Members and visitors of Phoenix Lodge No 1730 were most honoured and delighted in welcoming Mike Adams, representing the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, as principal guest to their installation meeting to witness master elect Nick Woodward being installed as WM for the ensuing year.
Mike was in good company being accompanied by grand officer Brian Hayes, South Eastern Group Secretary Eddie Wilkinson and Provincial Grand Steward Ian Wood.
The WM Mike Moran opened the lodge and conducted the initial business as per the summons, there then came the expected knock on the door and the representative of the Provincial Grand Master stood without and requested admission, where upon Mike entered in ceremonial procession accompanied by the grand and acting Provincial grand officers.
Mike Moran welcomed Mike Adams wishing him a very pleasant evening. Nick was then installed into the chair of King Solomon by installing master Mike Moran in a most excellent manner.
Nick having been installed, there then followed a delightful address to the master, warmly presented by Mike Moran, and similarly there were excellent addresses to the wardens by David Holt and of course to the brethren of Phoenix Lodge by Mike Adams.
On completion of the installation ceremony, Mike Adams rose to bring the sincere greetings, best wishes and congratulations from the Provincial Grand Master, saying that Tony was aware that Nick was taking the master’s chair and wished him and the members of the lodge a very happy, healthy and enjoyable year ahead and also, on Tony’s behalf congratulated installing master Mike and those officers and brethren who had taken part in producing an excellent ceremony.
In response, Nick rose and thanked Mike Adams for the good wishes he had conveyed and then with considerable pleasure presented him with a cheque for £500 made in favour of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. Mike commented on the generosity of a relatively small lodge and thanked them on behalf of all those who we may never know, that would eventually benefit.
During the festive board, Mike Adams gave the response to his toast, offering his own congratulations to the lodge members, saying he thoroughly enjoyed the installation meeting and hoped that the master and brethren would have a happy and fruitful year. Mike went on to exhort us to follow a natural progression taking our Masonry to the next level by joining the Royal Arch and continued to say that we have all learned an awful lot in the last two years about the importance of Freemasonry and how it has made a difference through all the wonderful and charitable efforts, citing the foodbanks in particular, together with many other good deeds all proving that society needs it more than ever.
The launch of the Digital Promotion on social media by UGLE had created a huge interest with many positive enquiries to which UGLE was responding very pro-actively through a dynamic team led by David Staples the Grand Secretary.
Finally, after a fine meal in a relaxed atmosphere the evening drew to a close in peace and harmony.