On a bright but cool morning, the brethren of St Helens Lodge of Loyalty No 897, a biker’s lodge, started to assemble at the entrance of the hall in St Helens, which is affectionately known to many as The Point. A stunning building which was styled on Freemasons Hall in the capital.
They were dressed in their iconic leather waistcoats which are known as cuts and are adorned with many patches that are brought back from many an adventure out on the open road. Each cut is as unique as the widow’s son who wears it.
This was a joyous sight to behold and what made the events of the morning even more special was the fact that a lewis was going to be initiated into this worthy and unique lodge of exceptional gentlemen whose courteous nature prove daily that judgement of people based on outward appearance alone is not always the correct road to travel down in life because the warmth expressed to the visitors during the morning’s proceedings exceeded all expectations.
The lodge opened promptly at 10:30hrs with the WM Andreas Andrea, swinging the gavel down on his pedestal, a gavel which is exclusive to this worthy lodge of equally distinctive characters including those dutiful wardens who were word perfect and precise, thus showing the tremendous effort which these brothers on bikes put into learning ritual, the passion and the enthusiasm was brimming over with each word that these towering figures uttered.
Minutes of the last meeting were circulated in the usual manner amongst the members assembled under the glorious dome ceiling which sparkled in the daylight. The minutes were then duly approved by all brethren of this remarkable lodge; the exquisitely well organised secretary then informed this sea of colourful pillars of the community that the minutes had no amendments before resuming his seat.
Investiture of officers who were not at the installation meeting then commenced, James Upshon was invested as senior deacon, George Graham was invested as a steward. The WM was word perfect and brimming with the utmost confidence throughout. The efficient secretary made a notice of motion to increase the number of meetings from 5 to 7 a year to accommodate the number of initiates.
Then a ballot was carried out, and if successfully approved, for Mathew Marrow to be initiated into this fantastic lodge packed with as many characters as there are aprons. The ballot proved favourable for the candidate who was seconds away from becoming a Lewis being escorted during the ceremony by his father Phillip Marrow who is a former junior grand deacon for the Province of West Lancashire.
It was now the time for Mathew to step through the door of this historic temple. The deacons were perfect in their footwork throughout the ceremony. Mathew’s father, brimming with pride led his son around with such emotion one would expect as an occasion like this only occurs once in a lifetime, both wardens and the inner guard performed their duties flawlessly throughout the ceremony as too did the deacons with perfect footwork throughout.
The solemn obligation was taken with such confidence which was awe-inspiring to witness, and the WM was equally as good in his words and actions during proceedings. Both senior and junior wardens were word perfect with voices that reverberated around the temple as was the junior deacon, father of the newly initiated Lewis. The north east corner was delivered by the WM Andreas Andrea with great aplomb which was a pleasure to watch because he had his eyes shut the whole time!
The working tools of an entered apprentice was delivered with astounding vigour and enthusiasm by the junior warden without wavering in his words at all, a steady, measured pace until the end. The charge was excellently executed by the brother charged with that most honourable of duties. Andrew Lane did a full explanation of the tracing board which was marvellously done with not a letter dropped throughout the task which he was charged with then came the presentation of the white gloves that was delivered by the lodge secretary Robert Wynn, the history of which was not only fascinating to listen to but word perfect as well.
With that the ceremony of initiation was complete, Mathew’s dad is now and forevermore his brother as well as his father sharing a bond not only in blood but in fellowship. The charities were honoured in the usual fashion. There were no propositions for joining members made at this time. There were no communications from Grand Lodge, the greetings from United Grand Lodge were given. There were also no communications from Provincial Grand Lodge and greetings were given by the officers who were present. General notices were given and so too was the apologies and a donation to the Freemason’s golfing charity was given. The lodge was closed at 12:34hrs by the WM and his faithful wardens in peace and harmony with a final almighty swing of the gavel which echoed like thunder off the walls of the temple chamber.
The festive board was a delight to be part of, from the pie and peas and wall-to-wall banter to the emotional speeches that were given by Philip and Mathew, the Lewis outdid his father by receiving an earth-shattering applause with one simple line, ‘That’s how it’s done dad!’
The lodge had two raffles during the frivolity of the morning which raised a total of £348 of which £245 was in aid of Cold Cots Charity which supports grieving families during unimaginable times. In short, every member of this honourable lodge of extraordinary men did their utmost in delivering an initiation ceremony that both Mathew and Phillip will never forget.