Members of Prince Leopold, Doric and Parkfield Lodge No 1588 and regular visitors were most pleased to receive David Durling as the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews at the installation meeting where Stephen Woods was installed as master for the first time.
The meeting, held at Urmston Masonic Hall, was well attended, and David was accompanied by grand officer and lodge member Mike Adams and Vice Chairman of the Trafford Group Eddie Wilkinson, along with Provincial grand officers, group officers and visiting brethren.
With the lodge meeting commenced, and WM Ezra McGowan having progressed the business of the lodge, the juncture on the summons arrived where a report was received and Assistant to the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington entered the lodge room and declared that David Durling was without and requested admission. David then entered the lodge room to be warmly welcomed by Ezra.
The lodge was then opened in the second degree and Ezra invited three senior members of the lodge to act as installing officers; Roy Eaton as installing senior warden, David Benson as installing junior warden and Tony Moore as installing inner guard. Stephen then nervously stepped forward, solemnly expressed his obligation, and was then installed into the chair of King Solomon for the first time, by installing master Ezra in a suitably careful but exceptional manner.
The various brethren were then reintroduced into the lodge room according to degree and the working tools were all exceptionally well presented, initially by Eddie Wilkinson in the third degree followed by David Benson in the second degree and Ezra in the first degree. Stephen having been thoroughly well installed, there then followed an excellent address to the master, warmly presented by Ian Dalgetty, followed by similarly excellent addresses to the wardens by Mike Adams and of course, in excellent fashion, the address to the brethren of Prince Leopold, Doric and Parkfield Lodge by David Durling.
On completion of the installation, David once more rose to congratulate Ezra and all those concerned on a most enjoyable installation, filled with camaraderie and good humour and on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, passed on to the lodge the best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful year, in a most courteous manner.
Stephen responded by thanking David for his congratulations and for conveying the good wishes from Mark Matthews, and then, with a great deal of pleasure, presented a charitable donation on behalf of the lodge. David accepted the donation with grateful thanks revealing a most generous contribution by way of a cheque for £250 made out to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.
At the first rising, Mike Adams responded on behalf of the grand officers, echoing the good wishes and congratulations on the excellence of the ceremony given by David.
The afternoon continued with a most enjoyable and jovial festive board which was initiated by Trafford Group Vice Chairman presenting David with the now traditional bag of ‘Trafford Treats’. In David’s response to the toast to the grand officers, he passed on his own good wishes for a happy and healthy year to all the brethren present and to Stephen in particular, going on to say how interesting it was to meet so early in the day but judging by the number present it was quite popular.
He then referred to the continuation of the Masonic journey into the Royal Arch, which should be considered by all master Masons, the recruitment drive which was proving very successful and how we should be ensuring that we continue to use and promote our Masonic halls otherwise we may lose them. Finally, David thanked the lodge for their warm hospitality and a very enjoyable afternoon drew to a close in peace and harmony.
Story and photos by Ian Wood.