this degree.
Gary now back amongst his brethren as a master Mason and Dave invited WM Kevin to be the first to offer his congratulations. Kevin did so with evident pride and genuine warmth, a fitting moment for the master of the lodge that Gary calls home. Jeff then returned to the chair and proceeded to close the lodge in the third and second degrees the long way, a traditional approach that is rarely seen these days and was clearly appreciated by the brethren present. Once back in the first degree, Jeff invited Kevin to resume his rightful place as WM of the lodge. Kevin took his chair with well-earned satisfaction, and the officers of James T Callow Lodge returned to their posts.
With the lodge back in its natural order, the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews took to the floor. Mark spoke with genuine warmth and enthusiasm, thanking everyone who had played a part in what he described as an exceptional ceremony. He expressed his real pleasure at having been present to witness it, and said he was quite certain it was a night that Gary would carry with him for the rest of his Masonic life. It was heartfelt, generous and very well received.
David Atkinson, Chairman of the Mersey Valley Group, then stepped forward with a smile and presented Gary with Royal Arch literature, informing him, with obvious delight, that in just four weeks he would be eligible to join the Order and take the next step on his Masonic journey. It was a wonderful moment, and Gary’s reaction said it all.
After the first rising, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington formed the procession of grand and acting Provincial grand officers for their retirement. The procession included John Murphy AProvGM, Stewart Seddon PAProvGM, David Atkinson the Mersey Valley Group Chairman, John Reynolds the Provincial Senior Warden, Ezra McGowan the Provincial Junior Warden, Mick Southern the Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary, Assistant Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Darren Forshaw, Provincial Grand Organist Stephen Derringer, and Provincial Deacons Mark Rothwell and Paul Lucock. Greg then called upon the brethren to be upstanding as the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews, made his retirement, bringing a truly remarkable afternoon to its formal close.
With the ceremony concluded, the brethren retired to the festive board, and what a fitting end to the afternoon it proved to be. The food was excellent, the wine flowed freely, and the room was filled with the kind of laughter and easy conversation that makes these occasions so special. The camaraderie was everything you would hope for after such a memorable ceremony.
The evening also demonstrated the generous spirit that runs through Freemasonry, with the sum of £375 raised for both Masonic and non-Masonic charities, a wonderful effort and a reminder of what the fraternity stands for beyond the lodge room.
Mark Matthews took the opportunity to address the brethren on a couple of important matters close to his heart. He spoke about the membership challenge facing the Craft and encouraged everyone to play their part in meeting it. He also emphasised the importance of joining the Royal Arch, reminding the brethren that it is the natural completion of the Masonic journey, something that Gary would soon be experiencing for himself. Mark also urged all members to sign up to the portal, the Masonic database, underlining how important it is for the Craft to move with the times and keep its membership connected.
Then came the highlight of the festive board, and perhaps the surprise of the evening. Rather than offering his thanks in the traditional manner, Gary decided to show his appreciation in a way that nobody quite saw coming. He picked up his guitar and proceeded to treat the assembled brethren to a handful of songs that had the whole room smiling from ear to ear. It wasn’t long before voices joined in, and what had already been a memorable day became truly unforgettable.
As the evening ended and everyone made their way home, the conversation showed no sign of stopping. Gary’s raising, the outstanding ceremony, the warmth of the company, and that impromptu guitar performance, it was the kind of evening that reminds every Freemason exactly why they joined. A brilliant afternoon, a brilliant evening, and a night that Gary Smith and everyone who was there will remember for a very long time.