The members of Childwall Lodge No 5235, were extremely pleased to start the new Masonic season off at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool. 24 brethren and guests were honoured to see proud father Alan Ray take pride in installing his son Robert Ray into the chair of King Solomon; the celebration took place in the Adams Suite.
Childwall Lodge was consecrated in December 1930 and their historical overview document states that it is a friendly lodge that always makes sure that visitors or new members are looked after in the ‘Childwall way’ and to ensure that Freemasonry is enjoyable for all.
The lodge was pleased to have as its principal guest Stephen Walls, representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Stephen was accompanied by grand officer Roy Pine and Liverpool Group Vice Chairman John Reynolds. The principal guest had requested to be in the lodge room from the start of the opening, with the lodge proceedings being in the capable hands of director of ceremonies Mark Connell.
For the purposes of the ceremony, WM Neil Bibby was courteous in handing the control of the lodge to Alan Ray for the installation of his son. The lodge was opened with the first business being a memoriam to John Stallard, with kind words regarding John being given by Alan, the members then stood for a period of time in silence, thoughts and respect.
The lodge then approved a proposal for David Cross to become an honorary member, which was unanimously agreed. Mark admitted David into the lodge room and announced the decision that had been approved. Alan then welcomed Steve Walls and the other principal guests to the lodge. The lodge was then opened in the second degree and into the third degree. Salutations were given to grand officers Roy Pine and Stephen Walls and to Provincial officer John Reynolds, both of which were received with thanks.
The lodge resumed in the second degree and the master was assisted for the purpose of the installation by Barry Fletcher, who occupied the chair of senior warden. Tony Fennell occupied the chair of junior warden.
Robert Ray was then presented to Alan by David Cross and Robert took his obligations of his duties to the lodge and of course to his father. The lodge was then resumed in the third degree and declared a Board of Installed Masters. Then followed an emotional and joyful ceremony of installation, completed proudly by Alan, for his son Robert, especially when placing him into the chair of King Solomon and handing over the charge of the lodge to him.
The Board of Installed Masters was closed and the lodge resumed in third degree. The newly installed WM Robert Ray was proclaimed with much delight to master Masons, fellow crafts and entered apprentices by Mark Connel. The following brethren then gave excellent explanations of the working tools. John Moore gave the explanation of the third degree working tools, Myron Juan the second degree tools and Richard McKenna the first degree tools.
The Warrant of the Lodge, Book of Constitutions of the Order and a copy of Childwall Lodge by-laws were presented to Robert by Neil and the Hallstone jewel was also presented to Robert. Robert then appointed and invested his officers, the first duty being the address to the new senior warden, his father as junior warden, and the tyler, who took the charge of his sword in a very protective manner.
Alan gave the address to Robert, again in a lovely way, as it must be for a father addressing his son as a newly installed master. David addressed the wardens. Steve Walls then gave an excellent and heartfelt address to the brethren of Childwall Lodge.
The ceremony having been completed, Stephen Walls rose to bring the congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to Robert and the brethren of the lodge, wishing them good health and a continued enjoyment of their Freemasonry. Stephen praised Alan for the installation ceremony with the recognition of it being a special ceremony, remembering his own time recently when his own son installed him into the chair of King Solomon and the emotions of the event.
Robert then presented details of the charity donation made by the lodge, which was greatly received by Stephen: West Lancs Freemasons’ Charity £200, Liverpool Group Prostrate Cancer Appeal £200, Queens Court Hospice £200, Breckfield Food Bank Appeal £100 and £200 to Liverpool Masonic Hall, a grand total of £900. The charity collection was then made, followed by greetings given by visitors of other lodges to Robert.
Robert rose to close the lodge in what appeared to be a new method of ‘acquiescence’, much to the amusement of the brethren and of course, a recall of the moment to be taken forward to the festive toasts.
The brethren retired for a magnificent festive board consisting of cream of mushroom soup, leg of lamb with seasonal vegetables, apple pie and ice cream, with tea or coffee. Robert was keen on the request from the director of ceremonies to make the first official toast and he appeared willing to want to not only make it to His Majesty King Charles, but to continue and read the whole list at once.
Stephen rose to respond to the toast to the grand lodge officers and explained that he was delighted to be present in the lodge; he once again brought greetings from Mark Matthews, but also now had the opportunity to bring his own greetings. Stephen thanked the secretary and the treasurer of the lodge for their hard work, and communications received regarding the installation, also thanking the director of ceremonies for the way in which he had looked after everyone.
Stephen brought the communications from United Grand Lodge, including details of appeals, a need to support the Liverpool Masonic Hall. Stephen took the opportunity to thank Tony Fennell for his hard work during the previous years as a director of the Liverpool Masonic Hall. Stephen encouraged the link between the Royal Arch and Craft, taking the opportunity to say that the lodge was in a good, healthy position, with the young men being the lifeblood of the lodge. Stephen thanked the senior warden for the proposal to his health, also thanking group vice chairman John and other members of the committee for their hard work.
After the official toast, the guests were surprised to note that the raffle prizes appeared to have been won by members of the lodge, not that they thought anything was suspicious. Neil proposed the toast to Robert Ray as the newly installed WM, congratulating him and wishing him all the best for a good year. There was then a wonderful rendition of the Master’s Song given by John Mayberry and enjoyed by all.
Robert then responded to the toast to his health and thanked all those that had attended and helped to celebrate the occasion; he thanked Neil for his hard work over the past 12 months, for his resilience, having pushed through some diversity. Robert had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and was then presented with his past master’s jewel and a gift for his good lady.
The principal guest then left and the junior warden gave a toast to the visitors, which was responded to by Ray Parr, who thanked the lodge for their welcome, although he wished he, like the new WM, could acquiesce on the speech. The tyler’s toast was given and there was no doubt that the ‘Rays’ of Childwall Lodge are certainly not faint and glimmering.
