A busy evening ensued at Crosby Lodge No 3714 for acting and subsequent director of ceremonies Ian Gee for the proclamation of Nigel Ainsworth at Litherland Masonic Hall. The installation meeting was admirably organised by this experienced and unflappable DC, with all working out splendidly on the night.
A dispensation permitting the transfer of the usual lodge night from the second to the third Friday in March due to the former coinciding with the Provincial Grand Ball was read out by Roger Holt. This also necessitated the substitution of the Provincial representative Colin Jenkins to Roy Pyne, who was then also unable to attend due to a sudden illness. Tyler Don Fraser also had to be replaced by the very capable Stephen Oliver.
The lodge brethren were therefore honoured by Roy Ashley as principal guest accompanied by group chairman Steven Dunn, vice chairman Malcolm Sandywell, Arend Van Duyvenbode and Graham Chambers, and they were assisted by acting Provincial grand officers; Alec Horne ProvJGD and Arnie Neale ProvAGDC. who were all welcomed by the master.
During the ceremony, the working tools were presented to Nigel by Ron Elliott, Ian McKinnon and Graham Chambers each giving splendid presentations. The address to the master and presentation of the warrant were again given by Ron Elliott. Following the appointment of officers, many of whom retained their positions, Roy was conducted onto the floor to give a flawless address to the brethren of the lodge and went on to congratulate all on their presentation of such a fine ceremony, especially to the acting and now newly installed DC Ian Gee, due to the reorganisations the ceremony had required at such short notice Nigel then presented Roy with four cheques of £250 each for local organisations including; North West Cancer Research, Nazareth House Nursing Home; where the Master and his Wife both work, 12th Crosby Scout Group and Litherland Masonic Hall. Roy remarked upon this as being a considerable amount for such a small lodge in conjunction with its support for the 13 widows who each receive a £30 gift voucher every Christmas.
After the first rising, the charities were honoured raising £100. Dignitaries then regressed from the lodge following which acting Provincial grand officer Arnie Neale who swiftly returned to his posts as junior deacon, acting secretary and almoner. Following the usual business of the lodge, the master and officers processed from the lodge to rejoin the guests in the dining room for refreshments where Roy proposed the now traditional and informal toast to the newly proclaimed master followed by rousing applause and cheers from all.
Following convivial conversation and refreshments, the master and guests processed into the dining room to the applause of all present. Grace was given by Roger Holt and a sumptuous meal of tomato soup, chicken pie and sticky toffee pudding complimented with wine was enjoyed by all In response to his toast, Roy rose and spoke of recruitment, retention, Royal Arch and the coming Grand Lodge meeting on 15 May at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. but most of all he emphasised that both he and Mark Mathews believed that we should all most importantly continue to enjoy our Freemasonry and each other which was so much in evidence in the lodge room and also from the lively chatter at the festive board and the numerous social events taken together by the brethren.
Time drawing on, the nine o’clock toast was given by Arnie Neale and was later followed with the tyler’s toast expertly recited by Malcolm Sandywell. The raffle was then drawn with the six donated prizes raising £155 for future charitable giving. Roy and Steve Dunn were then respectively presented with gifts following which all brethren slowly departed in harmony, peace and continuing with their lively chatter.
