Brethren of Woolton Lodge of Unity No 1086, along with guests, met in the Geoffrey Hirst Masonic Suite at Woolton Golf Club for their installation and were honoured by the presence of Assistant Provincial Grand Master Kevin Poynton.
Installing master Alan Riley (left) congratulates Colin Skelland.
Alan Riley opened the lodge and welcomed everyone and after the usual lodge business was completed he opened to the second degree. Fellow crafts were requested to retire for a short while while Alan opened the lodge to the third degree. The lodge director of ceremonies David Moore announced that Kevin was without and demanded admission and he was admitted into the lodge accompanied by grand officers David Withey and Roy Pine together with Woolton Group Vice Chairman Vic Albin. The procession was headed by the acting Provincial Grand Steward Stephen Riley, Provincial Assistant Grand Sword Bearer Norman Pollock and Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Matt Wilson.
Kevin was warmly welcomed by Alan and offered the gavel of the lodge to which he replied: “If you think I’m going to spoil a perfectly good evening you’re mistaken and I return the gavel to you.” The brethren saluted Kevin, and then saluted the two grand offices followed by Vic Albin being saluted.
The lodge was adjourned to the second degree and Alan readmitted fellow crafts and then appointed some past masters to assist in the remainder of the ceremony.
Kevin Poynton (left) warmly welcomed by Alan Riley.
Colin Stanley Skelland having been elected was presented by David Moore and Robert Martin, who like Colin were former members of Allerton Lodge No 6653 when it amalgamated to form Woolton Lodge of Unity. After Colin had taken his obligation the lodge was then adjourned to the third degree where Alan thanked the brethren for all their support during what had been a very difficult year. Colin was then faultlessly installed as worshipful master.
Norman Pollock then assisted Alan by delivering the working tools in all three degrees and concluded the installation ceremony. The address to the WM was given by David Moore; the address to the wardens by Colin Cameron and the address to the brethren by Kevin Poynton. Colin Skelland then invested his officers.
The ceremony of installation being concluded Kevin rose to convey the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison and said that Tony hoped Colin would have a happy and prosperous Masonic year. Kevin continued by saying that had Tony been present he would undoubtedly have congratulated the installing master for a very fine ceremony.
Pictured from left to right, are: Kevin Poynton, Alan Riley and Colin Skelland.
The new WM then presented three cheques totalling £1,086 to Kevin; £400 for WLMC; £300 for MCF and £386 for Friends of Tithebarn. Kevin thanked the lodge members for their generosity and said it was a privilege to receive the money which would certainly make someone’s life better.
After communications from Grand Lodge the director of ceremonies formed the procession to retire after which the lodge was duly closed.
Kevin invited the light blues and acting Provincial grand officers back into the temple where he explained the significance of the badges and encouraged the light blues to make an advancement in their Masonic knowledge by volunteering to take on some part of the ritual saying that the Provincial grand officers had been selected because someone saw a flicker of light in them and hoped it would become a roaring fire and anyone of the light blues was capable of achieving such a rank too.
The brethren retired to the dining room where they dined on mushroom soup, steak and kidney pie and steamed treacle sponge and custard. Everyone had an excellent evening.
Pictured top from left to right, are: Matt Wilson, Vic Albin, Kevin Poynton, Alan Riley, Colin Skelland, Norman Pollock and Stephen Riley. Pictured bottom: The light blues with acting Provincial grand officers and Kevin Poynton.