This was a special occasion for Toxteth Lodge No 1356 as this was the first installation to be held at their new home, The League of Welldoers, Limekiln Lane Liverpool. Members of the lodge had over the closed season spent a considerable amount of time and money transforming the available space into a Masonic Temple. This is the third time Matt has been in the chair of the lodge, but what made this special to him was that his son Matthew agreed to install his father into the chair of King Solomon.
The lodge was opened in due form at 5:30pm by the WM Matthew Wilson Jnr, the minutes of the previous meeting held on having been circulated to the brethren were accepted as a true and accurate record. The brethren were then asked to be upstanding and received Roy Ashley, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and John Gibbon Vice Chairman Mersey Valley Group. Matthew greeted Roy Ashley who thanked the WM saying he looked forward to an enjoyable evening.
WM Matthew Wilson Jnr then called for the presenting officers to present Matthew (Matt) Wilson to him for the benefit of installation. Eric Binks and Phill Birch who acted as presenting officers complied. Matt Wilson reaffirmed his obligations. Matthew Wilson then requested Steve Lawler to take the position of junior warden, Steve Robinson to remain as senior warden, and Phill Birch to act as inner guard.
Matthew then adjourned labour in the second degree and resume labour the third degree, and thanked the brethren of Toxteth Lodge for their support during the 2024/25 season. All brethren below the rank of an installed master were asked to retire from the lodge so that a board of installed masters could be convened and Matt Wilson was installed as WM of Toxteth Lodge for the ensuing 12 months.
The Board of Installed Masters was closed and labour resumed in the third degree. All master Masons were admitted; salutations were given and the third degree tools were presented and explained by Paul Edwards. Matt closed the lodge in the third degree and resumed labour in the second degree. All fellow craft were admitted and salutations we given and the second degree working tools were presented and explained by Anthony Robinson. Matt closed the lodge in the second degree and resumed labour in the first degree. All entered apprentice Freemasons were admitted and salutations were given in the first degree, the first degree working tools were presented and explained by James Le Gros.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Roy Ashley brought the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, he also brought his own personal congratulations and to those taking part in the installation and the light blue brethren for their presentation of the working tools in the three degrees.
Roy was presented with cheques for the various charities which included; League of Welldoers (Non masonic section) £300, BNENC (Breckfield and North Everton Neighbourhood Council) £300.00, Zoes Place £300.00, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity £100.00. Roy the brethren of Toxteth Lodge for their generous donations totalling £1,000.
At the festive board that followed the installation ceremony, a raffle raised £135 and it was announced that the alms plate in the lodge raised £80.
