The oldest lodge in the South Fylde Group is the Lodge of Triumph No 1061 and this year the lodge celebrates its 160 years birthday, having been consecrated in 1865. Members of the lodge were delighted that Mike Boxall had offered to take up the reigns from outgoing WM Will Buchanan.
Mike has served the office of WM of the Lodge of Triumph on two previous occasions. He was very pleased to learn that David Randerson had kindly agreed to be the guest of honour at his installation and to be supported by lodge member and recently invested Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Barr.
A splendid ceremony of installation was delivered by the Lodge of Triumph team under the direction of outgoing director of ceremonies John Topping. John said: “It was very satisfying to see every office on the floor, other than WM, become occupied by holders of light blue aprons. Everyone in attendance was impressed with the magnificent deliveries of the explanations of the working tools; Peter Grihault presented the third degree tools; William Buchanan Snr presented the second degree tools and David Eastwood presented the first degree tools.
The ceremony was further enhanced by Ben Gorry, lodge member and Chairman of the South Fylde Group, along with David Barr taking on those important roles as installing junior warden and assistant director of ceremonies respectively.
The address to the immediate past master was brilliantly delivered by lodge member Ian Stirling and the address to the stewards was given by David Jenkinson. It is always pleasing to hear the address to the wardens delivered by Ted Rhodes and the address to the WM so movingly performed by Brian Pearson.”
At the festive board, the 33 brethren in attendance listened intently to David who brought the good wishes of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and congratulated all the brethren who took part in and organised the installation meeting. David spoke around many areas of the membership challenge and highlighted a number of positive recruitment strategies that the Lodge of Triumph members have been developing over recent years to grow the light blue membership.
David wished the lodge well for the years to come and stressed the need for the brethren to continue to enjoy their Freemasonry. He thanked the lodge for their extremely generous donations to local and Masonic charities that totalled £4,600, raised during Will’s year as WM.
The immediate past and installing master Will Buchanan, thanked all the members for their support during his year, especially praising social secretary Graham Smith for organising the fund-raising events. Will said: “During those dark days of coronavirus, Mike Boxall showed true leadership and steered the lodge through one of Freemasonry’s most difficult periods.
Through regular communications with the lodge and individual members, Mike ensured that the brethren and their families were safe and well supported. When Masonic business resumed in September 2021, Mike remained in the chair for the remainder of the year having served two years as master. He then served as immediate past master for a further two years. The lodge owes Mike a debt of gratitude knowing full well that he wouldn’t have made this decision to be WM again without the support of his wife Elisabeth.”
A rendition of the Master’s Song was ably delivered by Roger Lloyd-Jones, accompanied so skilfully by pianist and organist Phil Bolton, had everyone on their feet, offering their good wishes and congratulations to Mike and his new team of keen light blues.
In his response, Mike thanked Will for the kind words and spoke of the importance of the Lodge of Triumph light blues passing on the baton and suggested that all lodge members should not be complacent regarding membership numbers and to work hard keeping the flow of younger men coming through.
The treasurer announced that £405.82 had been raised during the installation, which included £185 from the raffle and £100 from the lodge lottery draw from which lucky numbers can still be obtained from Ted Rhodes.
The festive board came to an end with the tyler’s toast delivered so movingly by John Nicholls following a 10 o’clock toast and two rousing verses of Eternal Father Strong to Save.