The Roman Suite in Liverpool Masonic Hall Hope Street, was the venue for the installation of Steve Walls into the chair of King Solomon for Temple Lodge No 1094. This is the fourth time that Steve had served as WM for the lodge, and this time it was during his 40th year as a Freemason, the event was.
Master of the lodge Jon Tyrer opened the lodge, which was attended by 39 brethren, including principal guests, lodge members and visitors, and the lodge minutes were dealt with. The general and Provincial communications were dealt with, before Jon opened the lodge into the third degree.
Lodge DC Ray Parr then retired before re-entering and announcing that Kevin Poynton, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master was seeking admission. Kevin was admitted into the lodge accompanied by Dave Johnson Liverpool Group Chairman, other grand officers, and David Boyes Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Mick Southern Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary. Kevin was warmly greeted into the lodge by Jon.
The lodge was then adjourned to the second degree and Les Bramhill assisted the lodge by taking the chair of the senior warden, Mark Youdan took the chair as the junior warden, and Howard Youdan remained as the inner guard. Jon then thanked the brethren of Temple Lodge for their work during his year as the WM.
Chris Walls was then asked if he would take the position of the WM for the purposes of the installation. Chris is the eldest son of Steve Walls the master elect. Chris was proud to take the chair of King Solomon, to install his father as the WM.
Kevin Walls, the youngest son of Steve, took great pleasure in walking his father to the centre of the lodge room and announced and presented him to Kevin, as the master elect. There then followed an excellent and emotionally proud ceremony of installation.
Stewart Hyde explained the working tools of the WM, Chris then proclaimed the new WM Steve Walls to master Masons, fellow crafts and entered apprentices, assisted by directions from Ray the DC. Placement addresses were given to the newly installed senior warden by Les Bramhill and junior warden, by Mark Youdan.
Ashton Foat presented the working tools of a master Mason, Les Bramhill presented the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason, and Dave Crowley presented the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason. Chris took great pleasure in addressing his father as the WM, with Stewart Hyde addressing the wardens. Kevin Poynton then addressed the brethren of Temple Lodge.
Upon completion of the installation ceremony, Kevin rose to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the installed master and spoke of the excellent and enjoyable ritual conducted by the installing master Chris, recognising that a lot of work had taken place. Kevin then thanked Jon as the IPM and recognised his work during the past 12 months as the WM; special thanks was also given to those brethren that had completed addresses and the working tools.
Steve then presented a list of the charities to Kevin that had benefited from the lodge Relief Chest totalling £1,094: Alder Hey Children’s, Hospital £300, this was as a special thanks given to Jon and his wife, Merseyside Water Rescue £300, West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity £300 and Liverpool Masonic Hall £194. Kevin thanked the brethren of the lodge for their generous donations.
Following the ceremony, the brethren retired for a magnificent festive board. Kevin responded to the toast to his health, by congratulating Steve and hoping that he would have a successful year in office, for what is his fourth time, and also in his 40th year as a Freemason. Kevin then recounted how long they had known each other on their Masonic journey.
Continuing, Kevin Poynton also talked about the membership challenge, and the recruitment within the Royal Arch. Kevin thanked the group chairman Dave Johnson for his sterling work and talked about the importance of Hope Street Masonic Hall, and its significance within the area for Freemasonry.
Kevin Walls then made a very sincere and proud toast to his father as the WM, detailing the attributes that Steve had that would ensure the lodge was in safe hands, and with the newly installed officers, the lodge also had a great future.
Steve responded to the toast to his health by thanking his sons for the work they had done in the ceremony and how proud and pleased he was for them having done so. Steve also thanked Stu Hyde for being his seconder and paused for a short while to remember his proposer Bob Fisher who is unfortunately no longer with us.
Steve also thanked his personal guests who had attended his installation, Steve stated that the future was looking good for the lodge, with progress set up for new masters over the next two years. Chris Walls then proposed a toast to the guests, which required no response.
