“A great showcase of a well-balanced and growing lodge” was the foremost comment shared by many of the visitors at the 2023 Carnarvon Lodge No 2376 installation meeting.
Stewart Seddon was in attendance as the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. The master elect David Robinson was installed into the master’s chair in fine fashion, with a total of 49 Masons attending the meeting, including seven masters of other lodges.
Michael Norris, the new IPM, delivered a superb performance installing David into the chair, despite still recovering from recent health problems which led to the December meeting being re-scheduled to January 2023.
What was apparent during the installation was the involvement of Carnarvon Lodge’s light blue members and the line of succession as they were invested into offices within the lodge. In fact, the future of Carnarvon Lodge is light blue, with nearly all offices being taken by new and young Masons.
Michael Kipping presented the third degree working tools, Adam Dennett those of the second degree and C Pickup the working tools of the first degree. Phil Kavanagh gave the address to the master, Kieran Taylor-Bradshaw the address to the wardens and Stewart Seddon gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
The evening though was well directed and organised by the more experienced Masons, with special recognition to Graham Roberts who stepped in as director of ceremonies, whilst also executing his duties as secretary of the lodge.
Stewart Seddon was presented with cheques for charity totalling an astonishing amount. The lodge gifted £500 to Sparkle Bean Trust, £250 to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and £500 to Churches together in Leyland. £261.70 has been donated to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and £31 to the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
In addition to the donations given on the night, the lodge had already donated £100 to the Group Food Bank Appeal, £4,000 to the Northwest Air Ambulance and £16,000 to the Northwest Blood Bikes, bringing the total to £21,392.70. Of this magnificent total, £11,186.70 was donated by Carnarvon Lodge itself and the rest donated from other Masonic sources.
Other esteemed guests were John Lee, Paul Renton, group vice chairman David Bishop and Provincial Grand Membership Officer Neil Ward, each of whom commented on the quality of ritual and involvement of Carnarvon Lodge’s new and younger brethren.
A great night was had by all with special congratulations within the lodge given to their new senior warden Christan Upton on receiving an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for services to education. The night ended with news that the lodge’s next meeting was to be in four days, for an initiation of another new member of the lodge, plus another joining member.
The festive board was full of brotherly love, friendly banter and laughter. It’s safe to say that Carnarvon Lodge is a very active, fun and passionate lodge. Long may it continue!
