It was a special night at Ormskirk Masonic Hall, as Alan Johnson was to be installed again into the chair of King Solomon in Lodge of Harmony No 580, which next year will be celebrating its 175 years of Freemasonry.
The lodge was opened by the master of the lodge, Anthony (Tony) Prior, up to the third degree and at that point, the lodge director of ceremonies, Alan Browne, entered the lodge and announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle demanded admission.
Accompanying Andrew were; Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Graham Chambers, Group Vice Chairman Stephen Dunn, along with acting Provincial grand officers, Paul Shirley, John Lennon and Sandy Kean, and the lodge Provincial deacons.
John Rogers presented Alan Johnson as master elect and he was then installed into the chair for the coming year by Tony. Once installed, the tools of an installed master were faultlessly delivered by David Williams, which is rarely seen. The third degree working tools were presented by Ricardo Oberti, the second degree working tools were presented by Alan Browne and the first degree working tools were presented by Tony Prior. The address to the master was given by Malcolm Sandywell and the address to the wardens and deacon were ably given by Alan Browne
Following the address to the brethren of the lodge by Andrew, he brought his own personal greetings to the lodge. He was then presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities to the value of £1,000. Andrew thanked the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations and made a special comment to Ricardo on his delivery of the working tools.
After the lodge was closed, all the brethren then retired to the dining room for a festive board of pea and ham soup, chicken cacciatore and passion fruit tart with mango ice cream. In his response to the toast, Andrew spoke about membership and retention, he also made special comment on the upcoming celebration of the lodge’s 175 years in existence and hoped the lodge would continue to grow.
After a rousing rendition of the Master’s Song by Ian Tupling, a raffle was held and raised the sum of £150, as well as an additional £109 from the alms plate collection in the lodge. Following the presentation of flowers to Andrew and Graham, everyone left in peace and harmony.
