The venue for the installation meeting of City Lodge No 2514 was the Kingsway Rooms in Widnes where over 20 brethren and guests met to install Tom Arnold into the WM’s chair. The lodge was opened promptly by WM Andrew Prowse and lodge business was conducted swiftly so that the lodge could be opened to the third degree.
Once in the third degree, the DC informed the brethren that Kevin Poynton, the representative of the provincial Grand master mark Matthews, stood outside and requested admission. Andrew said he would be pleased to receive him. Kevin, accompanied by group chairman David Atkinson and other grand, acting Provincial grand and Provincial grand officers entered the lodge and were warmly welcomed by Andrew. Salutations were offered to Kevin, then Neil Pedder, and Alan Riley accepted the salutations for the Provincial grand officers.
Andrew asked the lodge officers to stand and then thanked them for all their assistance during the year on behalf of the WM Arthur White. Andrew requested past masters to assist him with Alan Ledger acting as inner guard. The lodge was adjourned to the second degree so that master elect Tom Arnold could be presented by his proposer into Freemasonry Don Edwards. Tom reaffirmed his obligation and the installing master adjourned the lodge to the third degree. All below the rank of an installed master were requested to retire for a short while.
Andrew Prowse confidently installed Tom into the chair of King Solomon. The working tools of an installed master were presented flawlessly by Stephen Riley and the ceremony continued. Alan Owens presented the working tools in the third degree; Eric Shepherd expertly presented the tools in the second degree and Phillip Summers confidently presented an explanation of the first degree tools. George Powell gave the address to the junior warden and Peter Johnston gave the address to the senior deacon. Andrew Prowse delivered the warrants, Book of Constituents and the by-Laws
Arthur White delivered the address to the newly installed master. Kevin Poynton delivered the address to the brethren of the lodge. After all the officers had been invested in due form Stephen Riley informed Tom that the ceremony of installation was completed which prompted Kevin Poynton to rise and convey the personal thanks and congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Kevin thanked the brethren who had delivered the working tools and congratulated the installing master, ably assisted by Stephen Riley for a delightful ceremony.
Tom thanked Kevin for attending, especially at such short notice, then presented a cheque to Kevin on behalf of the lodge in favour of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. Kevin thanked Tom for his kind words and the lodge for their donation and said that those who received aid from the charities would never be known by us, nor should they, but would appreciate the generosity and he handed the cheque to the Provincial Almoner Alan Riley.
A collection for alms was taken after an excellent ceremony, and at the first of the risings the DC Stephen Riley formed the procession to retire. After other business had been transacted the lodge was duly closed and the closing ode was sung. The brethren retired to the dining room to enjoy a festive board.
Kevin Poynton, in response to the toast to his health which had been proposed by Alan Riley, conveyed his personal congratulations to Tom Arnold for taking the chair again and thanked Andy Prowse for the excellent way in which he conducted the ceremony.
Kevin continued his response by bringing the brethren up to date with the Membership Challenge and other Masonic news saying that it had been a while since he last visited City Lodge, in fact it was probably some 10 years ago when the Johnston twins celebrated their golden jubilee and reminded everyone that in February the twins would celebrate their diamond jubilee and he hoped he would be present.
The WM Tom Arnold responded to his toast by thanking Andrew Prowse the way he had been installed. Sadly, all occasions must come to an end and after an excellent festive board the last toast of the evening was given by the tyler Tommy Lunt, after which the brethren headed home.
Story and pictures by Colin Roberts.