St Helens Lodge of Loyalty No 897, which meets on a Saturday five times a year, March, May, June, September and November, met for its first regular meeting of 2023 and the ceremony was a third degree to raise Adam Baxendale to the sublime degree of a master Mason.
WM Marcus Avci opened the lodge in the first two degrees in fine form and proceeded to ask the necessary questions of the candidate before handing over to Adam’s father Andy Baxendale. The day was made even more special owing to the fact that it was exactly a year since Andy had initiated Adam at the first meeting of 2022.
A slightly emotional ceremony followed before Adam left to restore himself to his personal comforts, and on his return was treated to a splendid traditional history presented by Bill Bruce and also an excellent rendition of the third degree working tools very ably delivered by Jon Anderson, with both pieces being acclaimed by all present.
Once the WM had closed the lodge, Andy, who is also president of the Northwest Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association, presented Adam with his own ‘Cut’, as he had fulfilled all the necessary criteria to become a fully patched member.
The ceremony was made all the more special by the visiting brethren who had travelled from all parts of the UK, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales being represented, in addition to West and East Lancashire Provinces.
A special mention must be made of Angus Park, master of Lodge St Conval Giffnoch No 1359 who attended with his son Angus Iain, who was raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason in November 2022 in his own lodge in Wrexham, Bromfield Lodge No 4233.
Following the meeting, the usual lively festive board followed with the members and guests departing well fed from the plentiful sandwiches and chips on the buffet, excellently prepared by Tony from Square and Compass catering.
