Liverpool Masonic Hall in Hope Street was the venue for the installation of Kevin Banning into the chair of Royal Victoria Lodge No 1013. The lodge was founded in 1864, and the event was attended by 29 brethren. WM John Leisk praised Kevin for his 40 years plus work with St John Ambulance and his achievement in the obtaining of the Order of St John.
Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Derek Parkinson was the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Mark was accompanied by Bob Patterson Liverpool Group Vice Chairman, Robb Fitzsimmons and Stephen Kayne both grand officers. The ceremonial and festive board proceedings were under the professional guidance of the lodge director of ceremonies Simon Stanley and the enjoyable ceremony of installation was conducted by WM John Leisk.
The lodge business was dealt with, and having confirmed minutes and notice of motion, the lodge was opened by the WM into the third degree. The principal guests having been announced by Simon, were admitted and formally processed into the lodge accompanied by the lodge Provincial deacons and Michael Fox, Provincial Grand Steward. John formally welcomed Derek as the principal guest, together with accompanying grand officers and acting Provincial grand officers. Salutations were given and thankfully received.
The lodge was adjourned to the second degree and the WM was assisted by Mark Powell taking the position of the senior warden, Charlie Gallantry taking the position of junior warden and Geoff Hodge taking the chair of inner guard. Simon Stanley and Tom Kelly then presented the master elect Kevin Banning to the installing master.
There then followed a sincere ceremony of installation, with John setting the precedent and maintaining order within the lodge. The newly installed WM Kevin Banning was proclaimed by the lodge assistant director of ceremonies, Tom Kelly, to master masons, fellow craft and entered apprentices. The third degree tools were explained to the newly installed master by Steve Dovaston second degree tools by Gert Van Bommel with the first degree tools being presented by Jonathon Northover, both Gert and Jonathon being master Masons.
Steve Carroll gave the address to the newly installed WM Kevin Banning, Bob Gibson gave the address to the wardens, Tom Kelly then gave the address to the deacons. Further addresses were given to the stewards by Mark Powell and the tyler by John Leisk. The address to the brethren of the lodge was given by the principal guest Derek Parkinson.
Upon completion of the installation ceremony, Derek rose to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the newly installed WM. Derek especially thanked John considering his personal circumstances for his work in installing Kevin into the chair of the lodge, and also thanked all the brethren who took part, especially the up-and-coming young members who had delivered an explanation of the working tools.
The newly installed master then presented a list to Derek of the charities the lodge had made donations to. £300 West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £100 Liverpool Group Foodbank, £300 Willowbrook Hospice, £200 to Cancer Research UK and £100 to Global Justice, a charity that provides support to disabled children. Derek thanked the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations.
Following the ceremony, the brethren retired for a magnificent festive board, toasts were given including those to the two visiting masters from other lodges. Derek, in responding to the toast to grand officers, thanked Bob Patterson for the work he had done within the group as vice chairman and the lodge DC for the evening.
Derek congratulated the newly installed officers and hoped they had a wonderful time, he also congratulated the newly installed WM, and hoped he has a wonderful time. Derek personally thanked John for the enjoyable installation he had conducted, and past on his best wishes and support from himself and those present to John. Derek mentioned the Impact Report, which covered the last three years, the success of the light blues club and urged those brethren who had not yet taken part to consider doing so. Derek also mentioned the podcasts that were available and are very informative.
John proposed the toast to the newly installed master Kevin, stating that he did extremely well taking control of the lodge after his installation, and anything that has been required of Kevin from the lodge he has always done. He presented Kevin with a card from the Liverpool Group and wished him a successful year in the chair.
The newly installed WM responded to the toast to his health, by thanking his immediate past master and those brethren for attending the evening. He also thanked Simon for proposing him into the lodge, and was looking forward to his year, and with the enthusiasm and cooperation of the lodge members it should be an excellent year.
All those present then joined in with a rendition of the Master’s Song to the newly installed master. Derek was then presented with a bouquet of flowers for his wife and a bottle of whisky, both gratefully received with thanks. A gift was also presented to Bob Patterson, also greatly appreciated. The proceedings were brought to an ending with the Tyler’s toast.