Garston Masonic Hall, Island Road, Liverpool was the venue for a very special occasion when Gary Mason initiated his three sons David, Alex and Fraser, as brothers in Freemasonry in the Lodge of Harmony No 220.
WM Gary Mason opened in due form and then completed the domestic business of the lodge. The lodge was honoured with the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Murphy, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master (Staffs) Michele Santopietro and other distinguished brethren in attendance.
At the beginning of the initiation ceremony, the inner guard Ryan Fleming announced the candidates and then admitting the three candidates David Mason, Alex Mason and Fraser Mason led by Lee Lindley the junior deacon supported by two other deacons Kevin Hitchmough and Peter Bush. Lee was the main deacon who expertly led the group around the lodge visiting each of the pedestals to identify the candidates for Freemasonry.
The candidates were led to the WM’s pedestal were Gary Mason recited the obligation who in harmony the candidates were word perfect in their obligation as a Freemason. Gary was supported in the ceremony by Mark Mellor and Mick Southern who explained and demonstrated the signs, grip and words of the degree which David, Alex and Fraser copied.
They were then led to Phil West the junior warden where David, Alex and Fraser showed and demonstrated the sign, grip and word. They were then presented to Kevin Flynn the senior warden and again they showed the sign, grip, word and meaning.
The WM then instructed Kevin to invest them with the distinguishing badge of a Mason. Kevin invested the candidates with their badges and explained their significance supported by Ken Wagner and Alan McCluskey. The candidates were then led to the northeast corner of the lodge where received another important part of the ceremony delivered by Mark Mellor who explained the duties of a Mason to support a brother in need.
David, Alex and Fraser were then led to the JW Phil West who explained the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason. They were then led to the SW Kevin Flynn who delivered an Ancient Charge. This completed their initiation they were then left the lodge to return to their personnel comfort and then readmitted.
Mark Matthews congratulated everyone who took part in the excellent and unique ceremony. Gary Mason rose and presented Mark with a cheque for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for the magnificent sum of £2,200. Mark thanked Gary for his very generous donation.
At a well-attended festive board, in his response to his toast, Mark replied that it was a special occasion for a father to initiate three sons into Freemasonry which was a fantastic ceremony. Mark also spoke about the membership challenge set by the Duke of Kent. We were the largest Province in 2008 when we had 12,500 members, now we have 6,400. It is important to invite younger members, family and friends to become members. Before COVID we used to have Ladies Nights and other functions, they again need to be organised to attract more members.
Mark then mentioned that Form P’s need to be sent the Provincial Office within three days of initiation, and that the next meeting of Provincial Lodge is on 8 May 2026 at Blackpool. This year we had 1,200 members attending next year we ned increase that number.
