Assistant Provincial Grand Master Malcolm Bell was the principal guest at the installation meeting of Mereside Lodge No 6360 at Blackpool Masonic Hall, where Ian Northwood was installed into the chair of King Solomon for the second time. The first being in 1997.
Malcolm was supported by Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Harry Cox and Duncan Smith, along with grand officer and group vice-chairman David Edwards. Malcolm was also accompanied by Blackpool Group Chairman Steve Jelly and group secretary Michael Tax, with acting Provincial grand officers Ken Greenwood, Colin Rodgers and Neil Higgins.
WM William Richmond conducted the general business of the lodge, and in due time, it was announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Malcolm Bell demanded admission. Malcolm and his entourage duly processed into the lodge room, where he was welcomed by the WM and offered the gavel of the lodge. Malcolm appreciated the offer of the gavel, which was returned to the WM, where it was deemed to be in safer hands.
The WM then invited John Darrell to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Andy Walsh to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Paul Bennett to take the position of installing inner guard. The master elect, Ian Northwood, was presented for installation by John Bellhouse. Then, all those below the rank of installed master were requested to retire for a short time. Ian Northwood was installed as master of Mereside Lodge in a fine and traditional manner by Sir Peter Roscow KLB. Roger Fish subsequently presented the installed master’s tools to Ian.
Once the board of installed masters was closed, master Masons were re-admitted and the third degree working tools were delivered to Ian by Sir Peter Roscow KLB. The second degree working tools were delivered by John Brumfield and the first degree working tools were delivered by Mark Stevens. The address to the master was given by John Bellhouse, the address to the wardens was given by Harry Cox and the address to the brethren of the lodge was given by Malcolm Bell.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Malcolm brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM, wishing him a happy and successful year as the latest master of Mereside Lodge. Malcolm continued to congratulate the installing master Sir Peter Roscow on a superb ceremony. Malcolm was presented with a list of donations of; £1,500 for the West Lancs Freemasons’ Charity, £500 for Headway, a brain trauma charity, and £500 for the Empowerment Charity. Malcolm thanked the brethren of the lodge for the very generous donations.
A total of 65 members and guests attended the festive board, where a further £600 was raised for deserving causes. Harold Waggett sang the Master’s Song accompanied by Jim Coupe on the piano.
