Members and guests of City Lodge No 2514 met at Woolton Golf Club in the Godfrey Hirst Masonic Suite, in the presence of Colin Rowling for their installation meeting.
Pictured left: Colin Rowling (left) welcomed by George Powell. Pictured right: George Powell (left) congratulates Andrew Prowse.
After the opening and usual business of the lodge concluded, the WM George Powell opened the lodge to the second and third degrees and then adjourned to the first degree. Colin Rowling, the personal representative of the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, accompanied by grand and acting Provincial grand officers entered the lodge and were warmly welcomed by the WM. Colin thanked the worshipful master saying he was looking forward to the ceremony. Past masters were asked to assist by occupying the warden’s chairs.
The lodge was then adjourned to the second degree where the master elect Andrew Neil Prowse was presented, agreed to the ancient charges and regulations and took his obligation. The WM then adjourned the lodge to the third degree and asked the officers to line up in the north. He thanked them for all their efforts during his tenure as master.
All below the rank of an installed master, with the exception of the master elect, were requested to retire for a short while and Andrew was then very ably installed into the chair of King Solomon. Master Masons were readmitted, saluted the WM and the working tools were exemplary explained by Alan Owens. The lodge was closed to the second degree and fellowcrafts were readmitted, saluted the WM and the working tools were explained by George Powell. The WM closed the lodge to the first degree and entered apprentices were readmitted, saluted the WM and the working tools were delivered in an exemplary manner by Ian Barton.
Pictured from left to right, are: Vic Albin, Colin Rowling, George Powell, Andrew Prowse and Andrew Whittle.
George Powell presented the warrants of the lodge together with the Book of Constitutions and the by-laws to the WM. The WM then appointed and invested his officers. The address to the WM was delivered by George Powell, the address to the deacons by Peter Johnston and the address to the wardens by Geoffrey Johnston.
With the ceremony of installation concluded, Colin Rowling rose and conveyed the congratulations and greetings of the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison, saying that had Tony been present he would have undoubtedly have congratulated the installing master for an excellent ceremony. Colin then went on to say: “Tony would also, and I have seen him do this; have congratulated Alan Owens and Ian Barton for the manner in which they presented the working tools. He also hoped that everyone will continue to enjoy their Freemasonry.”
The WM then asked Colin to receive a cheque in the sum of £250 for West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. Colin said that this was a magnificent sum considering that the lodge was small and he thanked the lodge members on behalf of the recipients.
After the first rising the representative of the Provincial Grand Master, other grand and Provincial grand officers retired. The lodge was then closed in due ceremony and the brethren retired to the festive board.
In response to the toast to his health, Colin Rowling personally congratulated the newly installed WM and the installing master saying: “The ceremony left nothing to be desired.”
Gwilym Jones sang the song to the WM. In response to the toast to his health, the installing master George Powell congratulated the WM saying that from the standard of ritual seen there was no doubt that Andrew would go far, not only in City Lodge but also in the Province.
As was usual a raffle was held for Lodge funds which realised the sum of £100. Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Pictured from left to right, are: Colin Rowling, Andrew Prowse, George Powell, Stephen Joseph Riley and Gwilym Jones, giving a toast to the WM in a song.