Ken Robinson was installed as the master of Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters No 9357 in the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Thomas. David was accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield and Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Philip Gardner and Keith Kemp together with grand officers Peter Mason, John Lee, Neil McGill and Paul Broadley.
Also present was the Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder, who was joined by Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steve Ellershaw, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Steven Murray, Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant Sid Bateson and Provincial Grand Stewards, Stuart Bateson and Andy Baxter. Provincial deacons were Roger Nevinson and Frank Horn.
WM Scott Devine opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge. The lodge was then opened in the second degree and the Scott invited John Holmes to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, John Eccles as installing junior warden and Tony Cassells as installing inner guard. The lodge was opened in the third degree at which time David Thomas, his fellow grand officers, acting Provincial officers and group chairman Chris Larder were admitted. The lodge was adjourned in the third degree and labour resumed in the second degree.
Master elect Ken Robinson was presented for installation by Philip Gardner. Labour was resumed in the third degree and all those below an installed master were requested to retire from the lodge for a short while. The board of installed masters was convened and Ken Robinson was installed as the master of the lodge in fine style by Scott Devine.
The board of installed masters was closed and master Masons readmitted. The third degree working tools were presented by Colin Wilkinson. The second and first degree working tools were presented by Steve McClintock and Darren Reeve respectively. The WM appointed Daniel Crossley as senior warden and Dennis Laird as junior warden.
The address to the master was given by Scott Devine. The address to the wardens was given by Chris Larder and David Thomas gave the address to the brethren of Plantagenet Lodge of Installed Masters. On completion of the installation ceremony, David Thomas brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews to the WM and wished him a successful, happy and healthy year. He congratulated Scott on a superb ceremony.
Following the completion of the installation ceremony, the brethren retired to the festive board. There was no organist present and the Master’s Song was not performed. A total of 58 brethren attended the festive board, where the toast to the WM was given by Scott Devine.
WM Ken Robinson is a widower with three children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild who he sees as much as he can, which keeps him fully occupied. Ken has played all sports, but mainly rugby and cricket for two local sides and is a life-member of Barrow Cricket Club. He has been associated for over 50 years with Hawcoat Park, formerly Vickers Sport Club, and still attends both clubs regularly. To keep his mind working, Ken enjoys crosswords and sudoku.
Ken was installed in Semper Sursum Lodge No 5622 in 1995 and having worked his way up through the various lodge officers, he was installed as WM of the lodge in 2004. He received his first honours as past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 2011 and was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in 2016 and Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2023. Ken was WM of Lonsdale Lodge of Installed Masters No 9422 in 2014.
In Royal Arch, Ken joined Semper Sursum Chapter No 5622 in Barrow and was exalted in 1997. He was first principal for 2 years from 2008 to 2009 and has been awarded Provincial honours in the rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah. Ken is also a member of another Masonic Order.
Ken has served on the Barrow Masonic Hall committee for 30 years, serving the last 14 years as vice chairman and now chairman. He is also a visiting volunteer for the Masonic Charitable Foundation and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
