As Christmas and New Year draw to a close, January lights up the calendar with the hustle and bustle of installations of new masters. For some, it is the second or even third time in the chair of King Solomon, for others, it is the first. Their first opportunity to accept that most privileged of places in the lodge. On a clear and chilly Thursday, this privilege was that of Darren Collins. The Palace Masonic Hall at St Annes was truly buzzing with excitement as the Lodge of Triumph No 1061, its members, their guests and visitors totalling 47 put on their full-dress regalia and prepared for the feast of tradition and ritual that was about to unfold.
Darren was evidently excited and nervous in equal measure as the tyler, John Nicholls and inner guard, Peter Grihault, led the processional entry into the lodge room. Unfortunately, Mike Boxall, the intended installing master could not be present and so the meeting was duly opened in his stead in the ever-safe hands of William Buchanan, with Jordan Brown occupying the junior warden’s chair and the yet-to-be master, Darren Collins, occupying the senior warden’s chair.
With the meeting opened up to the third degree, it was time for all those below the rank of an installed master to leave the room; the junior warden chair being occupied by Ben Gorry, the senior warden chair being occupied by David Barr and Brian Pearson occupied the position of inner guard. It is said that few match the confidence and precision in which William Buchanan fulfils his duties and this occasion was no exception. It was truly a demonstration in excellence and Darren said he was overjoyed to be in the presence of such a great ritualist.
Once installed, and with a smile of pride on his face, Darren asked for all brethren to be re-admitted into the lodge room. The display of excellence did not end there, with Peter Grihault delivering a word-perfect presentation of the third degree working tools, Jordan Brown confidently delivered the second degree working tools and David Eastwood ably delivered the first degree working tools.
Edward Rhodes was ever-excellent in delivering both the presentation of the master elect and the address to the wardens. There is always a sense that Edward is so well versed in his ritual that he delivers it with a friendly and reassuring tone. Brian Pearson, with his usual zest and charisma delivered the address to the WM, and a sincere and heart-felt address to the brethren of the lodge was delivered by Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Thomas, in which he praised the standard of the installation and the high standards of all those who had taken part, giving Alan Barlow a mention for the way he had expertly carried out his role as director of ceremonies and also a mention for guest organist Phil Bolton.
Without the music the atmosphere of a meeting is significantly diminished, a sentiment that was duly echoed with murmurings of “hear, hear.” David also took the opportunity to read out the charity giving amount that had been raised under the year of Mike Boxall, with Rosemere Cancer Foundation, RNLI, Motor Neurone Disease, Blackpool Carers, NW Air Ambulance, Crohns & Colitis UK and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity being recipients of charity donations totalling £4,180. A sizeable sum, given the size of the lodge, for which David praised the thanked the lodge brethren for their very generous donations.
As the meeting progressed, it was time for Darren Collins to assemble his band of brothers. Given the calibre of the appointments, the Lodge of Triumph looks to be in safe hands for the coming year and for years to come.
With the meeting ended, the celebrations began in earnest at the festive board. One cannot praise highly enough the comfort of the dining hall, the atmosphere and the exceptional quality of the homemade food that is on offer each time a lodge dines at the St Annes Palace. A visit is recommended, put a meeting date in the Masonic calendar; there will be no disappointment. With black pudding Benedict or chicken liver pate for starters, beef bourguignon or poached salmon to choose from for mains and lemon posset, ice cream or cheese and biscuits to choose from for dessert, there really is something to satisfy all taste buds.
Darren was fervently applauded as he entered the hall with his head held high. A more prouder man you would struggle to find on this evening. With a pause and a wry smile, he took his seat at the head of the top table. As the food was served and the brethren settled down to their sumptuous feast, the toasts began.
Before long, it was time for the raffle and besides the usual donations of alcohol there was a sealed bag with the tag written out as an intriguing ‘winter warmer.’ The numbers were drawn with group charity steward David Jenkinson and guest organist Phil Bolton each scooping a prize. Suddenly there was a cheer, and as everyone wondered who had won the prize, a very smug-looking William Buchanan Snr was waving his tickets in the air.
A running joke now at the Lodge of Triumph is that William has won on all but a few occasions since his entered apprentice days. Lastly, Clive Gitsham was the lucky winner of the ‘winter warmer’ prize. It was one to remember as it was filled with all manner of medicines including paracetamol and cough syrup to get someone through the winter months. It certainly put a smile on everyone’s face, as did the announcement that £407.58 had been raised for Masonic charities.
