Members and visitors of Foundation Chapter No 5394 were honoured to receive Grand Officer David Case as representative of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews at their installation convocation, which was held at Urmston Masonic Hall.
David was accompanied by Trafford Group Chairman Patrick Walsh, together with other Provincial and acting Provincial grand officers and distinguished visitors.
After opening the chapter, first principal Norman Lowe dealt with the general business of the chapter and then David was led in by Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Mike Fox and Provincial Steward Darren Gregory. Norman welcomed David to the chapter and the installation ceremony commenced.
The three principals were installed in excellent fashion, with Ian Wood as first principal of the chapter, Howard Lloyd as second principal and Robert Wilson as third principal. The robe addresses were then given in fine style, with the first principal robe address being given by Phil Rampling, the second principal robe address by Alan Jones and the third principal robe address by Geoff Collantine. The ceremony was guided in exemplary fashion by Assistant Director of Ceremonies Phil Rampling.
On completion of the ceremony, David rose and brought the greetings and good wishes for a prosperous, healthy and enjoyable year from the most Grand Superintendent, Mark Matthews, saying that if Mark had been present, he would have witnessed a most interesting ceremony of installation and on Marks’ behalf, congratulated the installing first principal, Norman, Director of Ceremonies Phil Rampling and all those who had taken part in the evening’s event.
Newly installed first principal, Ian, then rose and thanked David for his kind words and on behalf of the chapter, presented a cheque, which David read aloud, which was made out to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for the sum of £250. David thanked the companions on behalf of all those who would eventually benefit from the chapter’s very generous donation.
At the first rising, David conveyed the greetings and good wishes on behalf of all the grand officers present, saying it had been a most entertaining ceremony and he was pleased to see such good support. David welcomed Ian as a first principal in the Trafford Group and wished him and the other newly installed principals and Foundation Chapter an enjoyable year.
A very friendly and good-humoured festive board continued into the evening when, in his response to the grand principals, David, with good humour, offered his own congratulations to the companions and commented that the evening had been extremely satisfying with the ceremony being performed to a high standard. He also commented on numerous subjects relating to the forthcoming year, including the promotion of the Royal Arch, the importance of contributing to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and most importantly, that everyone should enjoy their Freemasonry.
The toasts of the evening having ended and the festivities being suitably concluded, a most enjoyable meeting was brought to a thoroughly satisfactory conclusion.