Borough Lodge No 3996 installation was an excellent, well attended affair in which the incoming WM Brian Todhunter was installed in fine style to the acclaim of all present by Ian Finney. The representative of the ProvGM was Roy Ashley who entered in the first degree and was saluted appropriately.
For the purpose of installation, the following members were seated as the installing officers for the duration of the ceremony; Peter Graham as senior warden, John Rylance as junior warden and James Birkett as inner guard, after which Jim Jackson presented the master elect Brian Todhunter to Ian Finney, the installing master.
The charges were imparted by the secretary and the master elect recited his obligation before being seated prior to the Board of Installed Masters, which was declared once all those below the rank of an installed master had left for a short time.
As the Inner workings were completed, the master Masons were invited back in and perambulated the lodge room displaying the signs as directed by the ADC. James McDonald presented an outstanding version of the third degree working tools which set the scene for what was to come.
Once closed in the third degree, the WM invited the fellow rafts to return, who also passed around the lodge room saluting appropriately. Philip Ballentyne had the task of presenting the second degree working tools which he recited word perfectly; no mean feat considering he delivered the long version in an absolutely splendid fashion.
With the second degree closed, the entered apprentices were readmitted and duly paid their respects to the new WM whilst traversing the lodge room. For the presentation of the first degree working tools, three brethren stepped forward, an entered apprentice, William Cameron, a fellow craft, Chris Walsh and a past master, Dave Makinson, collectively known as Borough Lodge’s ‘Three Degrees’. Their presentation was a joy to witness and murmurs of appreciation were apparent around the room.
The lodge warrant, Book of Constitutions and bye-laws were presented by the installing and now IPM, Ian Finney, following which the officers of the lodge were appointed. Of particular note was the fact that the lodge appointed two assistant directors of ceremonies, with succession in mind, ending with a flawless rendition of the address to the stewards from Phil Barr.
Various addresses were then presented as follows; To the master by Phil Hughes, to the wardens by Bryn Proctor and to the brethren of the lodge by Roy Ashley. All were impeccably demonstrated with sincerity and feeling which appears to flow through all of the work of the brethren in Borough Lodge.
This completed the ceremony of installation and greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews were brought by Roy Ashley, after which the WM presented cheques to the following charities: Wigan and Leigh Hospice £100, Ashton Masonic Hall £500, Bolton Hospice £100, St Helens Hospice £570, The Stroke Association £100. These donations made a very impressive total of £1,370. Roy gave thanks on behalf of the recipients for the lodge’s very generous donations.
Once the charities were honoured and the principal guest had retired, the lodge was closed and all the brethren retired to a Provincial bar where a toast to the new WM was proposed by Roy Ashley. With stomachs lined by a free barrel of beer and a shot of Pusser’s Rum, the retinue attended an excellent festive board which was punctuated by the usual toasts, responses and the Master’s Song sung by Andy Baxendale, accompanied by Frank Laird.
The whole affair from start to finish was splendid and a testament to the members of Borough Lodge who had obviously put a lot of time into the preparations and practices required to facilitate an installation of this calibre.