John Helme was installed as master of Pilling Lodge No 7879 in the presence of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Neil McGill, representative of Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Neil was accompanied by Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Philip Gunning, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Greg Pinnington, Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group Chris Larder and group secretary Lee Fisher.
WM David Partington opened the lodge in the first degree and conducted the business of the lodge. Ran Fisher was proposed and elected as a joining member of the lodge, having previously been a member of Garstang Lodge No 6633, which returned its warrant to United Grand Lodge earlier in the year. The lodge was opened in the second and third degrees, after which Neil McGill, accompanied by Philip Gunning, acting Provincial grand officers and the group chairman were admitted.
The WM adjourned the lodge in the third degree and resumed labour in the second degree. He then invited Bill Robinson to occupy the chair of installing senior warden, Norman Rae to occupy the chair of installing junior warden and Ian Henderson to occupy the position of installing inner guard. Master elect John Helme was then presented for installation by Assistant Director of Ceremonies John Eccles.
Following closure of the board of installed masters, master Masons were admitted and the third and second degree working tools were presented by master Masons Alun Jones and Michael Bishton respectively. The first degree working tools were presented by fellow craft Steve Seddon. The WM appointed Derek Wolstenholme as senior warden and Ran Fisher as junior warden. The address to the master was given by Derek Wolstenholme and the address to the wardens was given by Bill Bamber with John Eccles giving the address to the brethren of Pilling Lodge.
Neil McGill brought greetings from Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews to the WM and wished him a successful, happy and healthy year. He congratulated installing master David on a superb ceremony and the junior brethren for the splendid manner in which they had presented the working tools. Neil was presented with a list of donations that the lodge had made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities totalling £8,900. Neil thanked the brethren of the lodge for their very generous donations.
Organist for the evening was David Tattersall and the Master’s Song was performed by George Fox. A total of 59 brethren attended the festive board, where the toast to the WM was given by IPM David Partington. The raffle raised £445.
WM John Helme is married to Val and together they have four daughters and eight grandchildren. John retired as a farmer seven years ago when he reached retirement age.
John now spends his spare time looking after their grandchildren and gives up half a day a week as maintenance and odd-job man for Wyrebank Masonic Hall. In between times, he does grounds maintenance, mowing lawns, etc., at the local churchyard. John enjoys playing golf and is an avid follower of Preston North End and Liverpool football clubs.
John was initiated into Pilling Lodge in 1993 by his late father, Steward and was first installed into the chair of King Solomon in May 2007. Prior to handing over to John Eccles, John had been director of ceremonies for the past eight years and was previously assistant director of ceremonies for five years. In the Royal Arch, John was first principal of Scorton Chapter No 5791 in 2016 and 2023.
