Birchwood Lodge No 8861, in Warrington, saw the installation of a new WM into the chair of King Solomon. Some 40 visitors were present to see the WM Chris Kehoe open the lodge and take it up to the third degree before he welcomed the principal guests.
The lodge and Warrington Group were honoured to receive Frank Umbers, Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire. Stuart Boyd, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Warrington and Trafford Groups, Grand Officer John McIntrye, the Warrington Group Vice Chairman and John Tyrer, the Warrington Group Chairman. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master conveyed the warm and fraternal greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
Chris then asked Norman Pritchard to take over proceedings as Norman wanted to install his friend of 65 years Bob Williams, into the chair. This is going to be a special year in the chair for Bob, as in April 2026, he will celebrate his 50th year in Freemasonry.
The ceremony was carried out with the customary precision expected from Birchwood Lodge brethren, and even the interruption of a fire alarm did not put the brethren off their stride. The brethren were treated to a presentation of the working tools by a trio of light blues in Alex Bullock, Chris Martin and entered apprentice Logan Reed.
Norman gave the address to the master, John McIntrye addressed the wardens of the lodge and Bill Wainwright reminded the tyler of his duties. In his first duty as an acting Provincial Grand Steward, having only been appointed to the post at Provincial Grand Lodge in Blackpool on the previous Friday, Anthony Shadwell delivered the address to the stewards of the lodge.
After the principal guests had retired, newly installed WM Bob Williams closed the lodge and the brethren headed for the festive board. The brethren enjoyed a sumptuous meal, and the WM was treated to the Master’s Song by none other than his old pal Norman. A princely sum was raised for charities in the raffle and the principal guests were presented with beautiful bouquets as parting gifts. A very convivial and thoroughly enjoyable evening was enjoyed by all.
