Dalton Masonic Hall was the location for the installation of Baldwin Chapter No 1398. First principal David Grainger opened the chapter in due form and completed the domestic business.
Following the completion of domestic business, director of ceremonies Graham Slater retired and then re-entered the lodge room and announced that Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson, Alan Pattinson Chairman of the Furness and South Lakeland Group and other distinguished companions including six acting Provincial grand officers. requested admission.
Acting Provincial grand officers attending were as follows; Tony Nevinson Provincial Grand Sojourner, Derek English and Philip Newby Provincial Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Stuart Bateson Provincial Grand Standard Bearer along with Stewart Aimson and Chris Gray Provincial Grand Stewards. Graham then requested the companions of the chapter be upstanding. David said he was delighted to welcome Gary in his first outing in his new role.
The installation ceremony began with Graham presenting Mike Benson, Dave Grove and John Porter as the three principals elect. All three are experienced Royal Arch Masons and have filled their respective offices before. This was therefore a shortened ceremony and they were quickly installed as first, second and third principals following the appropriate Testament readings, which were read by David Sear, Alan Whittaker and Martin McFall.
There then followed the robe addresses; the red robe address was given by Graham Slater; the purple robe address was given by David Sear and the blue robe address was given by Bill Coates.
On completion of the installation Gary rose and congratulated all who had taken part in an enjoyable and sincere ceremony. Mike presented Gary with a cheque for £350 for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. Gary thanked the companions of the chapter for their generous donation.
It promises to be a busy year for the three principals and companions of Baldwin Chapter with two candidates for exaltation in the offing!
