25 brethren and guests were present to see the installation of a new WM for Woolton Lodge No 6448. The celebration took place in the Roman Rooms at Liverpool Masonic Hall on Hope Street. The lodge was under the excellent control of director of ceremonies Gordon McConnell, who prior to the ceremony was hard at work ensuring that those involved in the procession and those brethren of the lodge being invested were clear on the procedures.
The lodge was opened precisely at the appointed time by the WM Stuart Kidd; the minutes of the previous meeting were accepted and agreed in the usual manner. The lodge was then opened in the second degree and then opened in the third degree.
The director of ceremonies requested permission to retire and then returned to announce that Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Kevin Poynton, representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, requested admission. Two lodge members, David Blythe and Colin Twigg, who were acting as Provincial deacons, rose and proceeded to the door of the lodge.
Kevin Poynton was accompanied by Liverpool Group Secretary and Woolton Lodge member Geoff Green and Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Mick Southern. Kevin was welcomed to Woolton Lodge by Stuart. Salutations were given to the grand lodge officers and Provincial grand lodge officers who suitably responded.
Peter Fay assisted the lodge by occupying the chair of senior warden for the remaining duration of the installation ceremony and Keith Alcock remained in the chair of junior warden with Eddie O’Hare remaining in the position of inner guard.
Geoff Green then presented the WM elect Dave Hillman to Stuart and after Dave had taken his obligation, those below the rank of a master Mason were asked to retire. Stuart then stood and thanked the brethren of Woolton Lodge for their support and work during the past 12 months.
Those below the rank of an installed master retired and the lodge was declared a Board of Installed Masters. What followed was described later by Kevin as a ceremony delivered by Stuart with expertise and aplomb.
After Dave had been placed into the chair of King Solomon the Board of Installed Masters was closed and business resumed in the third degree; master Masons were re-admitted and Stuart declared Dave as the new WM of Woolton Lodge, with salutations and greetings given. Stuart then delivered an explanation of the third degree working tools to the new WM.
Dave then closed the lodge in the third degree and resumed labour in the second degree. Fellow crafts were re-admitted and Stuart again declared Dave as the new WM, with salutation and greetings being given. Stuart then gave the explanation of the second degree working tools.
The lodge was closed from the second degree and labour resumed in the first degree; entered apprentices were admitted and Stuart declared Dave as the new WM. Stuart then gave the explanation of the first degree working tools to the WM.
After the officers of the lodge had been appointed and invested, Eddie gave the address to the newly installed WM, David Blythe gave the address to the junior warden and Kevin Poynton gave the address to the brethren of Woolton Lodge.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, Kevin rose to bring Dave the best wishes from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and that he wished them the best of health to enjoy their Freemasonry.
WM Dave then presented Kevin with a list of donations to charities that totalled £500. This consisted of £200 to the Northwest Air Ambulance, £200 to Little Lights (Zoes Place), and £100 to Liverpool Masonic Hall. Kevin thanked the lodge for their kind donations and pointed out to the brethren that this was an amazing achievement considering the number of members within the lodge.
After the first risings, the principal guests retired from the lodge, allowing the WM to deal with the second and third risings. The lodge was closed and the brethren retired for a fine festive board, which consisted of chicken pate, steak pie with vegetables and chips, followed by American cheesecake and fresh cream. Wine takings were given, including the taking of wine with John Critchley, the newly installed WM of Dominion Lodge No 4289 who was on his second lodge visit since his own installation.
Kevin responded to the toast of his health by thanking the senior warden for the toast, saying that he was delighted to be present in the lodge as the representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Kevin talked about the link between the Craft and the Royal Arch and the good work that Woolton Lodge has in respect of recruitment and retention of both.
Kevin brought his own personal greetings to Dave and the lodge, saying that it was a happy lodge and should continue doing what they are doing. Kevin congratulated Colin on his new promotion and Dave Johnson on his promotion within the group, also thanking Geoff for his work within the group. Kevin encouraged the brethren to take the opportunity of joining and using the UGLE Portal membership system.
Kevin once again wished Dave the best of health to have a wonderful year as master of Woolton Lodge, going on to praise Stuart for his work in conducting the ceremony with expertise and aplomb. Kevin also praised the lodge for its charity donations and its collections.
Stuart then proposed the toast to Dave as the newly installed WM, saying how pleased he was have had the pleasure of installing him into the chair of King Solomon, as well as earlier in the year, having had the same pleasure of installing him as first principal of his chapter, stating that he had no doubt that Dave would do the brethren and companions proud in both. Stuart then explained that brethren may not be aware that the new WM worked in the Registrar General’s Office and as the head of marriages was deeply involved in the arrangements for the future King and Queen.
Dave then gave his response to the toast to the health of the WM and reminded the brethren of the lodge that they often thought about Stuart when he was unable to attend lodge meetings during the toast to absent brethren. Dave was grateful for the help that Stuart had given him and was certain that he was the best immediate past master that any WM could have.
Geoff then presented Dave with a card from the Liverpool Group on behalf of the group representatives Peter Fay and Ray Parr. The toast to absent and sea-fairing brethren was given, with full choral involvement by the brethren. The lodge was closed with Stuart delivering the tyler’s toast.
It would be remiss of a group publicity officer not to make mention of those recurring events that may take place and brethren expect reports on. The brethren were pleased to see that the Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Mick Southern still enjoys his pudding and the American Cheesecake did not disappoint, even appearing to meet his ‘Mick two puddings’ attribute, it was even rumoured that three may had been consumed.
A wonderful, enjoyable ceremony and the festive board was enjoyed by all those present.
Story by Ray Parr