Hope Lodge No 4003 is a member of the Wigan and Leigh Group. The master elect was Michael Butler.
Michael joined Hope Lodge in 2019. He is also a member of Borough Lodge No 3996 and a companion of
Ashton Trinity Chapter No 8821. Whilst being a very keen angler and a member of the Masonic Fishing Group,
his community interest is rugby, as he sponsors a local rugby team.
Barr, Mike Butler, John Calder, Gary Doran, John Cooper, Keith Gear, Dave Makinson, Keith Lomax, Peter
Graham, Stephen Atkinson and Jason Hardman.
Michael is very active in his Masonic career and personal life and by profession Michael is an electrician.
Before the lodge went through the usual procedure of business; there was a short silence in respect of
departed merit for John Hind, a former member of Hope Lodge.
The WM was Gary Doran and the principal guest on this occasion was Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master
David Ogden accompanied by grand officer Philip Gwinn who was visiting the lodge from London. Also
present was group chairman Ian Green and deputy group chairman Garry Bryan accompanied by Provincial
Senior Grand Deacon Ian Parker of Heber Lodge No 4388. The whole of the ceremonial proceedings came
under the watchful eye of director of ceremonies Phil Barr.
The lodge went through the usual procedure of opening to the third degree, after which the principal guest
David Ogden, accompanied by the other distinguished guests processed into the lodge room. David was
introduced to the WM, with the usual formal greetings.
WM Gary asked Keith Lomax to assist him with the next part of the ceremony, he politely agreed. The master
elect was presented by Phil Hughes, Keith’s particular competence obviously helped to make the occasion of
installing Michael a particular pleasure to see, Michael was as expected did his obligation flawlessly.
After the fellow crafts, through to the master Masons in their respective degrees were asked to leave the lodge
for a short time, the inner workings progressed perfectly to Michael being placed in the chair of King Solomon,
this obviously produced the greatest smile from Michael as he achieved the highest accolade in a Masonic
lodge.
The whole event was a pleasure to witness, one of the highlights of an installation is always the light blue
members presenting the working tools to the new master of the lodge, the master Mason tools were presented
by Stephen Atkinson, the fellow craft tools were presented by Jason Hardman and the entered apprentice
tools by David Makinson. For the visitors it is always a pleasure to see just how capable the light blue
members have progressed in a lodge, so top marks here to them in their delivery, they were exceptional.
The address to the WM was given by John Lomax, as was the address to the wardens, David Ogden gave the
address to the brethren and brought greetings to the installing master and the lodge on behalf of Provincial
Grand Master Mark Matthews, especially congratulating Michael in giving an excellent account of himself in
the ceremony.
Cheques presented to David on behalf of the lodge were; £500 to Ashton Masonic Hall, £300 to Willowbrook
Hospice and £100 to Ashton Masonic Development Fund.
Michael looked very comfortable in the chair of King Solomon throughout the preliminaries of the lodge
business as was obvious by his command of the gavel; no doubt he will be looking forward to a very busy
year. The lodge was finally closed in peace and harmony, after which there was the usual dash for the
brethren to clear the lodge furniture to get to the festive board.
At the festive board the brethren were treated to an excellent four-course meal. There were the various toasts and wine takings with the usual compliments and addresses that ensued, with David Ogden paying particular attention to the ceremony in the lodge and the level of competence from members of Hope Lodge. Going on to thank the many visitors in attendance, which was very close to 70 in total, Michael responded to the toast to his health by expressing his commitment to the lodge and in general to that in Freemasonry.
There was lots of amusement and laughter throughout, not forgetting the raffles that had some excellent
prizes. All in all, a very enjoyable occasion with great food and company.
The proceeds from a raffle of six bottles of spirits donated by Hope Lodge will be drawn at the joint Christmas
party with Bryn Lodge No 6553 at the end of November 2026
Gwinn.