Emblem Lodge No 6727 held a regular meeting at Blackpool Masonic Hall. Gordon Major occupied the chair of King Solomon duly opened the lodge and welcomed 40 brethren to the meeting. Following confirmation of the minutes and completion of the lodge business, the lodge proceeded with the ceremony of initiation of Lewis Edward Kelly.
Gordon Major invited director of ceremonies invited Paul Easton to occupy the chair of King Solomon. Lewis, who is Paul’s son-in-law, was then admitted into the lodge room in due form to begin his journey in Freemasonry.
During the ceremony, junior deacon Martin Porter guided Lewis through the various stages of the first degree ceremony.
The apron was presented by senior warden Dave Boswell, while Darrell Thomson, a past master of Lodge Troon Navigation No 86 in Troon, Ayrshire in the Grand Lodge of Scotland, expertly delivered the working tools of the first degree. Darrell presented the Scottish version of the working tools, a rare occurrence in an English lodge, which was particularly well received by those in attendance.
Having completed the ceremony, Lewis was invited to retire briefly before returning to the lodge room, where Paul delivered the charge after initiation in a sublime manner. The ceremony was a memorable occasion for Emblem Lodge, made all the more special by the opportunity for Paul to perform the ceremony of initiation for his son-in-law.
Brethren of Emblem Lodge.
The evening was particularly meaningful for Paul, who was also joined by his two sons, Mark and Nick Easton, his other son-in-law, John Gunn and close family members, his uncle Blair Thomson and cousin Darrell Thomson, who had travelled from Scotland for the occasion.
The brethren retired to an enjoyable festive board, where 41 members and guests gathered to celebrate the occasion. Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly had organised a musical quiz in memory of George Holden, a much-valued member of Emblem Lodge for over 50 years, who had recently passed away.
George had served the lodge as organist for much of that time and the quiz was warmly received by those present.
It was a fantastic evening for Emblem Lodge, marking the beginning of Lewis’s journey in Freemasonry while bringing family and brethren together.
