Eddie Parkinson was installed as master of St Michaels on Wyre Lodge No 8348 for the third time in the presence of Phil Preston, the representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Eddie was first installed as master of St Michaels on Wyre Lodge in 1978 and then again 20 years later in 1998.
Phil was accompanied by Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire Malcolm Worsley, Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder and group secretary Lee Fisher. All of whom were accompanied by Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Steven Ellershaw, Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Steven Murray, Provincial Assistant Grand Pursuivant Sid Bateson and Provincial Grand Stewards Andy Baxter and Stuart Bateson.
WM David Williamson opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge before Phil Preston, accompanied by grand, acting Provincial grand officers and the group chairman, were admitted. The lodge was opened in the second degree and then the WM invited John Holmes to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Robert Cooper as installing junior warden and Brian Stoddart as installing inner guard.
Master elect Eddie Parkinson was then presented for installation by John Holmes, where he re-affirmed his obligation. The lodge was then opened in the third degree, at which time all those below the rank of an installed master were requested to retire from the lodge for a short while. Following the installation of the master elect, Ian Moss presented the working tools of an installed master.
Following the closure of the board of installed masters, master Masons were admitted and the third degree working tools were presented by John Davies. The second and first degree working tools were presented by fellow crafts Mark Syme and Gareth Williams, respectively. The WM appointed Frank Hogarth as senior warden and John Davies as junior warden. The address to the master was given by Allan Brown. The address to the wardens was given by Peter Pemberton and Phil Preston gave the address to the brethren of St Michaels on Wyre Lodge. Stuart Bateson gave the address to the stewards following their appointment.
Phil Preston brought greetings from the Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews to the WM and wished him a successful, happy and healthy year. He congratulated the installing master, David Williamson, on a superb ceremony. Phil was presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities totalling £37,747, of which £36,417 had been raised on behalf of the burns unit at Royal Preston Hospital by John Holmes and his support team on a sponsored walk from Silverdale to Wyrebank last year. Phil thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
David Williamson was presented with a past master’s jewel by WM Eddie Parkinson. Organist for the evening was Andrew Keith and the Master’s Song was performed by John Darrell. A total of 49 brethren attended the festive board, where the toast to the WM was given by IPM David Williamson. The raffle raised £235.
