The first installation ceremony in the North Fylde Group of the 2024 season took place in Fleetwood, at Broadwater Lodge No 9027. This year, Broadwater Lodge where honoured to again elect Stuart De Core (Dex), into the chair of King Soloman for a third time. Stuart was WM back in 2019 and 2020, which we know were very difficult years for Masonry in general. So, he’s hoping to have an uneventful year as far as pandemics go.
Stuart served in the Army for 24 years before trying several other career choices, which included working with the American Army abroad, before turning his hand to facilities management. Stuart joined Masonry through the ‘Pathway’ membership programme in 2014 and was raised to a master Mason in 2015. He then swiftly took office and completed each progressive office until attaining the chair for the first time in 2019. On coming out of the chair in 2021, as there were not many active members of the lodge at that time, he took on the role of inner guard, and the following year junior deacon before taking the chair again this year. He has also been the membership officer for the lodge since the post was created, and also holds the position of hall representative. Outside of Broadwater Lodge, Stuart is a member of Pro Patria Lodge No 9952, which is the military lodge on the Fylde coast.
The lodge had a notable delegacy of grand officers present, led by Broadwater Lodge’s own Duncan Smith, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, with Ted Rhodes representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. They were joined by Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Harry Cox. Also present were; Peter Greathead, Keith Jackson, Andy Wiltshire and Rowland Tait (AUS) and acting Provincial grand officer Jason Bleakley. The North Fylde Group Chairman John Cross, was also in attendance. There were also members from as far away as Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, from Colvin Lodge No 5374.
The lodge was opened in due form and the lodge business taken care of by the very experienced Walter Daubney. Walter opened the lodge in the third degree where the grand officers entered, Duncan Smith was formally welcomed and offered the gavel of the lodge, which he duly returned to Walter.
Duncan then introduced the representative of the Provincial Grand Master, and the evening’s honoured guest Ted Rhodes. Walter welcomed Ted into the lodge then carried on by putting in place the installing officers, Paul Smedley as senior warden, Jim Gregson as junior warden and Dave Martland as inner guard. Stewart was presented by Peter Bawden, then Walter continued to install Stewart into the chair of King Soloman, in a wonderfully preformed ceremony. During the ceremony, the lodge was closed the long way and the tools faultlessly presented by Phil Drake in the third degree, Paul Goodfellow in the second degree and Thomas Lord in the first degree. Peter Bawden then addressed the master; Duncan Smith addressed the wardens and lastly Ted Rhodes delivered the address to the brethren of the lodge.
On completion of the installation, Ted Rhodes brought the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master and congratulated Stuart De Core and all the brethren who took part in the ceremony. Stuart then presented Ted with the following cheques; £400 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £150 to the North West Air Ambulance, £150 to the RNLI, £150 to North West Blood Bikes and £150 to Men’s Shed, Fleetwood. Ted thanked the brethren for their very generous donations.
The lodge was closed in due form and the brethren retired to the bar and then to the festive board. The brethren sat down to a very enjoyable three course festive board of chicken Caesar salad, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with seasonal vegetables, followed by cheese and biscuits and tea or coffee. After the meal was finished it was on to the toasts, where Edward started his response to his toast by stating what a great honour it was to be asked to represent the Provincial Grand Master by the Group Chairman. He went on to say how nice it was to be visiting old haunts and most importantly to be able to say: “Thank you” to all present in person, for all the support and friendship shown to him over the past 20 years in his role as Regional Charity Steward.
He went on to again congratulate all the members of the lodge for a wonderful ceremony. He made mention of the light blues who have taken office, to encourage them and support the Light Blues Club, stating: “The pleasure is in trying.” Points also covered were the Royal Arch, community engagement, Provincial Ball in March 2025, Provincial Grand Lodge in May 2025, strategic publicity officers, the Visiting Officers Scheme and membership which has dropped by 50% since 2010. He made one nice quote: “Surely we are all almoners, charity stewards and membership officers.”
The toast to the master was proposed by Peter Bawden and Stuart responded in the usual cordial fashion. The raffle on the evening was conducted by Mike Brown and raised £281 for charities. The festive board was ended by tyler Tom Egan giving the tyler’s toast.
