The lodge room at Blackpool Masonic Hall was full to capacity when Emblem Lodge No 6727 held their installation meeting. A total of 88 brethren had signed the tyler’s book, with visitors attending from 32 different lodges from throughout the Province of West Lancashire and beyond. All were in attendance to witness senior warden of the lodge, Allan Albiston, installed into the chair of King Solomon. Retiring WM Gordon Major opened the lodge and swiftly dispensed with the general business, mindful of the anticipated excitement that an installation meeting produces.
With the business done, the lodge was subsequently opened in the second degree and then the third degree whereupon a report announced the presence of principal guest John Lee, representing the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, requesting admission. Despite good humoured protestations from the brethren, John Lee was admitted into the lodge, accompanied by an entourage comprising of Past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters; Harry Cox. David Randerson and Duncan Smith. Along with James L Jack, Substitute Grand Master of Scotland, resplendent in his predominantly green regalia and grand officer Peter Greathead.
Supported by Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly, vice-chairman Bob Marsden and group secretary John Darrell. Accompanied by a select band of acting Provincial grand officers comprising of Provincial Grand Mentor Ray Lamb, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon David Sangster, Provincial Junior Grand Deacons Paul Cummings and Paul Easton, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Alan Barlow, Provincial Grand Steward Chris Hardingham and Provincial Grand Tyler Neil Higgins.
Gordon Major welcomed John Lee to Emblem lodge, hoping that he and his colleagues would have a wonderful afternoon of Masonic friendship and ritual. John thanked Gordon for the kind welcome and occupied his chair in the lodge. Salutations were given to those deserving brethren and after returning to the second degree the ceremony of installation began.
Sir Peter Roscow was invited to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Jim Downer to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Ivan Millington occupied the position of installing inner guard. Colin Wade had the great pleasure of presenting Allan Albiston to the WM for installation. All those below the rank of a master Mason retired from the lodge room and the lodge was resumed to the third degree. All those who were not an installed master retired from the lodge and a Board of Installed Masters was opened and Allan was sincerely installed into the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom and tradition by Gordon Major. The first task of a new WM is to invest the immediate past master, a task Allan performed with gratitude, pinning the past master jewel onto Gordon’s jacket pocket with pride.
The tools of an installed master were presented to Allan by Mark Heelis after which, the Board of Installed Masters was closed. Master Masons were readmitted, passed around the lodge and saluted the WM and greeted him with the salutes of a master Mason. The tools of a Master Mason were delivered by Martin Porter. The lodge was closed in the third degree and resumed in the second, whereupon, fellow craft Freemasons were readmitted, passed around the lodge and saluting the WM and greeted him with fellowcraft salutes. The tools of a fellow craft Freemason were delivered by Robert Coughtrey. The lodge was closed in the second degree and resumed in the first degree, all Masons were readmitted, passed around the lodge and saluted the WM and greeting him with entered apprentice salutes. The tools of an entered apprentice Freemason were delivered by Adrian Glass.
Installing master, Gordon Major, then presented the warrant of the lodge to Allan along with the Book of Constitutions of the Order and a copy of Emblem Lodge by-laws. The address to the master was delivered by John Tew. Allan then proceeded to appoint and invest the officers of Emblem lodge for the ensuing year.
Explanations of the jewels were given by Michael Fisher, Sir Peter Roscow, James Downer, Ian Millington and Martin Spencer. The address to the wardens was delivered by Colin Wade, the address to the brethren of the lodge was uniquely delivered by representing officer John Lee, with a subtle style all of his own.
On conclusion, the director of ceremonies informed Allan that the ceremony of installation was now completed, this being the cue for John to rise from his chair to bring the greetings of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, congratulating Allan on becoming WM, Gordon Major for the work done as installing officer and the hard work of director of ceremonies Paul Easton in keeping everyone in order during the afternoon, taking a short break from his duties as Provincial Junior Grand Deacon. John also congratulated the three junior brethren who had so eloquently delivered the working tools, stating that with younger brethren of such quality, the future of Emblem Lodge is in good hands.
Allan had the great pleasure of presenting John with a list of donations to various charities which included £783 to West Lancashire Masonic Foundation, £500 to Blackpool Masonic Hall building fund, £1,000 to Brian House Children’s Hospice, £400 to Showmen’s Children’s Charity, £250 to Alzheimers Society, £250 to Blackpool Streetlife, £300 to Blackpool Carers Society, £300 to Emblem Angels, £304 to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, £25 to West Lancashire Masonic Bowling Society, £25 to West Lancashire Masonic Golf Society, £25 to West Lancashire Masonic Fishing Society, £25 to West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society, £500 to Blue Skies Charity at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, £880 to Blackpool Food Bank, £660 to Trinity Hospice (In memory of grand officer Ian Ward who sadly died of prostate cancer) and £500 to Emblem Lodge charity account. Making a grand total of £6,727, this being Emblem lodge number.
John thanked the brethren and guests of Emblem lodge for raising such a magnificent amount, predominately for local charities. The lodge then returned to the summons and the remaining items of business were completed and the lodge was eventually closed and the brethren retired to the bar for a few well-earned drinks before moving on to the festive board.
The Fylde Suite dining room at Blackpool Masonic Hall was filled to capacity with members and guests who all enjoyed a fine meal of prawn cocktail starter, chicken wrapped in bacon served with a chasseur sauce, seasonal vegetables followed by sticky toffee pudding and custard. Coffee and a mint rounded of a very enjoyable meal. The usual wine taking were completed and a raffle raised £1,031 towards next year’s charity donations.
In his response to the toast to the grand officers, John Lee thanked Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly for the invitation to represent the Provincial Grand Master at Emblem installation and to the brethren for the warmth and hospitality experienced and especially for the support of the grand officers present, Harry Cox, David Randerson and Duncan Smith. John went on to thank the acting Provincial grand officers attending: Provincial Grand Mentor Ray Lamb attending. Paul Easton, David Sangster, Paul Cummings, Alan Barlow, Chris Hardingham and Neil Higgins.
John went on to talk about attracting new members, the Provincial Grand Ball at Bolton and Provincial Grand Lodge at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. John concluded his speech by thanking everyone for a wonderful day, hoping he would be invited back again on some other occasion.
Immediate past master Gordon Major rose to propose the toast to new WM, Allan, wishing him a successful year, pledging his support along with the support of the lodge members. John Darrell sang the Master’s Song to Allan with a raucous chorus from the assembled brethren. Allan rose and responded to the toast to his health thanking Gordon for his kind words. Ensuring the brethren that his response would not last as long as John’s. Allan thanked John and his grand officer colleagues for attending, along with the acting Provincial grand officers and all the brethren attending, especially James L Jack and his fellow members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. A term which had recently been mistakenly referred as the United Grand Lodge of Scotland, the miscreant was swiftly informed that the only thing Scottish Masons are united in, is fighting the English!
Allan went on to thank everyone who had been involved in making this installation meeting such a wonderful event. Allan concluded his response by promising the brethren he will do his best during his year as master. This being the second time in the chair of King Solomon, the first being as WM of Blackpool Lodge of Tranquillity No 6544 in 2021, being initiated into that lodge in 2014. Unfortunately, the lodge returned its warrant on 11 June 2025
The brethren and guests retired to the bar for a few more drinks and hopefully, some cordial discussions with the brethren from across the border in Scotland.
