Brethren of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters No 9422 met for their installation meeting at the Masonic Hall, King’s Road, Ulverston. Master elect Gary Mansfield was to be installed by Ian Cottam in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James.
John was accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, Past Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison and Past Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmorland Norman Thompson. Also present were Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters David Grainger and Keith Kemp along with six other grand officers, namely; Paul Broadley, Peter Mason, Phil Preston, Alan Jones, Dave Kellet and John Quiggin.
The executive of the Furness and South Lakeland Group was also well represented with group chairman Chris Gray, group vice chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary Tony Jackson. Tony and Harry both acted as Provincial deacons. Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steve Ellershaw, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Steven Murray, Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant Syd Bateson and Provincial Grand Stewards, Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter were also present.
WM Ian Cottam opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge. The lodge was then opened up to the second and third degrees. After the grand officers and acting Provincial grand officers had entered the lodge and taken their seats, Chris Gray presented master elect Gary Mansfield. Ian Cottam undertook the ceremony of installation in a fine and dignified manner. The tools of an installed master were presented by Tony Cassells. The third degree tools were undertaken by Mike Cosgrove, second degree tools by Kevin Rigg and the first degree tools by Steve Harris.
The address to the master was given by Gary Rogerson who is an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals in the Royal Arch. The address to the wardens was given by Harry Chatfield and the address to the brethren of the lodge by John James.
At the completion of the installation ceremony John James rose and brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. He congratulated Gary on attaining the chair of King Solomon and also congratulated installing master Ian for the work he had done and the manner in which he had done so. He also thanked the director of ceremonies Mort Richardson for the way he had managed the proceedings of the day.
Before John resumed his seat, Gary presented him with a cheque for £500 for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. John thanked gary and the brethren of the lodge for their generous donation. Alms collected in the lodge raised £180 for Masonic charities and at the festive board a Chorley’ raffle conducted by Richard Wilcock complemented this by increasing the amount collected to £333.
