Tom Irving has been impressively installed into the master’s chair at the Lodge of Furness No 995 for a second time. The lodge was consecrated in December 1863 making it 160 years old and numerically the oldest lodge in the Furness and South Lakeland Group.
Tom was presented to installing master Keith Lancaster for installation in a most dignified manner by lodge secretary David Jennings. In front of 60 brethren and visitors, including eight visiting masters and two fellow crafts, Keith carried out his duties with great sincerity, dignity and an occasional touch of humour.
Provincial Junior Grand Warden David Rigby, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, gave the address to the brethren of the lodge in a most dignified manner. Richard Wilcock addressed the wardens, Tony Jackson, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon addressed the deacons and Phil Renney, Provincial Grand Steward addressed the stewards of the lodge. The master’s address was covered with admirable dexterity by Chris Angell. Each address received suitable murmured acclaim from the assembled throng.
As Lodge of Furness is a Hall Stone Lodge, the Hall Stone Jewel and collarette were presented and explained to Tom by David Helm. Mark Hornby and Gary Grieve were presented with their columns gavels and pillars as respectively senior and junior wardens, by Ron Jackson and David Helm.
Director of ceremonies Tony Nevinson and his assistant Richard Wilcock, who was succeeded by Chris Angell as assistant director of ceremonies later in the afternoon, kept proceedings moving apace. Tony and Chris were addressed by Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald. Also in attendance in an acting role was Mort Richardson Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
As Tom was about to revert back to the summons, David Rigby rose to bring greetings from the Provincial Grand Master, affirming his approval for the standard of ritual in the ‘Top of the Province’ and heaping praise on the three brethren who had presented and explained the working tools of the three degrees. Mark Hornby the senior warden of the lodge managed the third degree tools, Gary Grieve the junior warden explained the second degree tools and senior deacon Matt Griffiths explained the first degree tools.
Tom then presented David with a cheque for £995 for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. David thanked Tom and the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donation.
Alms collected in the lodge amounted to £198.10 for Masonic Charities and at the festive board, a very respectable sum of £351 was raised from the raffle for the building fund.
