A great celebration was held on a Saturday evening as several Scottish lodges made the long journey south to give tribute to one of their former members. Craig Clifford was originally a member Lodge Buchan St John No 636 from near Livingston in Scotland and life had subsequently brought Craig to Southport.
Having risen strongly through the ranks he had reached the status of being installed as master of Starkie Lodge No 1070. On this special day 23 old friends made a special effort to attend, including representatives from not just his mother lodge, but also Lodge Hope Bridge Castle No 827 and Formula One Lodge No 4956 in London.
Starkie Lodge being the centre of friendship it always has been, the members made a special effort both to welcome their Scottish brethren and give their new installed master the best possible start to the year. The lodge was rearranged for a Saturday evening rather than their traditional Thursday and it is a testament to the affection Craig is held in on both sides of the border that attendance was not just mighty from Scotland but also from Starkie Lodge and the Province of West Lancashire in general. This included a large Provincial procession for Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle, who arrived with a large procession to mark the day.
The lodge began in the usual manner, despite the lodge room being so full there was barely enough seating. The lodge was first opened by David Ellis the outgoing master, who on his final day conducted the business of the lodge in a typically thorough and professional manner. The lodge having been opened in the third degree the Provincial contingent marched in to great fanfare. Andrew Whittle was then saluted by all present, the volume of people in the lodge making it a spectacle indeed!
As tradition dictates, Andrew Whittle was offered the gavel, which he returned in a diplomatic and gentlemanly manner as he was looking forward to watching the ceremony. Craig was then brought forward to be installed in line with Starkie Lodge customs. It was soon clear that his time in the chair was way overdue as he showed he was in no way daunted by the large crowds present. Indeed, he showed he had the heart of a lion as the obligation was taken in a calm, clear Scottish brogue full of confidence and determined to show both Starkie Lodge brethren and his old friends the future was safe in his hands. The ceremony then proceeded with great spirit, as the members of Starkie Lodge put on a fine show for their Scottish visitors. After David obligated his successor a board of installed master was opened and the inner workings were performed superbly by David Parker.
Following this those below the rank of past master were readmitted and the third degree working tools were performed by Alex Myles, the lodge almoner, multitasking with experience and character. The younger brethren of the lodge then showed they were not to be outdone by their more experienced colleagues; John Harris first performed a fine example of 2nd degree working tools before David Briscoe finished with aplomb in the first. This was met with smiles by the Scottish brethren present, who no doubt held their own lodges to similarly high standards. Indeed, they immediately proceeded to show just that and proceeded to treat their English brethren to a treat, as Kevin Taggart stood and gave a quite exceptional rendition of the address to the Bible. This passage is not always a part of English installations and Kevin was rightly lauded afterwards for the quality of his performance on this exceptionally challenging piece of ritual.
Inspired by this, the English brethren then took up the challenge of the remaining addresses. Mike Foster performed the address to the master with that ease which can only come with experience, before John Karran showed why he held one of the most exalted ranks in Southport as he comfortably took on the address to the wardens. As befits tradition the last address, to the brethren of the lodge, was carried out by Andrew Whittle. After putting the cherry on top of the fine performance laid on for the Scottish brethren, he showed that practiced ease of great Provincial officers by congratulating those individuals involved in the ceremony.
The evening then proceeded to the festive board, and it is fortunate Southport has such a large hall for the room was again brimming. The usual toasts were made and three unusual and unique presentations were made. The first was on behalf of the Masonic biker group from the English to the Scottish lodge,
The final and one of the most satisfying parts of the evening were the speeches. A note must be made on the heartfelt speech made by Kevin Taggart. He explained to all present that Craig’s father John had been secretary of Lodge Buchan St John and his family therefore had a long history with the lodge. Indeed, Craig was still clearly missed in Scotland as Kevin went on to touch on the virtues of Craigs character. All in the room did nod with smiles, and by the end, England and Scotland did raise their glasses as one. Craig was then congratulated by Andrew on behalf of Southport, who then gave the Provincial speech with ease, singling out and congratulating again all those individuals who had outdone themselves that evening.
By the end of the evening, the smiles from brethren on both sides of the border were wide and many promises for mutual future visits had been made between brethren who had made a connection. However, no smile was wider than that of the new master Craig, who had started what promised to be a very special year.