Visitors from Wales attend Lever Park Lodge installation

The members of Level Park Lodge No 8144 were honoured by the presence of Ray Martland Assistant Provincial Grand Master, who was the principal guest at their installation meeting. Ray was accompanies by John Robson Chairman of the Chorley and District Group of Lodges together with many Grand and Acting Provincial Grand Officers.

Ray Martland with Paul Webb, Peter Idle and some of the visiting officers.

The lodge room was full and when 10 visitors from Wales St Catherine’s Lodge No 8577 (Wrexham) and St Collens Lodge No 4448 (Llangollen) arrived slightly late due to heavy traffic, it was packed.

Paul Webb was installed into the chair of King Solomon by Peter Idle in what can only be described as a faultless and stylish manner.

The working tools were very well worked by Clive Butterworth (who has only been in Freemasonry for eight months), Michael Greenhalgh and Vincent Baldwin.

The address to the master was delivered by Ray Goth, to the wardens by Andy Wiltshire (PrJGW) and the brethren by Ray Martland.

Ray Martland Congratulates Paul Webb.

At the end of the ceremony Ray brought greeting from the Provincial Grand Master. He welcomed Paul as the latest ruler in the Craft. Ray said that if the PGM had been here he would have congratulated Peter Idle on his exemplary work. He also said that good ceremonies don’t happen by accident and congratulated John Dawber (DC) and Stan Wood (ADC) for their leadership.

Paul then presented Ray with three cheques, for which Ray thanked Paul for the generous donations of £300 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £100 to Horwich Masonic Hall and £300 to the Braden-Lee Prescott Appeal (Braiden-Lee Prescott is three years old and has stage 4 neuroblastoma and needs treatment in America) to find out more about the appeal go to www.braidenleeprescott.org.uk.

On Behalf of the grand officers John Robson said that with all the light blue members in the progressive offices and propositions to admit four new members this was the sign of a lodge in good health.

Paul Hesketh and his cake.

Near the end of the evening there was a rumour that with 10 Welshmen in the building a contingent of Zulu’s had been seen looking for revenge for Rorke’s Drift! – this resulted in the mini bus leaving for Wales very late as it was safer to stay in the bar!

While the members of the lodge and their guests dined upstairs the Ladies of the Lodge dined downstairs, a really good idea.

The festive board was as we have come to expect at Ridgmont House a superb banquet. With good company good wine and two birthdays to celebrate (Paul Hesketh and John Robson) a memorable evening was had by all.       

The visitors from Wales are pictured with Andy Wiltshire (PrJGW), Stan Wood and Mark Holloway (PrPO) who Visited St Catherine’s Lodge earlier this year.

The Ladies before dinner.