To call Stuart Brackstone a busy Freemason is like calling the Nile a long river; it simply goes without saying. Add a visit by one of his oldest friends, Tony Harrison, to see his installation and you have an afternoon of pure Masonic joy.
Tony was accompanied by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Peter Littlehales, five Grand Lodge officers, Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, group vice chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary, Tony Jackson. An impressive eight visiting masters were also in attendance, testament to the amount of visiting that outgoing master Martin Rigby has managed throughout his year in office.
57 brethren in all assembled in the temple at the Masonic hall in Ulverston to see Martin install Stuart into the chair of King Solomon of Thurston Lodge No 2525, a feat that Martin achieved with courage, sincerity and a high level of precision.
The lodge was opened in due and ancient form up to the third degree and Peter Littlehales entered, announcing that Tony Harrison, Past Provincial Grand Master and the representative of the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews, stood without. Tony was received and welcomed with all due ceremonial, with his escort of grand officers.
For the purposes of installation, Alan Jones occupied the senior warden’s chair, Alan Pattinson that of the junior warden and Gary Gibson, WM of Hindpool Lodge No 1225, occupied the position of inner guard.
Martin called for the remaining brethren of Thurston Lodge to assemble in the North, and he thanked them for their year of hard work in support of his mastership, expressing a wish that they continue to support Stuart.
Stuart Brackstone, senior warden and master elect, was presented to Martin Rigby by director of ceremonies Bob Fearnett, to receive at his hand the benefit of installation. Harry Kilgour, the lodge secretary, then read the ancient charges and regulations. All those below the rank of an installed master then retired for a short time and Martin placed Stuart into the chair of King Solomon with dignity, sincerity and great care.
Master Masons were then re-admitted, formed into processional order and greeted Stuart as master Masons in passing. Director of ceremonies, Bob, proclaimed Stuart as WM from the East, the brethren of Thurston Lodge saluted him as master Masons with the grand or royal sign five times and Dave Smith, a stalwart of the lodge, presented and explained the working tools of a master Mason in a most excellent manner. The lodge was then closed by virtue and opened in the second degree.
The brethren of Thurston Lodge again formed into processional order in the North and greeted Stuart as fellowcrafts in passing. Director of ceremonies Bob proclaimed Stuart as WM from the West, the brethren of the lodge saluted him as fellowcrafts with ‘heart, hand, badge’ five times and Neil Braithwaite, one of the lodge’s light blues, presented and explained the working tools of a fellowcraft Freemason in a most excellent manner. The lodge was then closed by virtue and opened in the first degree.
The brethren of Thurston Lodge again formed into processional order in the North and greeted Stuart as entered apprentice Freemasons in passing. Director of ceremonies Bob proclaimed Stuart as WM from the South, the brethren of the lodge saluted him as entered apprentice Freemasons with ‘point, left, right’ three times and Terry Ridal presented and explained the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason in faultless style.
Although Martin already wears a past master’s jewel and a presentation was unnecessary, he was thanked profusely by Stuart for his outstanding service and commitment to the lodge over the last twelve months.
At the investment of lodge officers, Jim Richards was appointed senior warden and presented with the gavel and column of the office by Alan Jones. Geoff Waters was appointed junior warden and presented in turn with his column and gavel by Alan Pattinson.
At the appointment of Terry Ridal as chaplain, WM Stuart was heard to utter the words “the only righteous man in the lodge” which prompted a wave of smiles and nods of agreement. Chris Eccles was appointed secretary, prompting words of congratulation from Stuart and he also thanked Harry Kilgour for his service to the lodge over many years as secretary.
The addresses continued the theme of excellent ritual, group mentor Ian Cottam was called into service to give the address to new lodge mentor Martin Rigby, Alan Jones gave the address to the WM, Harry Kilgour gave the address to the wardens and Tony Harrison gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
As Stuart reverted to the summons, Tony Harrison rose to bring the greetings of Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews, congratulating Martin, Stuart and all those who had taken part in the installation ceremony. On the appointment of some of the lodge’s most distinguished brethren into office, Tony asked, “is it the first team or the old guard?” to great amusement. He was presented with an envelope detailing a donation of £500 through the relief chest to West Lancashire Freemasons Charity, as well as £121 for local charities raised by a trip on the steam yacht Gondola on Coniston Water, close to Thurston Lodge’s spiritual home in the village of Coniston.
The opening and closing odes and musical interludes were provided by Howard Linaker. At the festive board banquet, the raffle raised £380, augmented by a further £20 from the Masters’ swindle.
