Tony Dawson was accorded the great honour of installing his son Martyn Dawson into the chair of King Solomon by the WM Roy Fenton at the installation meeting of Wyreside Lodge No 2605. Principal guest Chris Butterfield, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, was accompanied by Lancaster and District Group Chairman Chris Larder, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Kevin Rigg, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Hallatt and Provincial Grand Steward and Secretary of the Lancaster and District Group, Lee Fisher.
WM Roy Fenton opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the general business on the summons. Lodge assistant director of ceremonies Ken Turner retired from the lodge and on being re-admitted announced that Chris Butterfield accompanied by Lancaster and District Group Chairman Chris Larder and Provincial grand officers stood without and requested admission. On their admittance, Roy warmly welcomed Chris and hoped he would have an enjoyable evening.
Roy asked the officers of Wyreside Lodge to stand and proceeded to thank them for their service during his year, whereupon they were asked to remove their collars. Roy invited Chris Wilkinson from Pilling Lodge No 7879 to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Eddy Parkinson from St Michaels on Wyre Lodge No 8348 to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Jack Stackhouse to occupy the position of installing inner guard.
The lodge was opened in the second degree and master elect Martyn Dawson was presented for installation by his father Tony. The lodge was opened in the third degree and salutations were accorded to Chris Butterfield. WM Roy Fenton then invited Tony Dawson to occupy the chair of King Solomon to conduct the ceremony of installation.
All those below the rank of an installed master retired from the lodge for a short while after which a Board of Installed Masters was convened and the master elect was installed into the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom. The third degree working tools were presented by Alistair Knowles, the second and first degree working tools were presented by Ken Turner and Tony Dawson respectively. Newly installed WM Martyn Dawson appointed John Worthington as senior warden and Alistair Knowles as junior warden. The address to the master was given by Steve McClintock and the address to the wardens was given by David Brown. Chris Butterfield gave the address to the brethren of Wyreside Lodge.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Chris Butterfield brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM Martyn Dawson and wished him a successful, busy, happy and healthy year. He congratulated Roy Fenton, Tony Dawson and director of ceremonies Ken Turner on a superb ceremony, also thanking all those who took part in the ceremony.
Immediate past master Roy Fenton then presented Chris Butterfield with a list of donations in the sum of £1,350 that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities during the year. A sum of £400 was left to the lodge by the late Frank Hodgkinson which was donated to the Alzheimer’s Society. Chris thanked Roy and the brethren of Wyreside Lodge on behalf of the recipients for their generous donations.
Organist for the evening was David Brown and a total of 31 brethren attended the festive board at Wyrebank in Garstang, where the toast to the WM was given by the WM’s son Jeremy. The Master’s Song was performed by Tony Dawson.
Martyn Dawson was born in 1959 in Preston, where he lived until he joined the Royal Artillery Regiment at 16 years of age. His love for sport continued in the Army where he enjoyed football, basketball and boxing. Martyn trained as a physical training instructor and was very happy in the Army until he was invalided out due to sports injuries.
After leaving the army, Martyn lived in Germany for 35 years, becoming fluent in German and working as a manager for Wella GmbH. He returned to England eight years ago and is now retired, Martyn now enjoys all kinds of sports, regrettably only as a spectator, he is also a keen fisherman. Following a conversation with his father Tony, Martyn was persuaded to join Wyreside Lodge six years ago.
