Brethren and guests of Old Lerpoolian Lodge No 9270, met at Woolton Golf Club for their installation meeting. The WM John McGibbon welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked them to assist him to open the lodge so that they could have some fun, as he was demob happy having been master for two years.
Mike Stephenson (left) congratulated by the installing master John McGibbon.
The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the last regular meeting were confirmed and signed. A ballot was then held for a joining member, Herman Wouter De Winter, which proved unanimously in favour and the WM asked the inner guard to admit him. Having entered the lodge, John McGibbon congratulated Hermon on his successful ballot and welcomed him to the lodge.
Lodge director of ceremonies Mike Mansfield-Corbett, announced that the representative of the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison stood without and requested admission. Francis (Frank) Umbers, accompanied by other grand and Provincial grand officers entered the lodge and were warmly welcomed by the WM. Frank, together with Keith Sanders, Peter Connolly and Woolton Group Chairman Andrew Whittle were saluted in due form. Fred Hulse took the salute for the Provincial grand officers.
Following on, the lodge was opened to the second degree and past masters were requested to assist the WM. Peter Connolly occupied the senior warden’s chair, Keith Sanders that of the junior warden and Ric Tomlinson the position of inner guard.
Chris Duckett proceeded to present the master elect Mike Stephenson, an avid Liverpool supporter, who had been WM previously in 2003. Mike duly reaffirmed his obligation and took his place in the lodge, whilst the WM opened the lodge to the third degree.
John McGibbon requested that the officers of the lodge line up so that he could thank them for all their support during his two years in office. All below the rank of an installed master were then requested to retire from the lodge and in their absence, Mike Stephenson was installed into the chair of King Solomon with great sincerity. Barry Lipkin presented the explanation of the working tools of an installed master.
Frank Umbers (left) warmly welcomed by John McGibbon.
Master Masons were readmitted, saluted the newly installed WM and Mike Mansfield-Corbett provided the explanation of the third degree working tools. The lodge was closed to the second degree and fellow craft Masons were readmitted, saluted the WM and Fred Hulse explained the working tools of the degree, following which the lodge was closed to the first degree and entered apprentice Freemasons were readmitted and duly saluted the WM. John McMullan provided the explanation of the first degree working tools. The address to the wardens was given by Peter Connolly. The officers of the lodge were appointed and took their positions after which Frank Umbers gave the address to the brethren of the lodge.
John McGibbon informed the WM that the ceremony of installation was now concluded and this prompted Frank Umbers to rise and convey the congratulations and hearty best wishes from Tony Harrison. Frank also thanked John McGibbon and Mike Mansfield-Corbett for their sterling efforts for the manner in which the ceremony took place.
Mike Stephenson rose to present Frank with two cheques. The first for £750 for the MCF 2021 Festival and the second made out in favour of the Friends of Tithebarn to the sum of £100. Frank thanked the lodge on behalf of the recipients for its very generous donation.
The first rising having taken place the lodge DC formed the procession for the grand officers to retire. After other business had been conducted the lodge was duly closed, so that the brethren and their guests could retire to the dining room for some well-earned repast.
Article and photographs by Colin Roberts.
Pictured from left to right, are: Mike Cunliffe (Woolton Group Vice Chairman), Frank Umbers, Mike Stephenson, John McGibbon and Andrew Whittle.