It was one of those autumnal evenings; you know the sort, one that is rather dreary with a chill in the air and the constant threat of drizzle; not the sort of evening to wholly depress one’s spirits but most certainly enough to dampen them. Thankfully though, as so often happens, one’s mood was uplifted on crossing the threshold of the Masonic Hall in Blackpool. Its bright and cheery décor, buzzing chatter and genial inhabitants soon dispelled the displeasures of the outdoors.
Newly installed master Steve Booth (left) is congratulated by the installing master Graham Kenyon.
One’s spirits were further bolstered in anticipation of the installation ceremony of Brotherhood Lodge No 3967 in which Stephen Booth was to be deposited into the chair of King Solomon. And the evening brightened considerably when the ceremony got under way and the ‘light blues’ did their business.
The installing master Graham Kenyon was a light blue Mason; the master elect Stephen was a light blue and it was light blue brethren who performed magnificently to lift the hearts of all who were in attendance. There were, of course, some dark blue Masons who took to the stage but, by general consensus, it was light blues who produced the goods and largely made the evening. But then again, it is always enriching to see talented new blood perform, particularly when they do so to the standard that these light blues performed.
One must admit, nevertheless, that it was a dark blue that orchestrated the affair into a slick and polished show. The lodge’s director of ceremonies Mark Smith, a former Royal Marine, put his military experience to good effect in mustering his troops and ensuring that procedures were closely followed.
Pictured from left to right, are: Harry Cox, Steve Booth and Graham Kenyon.
Principal guest to witness the event was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Harry Cox, supported by an entourage of high-ranking grand and Provincial grand officers, including Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson and Rev Canon Geoffrey Moore, both of whom are honorary members of the lodge. Accompanying them were fellow grand officers Ron Weatherill and Roger Perry, along with the Chairman of Blackpool Group John Turpin, vice-chairman David Cook, group secretary Steve Jelly and Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden Jack Blackburn. Adding further lustre to the procession of dignitaries were acting Provincial grand officers Rev Godfrey Hirst and George Coulter.
Master of the lodge Graham Kenyon exhibited his skills right from the beginning, opening the lodge with efficiency and authority. And he continued to shine throughout the ceremony as he installed the master elect Stephen (or Steve as he prefers to be addressed).
Steve is an unassuming and modest gent who, under normal circumstances, prefers to remain out of the limelight, but on this occasion, he had no alternative but to be thrust into the spotlight. And he could not have been thrust more sincerely and delightfully than in the manner in which Graham conducted the ceremony.
Director of ceremonies Mark Smith (left) keeps a close eye on Steve Booth (centre) and Graham Kenyon.
Sticking religiously to the director of ceremonies’ meticulous schedule, however, Graham first invited selected Masons to accept the duties of installing senior warden, installing junior warden and installing inner guard, as is customary on such occasions. In this instance, the responsibilities were farmed out to brethren from other lodges; Steve Smith from Symphony Lodge No 4924, Rod Barnes of Great Marton Lodge No 3985 and Matthew Barrow, also of Great Marton Lodge, respectively occupying the aforementioned offices and each being escorted to their posts with due reverence and attentiveness by Mark Smith.
It was another honorary member of the lodge, William Parsons who presented Steve to Graham at the commencement of the installation ceremony proper. Although Steve, by his own admission, was a bundle of nerves, he showed no signs of anxiety and sailed through his obligation with the ease and poise of an old pro, no doubt gaining reassurance from Graham’s confident and polished performance.
Having been duly placed in the chair, Steve’s evening became even better when light blue Masons provided what many would consider the highlights of the ceremony, the presentations of the working tools of each of the three degrees. First to step up to the mark was Steve Edwards, an experienced past master of the lodge but still a light blue Mason. Steve has gained a reputation for reliability in reciting rituals and he further built on that reputation with a superb rendition of the third degree working tools.
