Garston Masonic Hall, Island Road, Liverpool was the venue for the initiation of Andrew Roberts into Lodge of Harmony No 220. The lodge was opened in due form by WM Bob Rowlands and the minutes were confirmed from the previous meeting.
Following the approval of the minutes, the next business was to ballot for a joining member Stephen Galley who was proposed by Kevin Flynn and seconded by Gary Mason. The ballot proved successful and Stephen was admitted into the lodge.
The next business was the initiation of Andrew (Andy) Roberts as a candidate for Freemasonry. Bob Rowlands asked Eirwyn Jones to occupy the WM’s chair for the initiation ceremony, which Eirwyn did. Mark Mellor, the lodge treasurer had informed the lodge that the declaration book had been signed and that Andy had paid the necessary fees. Andy was then formally announced by the inner guard Ryan Fleming.
Lee Lindley, junior deacon, then collected the candidate and the initiation ceremony began with Lee leading Andy around the lodge announcing Andy at the junior warden‘s pedestal and then at the senior warden’s pedestal. Lee then led Andy to the WM Eirwyn Jones where Andy took the solemn obligation of a Freemason. Eirwyn then explained and demonstrated the signs, grip and word of the first degree which Andy copied.
Andy was led to Phil West, the junior warden, where Andy showed and demonstrated the sign, grip and word. Andy was then presented to Kevin Flynn, the senior warden, and again showed the sign, grip and word and meaning. The WM then instructed Kevin to invest Andy with the distinguishing badge of a Mason. Kevin invested Andy with the badge and explained the significance.
Following his investment of the badge, Andy was then led to the junior warden Phil West who explained the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason. Andy was then led to the senior warden Kevin Flynn who delivered an Ancient Charge. This completed the initiation and Andy left the lodge to return to his personnel comfort and was then readmitted.
This was another successful initiation for the Lodge of Harmony with 34 dining at the festive board. The lodge has another joining member in the pipeline, which has now led to a significant increase in lodge membership.
