Heysham Chapter No 4108 held its 2024 installation convocation with Third Provincial Grand Principal David Barr in attendance. David was accompanied by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson and Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Gary Smith.
Lancaster Group Vice Chairman Chris Larder was also in attendance and he was joined by grand officer Phil Gardner, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Phil Newby; Provincial Grand Sojourner Tony Nevinson, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Stuart Bateson along with Provincial Grand Stewards Stewart Aimson and Chris Gray.
Michael Church-Taylor, who only joined the chapter immediately prior to the installation ceremony, was invited to act as installing scribe Nehemiah by first principal Allan Herron. The ceremony was conducted by director of ceremonies Chris Larder who presented Peter Tooze-Froggatt as third principal, Malcolm Hayward as second principal and Allan Finney as first principal.
The readings to the third principal were given by David Tattersall, to the readings to the second principal were given by Alan Dean and the readings to the first principal were given by Phil Gardner. The robe address to the first principal was given by Ray Griffiths, the robe address to the second principal were given by Ken Needham and to the robe address to the third Principal were given by Brian Warrington. On completion of the installation ceremony, first principal Allan Finney appointed and invested his officers for the year. Phil Gardner presented the immediate past first principal jewel to Allan Herron.
David Barr brought greetings from Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews and congratulated the newly installed principals and all those who had taken part in the ceremony. David was presented with a list of Masonic and non-Masonic Charity donations that the chapter had made in the sum of £430. David thanked the companions for their charity donations.
John Heaton was the organist and 33 companions dined at the festive board. The toast to the principals was given by Ray Griffiths. The raffle at the festive board raised £230.
First principal Allan Finney was born in Prescot, South Lancashire in 1943. He is married to Sylvia and moved to Morecambe in 2007. He was awarded a BA(Hons) Degree from the Open University and ran the London Marathan in 1982 and vowed never to do it again!
Allan enlisted in the British Army in 1961 and was discharged with the rank of Captain (QM) in April 2003. He served two tours in Berlin, Libya, Cyprus, Aen and Northern Ireland. Allan was RSM at Harrow School CCF and has completed army free fall parachute training. He ran the army recruiting office at Morecambe in Spring 1976. Allan has also worked as a GPO/BT telephone engineer in Northern Ireland and was awarded the BEM.
In Craft, Allan was initiated in Temple Porchway Lodge No 7209, London Metropolitan Grand Lodge in May 1993. He was awarded London Grand rank in October 2007. He is a former member of Hertfordshire Regiment Lodge No 4537 and is now an honorary member.
In Royal Arch, Allan was exalted in Temple Porchway Chapter No 7209 London Metropolitan Grand Chapter in March 1995 and has served as first principal on four occasions. He later joined Sandylands Chapter No 5702 in Morecambe and was first principal from April 2019 to April 2022 during the COVID pandemic. He joined Heysham Chapter in March 2016 and received his first Provincial appointment to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer in April 2020.
