An excellent afternoon was had at Prince of Architects Lodge No 4188 at Litherland Masonic Hall when Michael Fox was installed into the chair of King Solomon for his second time, previously being master of Adelphi Lodge No 6819. Following the procession into the lodge by the master and his officers, the lodge was opened by the WM Mark Davis promptly at 2.00pm.
With the usual business of the lodge, including a ballot for a joining member and a notice of motion completed, the lodge was opened in the second degree. The DC, Richard McHale then retired to form the procession. The lodge was opened in the third degree and the DC was readmitted and announced that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers stood without and demanded admission. The Mark replied that he would be delighted to receive him.
Frank, accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James and David Hawkes, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Also in attendance was Graham Chambers the Group Chairman of Ormskirk and Bootle with other grand and acting Provincial grand officers. Salutation to Frank were taken and he was offered the gavel of the lodge, which he accepted and thanked the brethren for their salutations, wished Mark and the brethren of the lodge his best wishes for the afternoon and then; after returning the gavel to the Mark, he introduced the principal guest, David Hawkes. Grand and Provincial grand officers were then saluted.
The lodge was then adjourned in the third degree and labour resumed in the second degree and the assistant secretary Paul Shirley and Alan Routledge presented the master elect Michael Fox to the WM. After being addressed the master elect, Michael advanced to the pedestal and recited his obligation in a flawless manner. The lodge then resumed in the third degree and Michael was installed into the chair of King Solomon by Mark Davis. Proclamations in the third, second and first degrees were led by John Hill, with the third degree tools being presented by Daniel Hill MBE, the second degree tools presented by Mathew Lamont and the first degree tools presented by Kane Lord, all in a flawless manner.
Mark then delivered the warrant of the lodge into the charge of Michael and the cherished Hall Stone Jewel was presented to Michael by Paul Shirley, for him to care for and wear for the coming year. The jewel was presented by Grand Lodge as one of 1,323 lodges at home and abroad that subscribed an average of 10 guineas per member by 1926 towards the rebuilding of Grand Lodge in commemoration of the 3,000 Masons who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.
Michael Fox then invested his officers for the coming year, with Daniel Hill MBE and Kane Lord, both of whom are light blues, being appoint to the offices of senior and junior deacon’s. They were addressed by Howard Minard whilst Mathew Lamont was appointed a steward of the lodge. The address to the master was then delivered by Alan Routledge and the address to the wardens by Paul Shirley. The address to the brethren of the lodge was delivered by David Hawkes in a sincere and meaningful manner. David then offered the newly installed master the congratulations of Mark Matthews on attaining the chair who wished him good health and an enjoyable year in office.
David also congratulated all concerned with the installation for the obvious hard work they must have put in through their regular rehearsals. He especially congratulated the Mark and Richard for their attention to detail and most especially congratulated with enthusiasm the three light blues who had made such excellent presentations of the working tools and who are now themselves, ‘on the ladder’ towards their own installations.
Prior to David sitting, Michael rose to offer David cheques for charity which came to a total of £2,840 to the benefit of national and local charities, reflecting once again the community impact of Masonic lodges. Beneficiaries included: Daddy’s with Angels £100, Walking with Giants £100, Whitechapel £100, In your shoes £100, Litherland Youth & Community Centre £240, Cancer Research UK £100, Sefton Community Pantry £1,000, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity £1,000 and Litherland Masonic Hall £100. Sincere thanks to the brethren and master were given on behalf of himself and the eventual recipients of the donations and he remarked upon the long history of charitably giving which the lodge had often displayed.
The master then continued the ordinary business of the lodge. The charities were honoured raising £292, following which, grand and acting Provincial grand officers retired from the lodge for refreshments provided and served by the lodge’s stewards. They were joined shortly after by the members, when an informal but rousing first toast to the master from the 52 brethren present, which was proposed by David Hawkes and joyously applauded by all present.
There followed a most convivial and sumptuous six course meal served with wines, port, cheese and biscuits and finally, as has become the tradition in this lodge, a very enjoyable shared wheel of port marinated blue cheese. In his response to the toast to his health, David Hawkes spoke of the further recruitment of members by suggesting exploring the return of previous and lapsed brethren as well as continuing to invite suitable friends, neighbours and relatives who may like to know more through speculative conversations and possibly white table events.
David also spoke of the importance of mentoring in the retention of sometimes confused brethren due to the initial complexity of the Craft so as to reduce their possible stresses and discomfort. He also spoke of the further expansion of Royal Arch through a greater awareness of fellow crafts and conversations with master Masons citing chapter as being the beneficial development of their Masonic knowledge.
A raffle then took place which raised a very respectable £355. This was followed by a toast to Michael which was proposed by the IPM Mark Davis and the Master’s Song was then sung by John Hill. In response to Marks toast to his health, the master expressed his appreciation for the hard work of his officers and brethren in the excellent ceremony they had conducted and he believed he had some very hard work to do in filling Mark’s size 11 shoes. Wishing the good health of those present he thanked the Mark for the toast.
Following the gift of a bouquet of flowers to David Hawkes for him to take home to his good lady, the DC Richard McHale called on the tyler, William Hunter, for the last toast of the evening which was delivered with feeling. David and the distinguished guests then retired from the festive board and the day’s events ended when all departed in harmony peace and contentment.
