For the 2024/25 season, John Leisk was installed in the chair of King Solomon at Royal Victoria Lodge No 1013. The principal guest was Roy Ashley, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. The ceremony was held at the Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street in the company of 34 brethren.
The lodge opened by the WM and installing master, Graham Hamilton-Taylor. The director of ceremonies Simon Stanley announced and admitted, Roy Ashley, accompanied by visiting grand officers Kevin Poynton, David Hawkes, Sam Robinson, Stephen Kayne and the Liverpool Group Vice Chairman Bob Paterson, together with other Provincial grand officers.
John Leisk was presented by Steve Carroll as master elect and installed into the chair for the ensuing year by Graham Hamilton-Taylor. He was ably assisted by Bob Gibson (SW), Steve Lee (JW) and David Sayce (IG). Once installed, the third degree working tools were presented by Steve Dovaston. The second degree working tools were presented by Bob Gibson and the first degree working tools were presented by Karl Starkey, an entered apprentice.
Assistant secretary Mark Powell then delivered the address to three of the newly appointed stewards of the lodge Jonathan Northover, Karl Starkey Geert Van Bommel. The address to the master was given by Bernie Moran and the address to the wardens were ably given by the very busy Bob Gibson.
Following the address to the lodge brethren by Roy Ashley, he brought personal greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM and a special mention to the installing master Graham Hamilton-Taylor for conducting an excellent ceremony and the brethren acting as Principal grand officers, as well as those who delivered the working tools.
He was pleased to accept the charitable donations made by the lodge during the year to the magnificent sum of £1,550, which was an outstanding sum of money and stated that it would be greatly appreciated by all the recipients. Roy Ashley thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
After the lodge was closed, all the brethren then retired to the dining room for a festive board of mushroom soup, roast chicken and vegetables, profiteroles and a selection of fine cheese and biscuits. In his response to the toast, Roy spoke about membership, retention and the importance of enjoying Freemasonry. He gave mention to the excellent work carried out by everyone taking part in the ceremony.
There was then a rousing rendition of the Master’s Song by John Owen accompanied by Colin Porter the organist. A raffle was conducted at the festive board by the lodge charity steward Geoff Brown, which raised a magnificent sum of £165, as well as an additional £82.35 from the alms plate collection in the lodge.