The venue was the Geoffrey Hirst Masonic Suite within Woolton Golf Club; the meeting was the installation meeting of Anfield Lodge No 2215 and the brethren were pleased to welcome back the Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master Philip Gunning who had been master of the lodge in 1985.
WM Tommy Lunt opened the lodge in due form and the usual opening business together with some private business, was conducted with alacrity. Tommy then opened the lodge to second and third degrees. The director of ceremonies re-entered the lodge and announced that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle stood outside and demanded admission. Andy entered the lodge accompanied by Philip Gunning together with Derek Parkinson, John Murphy, Mersey Valley Group Chairman David Atkinson and Provincial Grand Steward Michael Fox.
Tommy warmly welcomed Andy and offered him the gavel of the lodge, which Andy returned quickly knowing full well that a rehearsal had taken place, and all were keen to conduct the installation ceremony. Salutations were offered to Andy Whittle, then to Philip Gunning, then the other grand officers and finally to Tommy Lunt on behalf of the Provincial officers.
Andy requested of the WM that the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews take his rightful place in the lodge and Andy and Philip changed seats at which point Tommy rose to present Philip with two cheques saying that the money came from the Ladies Night that he and his daughter had held.
Philip informed those present that the first cheque for £250 was for Pancreatic Cancer Research and the second, also for £250 was for West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. Philip thanked Tommy for the cheques saying that both charities would put the money to good as pancreatic cancer was a silent killer and often showed no symptoms.
Tommy adjourned the lodge to the second degree thanking all the officers of the lodge for their support during his year in office and appointed past masters to assist him. Gary Devlin and Andy Whittle then presented Stan Dawkins as master elect. Stan had been in the chair of Anfield Lodge on three previous occasions and reaffirmed his obligation. All below the rank of an installed master were requested to retire and Tommy conducted the installation of his successor in fine form.
Once the lodge had been closed to the third-degree, master Masons re-entered and the working tools were excellently presented by Matthew Parkinson. Stan closed the lodge to the first degree and the first degree tools were delivered by Andrew Poole who had stepped in at short notice. Stan appointed and invested his officers. Tommy Lunt gave the address to the WM; the wardens were addressed by Andy Whittle and Philip Gunning gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
Tommy informed the new WM that the ceremony of installation was concluded which prompted Philip Gunning to rise and convey the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews thanking him for taking the chair for the fourth time and hoping everyone would continue to enjoy their Freemasonry. Philip thanked Tommy for the work he had done and especially thanked the younger brethren who had delivered the explanation of the working tools.
Stan rose to present some cheques to Philip Gunning: £250 to HCPT to fund a nurse. (HCPT” Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust a registered charity which offers pilgrimage holidays to young people takes them on holidays, to Lourdes in the south of France, for disabled and disadvantaged people from around the UK and further afield). £150 to Alder Hey; £400 to EFC/LFC Trust Community pantry; £600 to West Lancs Freemasons’ Charity a total of £1,400 which together with the previous cheques is £1,900. Philip thanked the lodge for its generosity saying that the people who would benefit from these donations may never be known by us but would benefit greatly.
At the first rising the secretary there were no further communications from Grand Lodge and the procession to retire was formed. After other business had been conducted Stan closed the lodge in due form.
In the dining room, in response to the toast to Grand Lodge, Philip informed the brethren on how Freemasonry was changing, for the better. London was no longer silent when adverse comments about Freemasonry were posted in the press and were quick to respond and this has seen an almost complete stoppage of poor press for Masonry. Philip was pleased to see that the same high standard of ritual that he had left in the lodge was still flourishing as Anfield Lodge was very special to him and he had had a wonderful evening and would return in the not-too-distant future to celebrate his golden jubilee with the lodge.
The IPM proposed the toast to the newly installed WM saying that he had known Stan for over 35 years and recounted to the brethren how he and Stan had learned the ritual, usually in licensed premises in Liverpool. In response, Stan thanked Tommy and had great pleasure in presenting him with a birthday card, signed by all present, for the next day. A wonderful evening had been enjoyed by all who had attended.
Story and pictures by Colin Roberts.