Next up was Lee Beckett, a master Mason who provided an explanation of the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason (the extended version). No doubt ‘belt it out’ was the slogan in Lee’s mind as he delivered the piece. He was confident, clear and authoritative, as if it was all in a day’s work. It was little wonder that he drew spontaneous applause from the gathered throng.
The last of the trio was fellow craft Freemason Jeremy Stowell with his rendition of the first degree working tools. It was the first occasion at which Jeremy had been commissioned to deliver ritual. One would never have known it or even suspected an inkling of it being his debut. Word perfect, animated and with passion, it was the stroke of a master. Inevitably, an enthusiastic ovation followed his performance too.
The superb trio of light blues who performed the working tools of the three degrees, from left to right, are: Jeremy Stowell, Lee Beckett and Steve Edwards.
Perhaps inspired by these performances, Mitch Midgley-Davies, one of the lodge’s dark blue residents presented his party piece, an explanation of the Hall Stone Jewel, with finesse and conviction.
Investiture of the officers of the lodge saw additional quality performances, in a number of cases employing the skills of visiting brethren. The three installing officers, Steve Smith, Rod Barnes and Matthew Barrow demonstrated their talents with cultured addresses to the senior warden, junior warden and inner guard respectively.
Another visitor to the lodge, the Blackpool Group Local Care Officer Peter Mann, was enlisted to address the almoner of the lodge – none other than the newly installed master Steve.
More talent was on show from other visiting brethren with Jim Finnegan of Mereside Lodge No 6360 performing the address to the stewards, a role that Jim performs with the excellence that has become expected of him.
The lodge had also elicited the services of Andy Walch, director of ceremonies of Progress Lodge No 4120, to perform the address to the newly installed master, a role that Andy took in swash-buckling fashion. Universally hailed as a class A ritualist Andy, on this occasion, touched an even higher level of brilliance.
It then reached that point in the proceedings at which the lodge’s director of ceremonies Mark escorted the Assistant Provincial Grand Master with the decorum and grace befitting Harry’s status and presently came to anchor at a mooring in the south-south-east area of the lodge room. From that position, or thereabouts, Harry delivered his address to the brethren of the lodge – thereabouts because, when expressing oneself with passion and conviction, it is necessary to slip from berth and drift around from time to time. After all, an orator of Harry’s distinction cannot affect such an inspiring performance if he is rooted to just one spot.
On completion of the ceremony, Harry conveyed the best wishes of the Provincial Grand Master Tony Harrison and in doing so, congratulated Steve on attaining the chair and lavished praise on Graham for the manner in which he had conducted the ceremony, directing further acclaim at the newer ‘light blue’ brethren who had so superbly presented the working tools of the three degrees.
Whilst some Provincial officers in the lodge had undertaken individual parts in the ritual (Mitch Midgley-Davies’ elucidation of the Hall Stone Jewel, Robert Wareham’s presentation of the working tools of an installed master; Tony Ansell’s address to the wardens and Bill Hembrow’s address to the deacons) one cannot help but think that they must have felt a sense of being outflanked by the excellence of the light blue brethren.
Steve, by now appearing more at ease in his new station, presented Harry with charitable disbursements to a total of £1,000; consisting of £500 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £150 to Riding for the Disabled, £150 to the Royal Marines’ Association and £150 to Friends of Fylde Community Link.
Pictured from left to right, are: Roger Perry, Ron Weatherill, Geoffrey Moore, Terry Hudson, Harry Cox, Steve Booth, Graham Kenyon, Godfrey Hirst and George Coulter.
The main item on the agenda having been concluded as it were, the congregation toddled off in elevated joie de vivre to revel in the delights of the festive banquet, with as healthy an appreciation of their meals as any group of revellers could. Visitor to the lodge Harry Waggett, one of those really well-known faces of Blackpool Freemasonry, sang the master’s song in his inimitable modest and easy style; a perfect ending to the evening. It was a dark blue Mason who brought the evening’s proceedings to a close but the light blues of Brotherhood Lodge had taken the day by storm and subsequently received the approbation they so justly deserved