Harmonic Lodge No 216 is one of the oldest lodges in the province of West Lancashire, and was honoured as one of the heralds at the procession of the investiture of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews. Phil Marshall being the lucky recipient of the honour who proudly processed at the investiture in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
A large number of guests and brethren gathered at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool for the annual installation of a new master for Harmonic Lodge. Director of ceremonies John Donnelly had his work cut out as he shepherded everyone into the lodge room to be ready for the opening of the lodge.
Master of the lodge, James Murphy, welcomed everyone to the lodge and the duly opened the lodge in fine form, assisted by his senior warden Robert Cain, and junior warden Geoff Holly. The director of ceremonies, announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James, accompanied by distinguished guests stood without. James remarked that the lodge would be honoured to receive them and all stood as John, accompanied by Gladstone Group Secretary Patrick Kent, grand officers and distinguished guests entered the lodge.
Having formally welcomed John to the lodge, James then requested would Ian Elsby honour the lodge and occupy the chair of King Solomon. Ian kindly assented and having made himself comfortable then proceeded with the ceremony of installation.
Master Elect Roy Williams was presented to Ian, by David Jones, and having assented to the necessary qualifications made his way to the pedestal and recited his obligation in a wonderful fashion, faultless in every regard.
Having declared a board of installed masters, Ian then followed suit by installing Roy as master of the lodge, in equally faultless form, which was a pleasure to observe and extremely well executed. Roy then settled into the chair of King Solomon and invested his immediate past master James Murphy, thanking him for his year as master and counting on his assistance for the busy year ahead.
The board of installed masters being duly closed, the director of ceremonies requested that master Masons be admitted. After attending to the necessary salutations, ensuring that the master Masons saluted the newly WM with the proper method, John then proceeded to deliver the working tools of a master Mason.
Having resumed labour in the second degree, fellow craft Freemasons were admitted, again John ensured that the fellow crafts saluted Roy in the proper fashion, and this time it was Ian Elsby’s turn to deliver the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason.
Finally, labour was resumed in the first degree by Roy, who directing the lodge with an assured manner then awaited the admission of entered apprentices. John, ensuring that the entered apprentices gave the proper salutations, called for Dylan Roberts, to step forward and deliver the working tools of an entered apprentice. Dylan, as a new Mason, was very impressive and relaxed in his delivery of the working tools, a credit to himself and Liverpool Mercantile Lodge No 4319.
Director of ceremonies John Donnelly, then ran through the order of the appointment of the various lodge officers, each one formally presented and congratulated by the WM Roy, who took the time to speak with each officer personally thanking them for taking their respective office in service to the lodge.
With the investment of officers complete, Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James rose and gave a sincere and meaningful address to the brethren of the lodge. On the conclusion of the installation ceremony, John rose again and brought his own personal congratulations to Roy, and for the lodge, thanking Ian Elsby and John Donnelly for their assistance in the installation ceremony as well as all of the many brethren who gave the officers their collar addresses. It was a well-orchestrated delivery of an installation ceremony by the many brethren who took part.
Roy then requested would John accept cheques on behalf of the lodge to honour the charities, John read out a magnificent sum of £1,700 raised by Harmonic Lodge and congratulated the lodge again for their fund-raising efforts. The lodge donated, £200 to Whitechapel Centre, £250 to the Guide Dog Association, £250 to Stick-n-Step, £250 to Clair House, £250 for the Blood Bikers Appeal, £250 to Maghull Young Adults Social Club and £250 to Blessing In Disguise, a truly remarkable amount raised for charitable causes.
The lodge business was duly completed and closed under the assured mastership of new WM Roy, who having closed the lodge, then requested that the brethren assemble in the Empire Dining Rooms for the festive board. With over 50 brethren and guests, the festive board was a lively and humorous occasion, with the many stewards of the lodge kept extremely busy ensuring that the brethren and guests were well looked after.
Director of ceremonies John Donnelly soon rose, and without further ado began the tradition of the master’s song, with the senior and junior wardens for the conclusion of each chorus with the finale for the WM himself. The song and chorus sung by the brethren is an occasion in itself and one which is heartily and enthusiastically participated by all.
Immediate Past Master Jim was very profound in his praise for Roy in toasting the health of the new master and wished Roy, as did all of the assembled brethren, best wishes for his ensuing year. Roy thanked all of the lodge officers for their hard work and how proud he was to be installed as master of Harmonic Lodge, the brethren enthusiastically applauding the conclusion of Roy’s speech in support.
Roy then announced that he had a pleasant duty to perform and presented the principal guest John James with flowers for honouring the lodge with his presence and in token of thanks. John thanked all of the lodge members for their fine gift of flowers and generosity.
It was soon time for the final toast of the evening and tyler John Hibbert, bade all farewell with those eternal words: “Happy to meet and sorry to part, until the next meeting of the fantastic lodge which is Harmonic Lodge No 216.”