The members and guests of Wayfarers Lodge No 7544 were honoured to have as its principal guest the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Mark was attending his first installation, (hopefully the first of many) in the North Fylde Group since being installed as Provincial Grand Master.
Pictured from left to right, are: Rick Winfield, Michael Tax, Jim Woods, Keith Jackson, Paul Broadley, Malcolm Worsley, Harry Cox, Duncan Smith, Mark Matthews, Darren Varley, Joe Ayrton, Godfrey Hirst, Ian Moss, Dave Rigby, John Cross and Barry Fitzgerald.Such an auspicious visit demands an equally impressive supporting entourage, and they were Duncan Smith Assistant Provincial Grand Master, the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Wardens Michael Tax and David Rigby, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Harry Cox and Malcolm Worsley, the North Fylde Group Chairman John Cross, together with fellow grand officers Jim Woods, Godfrey Hirst, Keith Jackson, Paul Broadley and Rowland Tait.
Accompanying the Provincial Grand Master were acting Provincial Grand Officers, Bob Marsden, Geoff Diggles, Richard Jenkinson, Ian Moss, Rick Winfield and finally to keep a watchful eye over such a distinguished line-up was the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald, assisted by Ryan Modlin, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
For Joe Aryton, the path to the master’s chair has undoubtably faced a few twists and turns, but Joe has steadfastly passed through the progressive offices reaching senior warden in 2022. Due to personal circumstances, Joe declined the chair in 2023 serving a second year as senior warden, allowing Darren Varley to serve as master. Joe is a good ritualist and is expected to have a very enjoyable year with a new candidate in the pipeline, Joe’s party piece is the presentation of the ‘white gloves’ following initiations.
Joe is married to Hazel, who has supported both him and the lodge, attending all the social events. Indeed, they live in a farmhouse in Great Eccleston and have a bar in an outbuilding called ‘The Wayfarer’, which serves as a useful venue for some of the social events! Joe recently suffered a minor heart attack but has had a stent fitted and has recovered well, although it was a bit of a scare for him, he can count on all the members of the lodge to support him throughout his year in office.
Master of the lodge Darren Varley started his final meeting as a master by welcoming everyone to the meeting and doing his duty by completing the business on the first part of the summons which included propositions for a joining member and a new initiate. Darren then opened the lodge to the third degree. At this point it was the signal to the tyler to give the required knocks on the door. After the usual examinations were exchanged between the junior warden and inner guard, Barry Fitzgerald was admitted.
Barry stood at the head of the lodge room and commandingly stated: “The Provincial Grand Master stands without and demands admission.” The colourful presession then entered the room with Mark Matthews entering last, Mark then stood at the top of the lodge and gave the required salute to the master.
Mark then moved between the lined-up grand and Provincial grand officers where Barry Fitzgerald formally introduced him to Daren Varley. Once the entourage had taken their seats, as protocol requires with such an important guest, Darren rose to his feet to offer the gavel of the lodge to Mark, which he politely and promptly returned to Darren’s safe hands to proceed with the ceremony. Barry then returned to his feet to lead the salutations to the distinguished guests.
Darren then returned the lodge to the second degree and announced that the next business was to install Joe Ayrton. Darren then asked for the assistance of the Provincial Senior Grand Warden Michael Tax and the Provincial Junior Grand Warden David Rigby, to act as installing officers and Ken Williams to act as installing inner guard.
Michael Thistlethwaite then presented Joe Ayrton for installation. Joe proceeded to deliver his obligation showing the skill that will define his year in charge of the lodge. After the master Masons were asked to leave the lodge for a short while Darren proceeded to install Joe into the chair of the lodge. Joe’s first task as master was to invest Darren as immediate past master and close the board of installed masters
The inner workings complete, the Masons of each degree were readmitted to the lodge room and the third degree working tools were presented by Ashley Wright, the second degree working tools were presented by Keith Senior and finally the first degree working tools were presented by Joe Peters.
Michael Thistlethwaite took to his feet to deliver the address to the master. Joe then proceeded to install his officers for the ensuing year, the address to the wardens was delivered by the David Rigby, the address to the deacons was delivered by Ian Hawtin, the address to the stewards was delivered by Bob Marsden and finally the address to the brethren of the lodge was delivered by Mark Matthews.
Once the ceremony was completed, Mark rose to his feet and had great pleasure in congratulating Joe on being installed into the chair of this fine lodge and his installing master Darren for the excellent manner in which he had conducted the ceremony. Mark then turned to congratulate the brethren who had presented the working tools, singling out Joe Peters who had presented the first degree tools only four weeks after being initiated into the lodge and Freemasonry.
Joe Ayrton had great pleasure in presenting Mark with cheques and amounts given to charity throughout Darrens year in office, £1,500 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £2,250 to Brian House Childrens Hospice, £250 to Prostate Cancer UK, £250 to Northwest Air Ambulance, £250 to Guide Dogs UK, £250 to Great Eccleston Friends of Cancer Research and £250 to Thumbs Up for Charlie. Mark gave thanks, on behalf of the recipients, to the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
And as all good things must come to an end, Joe closed the lodge for the first time as master and the brethren moved to the dining room to continue evening’s festivities. Here the brethren enjoyed a three-course festive board during which the Master’s Song was sung by Barry Thompson and a raffle raised a magnificent £350 towards the 2024 charitable donations. Gordon Ivett then brought the evening to a suitable end by delivering the tyler’s toast.