Brethren of Saturnian Lodge No 7563 and their guests gathered at Blackpool Masonic Hall to witness master elect Philip Wortley installed in the chair of King Solomon. WM Eric Young opened the lodge with assistance from the officers and completed the general business on the summons.
The lodge was opened in the second degree and subsequently in the third degree. On a report, director of ceremonies announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax demanded admission. Michael processed into the lodge room accompanied by grand officer John Turpin, Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly, accompanied by Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Paul Easton and Provincial Grand Steward Ryan Mangall.
Michael was welcomed to Saturnian Lodge by Eric Young who offered the gavel of the lodge to Michael. Michael politely declined the offer and returned the gavel to Eric. Once salutations had been given, the lodge was adjourned and resumed in the second degree.
Item eight on the agenda duly arrived and the installation ceremony commenced. The WM invited Rodney Gee to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Vinnie Carte to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Tom Inman to occupy the position of installing inner guard.
Colin Goodwin had the pleasure of presenting master elect Philip Wortley to WM Eric Young then all those below the rank of a master Mason were requested to retire for a short while. The lodge was resumed in the third degree and all those below the rank of an installed master were also requested to retire.
A Board of Installed Masters was convened and opened and Philip Wortley was installed in the chair of King Solomon by WM Eric Young assisted by past master Clive Tandy. Philip was greeted in the traditional manner by the installed masters and the Board of Installed masters was closed.
Master Masons were admitted, passing round the lodge and saluting the WM as master Masons. The third degree tools were delivered eloquently by light blue Mason Douglas Garcia. The lodge was opened in the second degree with fellow crafts passing round the lodge and saluting the WM. The second degree tools were expertly delivered by light blue Mason Ronald Manuel. The lodge was then opened in the first degree and all remaining Masons were admitted. The entered apprentices passed round the lodge and saluted the WM as entered apprentices. The first degree tools were confidently delivered by light blue Mason Ivan Ardiente.
WM Philip Wortley invested his chosen officers of the lodge. The address to the wardens was given by Michael Tax, the address to the WM was given by grand officer John Turpin and Michael Tax also delivered the address to the brethren of the lodge.
The director of ceremonies was pleased to inform Philip that the ceremony was now concluded. This was the cue for Michael Tax to rise and bring the congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and to also congratulate everyone who assisted in the installation ceremony. Philip had the great pleasure of presenting Michael with cheques to the value of £450 for the benefit of local charities. Michael thanked Philip and the brethren of the lode for their generous donations.
Once the remainder of the summons had been completed, the brethren retired to the festive board where a further £130 was raised for Masonic and non-Masonic charities.