The Roman Room, Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street was the setting for the installation ceremony for Victory Lodge No 6238. Having all signed the meeting book, the brethren and visitors filed into the magnificent lodge room, soaking up the history from the many lodges which have met here over the years.
In the absence of master Alan Maddocks, past master Eric Palfreyman stood in and opened the lodge in fine form, assisted by senior warden Gordon Lees and junior warden Len Shepherd who were also standing in respectively in each role. Eric then formally welcomed the principal guest Kevin Poynton, who was accompanied by the Liverpool Group Chairman David Johnson into the lodge.
Eric then requested immediate past master Peter McCarthy to occupy the chair of King Solomon, and having done so, Eric was then collected by George Strickland and Brian Leatherbarrow and presented to Peter as master elect.
Eric performed his obligation as master elect faultlessly and was duly obligated, installing master Peter asked all of the officers to line up in the lodge and thanked all of them for their hard work over the preceding year and for their continued support not only to him but also to Eric over the next year.
Peter then proceeded to install Eric into the chair of King Solomon in fine fashion and led the necessary salutations to a newly installed master. Once the board on installed masters had been properly closed, lodge secretary Brian Leatherbarrow, then requested the admission of master Masons and once they had passed around the lodge saluting newly installed master Eric, then collected a visitor, Paul McLachlan, who delivered the working tools of a master Mason.
Having resumed labour in the second degree, Brian then requested admission of fellow craft Freemasons and assisted by some lodge visitors who joined in, then instructed them with the proper salutations and directed them to pass around the lodge. Brian then delivered the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason.
Brian requested Eric to close the lodge in the second degree and resume labour in the first degree, and having admitted entered apprentices, again with a smattering of willing volunteers, instructed them in the proper salutations of a new master from an entered apprentice. The lodge has some unique salutations and for the volunteers there were varying degrees of success with the salutations, although it is fair to say, they were enthusiastic in their application and delivery.
Alan Atkinson directed the investment of the lodge officers, and having appointed senior warden Gordon Lees, gave the collar address. Likewise, Len Shepherd did the address to the junior warden. Roy Cowley gave a very impressive address to the master of the lodge Eric and Colin Cameron of Woolton Lodge of Unity No 1086, then gave the address to the wardens.
It was then the turn of Kevin Poynton to give the address to the brethren of the lodge, which he delivered with aplomb and he brought the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master, not only to Eric, but to all the brethren who had taken part that evening of which there were many, thanking in particular installing master Peter and secretary Brian for their hard work.
Eric then requested Kevin to accept cheques for the charities and Kevin announced that the lodge had very generously donated £100 to Liverpool Masonic Hall and £300 for Daisy Inclusive UK, a disability-led charity that helps disabled people and their families. Kevin thanked the lodge for their generosity and support of the charities including Daisy Inclusive, which is run by lodge member Dave Kelly.
The festive board was a fun and humorous occasion, with much laughter and camaraderie from what is obviously a happy lodge, indeed at the raffle prize draw, twins Gordon and Edgar Lees demonstrated double luck by winning a prize each.
Principal guest Kevin, congratulated Eric on being installed as master again and he wished everyone to enjoy the year ahead and most importantly their Freemasonry as well. This is Eric’s fifth time in the chair in the lodge history, and as that famous signal from Horatio Nelson, from HMS Victory ‘England expects that every man shall do his duty’ it is fair to say this is a Victory for Eric.
Story by Mike Fox.