The League of Welldoers is one of Liverpool’s oldest charities having been founded in 1893, and the League of Welldoers has become the home to several lodges and chapters in the Gladstone Group and beyond. It was at this venue that St Nicholas Lodge No 3620 hosted the occasion of the installation of Stewart Cranage as WM of the lodge.
WM John Jackson, assisted by Gary Nicholson and Stewart Cranage as senior and junior warden respectively, opened the lodge and welcomed all, including a large contingent of visitors who were eagerly awaiting the ceremony that was to come.
Director of Ceremonies, Geoff Bell, retired from the lodge for a short time, and then announced that the principal guest, Sam Robinson, representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, stood without. A procession consisting of Provincial Grand Steward Colin Higginson, Past Provincial Grand Steward Mike Fox, Provincial Senior Grand Warden, John Reynolds, Provincial Grand Communications Officer Paul Brunskill, led Sam into the lodge where he was formally introduced to the WM John Jackson.
The ceremony of installation then began with the WM John Jackson requesting master elect Stewart Cranage be presented to him. Stewart performed his obligation faultlessly and the installation ceremony proceeded extremely well being very apparent that the brethren had practiced and learned their Craft. It was a pleasure to observe the ceremony, and Stewart was duly installed in time honoured fashion.
Immediate past master John, then led the salutation to the WM, inviting master Masons to salute new installed WM Stewart Cranage, and then followed suit by delivering the working tools of a master Mason. Having resumed labour in the second degree, John again called for fellow craft Freemasons and after the salutations had been given, senior warden Gary Nicholson presented the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason.
Finally labour being resumed in the first degree, it was turn of entered apprentices to give salutation and this time the working tools were delivered by director of ceremonies Geoff Bell, who later gave a faultless rendition of the address to the WM. After the installation of all lodge officers, principal guest Sam Robinson gave a sincere address to the brethren of the lodge.
At the conclusion of the installation ceremony, Sam again rose to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to Stewart Cranage, as well as his personal congratulations and commended all those who took part in the installation ceremony for a fantastic and impressive event.
WM Stewart then requested Sam to please receive cheques in honour of the charities, and Sam read to all those present, that the lodge had very generously donated £600, split four ways of £150 each to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, Motor Neurone Disease, Friends of Tithebarn and a donation to the League of Welldoers. Sam thanked the lodge brethren for their generous donations.
After all the lodge business had been concluded, the lodge was closed in solemn form, and all retired to the splendid dining room at the League of Welldoers. Chef Paul Elackman needs no introduction, and all present were looking forward to a delicious meal which didn’t disappoint and with waistlines under some strain at the conclusion of dinner. Immediate past master John led the toast to WM Stewart Cranage, stating that he was delighted that Stewart had been installed into the chair of King Solomon at St Nicholas Lodge. Stewart is no stranger to the master’s chair, having been installed seven times before, making this installation his eighth time, the first at St Nicholas Lodge.
Principal guest Sam again congratulated all at dinner for a splendid ceremony and a happy and very enjoyable occasion around the dining room. Immediate Past Master John, then led a special toast to Stewart and sang the Master’s Song accompanied by enthusiastic piano playing, and with all joining in song, to wish Stewart every success in his year as master of the lodge.In response, Stewart, explained that he had first attended St Nick’s Lodge, as it is colloquially known, some years prior and had enjoyed it so much that he decided to join, not thinking that one day he would occupy the high office which he now enjoys as master of the lodge. Thanking all for attending and remarking what a wonderful occasion it was with so many brethren and visitors in attendance and echoing principal guest Sam’s message for all to enjoy their Freemasonry.