On a bright and sunny April afternoon, 38 brethren gathered at Blackpool Masonic Hall to witness Mark Sabor being installed in the chair of King Solomon for the second time. Principal guest for the afternoon was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Malcolm Bell.
Once the routine business of the lodge had been concluded by WM Bob Marsden, which included a successful ballot for a joining member and a presentation of a Grand Lodge certificate, the main item of the day commenced.
On a report, lodge director of ceremonies John Paul Lovie announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Malcolm Bell stood without and demanded admission. WM Bob replied that he would be pleased to receive him.
Malcolm processed into the lodge room accompanied by Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly, acting Provincial grand officers: Provincial Grand Mentor Ray Lamb, Provincial Grand Senior Deacon David Sangster, Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Paul Cummings and Provincial Grand Tyler Neil Higgins.
WM Bob welcomed Malcolm to the lodge and offered him the gavel which Malcolm politely refused and swiftly returned to the WM.
Salutations were given to those who deserved them and WM Bob invited Terry Barlow to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Michael Sjollema to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Craig Scott to occupy the position of installing inner guard.
In a proud moment, master elect Mark Sabor was presented to the installing master Bob Marsden by Mark’s father Wilfred (Bill) Sabor.
In due course, a Board of Installed Masters was declared and Mark Sabor was installed in the chair of King Solomon by installing master Bob Marsden. The first task of new WM Mark was to invest the immediate past master Bob Marsden, thanking him for all the work he had performed this afternoon and during his year as master.
The installed masters saluted Mark in passing, forming a semi-circle and greeted Mark as installed masters. Master Masons were admitted, saluted and greeted the new WM. The tools of a master Mason were delivered by past master Michael Sjollema. After closing the master Masons’ lodge, fellowcraft Freemasons were admitted, saluted and greeted the new WM. The tools of a fellowcraft Freemason were delivered by past master Bob Marsden. After closing the fellowcraft Freemasons’ lodge, entered apprentice Freemasons were admitted, saluted and greeted the new WM. The tools of an entered apprentice Freemason were delivered by newly raised master Mason Jason Cockcroft.
Installing master Bob Marsden presented the warrant of the lodge, Book of Constitutions of the Order and a copy of Rectitude Lodge by-laws to WM Mark. Mark proceeded to appoint his wardens and the officers of the lodge.
The address to new WM Mark was given by his father Bill and the address to the wardens was given by lodge director of ceremonies John Paul Lovie. The brethren of Rectitude Lodge were requested to stand and principal guest Malcolm Bell gave a impeccable rendition of the address to the brethren.
Installing master Bob informed Mark and the brethren that the ceremony of installation was concluded. Malcolm quickly rose to bring the greetings and congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, thanking all those involved in the ceremony especially new master Mason Jason Cockcroft who had presented the first degree working tools.
WM Mark had the great pleasure of presenting Malcolm with charitable cheques to the value of £2330. £200 to Alzheimers Society, £230 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £450 to Trinity Hospice on the Fylde, £450 to Aiming Higher, £450 to Rosemere Cancer Foundation, £450 to Children with Cancer and £100 to Victoria Blue Skies Hospital Appeal. Malcolm thanked Mark and the brethren for the magnificent donations.
On the first rising, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Malcolm Bell, group chairman and acting Provincial grand officers retired. The remainder of the summons was duly completed, the lodge was closed and the brethren retired to the bar for some well earned drinks before moving on to the museum dining room for an Italian themed banquet of charcuterie board, homemade minestrone soup, freshly baked pizza, traditional beef lasagne, penne al pollo with classic tiramisu for desert, complemented by a few well chosen bottles of Italian wine.
In the response to the toast the grand officers, Malcolm thanked the brethren of Rectitude Lodge for making him so welcome, wishing Mark a happy and successful year in office. Especially as Mark has been in the chair of King Solomon on a previous occasion, in Makerfield Lodge No 2155, in Malcolm’s own group of Wigan and Leigh.
John Darrell sang the Master’ Song accompanied by John Wall on the piano with everyone joining in on the chorus.
Mark Sabor responded to the toast to his health given by Bob Marsden by thanking everyone for attending, especially his father Bill, for presenting him and for giving the address to to the master to him.
Mark informed the brethren that he had recently moved to Blackpool and at a neighbour’s party he had met lodge director of ceremonies, John Paul Lovie who invited him to attend a meeting of Rectitude Lodge and the rest, as they say, is history. Mark concluded his response by thanking Rectitude Lodge for making him very welcome and giving him the opportunity to re-join the fraternity.
