It was 100 years ago when Fredrick Folksman was installed as WM of the lodge for its centenary and on this occasion, the lodge’s 150-year celebration, his grandson Kenneth Folksman was to be installed.
The lodge has a colourful history, consecrated on 10 July 1871 and originally called De Grey and Ripon Lodge 1356, in 1882 it successfully applied to Grand Lodge for a name change to Toxteth Lodge No 1356, confirmation of which was granted on 24 March 1882. The history of the lodge and background details can be viewed by 
Throughout its history many members have joined through family connections. In fact, the lodge was very proud that from its formation it never had to repeat a WM until 2014 when, for the first time, Eric Binks went back into the chair for the second time.
One of the founders of Toxteth Lodge was Samuel Ellis Ibbs; born in 1831 and lived in Epworth Street in Liverpool, was the first WM of Bootle Pilgrim Lodge No1473 and their website has an apt motto, ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift’, how very appropriate for celebrating 150 years of Freemasonry and installing a new WM. Samuel Ellis Ibbs went on to become a founder of Toxteth Lodge.
Why did they call it Toxteth? When the lodge was founded in 1871 meetings were held at 140 North Hill Street, Toxteth Park. North Toxteth became part of Liverpool (Lancashire) in 1835 and the rest in 1890. Although wards have been created within Toxteth it has more or less kept the same boundary for the past 800 years.
The summons shows a stag on the emblem, again a coincidence as the meeting takes place at Doe Park in Woolton Golf Club which was a hunting ground for the gentry. Toxteth was also a park in former days and stags were hunted by King John.
The first part of the evening was to install the new WM, so Stephen Robinson opened the lodge in due form and quickly despatched some lodge business prior to opening in the second and third degrees.
The lodge director of ceremonies, at short notice, took charge of the proceedings as the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies was unable to be present. Re-entering the lodge David Nickson informed the WM that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Stephen Whittle demanded admission. Andrew, accompanied by other grand and acting Provincial grand officers, duly entered the lodge to be greeted by Stephen Robinson who offered him the gavel, which he returned for the moment.
Salutations were offered to grand and Provincial grand officers and the lodge was adjourned to the second degree and Stephen thanked the officers of the lodge for supporting him during his tenure.
The master elect Ian Folksman was presented by Philip Birch and Matthew Wilson (senior) and Ian duly agreed to the ancient charges and regulations and took his obligation.
Once those below the rank of an installed master had retired from the lodge Ian was solemnly and sincerely installed into the chair. It was a fine ceremony with everyone who participated taking great pride in the work they presented.
Once Ian had appointed and invested his officers, he was informed that the ceremony of installation was complete and this prompted Andrew Whittle to rise to convey the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison to Ian and to the brethren who had so ably assisted in the ceremony.
Andrew was presented with cheques totalling £1,356 (the number of the lodge) and he informed the brethren that £300 was to be donated to Marie Curie, £300 to Zoe’s Place, £200 to the Garston Foodbank and £556 to the Friends of Tithebarn. Andrew then informed the lodge that their donations to the recent Festival had now made them a vice Patron and he presented the certificate to Ian.
At this point Andrew was asked to receive the gavel of the lodge and he did so in order for him to inform the brethren of the history of the lodge and how the lodge had come to put a stag on its emblem.
The first rising took place and the director of ceremonies formed the procession to retire. The rest of the Masonic business was dispatched with alacrity so that over 60 people could retire to the festive board. During the evening a raffle was held which raised the sum of £410.
In response to the toast to grand officers Andrew Whittle conveyed his own congratulations and those of the other grand officers to Ian and all the brethren who had participated in the ceremony. He went on to inform those present of the need to continue to raise money in the various ways open to them, especially by opening a Grand Lodge account and using the envelop schemes. Although the recent Festival had raised £3,504,423 which, considering the problems with the pandemic was a magnificent sum, it must be remembered that we receive much more from the charity.
Ian’s family had purchased a new punch bowl, which would be put to good use at a forthcoming meeting. Eric Binks, with the help of Mike Cunliffe, had turned a wooden charity plate which had been suitably inscribed and Phillip Birch’s family had presented a silver charity plate, again suitably inscribed. All those present received a wine glass inscribed with the lodge crest to celebrate the occasion.
Andrew Whittle was presented with a bouquet of flowers for his wife Amanda and a bottle of liquid refreshment – which he would share with Amanda!
After the grand officers retired, those who remained continued the festivities. An outstanding evening was had by all who attended and they unanimously wish the lodge continued success as it moves forward.
Story and pictures by Colin Roberts.