The WM of City Lodge No 2514 Phillip Summers opened the lodge for their installation meeting at Woolton Golf Club. Phillip welcomed all the guests and quickly dispatched the usual business.
Phillip then opened the lodge to the second and third degrees and Ian Halsall, the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, was admitted in due form and was warmly welcomed by Phillip. Ian was accompanied by deputy group chairman David Atkinson.
Salutations were offered to Ian, who suitably replied and then to Fred Hulse including David Atkinson on behalf of the Provincial grand officers. The lodge was adjourned to the second degree and Stephen James Riley presented the master elect Andrew Prowse, who reaffirmed his obligation.
The WM thanked all the officers of the lodge for all their support during the time he had spent in the chair and then appointed past masters to assist him for the remainder of the ceremony. Andrew Prowse was expertly and with great dignity installed into the chair of King Solomon.
Master Masons were readmitted, saluted the WM and a light blue, Arthur White, confidently provided the explanation of the working tools of the third degree. After the lodge had been closed to the second degree, fellow crafts were readmitted, saluted the WM and the long explanation of the working tools was expertly delivered by Eric Shepherd. Entered apprentices were readmitted, and the explanation of the working tools was delivered by Stephen Joseph Riley.
Once the WM had appointed and invested his officers who were present, the address to the deacons was delivered by Peter Johnston and the address to the WM given by George Powell. Throughout the ceremony the organ was played by Dr. Colin Porter, Provincial Grand Organist for Cheshire. Colin is a renowned church organist and has been the church organist of Mossley Hill Parish church for many years. Colin also provides organ recitals throughout the country. His playing was very much appreciated by all the brethren.
The WM was informed that the ceremony of installation was completed, and this prompted Ian Halsall to rise and convey the greetings of Mark Matthews. Ian also congratulated the WM and installing master, and all the brethren for what he described as a ‘fantastic ceremony’.
Andrew Prowse then presented Ian with a cheque for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity in the sum of £650 which was gratefully received with Ian saying that on behalf of the charity and the recipients, whom we may never know, it was a magnificent sum of money and he was sure it would be faithfully applied.
After the secretary reported receipt of the Grand Lodge returns, the DC Stephen Joseph Riley formed the procession for Ian Halsall to retire. Following other Masonic business, the lodge was closed in due form and the brethren retired to the festive board.
At the festive board a raffle was held in aid of the lodge widows and raised £108. The installing master Phillip Summers proposed the toast to the WM saying that it had been a pleasure to install him as it had been Andrew who had installed him in 2019.
In response to the toast to grand officers, Ian Halsall again commented on the high level of ritual he had witnessed; he provided the brethren with an update from Grand Lodge and from the Province.
The master’s song was sung by Stephen Joseph Riley and the final toast of the evening was provided by the tyler Tom Lunt. All good things must come to an end and the brethren departed.
Words and pictures by Colin Roberts.