Following on from the raffle, David Thomas stood and everyone listened intently as he spoke with a calm presence and a very reassuring manner. He began by congratulating Darren as the new WM and wished him well for the coming year. He gave thanks to the acting officers for the exemplary way in which they carried out their duties and he gave a special mention to Ryan Modlin for the incredible amount of work he does both in front and behind the scenes on behalf of the Province.
As is always the case, David continued, the recruitment drive is never far from the minds of all and he encouraged everyone present to spread the word of Freemasonry in the community. In 2001, there were 14,800 active Masons, however by 2025 this number is down to less than 7,000. Importantly, David stressed, that it is not simply a matter of asking men to join. It is not simply a matter of getting people through the door, it is a matter of getting the right calibre of men. The men who will commit to the tenets of Freemasonry. The men who will commit to attending meetings, visiting lodges and making an effort to learn ritual. They will get out what they put in. David used this as a link to thank the brethren for the high standard of delivery of all the ritual of the evening, including the working tools. It was a pleasure to see an installation where everyone has clearly made an effort to play their part.
David thanked South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry for the invitation to the installation meeting and William Buchanan for the way he stepped in for Mike Boxall at short notice, giving Darren an installation he will remember forever. It was with his finishing comment that all the brethren exploded into laughter, as David (sarcastically) thanked a very sheepish-looking Alan Barlow for sitting down for his speech rather than standing behind him, as is customary.
In place of Mike Boxall, John Topping had the pleasure of addressing the new WM. John began by saying that Mike sends everyone good wishes in his absence and he had sent John ‘a few words’ he would like passing on to Darren. Notably, Darren is a Mancunian through and through, but not a lot of people know he was actually born in Watford. So, although he has a Mancunian accent, he is technically a southerner! Growing up in Manchester, Darren joined the police force and this would be the making of a colourful career, culminating in the rank of Detective Sergeant. John went on to say that everyone at the Lodge of Triumph are delighted to have Darren as the WM of this very old and distinguished South Fylde Group lodge and are thrilled to be under his leadership.
They are looking forward to the upcoming events that Darren has planned and reminisced on Darren’s prior charitable events, such as a popular wine tasting night that Darren helped to organise at St Annes Palace.
With Darren at the helm, the lodge is sure to be on a steady course. And, as John raised the toast to the newly installed WM, it was followed by a wonderful rendition of the Master’s Song, sung emotionally and powerfully by Roger Lloyd-Jones. This really raised the spirits of all in the hall as they got up to join in at the relevant moments.
With a hearty smile on everyone’s face, Darren took the opportunity to return the toast given to him by John Topping. He began by saying that he does not possess the skills of wordsmiths such as Kipling or Burns, nor does he have the wit of Oscar Wilde or the comic genius of Peter Sellars or indeed Peter Grihault, the wisdom of Washington or the orator skills of Churchill, all of whom were great men and Freemasons, but a humble Mancunian delivering a humble and short speech.
Darren went on to make many heartfelt thanks. These began with a thanks to the grand and Provincial grand officers, who, despite their extremely busy schedules took the time to refresh their knowledge of the ritual and partake in the proceedings, or for those not partaking in the evening’s event, at the very least attended his installation. Next, he thanked the elected officers and emphasised the importance of calling on either himself, Alan Barlow, Sam Woods as the elected mentor or Brian Pearson, the elected assistant director of ceremonies, whose knowledge of ritual is ‘without equal’, to any brethren who are in need of help or guidance.
Also in receipt of personal thanks were William Buchanan, despite his numerous roles including the busy and often thankless task of secretary, delivered an outstanding ritual performance and to Edward Rhodes in advance for the significant role he will play in arranging events that ultimately raise large sums of money for charity. Finally, Darren made a special thanks to Mike Boxall, who, although he could not be present on the night, has demonstrated leadership qualities, resilience and determination which have proudly served the Lodge of Triumph during his year as WM. He has been a positive role model and Darren said how he is lucky to be following in his footsteps and hope he does both Mike and the lodge very proud.
Darren raised his glass to rapturous applause and with the night waning fast, it was time for the tyler’s toast, which was expertly carried out by Neil Higgins. It is safe to say, as the brethren left their seats and said their goodbyes to one another, it is evident that the Lodge of Triumph has many good years ahead of itself.