A massive team effort saved the day at Blainscough Lodge No 8532. Everything was going well with the preparations for their installation when, with less than a week to go to the night, the master was called away on urgent business, shortly followed by the director of ceremonies being taken ill.
This added to those members who had already apologised for not being able to attend, the scale of the problem became apparent. With days to go, the installing team had disintegrated. In true Masonic spirit, the whole lodge rallied round and members volunteered to take on all the positions that were now empty.
It was agreed that the installing master would become three people. Chris Jones would be the master for the night, Ian Simm the installing master, Bryan Hoarty would look after the presentation of the new master and Bob Smith would do the floor work of the director of ceremonies. Other members volunteered to fill in the jobs that these four were planning to do. So, crisis was averted.
As one visitor commented that in our ritual, we talk about spending part of our day helping a friend or brother at a time of need and this was well proved by Blainscough Lodge.
All this effort was so that Paul Wilkinson could be installed in a ceremony he wouldn’t forget. When asked what he was looking forward to in his year, Paul replied: “A real good time!” He added that there were no candidates in the pipeline but that whatever he was asked to do he would give it his best shot!
It was with apprehension that Chris Jones opened the lodge, not knowing how the evening was going to turn out. He need not have worried as everyone present were impressed with the way Paul Wilkinson was installed as master.
Everyone played their parts as the working tools were presented; Paul Bennet performing those of the third degree, Noel Roberts those of the second degree and Bob Smith those of the first degree. The address to the master was given by Bryan Hoarty, that to the wardens by Chris Jones and that to the brethren by Steve Gregory who was attending as the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
At the conclusion of the ceremony when conveying the best wishes of the Provincial Grand Master, Steve commented that all the team had produced ritual of the highest standard and that everyone had enjoyed the spectacle of installation by committee! He was pleasantly surprised when Paul presented him with cheques amounting to £2,495 for a range of charities which he received saying: “It was a wonderful total considering the size of the lodge.”
Tom Jackson, who told everyone that he had been present at Blainscough Lodge’s consecration, said: “The ceremony had been a cracker and that the founders would have been very proud.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, sighs of relief could be heard around the room as they realised their ceremony had worked and had been enjoyed by Paul and the rest of the brethren present.
Needless to say, everyone relaxed at the festive board as Paul presided over good food, good company and a lot of chat!!
It was truly teamwork that saved the day to produce what many said was the best installation they had ever seen.
