Liverpool Masonic Hall in Hope Street was the venue for the installation of Joseph Williams into the chair of St Peter’s Lodge No 4324. This was the seventh time that Joseph had been installed into King Solomons Chair, having been placed in the chair of five different lodges.
The WM John Lambert and his wardens were ceremonial admitted into the lodge and the lodge was opened in the first degree. The lodge minutes were dealt with and then the principal guests were announced by the director of ceremonies Stuart Kidd and admitted. Liverpool Group Chairman Dave Johnson was the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and was accompanied by Bill Culshaw from the Gladstone Group.
Dave, when being introduced to the WM, explained that at this stage had he been a rank with a chain he would have been offered the gavel, however on this occasion he was able to present and offer a gavel which he had found in Hope Street, that actually depicted its ownership by St Peter’s Lodge in the form of a small engraving upon it. This was given to the WM.
The Lodge was opened into the second and third degree, salutations were given and received. Stuart Kidd then took the chair for the purposes of the installation. The lodge was adjourned to the second degree and the WM was assisted by Malcolm Myers who remained in the position of senior warden, Bill Carr remaining in the position of junior warden.
Dave Johnson and Bill Culshaw then presented the master elect Joseph Williams to the installing master. Joseph then re-affirmed his obligations and the lodge was resumed in the third degree. Officers of the lodge were lined up and thanked by the outgoing WM John Lambert.
There then followed a ‘stonking’ ceremony of installation, completed by Stuart Kidd. The newly installed master Joseph was proclaimed by Stuart, to master Masons, fellow craft and entered apprentices. The third degree tools were explained to the WM by Stuart, and with the master having been installed into the chair of previous occasions, no further explanation of the second or third degree tools were required. Peter Fay gave the address to the WM Ray Parr addressed the stewards and Dave Johnson gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
Upon completion of the installation ceremony, Dave rose to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM, wishing him a happy and successful year for the seventh time, but being the first time in St Peter’s Lodge. Dave then thanked the IPM John for his work during the previous year. The principal guest then thanked Stuart for a ‘stonking’ ceremony.
The newly installed master Joseph Williams then presented a list to Dave of the charities the lodge had made; donations of £250 each to Liverpool Masonic Hall, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, Liverpool Samaritans, Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes. The donations totalling £1000 being greatly received, and thanks given to the brethren of the lodge by Dave.
Following the ceremony, the brethren retired for a magnificent festive board, consisting of leek and potato soup, cod mornay, chicken chasseur, apple crumble and custard, tea or coffee. Toasts were given including those to the visiting masters from other lodges.
Dave, in responding to the toast to grand officers, thanked Malcolm Myers for the toast to himself and Bill. Dave thanked Peter Fay, the group membership officer and Ray Parr, the group publicity officer, for their work and assistance they give. Dave brought his personal best wishes to the WM for a happy year, enquiring if he was going for a 10th installation in the future. The topics from Grand Lodge were communicated, and when discussing the donations made for the Blood Bikes, Dave explained how the bike is identified as being donated by Freemasons.
Up and coming dates were communicated, and Dave once again thanked the lodge for their warm welcome, and a fantastic evening that he had enjoyed, saying that the lodge can be seen to be going from strength to strength, and thanked Stuart Kidd for his work during the evening.
Stuart Kidd proposed the toast to the WM Joseph Williams, explaining how Joseph has visited the lodge many times it was nice to see him now in the chair of the lodge, and how Joseph was an experienced Mason and WM.
Newly installed WM responded to the toast to his health, by thanking the grand officers, especially his guest and friend Bill who had travelled from Wolverhampton He also thanked Stuart for proposing his toast and was looking forward to his year.
The WM’s song was eloquently sung by Phil Wardle with all those present joining in appropriately. A toast was given to the IPM, and he was thanked for a great job in supporting the lodge. Dave was then presented with a bouquet of flowers for his wife and a bottle, both gratefully received with thanks. The proceedings were brought to an ending with the tyler’s toast.