Twilight had begun to fall; the murky and mysterious twilight of an English evening in Blackpool in the month of January is not inspiring. But, on turning in to the doorway of the town’s Masonic Hall, the pleasures of spring seemed to have arrived early.

The refined lounge bar that serves the needs of the members of the Masonic Hall was brimming with kindly patrons awaiting the start of the installation meeting of Blackpool Temperance Lodge No 5303. Noble Masons were in abundance. In the immediate vicinity of the bar stood the primary host, master of the lodge Martyn Jones, quietly contemplating the imminent ceremony.
Farther afield and drinking in the atmosphere was the principal guest of the day, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Duncan Smith, who was mingling with the masses and sharing the warmth of his geniality. Director of ceremonies Martin Linton was darting hither and thither, finalising last minute details of the forthcoming event, in sharp contrast to the general relaxed and genteel mood of the gathered throng. Some sat in restful silence, each busy with his own thoughts, doubtlessly privately rehearsing his allotted ritual. All in all, it was a scene of tranquil expectation and calmly confidence.
Cheerily popping up from place to place amongst the throng and appearing equally relaxed was the master elect of the lodge, Tom Cunningham. It would be paltering with the truth to say that Tom was pleased to be the master elect. He was beaming like a searchlight and his radiance inspired all present to return the glow. He has one of those infectious smiles that automatically brighten everyone else’s face.

After fortifying themselves in the lounge bar in preparation for the stern ordeal, the populace wended their way up the stairs to the lodge room to make battle and, having decanted themselves in the opulence of the lodge room, every John, David, Brian, Geoff, Tom and Steve was genially anticipating a rich day; a rich day of comradely wit and refreshingly stimulating ritual. It is Blackpool Temperance Lodge’s pride that its officers are well trained and the air was charged with happy anticipation.
The basic business of the lodge accordingly and efficiently dispensed with, the cortège of eminent guests entered the room with due reverence. Heading the list of notable nibs was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Duncan Smith and the eye was further refreshed by the spectacle of a bevy of distinguished grand and acting Provincial grand officers. One of the favourites among Blackpool Group Masons was grand officer John Turpin and his successor as group chairman David Cook. There was the group vice chairman Steve Jelly and faithful acting Provincial grand officers Jim Finnegan, Michael Tax, Mark Mallinson and Ryan Modlin adding to the splendour of the occasion,
On arriving at the east end of the lodge room and on his introduction to the master, a kindly look had come into Duncan’s handsome eye. It was obvious that he was looking forward to the day and Martyn, in response, expressed equal enthusiasm. Freemasonry is fun and these practitioners were manifestly present to prove the point.

Installing master Martyn is as confirmed a Mason as ever slipped on an apron around his midriff or rolled up a trouser leg. He is a Mason to the core and, with the grin of a man who had just taken Ladbrokes to the cleaners on a 200:1 outsider, he installed Tom into the chair of King Solomon with zip and passion. One may say that he was distinctly feeling bucked and uplifted. In fact, it was an emotionally-charged day for him, for master elect Tom is his son-in-law.
When Tom came to recite his obligation as master elect, he approached it with sunny confidence and zeal, well aware that weakness at such a time is fatal. He appeared relaxed yet mentally agile; no sagging at the knees, no quivering limbs. All in all, his demeanour suggested one who had prepared to the full and demonstrated that he had done his homework by producing a five-star performance. There is little doubt that it signposted a bright future for Tom.
Having assembled in the chair, Tom immediately and effortlessly took charge of the proceedings with the enthusiasm and gusto of a highland terrier welcoming a long-lost master. When charged with a job to do, Tom is a man not disposed to hanging about.
The way a team performs as a whole determines its success. There may be the greatest bunch of individual performers in the world but if they don’t work together, the result won’t be worth a penny. It is the director of ceremonies who can form that necessary team spirit. Director of ceremonies of Blackpool Temperance Lodge is Martin Linton and he is one of those men of cold steel. You know the sort; generally the chief protagonist in American action movies who takes everything in his stride as if out on a Sunday jaunt. He directs his troops with calm and cheery efficiency, exactly the sort of stuff that a great general has impregnated in his DNA.
Under his expert guidance, the Temperance squad demonstrated its attention to detail. It was as if performing to perfection had become a point of honour to the participants; seeing it as a prize of a contest to their wills. The presentations of the working tools were absolutely spot-on. Umesh Dholokia nailed the third degree tools with unruffled purity; David Edwards meticulously orated the second degree tools and lodge stalwart Ken Jones provided the icing on the cake with the first degree tools. Martin Linton demonstrated his oratory skills to the full in his faultless delivery of the address to the new master and in the presentation of the Hallstone Jewel. Martin does not expect his troops to do what he can’t do. He leads by example. And the result was so perfect that it appeared that there would be no limit to what the team could achieve.

But brilliance was not restricted to the Temperance players that stepped up to the plate in fine style. Selection of the deluxe from within other lodges to occupy the offices of installing wardens and installing inner guard is also a vital component in generating a premium show. And the selection could not have been better. Twin brothers Martin and John Haines of Fraternal Lodge No 4531 brought excellence to the offices of senior and junior warden respectively. There is plenty of good stuff in Martin and John. They play the game with extraordinary zeal and attention to detail. They responded to the challenge with an energy and determination which compelled respect from all quarters.
In similar vein, Jim Finnegan of Mereside Lodge No 6360 provided perfection in his capacity as installing inner guard and group chairman David Cook reinforced his reputation when delivering the address to the wardens. They were each resolute in their provision of excellence.
Perhaps excellence encourages excellence like a contagion, for visiting brethren who, at short notice, substituted for absent members of the lodge. Geoff Diggles slipped effortlessly into his role of junior deacon as if he had always been a member of the regular team and Barry Hage validated his status as one of the most proficient tyler’s on the Fylde Coast.
On completion of the ceremony, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Duncan Smith was clearly delighted by what he had just witnessed. A warm smile of appreciation covered the full acreage of his face as he conveyed the greetings from the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison.

At the denouement of the formal proceedings, the congregation retired to the festive board in high spirit. They sojourned to the banqueting suite to push down their evening feast, at which they all took aboard a healthy cargo. The joy of the installation ceremony seemed to have promulgated a healthy appetite, in the forms of both sustenance and revelry. Joy and laughter featured strongly on the evening’s menu; exquisitely underlined when Harry Waggett belted out the master’s song in splendid style while Jim Coupe cranked up the crochets and semi-quavers with dexterity and gusto on the piano.
It is worthy of record, in the light of after events, that at the beginning of the evening, it was the general expectation of the masses gathered in the lodge room that the ceremony was to be first rate. And their expectations were fully realised. One could not have wished for a finer installation of a new master into the chair of King Solomon. The name ‘Temperance’ may conjure up an image of restraint and reticence but when it overflows with strong spirit as it did in Blackpool Temperance Lodge it is audacious and exuberant. Considering that the lodge is one of the smallest on the Fylde Coast, it produced a larger than life ceremony that will be etched on the minds of those in attendance for a very long time.