Phil Tarbun was installed as master of Torrisholme Lodge No 5245 in the presence of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Phil Preston, who was the representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Phil was accompanied by Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Neil McGill and grand officer Paul Broadley.
Also present, were the Chairman of Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder, accompanied by Provincial Grand Charity Steward Andy McClements, Provincial Grand Senior Deacon Kevin Rigg, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Ian Hallatt and Provincial Grand Steward Lee Fisher, who is also secretary of the Lancaster Group.
WM John Hayes opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge, and the secretary read the dispensation granting permission to hold the meeting at Kerneford Hall, Carnforth, due to ongoing renovations at Morecambe Masonic Hall. The lodge was opened in the second degree, whereupon the WM requested lodge officers to remove their collars and thanked them for their service during his two years as WM.
Stand-in director of ceremonies John Bates retired from the lodge. The lodge was opened in the third degree and the director of ceremonies was re-admitted and announced that Phil Preston, accompanied by grand, acting Provincial grand officers and the group chairman, requested admission. On entering the lodge, Phil Preston was welcomed to Torrisholme Lodge by the WM. John Bates was then invited to occupy the chair of King Solomon as installing master. The lodge was adjourned in the third degree and re-opened in the second degree.
The installing master invited Simon Das, WM of Morecambe Lodge No 1561, to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Malcolm Graham, WM of Heysham Lodge No 4108, to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Gareth Harrison, WM of Poulton le Sands Lodge No 1051, to occupy the position of installing inner guard. Master elect Phil Tarbun was presented for installation by his father, David Tarbun. All those below the rank of an installed master were requested to leave the lodge for a short while, during which a Board of Installed Masters was convened and the master elect was installed in the chair of King Solomon.
The third degree working tools were presented by Kevin Hodgson, the second and third degree working tools were presented by Richard Gregg and Paul Dent, respectively. The WM appointed David Tarbun as senior warden and Kevin Hodgson as junior warden. The address to the master was given by Neil McGill, the address to the wardens was given by Paul Dent and Phil Preston gave the address to the brethren of Torrisholme Lodge.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Phil Preston brought greetings from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM and wished him a happy, healthy, successful and busy year. He congratulated the immediate past master, John Hayes, installing master John Bates and assistant director of ceremonies, Paul Dent, on a superb ceremony and particularly thanked those brethren who presented the working tools. Phil was presented with notice of donations totalling £1,823 to Masonic and non-Masonic charities. Phil thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
Organist at the festive board was David Tattersall and the Master’s Song was performed by John Bates. A total of 36 brethren attended the festive board, where the toast to the WM was given by senior warden David Tarbun. The raffle raised £290 and £45 was donated by the ‘master’s swindle’.
WM Phil lives with his partner, Michelle and their three sons from a previous relationship. He is currently a director and equal owner of Meta Tax, accountancy and tax consulting, director and equal owner of Blue Ocean Tax, a research and development tax consultancy and director/sole owner of The Rhythmic Sales Guy, a digital marketing agency. Outside of Freemasonry, Phil enjoys playing snooker, chess and dancing.
Phil was initiated into Lune Lodge No 4724 on 3 October 2012 and was master of that lodge from 2020 to 2023. He was also a member of Torrisholme Lodge, but for personal reasons, he resigned from both lodges after 2023 and then rejoined Torrisholme Lodge in October 2025, being catapulted into the chair of King Solomon. His father, David, has been appointed senior warden of the lodge.
