Neil McGill, WM of Lune Lodge No 4724 welcomed Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, accompanied by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Keith Kemp and 11 grand officers. Along with the Provincial team, Lancaster Group Chairman Chris Larder, group secretary Lee Fisher and four visiting brethren from the Province of Shropshire to celebrate the lodge’s centenary.
The lodge was opened in the first degree and Masonic business conducted. The lodge members were balloted in an unanimous vote for Mark to become an honorary member.
The lodge was opened to the third degree after which Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald was admitted and announced that Provincial Grand Master Mark Francis Matthews stood without and demanded admission.
Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers processed into the lodge preceded by Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Stephen Gerrad, Provincial Grand Standard Bearers Paul Morgan and Stephen Murray, Provincial Grand Deputy Directors of Ceremonies David Boyes and Bryan Cambidge, Provincial Grand Senior Deacon Kevin Rigg, Provincial Grand Junior Deacon Paul Cummings, Provincial Grand Tyler Neil Higgins, Provincial Grand Pursuivant Adam Simpson, Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Mick Southern, grand officers and group chairman were admitted. Provincial Grand Organist Stephen Derringer provided the musical accompaniment.
Neil McGill greeted Mark and offered him the gavel of the lodge, which on this occasion Mark was pleased to accept.
Provincial Grand Senior Warden John Reynolds and Provincial Grand Junior Warden Ezra McGowan were requested to occupy their respective chairs in place of the lodge wardens and Mark proceeded to open Provincial grand lodge.
A short history of Lune Lodge was read aloud by Mark which had been researched by lodge secretary Paul Mason. Mark then presented the lodge centenary warrant to Neil and Provincial Grand Chaplain John Hall then delivered an oration and re-dedicated the lodge.
In recognition of his hard work in preparing for the lodge centenary, Mark awarded a ‘field’ promotion of Past Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer to lodge secretary Paul Mason.
Provincial grand lodge was closed and the respective lodge officers resumed their places. Neil thanked Mark on behalf of the lodge and informed him that the ballot to make him an honorary member had thankfully proved unanimous. Mark was presented with the bye-laws of the lodge and a centenary jewel as the newest member of Lune Lodge. Neil presented Mark with a cheque for £500 for the benefit of West Lancs Freemasons’ Charity and £500 for Rowley Court Masonic Hall.
After receiving the gavel back from Mark, Neil presented him with a blue safety hard hat for his safety, as on his previous visit to the lodge, he narrowly avoided being hit by the head of the WM’s gavel which had detached itself from the handle!
After the first rising Neil thanked Mark and his team and said that he was looking forward to welcoming them at the festive board, after which the Provincial team retired from the lodge.
At the festive board, 98 brethren sat down to a meal of prawn cocktail, beef bourguignon and cheese and biscuits. The celebration meal concluded with centenary cake baked by charity steward Dave Shaw’s daughter who is a professional baker. At the end of the meal, Neil presented Mark with a bottle of malt whisky and a bouquet of flowers for his wife Debbie.