The Tuscan Suite at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street, was the venue for the installation of Stuart Virgo into the chair of Wavertree Gateacre Queensway Lodge No 2294. The ceremony and proceedings for the installation were under the adept control of the lodge director of ceremonies, Derek Gaskell.
Due to the absence and apologies received from the WM, Derek Connor, Dave Colquhoun assisted as the WM for the evening. Dave’s first duties were to announce that the representative of the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews, Liverpool Group Chairman, Dave Johnson, although safe, was unable to attend due to an incident on the motorway. Peter Fay, the Liverpool Group Membership Officer, represented the Liverpool Group.
The lodge has, over several years, visited brethren within the Netherlands area and a reciprocal visit was given by three brethren from Union Fraternity No 284 Lodge and De Slichtse Broederschap 200 Utrecht, Lodge.
Dave opened the lodge through the first degree to the third degree. The lodge minutes were dealt with and salutations were given to the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers. The lodge resumed in the second degree and the WM was assisted by Darren Crane, who occupied the position of inner guard, Bill Gaywood occupied the chair of junior warden and Steve Crane occupied the chair of senior warden for the purposes of the installation.
Jorge Perez and Derek Gaskell then presented the master elect Stuart Virgo to the installing master. Stuart affirmed his obligations impeccably and the lodge was resumed in the third degree. There then followed an impeccable ceremony of installation, completed by Dave and assisted by Jorge, who gave the traditional history, placing Stuart into the chair. Derek explained the working tools of the WM to Stuart.
The newly installed master Stuart was proclaimed with enthusiasm by Dave to master Masons, fellowcrafts and entered apprentices. The third and second degree working tools were explained by Dave, with Luke Griffiths, a light blue Mason, giving an exemplary explanation of the first degree tools.
Steve Crane had great pleasure in giving the address to the senior warden for the forthcoming year. Bill Gaywood gave the address to the junior warden and Derek gave the address to the inner guard. Dave gave the address to the newly installed WM. Dave Bell gave the address to the wardens, and Derek the address to the brethren. Liverpool Group Publicity Officer Ray Parr gave the address to the stewards.
The WM was informed that the ceremony of his installation had been completed. This comment saw Peter Fay rising to bring the congratulations on behalf of Dave Johnson, wishing him a happy and successful year.
The newly installed master then presented lodge donations to Peter totalling £6750. £1000 to Friends of Tithebarn, £500 each to the following charities: Liverpool Masonic Hall, West Lancashire Masonic Charities, Hale Bank Pre-School Playgroup, Blesma British Limbless ex-Servicemen, MMD in memory of Craig Jones’ father, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Woodlands Hospice Aintree, Crisis Homeless Young people, Shelter National Homeless Appeal, Samaritans Centre Point Youth Homelessness and Médecins Sans Frontières.
Following the ceremony, the brethren retired to the festive board for a magnificent festive board feast, consisting of classic caesar salad, parmesan and a soft-boiled egg. Pressed shin beef with garlic mashed potato, roast onions, carrots and beef jus. Followed by strawberry cheesecake glass gel and meringue, finishing with tea and coffee, accompanied by a selection of fine wines.
Dave proposed the toast to the newly installed master Stuart, the nineteenth WM since the lodge amalgamated in June 2002. Dave explained that Stuart had a lot of experienced past masters within the lodge that would assist him in the coming year and a good team behind him. A lodge collarette was placed around Stuart’s neck and a brief explanation given as to its use.
Tom McClouglan then led the brethren in the song to the WM, before Stuart stood to make the response to his toast. Stuart thanked the visiting brethren and stated that he had been ‘blown out of his mind’ during the ceremony and gave special thanks to Dave for the toast and for his excellent work as the installing master.
Jorge Perez gave a toast to the visitors, particularly the Dutch brethren, who responded by presenting a special lodge anniversary bottle of wine and a glass to the WM, followed by a Dutch song to the WM.
Peter then rose and stressed that Dave Johnson would have been disappointed to have not made the ceremony but would have personally congratulated Stuart. Peter thanked Luke for his excellent explanation of the working tools and also applauded the work of Derek, the lodge director of ceremonies for the night.
The proceedings were brought to an ending with the Tyler’s toast.
