PrGMs are a habit for Craig

Craig Scott appears to be a young chap who collects Provincial Grand Masters as others might collect stamps, foreign coins or autographs. On the other hand, it may just be a case of coincidentally attracting Provincial Grand Masters when he has the good fortune to be elected as master of a lodge. On the occasion of going into the chair of King Solomon at Broadwater Lodge No 9027 in 2009, the then Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker was in attendance and when being installed as master of Rectitude Lodge of Blackpool No 4122 in 2016, Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison graced the day with his presence as the principal guest. There cannot be many Masons afforded such illustrious recognition.

As one might anticipate, there was an impressive turnout of Masons at the installation meeting to support the Provincial Grand Master on the memorable day. Assistant Provincial Grand Master Harry Cox, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, William Eardley, Peter Bentham Chairman of Blackpool Group and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Keith Kent and his deputy Neil MacSymons were the grand officers who were in attendance, along with the Provincial Senior Grand Warden Michael Threlfall and Provincial Junior Grand Warden Peter Schofield and acting Provincial grand officers Brian Horrocks, Bill Hembrow, Brian Ogden, Peter Maxwell, Graham Benson, Jim Finnegan and Gordon Ivett – a spectacular pageantry in splendour.

There is little doubt that, in arriving at Blackpool Masonic Hall, Tony’s expectations of the day were of enjoyment, good company and an excellent ceremony and throughout the proceedings nothing came to weaken those expectations. The lodge’s director of ceremonies Terry Barlow and the members of Rectitude Lodge of Blackpool, as always, had put everything right and pointed the way to success with masterly efficiency and diligence.

Conducting the installation ceremony was Trevor Richards and Trevor’s performance would have occasioned no surprise to anybody acquainted with his ritualistic skills. He has proved himself on many occasions. This was no exception. Having offered the gavel of the lodge to Tony, there was noticeable disappointment on Trevor’s face when it was graciously returned. Well, one can’t win every time, no matter how pleading the eyes!

Nevertheless, Trevor’s performance was faultless in every respect and Tony was suffused with an optimistic glow. All the early signs were that the day was going to be very special. And that is exactly how it continued.

After Craig had been placed into the chair, it was the turn of younger members of the lodge to show their worth. There can be nothing that so braces a young Mason than the prospect of performing ritual under the watchful eye of the Provincial Grand Master and a pantheon of Masonic luminaries. It is a daunting prospect. It stiffens the sinews and circulates the adrenalin. But the apparent indomitable pluck of the young Masons of Rectitude Lodge of Blackpool left a big impression on their audience. Any diffidence on the part of the young Masons was superbly camouflaged and they performed like seasoned professionals.

Justin Burgoyne in his recital of the working tools of a master Mason proved himself a gifted ritualist. He has a knack of reciting a piece in a way that leaves his audience, even when it consists of Provincial and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters who have heard the most talented of raconteurs, with a sense of awe and admiration. This was no exception. It was full of zip, sincerity and sensitivity.

The presence of so many Masonic dignitaries seemed to act as an opiate on James Wilkes’ lucidity; performing the second degree working tools with remarkable vim and alacrity. It was word perfect and brimming with passion.

Neil Callaghan, no doubt exhilarated by recent performances, delivered a prodigy of his own in the working tools of an entered apprentice; clear, animated, magnificent. It was a performance to match the best; sufficiently inspiring to raise the eyebrows of even the most discerning of critics.

Tony’s admiration for the three young Masons had reached boiling point. The three had performed admirably and had impressed him in no uncertain manner. If the rest of the ceremony had been disastrous, it would not have mattered. Tony had been able to enjoy the perfection of these three young Masons. That the rest of the ceremony was also so perfect, the day was to stand out as a beacon in his memory.

As officers of the lodge began to be invested, Michael Threlfall’s address to the new senior warden was first class, as was Peter Schofield’s to the new junior warden. Michael, stamping his authority in no uncertain terms, provided another lesson in the art of ritual in his address to the wardens. A precedent had been set and it proved that no-one was going to deviate from excellence. Stalwart of the lodge Bill Snell who had not felt well during the early part of the ceremony and had temporarily retired, returned into the lodge with added vitality and performed superbly in addresses to the newly invested deacons and inner guard.

Maintaining a similar degree of excellence, Rick Clarke, (Craig Scott’s proposer into Rectitude Lodge of Blackpool and regular golfing partner), gave a sincere and moving traditional address to the newly installed master. This only left the Provincial Grand Master to perform. As is customary, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Keith Kemp escorted Tony with the dignity and demureness decreed by his position to the allotted spot and Tony, refusing to be out-performed, provided his audience with a masterclass in Masonic ritualism – but then, the hitherto standard demanded excellence. Anything less would have been inappropriate.

The whole ceremony, under the direction of Terry Barlow had been conducted with military precision. So slick and exact was it that it could have been produced at Provincial GHQ. Surely the Provincial Grand Master was impressed.

And that he had been impressed was plainly expressed by him at the conclusion of events. Offering his congratulations to the team for the quality of the ceremony, Tony lavished acclaim on installing master Trevor Richards, Terry Barlow and the rest of the cast, saving special glowing approbations for the three young Masons who had performed the working tools.

Further excellence was immediately rendered by Craig, as his first official act as the new master of the lodge, by proudly handing Tony donations for charitable causes. An impressive total of £2,800 included £500 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £300 to the Masonic Charitable Foundation, £300 to the Fylde Coast Carers Trust, £300 to Aspire, £300 to the Blackpool and Fylde Haemochromatosis Support Group and £1,100 to the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster Regiment fund for servicemen disabled in combat. The Provincial Grand Master was highly impressed yet again.

The general ambience of the meeting was summed up by Peter Bentham in his response to the first rising. “This is a very friendly lodge and I am proud to view all its members as personal friends. It was a wonderful ceremony; exactly what we have come to expect from such a body of fine Masons.”

After the success of the ceremony, the ensemble retired to the lounge bar to claim their rewards in a glass and success followed success at the festive banquet. In more relaxed mood, the throng exchanged jovial banter, filling the room with cheery and spontaneous laughter. The air was infectious with jocularity and warm camaraderie. And it was in such disposition that the speeches were delivered. Harry Cox in his response to the toast to grand officers and proposal of the toast to the Provincial Grand Master, initially concentrated on the excellence of the ceremony and subsequently to the tremendous enthusiasm that Tony puts into his role and as Harry keenly emphasised, on the cheerful and approachable manner in which he conducts his responsibilities.

Tony, responding to Harry’s words of praise, focussed on directing admiration to the team members who had produced such an excellent and enjoyable ceremony. Remaining in the vein of spreading approbation amongst the brethren, Tony expressed his gratitude to the acting Provincial grand officers who had so diligently accompanied him during their term of office. Although not wishing to diminish his thanks to all, he paid special tribute to Michael Threlfall, Peter Schofield and Keith Kemp. He also saved special thanks for Gordon Ivett, secretary of Rectitude Lodge of Blackpool, not only for his hard work in administering the organisation of the day but also for his dedication in his role as Provincial Grand Tyler.

It was obvious that Tony had enjoyed his day at Rectitude Lodge of Blackpool and that he had been impressed by the warmth of the greeting, the fun in Freemasonry that exuded from the brethren and the quality of the ceremony.

Whatever Craig’s secret is in attracting Provincial Grand Masters to his installations; it most certainly works a treat and guarantees a thoroughly professional and joyous occasion. If any lodge wishes to enjoy the prestige of Tony attending its installation meeting, a good starting point may well be to invite Craig to take the chair!