Members of Clifton Lodge No 703 and their guests gathered at Blackpool Masonic Hall to witness the senior warden of the lodge, Rory Maskell, being installed into the chair of King Solomon. Principal guest for the occasion was South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry.
On the conclusion of the general business of the lodge, retiring WM Andy Inglis announced that the next item on the agenda was to install Rory Maskell as WM of Clifton Lodge, the oldest lodge in Blackpool, founded in 1857.
On a report, the director of ceremonies announced that principal the guest Ben Gorry, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews requested admission. Ben Gorry processed into the lodge room accompanied by grand officers Ian Robertson and John Turpin. Along with Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly, group vice chairman Bob Marsden and group secretary John Darrell with Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Alan Barlow. WM Andy Inglis welcomed Ben Gorry to Clifton Lodge hoping he would have a most enjoyable afternoon.
For the purpose of the installation ceremony, the WM invited Mike Thompson to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Jonathan Selcoe to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Vik Meddings to occupy the position of installing inner guard. The master elect, Rory Maskell was presented to the lodge by Brendon Fenton.
A Board of Installed Masters was declared and Rory Maskell was installed as WM of Clifton Lodge for the ensuing year and the Board of Installed Masters was closed. Master Masons were admitted, who passed around the lodge and saluted the WM as master Masons. The working tools of a master Mason were presented by Vik Meddings.
The lodge was closed in the third degree and opened in the second degree. Fellow craft Freemasons were admitted and they passed around the lodge and saluted the WM as fellow craft Freemasons. The working tools of a fellow craft Freemason were presented by Will Banks.
Next, the lodge was closed in the second degree and opened in the first degree. Entered apprentice Freemasons were admitted and they passed around the lodge and saluted the WM as entered apprentice Freemasons. The working tools of an apprentice Freemason were presented by Raphael Hunte.
WM Rory Maskell then appointed and invested the officers of the lodge. The address to Rory Maskell was given by Stuart Alcock-Williams. The address to the wardens was given by Michael Wilkinson and the address to brethren of the lodge was given by Ben Gorry.
Rory was pleased to hear the director of ceremonies announce that the ceremony of installation was concluded. Ben Gorry then rose to bring the greetings of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and Ben congratulated all those involved in the ceremony on behalf of Mark.
Rory had the great pleasure of presenting Ben Gorry with three cheques of £250 each for the Blackpool Big Food Project, Blackpool Polar Bears and Kindness Counts. Ben thanked Rory and the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations.
After the meeting had closed, the brethren retired to the festive board to enjoy a fine three course meal supplied by Lee and his team at Masonic Catering Ltd. After the traditional wine takings and toasts, Roger Fish lead the brethren in a resounding collective rendition of the Master’s Song to Rory Maskell.
