On an evening, late in December 2022, 48 companions gathered at Bryn Masonic Hall for the installation ceremony of Ashton Trinity Chapter No 8821, which was ably facilitated by the DC Barry Dickinson accompanied by the ADC Tony Simm.
First principal Dave Brogan very capably installed his successor and second principal Andrew Dobie performed excellently installing his successor along with third principal Alan Richards who installed Fred Dickinson as the new third principal in fine style. All three had the acclimation of Malcolm Alexander, the representative of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, and the particular delight of all present.
Accompanying Malcolm Alexander were Wigan Group Chairman John Selley and group secretary Ian Green. In addition to the representative, also present were the following acting Provincial officers; Steve Dutson ProvGStdB, Frank Laird, Craig Lyon and Bill Griffiths ProvGStwd’s.
All the prayers and readings were undertaken by the following junior companions: John Calder, Phil Hughes, Richard Tebb and Paul Latham. The robe addresses were recited to the first, second and third principals by more senior members in the persons of companions David Ogden, John Murphy and John Parrott respectively. The three new principals for 2022 – 2023 are; first principal Andrew Dobie, second principal Alan Richards and third principal Fred Dickinson.
Very charitable donations that were made at the end of the ceremony to Malcolm Alexander are as follows; £100 to Ashton Masonic Hall, £250 to the Development Group at Bryn, £250 to the RNIB in Wigan and £250 to WLFC. Malcolm thanked the companions for their very generous donations. Malcolm Alexander then congratulated all the companions who took part in the ceremony, in particular the junior companions, equally commending the more senior members.
Following the closing of the chapter, a lively festive board ensued with the catering up to the usual very high standard that is the norm at Bryn Masonic Hall. It was a splendid installation ceremony which was a lovely start to the festive period.
