Wavertree Gateacre Queensway Lodge No 2294 founded in 1888, has completed its annual installation ceremony for 2022 at the Liverpool Masonic Hall on Hope Street. The lodge was opened with due reverence and ceremony by the master Darren Crane who next completed all lodge business and formalities before receiving the visitors.
The principal guest, Kevin Poynton, was welcomed into the lodge by Darren who graciously offered the gavel to which Kevin smiled mischievously while courteously declining. Accompanying Kevin on the evening was the Chairman of the Liverpool Group Dave Johnson and other Provincial officers.
Master Elect Jack Poller was presented by the DC Derek Gaskell and after receiving the ancient charges Jack completed the obligations in readiness for installation. Darren next invited Dave Colquhoun to take his position so Dave could act as installing master and place his long-time friend Jack into the chair of King Solomon. The ceremony was an absolute flawless display throughout and a joy to behold.
During the ceremony Dave Colquhoun delivered the third and second degree tools, with Stuart Virgo those in the first degree. Dave also gave the addresses to the master and the wardens while Kevin as equally flawless addressed the brethren of the lodge. At the end of the installation Kevin took the opportunity to extend the best wishes of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge, wishing Jack and the lodge a happy and successful year ahead.
Jack then carried out his first official duty by presenting Kevin with a couple of cheques of benevolence, both in favour of £250 to the recipients, Macmillan Nursing and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. On a special note, Bill Gaywood announced in open lodge that the night was a special milestone for the lodge. It was the 20th anniversary since the merger of the Wavertree, Gateacre and Queensway Lodges. The lodge was told back in 2002 that the merger would’t work by the doubters, however, it has succeeded and the lodge continues to grow.
On closing, the brethren moved to the festive board and heartily performed a toast to the new WM. On sitting to dine the meal stated with a mushroom soup, followed by a traditional roast beef dinner and the schoolboy favourite apple pie and custard. Here Kevin Poynton was able to bring his own personal congratulations and thought that the ceremony had been, ‘magnificent and conducted with the appropriate sincerity the occasion merited’, praising the outgoing master for the work he conducted during his time in office. He made special mention of the outstanding work done by Dave Colquhoun throughout the evening, alongside the DC Derek Gaskell.
The Liverpool Group Chairman, Dave Johnson, rose to say a few words of congratulations and gratitude to the lodge for the hard work done by the brethren, which brought great credit on themselves for the outstanding work done for the group, the Province and Freemasonry in general and most importantly the generosity to charities over the past 20 years. Dave looked forward to being able to celebrate their next 20 years of continued prosperity.