Woolton Lodge of Unity No 1086, is an amalgamation of Walton Lodge No 1086, Lodge of Prudence No 2114, Allerton Lodge No 6653 and Warbreck Lodge No 6976, and meets at Woolton Golf Club, Doe Park, Woolton Liverpool. This was to be the last installation meeting of the lodge at the Golf Club as all lodges and chapters are to leave Woolton at the end of the Masonic season.
There was an exciting buzz in the air at the lodge and the room was thronged with members and visitors as they waited for the evenings installation meeting to begin. WM Michael Daly, who is enjoying a busy year as a Provincial Grand Steward, welcomed everyone to the lodge and without further ado, proceeded to open the lodge.
Lodge Director of Ceremonies Stephen Lynch was on hand and soon entered the lodge to announce that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle stood without. A large procession was formed consisting of Provincial Grand Steward Mike Fox, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Les Williams, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Doug Holgate, Provincial Grand Communications Officer Paul Brunskill, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies David Boyes, Mersey Valley Group Chairman David Atkinson, grand officer Dave Withy, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ian Sanderson and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle.
Having formally welcomed Andrew to the lodge, all guests seated, the salutations were attended to by David Boyes. Master elect Norman Pollock was presented by Alan Riley and David Rimmer, to WM Michael for the benefit of installation.
The installation ceremony was a master class of ritual and WM Michael has obviously spent a lot of time learning the ritual which was performed superbly. Master elect Norman was equally faultless in his recital of his obligation as master elect. Having thanked all officers of the lodge for their support in his year as WM, a board of installed masters was duly convened.
Norman was installed into the chair of King Solomon in fine fashion and having been installed as master, was soon installing his officers for the ensuing year. The lodge prides itself on the delivery of ritual, with the addresses performed by various members and visitors to the lodge. The address to the junior warden was given by Dave Moore, the address to the deacons was given by Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Les Williams. The address to the wardens was given by Colin Cameron and the address to the WM Norman Pollock by Dave Moore again. Finally, the address to the stewards was delivered by Michael Daly.
At the conclusion of the installation ceremony, it was Andrew Whittle’s turn to bring his own personal congratulations, in which he praised the lodge, new WM Norman, wishing him well for the forthcoming year, and the immediate past master Michael Daly for such a wonderful installation ceremony. Indeed, at dinner, Andrew echoed those sentiments when he said that it was one of the best installation ceremonies he had seen for some time.
The festive board at Woolton in the Doe Park suite is always a happy occasion and this was no exception, newly installed WM Norman, thanked everyone who had taken part in the ceremony that evening and the many visitors in attendance, he is looking forward to an exciting year ahead. The spirit of unity within the lodge is very evident by the excellence of the ritual that had just witnessed and the camaraderie of the brethren of Woolton Lodge of Unity.
Story by Mike Fox.