The visitors to Litherland Masonic Hall received the usual very warm welcome from the brethren of West Derby Castle Lodge No 5821, which was consecrated on 16 January 1940. The brethren were meeting to install Dave Southward into the chair of King Solomon.
The proceedings of the afternoon were overseen in an expert manner by lodge director of ceremonies, Tommie Grimes, who called the brethren to order to receive WM, Connor Grimes and his wardens. Connor then opened the lodge in due form.
After the minutes were confirmed, Connor opened the lodge up to the third degree and Tommie then sought permission to retire and form the procession. The lodge was honoured by the presence of grand officer Ian Gee, representative of Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews. Ian was accompanied by Chairman of the Ormskirk and Bootle Group Stephen Dunn and Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, Arnold Neale.
After Ian had been introduced to Connor and salutations had been given to Ian, Connor adjourned the master Mason’s lodge and labour was resumed in the second degree. Installing lodge officers for the evening took their places, Roger Boyle occupied the senior warden’s chair, James Bilsborough occupied the junior warden’s chair and the position of installing inner guard was occupied by Paul Devereux.
Master elect, Dave southward was presented to the installing master, Connor, by Tommie and Paul. Dave then recited his obligation and the lodge was resumed in the third degree. The officers and brethren of West Derby Castle Lodge then lined up in the north and Connor thanked them for their service.
The ceremony of installation was then excellently delivered by Connor. Tommie then delivered a wonderful presentation of the tools of an installed master. The newly installed master, Dave, was proclaimed to master Masons, fellowcrafts and entered apprentices by Connor. The third degree, second degree and first degree working tools were all faultlessly presented by Stephen Callow.
After Connor had presented the warrant of the lodge and the banner of the lodge, which was dedicated at the 50 year anniversary of the lodge, the address to the secretary was expertly delivered by Roger Boyle. David Bromilow and Stephen Callow expertly addressed the deacons and inner guard. Don Fraser then gave a most impressive address to the new master and finally, Connor addressed the wardens.
Ian Gee then rose to address the brethren of West Derby Castle Lodge. After the WM had been informed of the end of his ceremony of installation, Ian again rose and spoke to the brethren, he conveyed the congratulations of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and wished Dave a very successful year in office and continued good health. He then congratulated the installing master, Connor and the ‘conductor of the orchestra’, Tommie. He also congratulated the brethren who had given the addresses and Stephen for his presentation of the working tools.
Dave then presented the lodge donations to Ian, totalling £300; £100 to West Lancs Freemasons’ Charity, £100 to Litherland Masonic Hall and £100 to Derian House Childrens’ Hospice. Ian thanked the brethren for their most generous donations. Alms were then collected to the total of £120. The lodge was closed by Dave after the principal guest Ian Gee, Provincial grand lodge officers and acting Provincial grand lodge officer had retired from the lodge during the risings.
Following the ceremony, Ian led a toast to the new WM prior to the festive board and congratulated Tommie and Connor Grimes. The brethren then warmly welcomed the new WM Dave to the festive board, accompanied by Ian, Stephen Dunn and the lodge’s two new wardens.
After grace had been said by Stephen Callow and prior to the festivities, Tommie presented Dave and the brethren of the lodge with the lodge’s original warden’s columns, which had been found and restored by Tommie and Connor (father and son). These columns were dedicated to GRJ Fennell, who had been the junior warden designate prior to the lodge’s consecration in 1940. Sadly, he passed to the Grand Lodge above before he could take up his office.
There then followed a delicious three course meal, consisting of summer vegetable soup, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings followed by apple crumble and custard. This was washed down by a selection of wines and tea and coffee.
After the chaplain had returned thanks and the senior warden’s toast to the Provincial grand lodge officers, Ian Gee rose to speak to the brethren. He congratulated the new WM, Connor and Tommie and Stephen Dunn for inviting him to the installation. He said that for lodges to be strong and healthy they needed laughter. He added that a lodge that is happy is a lodge that will last.
Tony Baker then gave an excellent rendition of ‘I heard three knocks’. There then followed a Chorley raffle, which raised £115. After Connor had led the toast to Dave and had presented him with a summons signed by all of the brethren, Paul O’Brien then led the brethren in a rendition of the Master’s Song. Dave then responded by saying that it was an honour and a pleasure to be WM of the lodge. The junior warden then delivered the toast to the visitors. Ian was then presented with flowers in appreciation of his attendance and finally, Don Fraser enthusiastically delivered the tyler’s toast. The afternoon and evening being at an end, the brethren then retired to the bar for further lively conversation and sustenance.
