On fine and clear Saturday afternoon, 60 brethren from various locations across the Fylde coast and beyond gathered for the Anchorsholme Lodge No 5854 installation meeting to witness the master elect Derek Abbott being installed into the chair of King Solomon by David Rowbotham.
The ceremony took place at the Masonic hall in the Park Suite in Cleveleys, the brethren were honoured by the presence of Past Assistant Grand Registrar John Lee, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. David swiftly worked through the general business on the summons and then announced the main event of the day, to install Derek as the master of Anchorsholme Lodge. This will be Derek’s fourth time as a master, but only the first in Anchorsholme Lodge.
Once all of the installing officers had been placed in their respective chairs and positions, lodge director of ceremonies, Geoff Diggles announced that John Lee, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, requested admission into the lodge room. John processed into the lodge accompanied by two Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters; Duncan Smith and lodge member Harry Cox.
Other grand officers present included John Turpin, Eric Picton, Keith Jackson, Barry Fitzgerald and John Hall. Group officers present were; Tony Farrar, Mike Brown and Jim Gregson. Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald and Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Ryan Modling attended the meeting, but both were off duty and enjoying a well-deserved respite from their usual Provincial duties.
David welcomed John to Anchorsholme Lodge, extending to him his best wishes for an enjoyable afternoon. Derek was then duly presented by Trevor Hunt and the ceremony commenced with Derek being installed in a dignified and solemn manner. Following a flawless ceremony, the third degree tools were presented by Harry Cox, the second degree tools by Jim Fallow and the first degree tools by Bob Stafford. Jim also presented the address to the newly installed master. Duncan Smith delivered the address to the wardens and the address to the brethren of the lodge was given by John Lee.
On conclusion of the ceremony, John brought greetings from Mark Matthews, congratulating everyone on a superb ceremony. Derek was pleased to present to John 10 cheques to the value of £2,550 for various deserving causes. John gave thanks to the brethren of the lodge on behalf of all the reciepitents for their very generous donations,
At the festive board, John responded to the toast to the grand officers in his usual effervescent way by expressing his gratitude for the kind and generous invitation to represent the Provincial Grand Master. He acknowledged the enjoyment he had derived from the ceremony and the happiness at the festive board. The future appears promising for Anchorsholme Lodge, as a new member is expected to join soon.
David Rowbotham rose to deliver the toast to Derek as the new WM. Informing the brethren that Derek was from Wigan and that he began his working career as an apprentice engineer at British Aerospace, progressing to the position of quality control manager. Derek is married with two daughters and four grandchildren. His hobbies, aside from his interest in Freemasonry, include scouting. As a scout leader, he has organised gang shows and other scouting events.
Derek responded to the toast to his health by expressing his gratitude for a very enjoyable day and hoped that everyone else shared his sentiments. The atmosphere and camaraderie were abundant. He extended a special thank you to Barry Thornton for the Master’s Song and to Keith Jackson for the piano accompaniment. Derek reminisced about the closure of his mother lodge, Cleveleys Park Lodge No 7540 and how he was ‘encouraged’ to join Anchorsholme Lodge.
At the conclusion of the tyler’s toast, eloquently delivered by lodge tyler Bob Major, the brethren retired to the Park Suite bar or to their respective journeys home, content with having witnessed another enjoyable event in Freemasonry.
