There can be no greater honour and pleasure than for a brother to present his son as master elect for installation. This honour was afforded to Scott Coxey at West Lancashire Century Lodge No 2349 when he presented his son Niall Coxey-Stoker to the lodge for the purpose of installation.
It was also a pleasure and honour for everyone present to welcome Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax as the principal guest on his first outing in his new role. Michael was accompanied on this occasion by grand officers Keith Jackson and John Robbie Porter, North Fylde Group Chairman John Cross, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Davis Sangster, Provincial Junior Grand Deacons Paul Cummings and Paul Easton, Provincial Grand Pursuivant Adam Simpson and Provincial Grand Steward Chris Hardingham.
The ceremony was expertly conducted by WM Keith Carter, assisted by Glen Jackson as installing senior warden, Steve Willingham as installing junior warden and Cameron Afzal as installing inner guard. Keith had already conducted an item of lodge business that pleased everyone, with a ballot for a new member which proved in favour of the candidate.
Once the distinguished guests had been admitted and Michael Tax had been offered the gavel of the lodge, as was now his right, Shaun Haynes led the salutations to Michael, the grand officers and the Provincial grand officers. Michael responded on his own behalf, Keith Jackson responded for the grand officers and John Cross responded for the Provincial grand officers. The salutations were led by Shaun Haynes, who is normally the lodge secretary, who had taken on the role of director of ceremonies for the evening, along with many other jobs.
The formalities concluded, it was time for father to present his son to the WM and the ceremony commenced with Keith delivering the customary opening address. This was followed by Shaun reading the Ancient Charges and regulations to the master elect and the obligation being delivered. What followed was an enjoyable ceremony of installation with Keith being assisted by the installed masters present.
The master Masons then saluted and greeted the new WM and the working tools in the third degree were succinctly explained by Mark Stevenson. The long version of the second degree tools were expertly delivered by Dr Robert Sims. This was followed by an excellent explanation of the first degree tools by Matthew Ashworth. Michael Tax was pleased to congratulate all three of these young members on their delivery when he spoke later at the festive board.
All of the installation addresses were then expertly delivered. Michael Tax delivered the address to the brethren of the lodge, Shaun Haynes delivered the address to the wardens, Glen Jackson delivered the address to the deacons and Chris Hardingham gave the address to the stewards. The address to the WM was delivered in excellent fashion by the WM’s very proud father, Scott Coxey, with care and feeling and in the end, some relief. “Well done dad” was the unqualified praise from those present.
With the installation ceremony completed, Michael Tax conveyed the best wishes from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the new master and his principal
installing officers. He then received cheques and information about the following donations from the lodge totalling £2,610. The recipients were; Brian House £100; Blue Skies Victoria Hospital Christmas Appeal £100; North Fylde Group food bank appeal £200; Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society £20; Fylde Kids Foundation £250.00; Fylde Masonic Bowling Society £25; West Lancashire Masonic Golf Society £15; Blackpool Mencap £200; West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity £350; Kindness Counts £500; Masonic Hall Cleveleys £500; and Grand Theatre Blackpool £350. Michael thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
With the lodge business quickly concluded, the brethren retired for a splendid meal at the festive board, which fairly rippled with warmth and enjoyment. Having waded through a variety of starters, main courses and sweets, the brethren embarked upon the traditional toast list, expertly guided by Shaun Haynes, director of ceremonies, secretary, organiser, singer and anything else that needed sorting. Shaun really was a very busy brother on this occasion. ‘Well done Shaun’ was also the general feeling of the brethren.
During his keynote response to the toast to Provincial grand officers, Michael Tax thanked the Grand and acting Provincial grand officers for supporting him, thanking each with individual references. He praised the installation team for a stunning display of ritual and also thanked Shaun Haynes for the massive amount of work he had put in to make the meeting such a success.
Michael went on to discuss subjects such as the membership challenge; the need to sign into Portal to check personal details; the joy of joining the Royal Arch, charities, community engagement; the Provincial Grand Ball on 13 March 2026 and the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on 8 May 2026. Michael concluded by looking to the future and congratulated the lodge on having a new candidate to initiate in the near future.
Towards the end of the festive board, a number of presentations were made. There were cheques to charities, the past master’s jewel given to Keith Carter and a thank-you present to Michael to mark his attendance. Most significantly, an antique gavel was presented to the WM to keep during his year in office. This gavel was first presented to C R Hardman by his son on 19 December 1910, who, having been the WM in 1896, was a Past Provincial Grand Registrar on the evening of presentation. The gavel had been made by John Fothergill, a well-known silversmith of Birmingham, and is hallmarked on the handle. It weighs roughly 240 grams with a scrap value now of about £240 but would now cost about £500 to make.
After the raffle, which raised £204 for Masonic and non-Masonic charities, the proceedings were brought to their traditional end when lodge tyler, Gordon Ivett, delivered the final toast of the evening.
