Gary Mansfield has capped off an incredible three-year period for himself by installing his successor at Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters No 9422 at Ulverston, Kings Road Masonic Hall. For the last three years, Gary has served as master of Newby Bridge Lodge No 4598, taken a brief holiday of three months, then attained the chair King Solomon at Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters.
The ceremony unfolded in the presence of not one, but two assistant Provincial Grand Masters, principal guest Malcolm Bell and Peter Schofield. Two Past Provincial Grand Masters, Tony Harrison and Norman Thompson from the neighbouring Province of Cumberland and Westmorland, two Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Keith Kemp and Dave Grainger and grand officers Rowley Saunders, Dave Kellet, Phil Preston and Paul Broadley. Also in attendance were Furness and Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, vice chairman Harry Chatfield and secretary Tony Jackson. Complementing the already glittering roll of those present and correct were acting Provincial grand officers Kevin Rigg, Ian Hallatt and Stephen Renney. Howard Linaker was director of music for the afternoon.
WM Gary opened the lodge and the regular business was dispatched efficiently, the most notable item on the agenda was a favourable ballot to confer honorary membership on Ken Boon, a past master of the lodge, who hasn’t been in the best of health of late.
The lodge was opened in the third degree and director of ceremonies Mort Richardson retired for a short time. On his return, principal guest Malcolm Bell along with Peter Schofield were admitted with their retinue of grand and Provincial grand officers. Having been welcomed and saluted, Peter suggested that Gary would welcome Malcolm being seated in his rightful place, Gary responded appropriately and the ceremony commenced.
Gary requested all retiring officers of the lodge to assemble in the North and he thanked them for their year of support and hard work supporting him. Master Masons retired for a short time and a Board of Installed Masters was opened. Master elect, Alan Jones, was presented to Gary by group chairman Chris Gray, to receive the benefit of installation. Alan recited both of his obligations impeccably and was installed by Gary with great humility and attention to detail.
Alan Tomlinson then presented the working tools of an installed master in an excellent manner. The Board of Installed Masters was closed and master Masons were re-admitted. Alan Jones was proclaimed for the first time as WM of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters by director of ceremonies Mort Richardson. Peter Schofield presented and explained the working tools of a master Mason in a most excellent manner.
The lodge was closed in the third degree by virtue and work continued in the second degree. Alan Jones was proclaimed for the second time as WM of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters by director of ceremonies Mort Richardson. Norman Thompson presented and explained the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason in a most excellent manner.
Next, the lodge was closed in the second degree by virtue and work continued in the first degree. Alan Jones was proclaimed for the third time as WM of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters by director of ceremonies Mort Richardson. Richard Wilcock presented and explained the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason in a most excellent manner.
Immediate Past Master, Gary Mansfield, presented Alan with the warrant of the lodge, Book of Constitutions of the Order and a copy of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters by-laws. Group chairman Chris Gray rose to address WM Alan confidently and with great precision.
At the appointment of lodge officers, two notable appointments were the wardens, Gary Rogerson as senior warden and Alan Pattinson as junior warden, both recent past group chairmen, who were addressed impeccably by Harry Chatfield. David Cottam was appointed secretary, succeeding Dennis Laird after many years of service, which drew fulsome praise from WM Alan.
Principal guest Malcolm Bell addressed the brethren of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters with great dignity and grace and he rose again shortly afterwards, to bring the greetings of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, congratulating Alan Jones, Gary Mansfield and three ‘young lads’ who had presented and explained the working tools of the three degrees. He also crossed the floor to congratulate Alan Tomlinson, commenting that the working tools of an installed master are rarely presented in the central and southern areas of the Province and how pleasing it was to see them explained here today.
Rounding off the afternoon, Malcolm was presented with a cheque in the sum of £500 for the Masonic Charitable Foundation. Malcolm gave thanks to the brethren of the lodge for their donation. Alms collected in the lodge amounted to £165 and a raffle at the feast of Saint John raised a further £360, supplemented by £12 from the visiting masters’ sweepstakes.
