Roy Hedges Installed as Master of Southport Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 473 |
3rd March 2016 |
| Roy Hedges, esteemed garage proprietor, has been installed into the chair of Adoniram at the Installation meeting of Southport Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 473 held at Southport Masonic Hall. |
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| W.Bro. Ken Boon Prov.A.G.D.C., V.W.Bro. Ian D. Nairn, P.G.J.O., A.Prov.G.M. Bro. Roy Hedges, |
Worshipful Master, Southport Mark No. 473,
W.Bro. R Geoff Jackson, Installing and IPM, |
and W.Bro. David Emmerson, Prov.G.D.C. |
| Following the opening of the lodge by W.M. Geoff Jackson and on completion of general business, the DC, Chris Hamilton, proclaimed the admission of Ian Nairn, P.G.J.O., A.Prov.G.M. to the lodge, who was received by the assembled Brethren with due deference accompanied by Brian Molyneux, Ken Boon, David Emmerson, John Ryan, Andrew Whittle and Tony Cross. |
| The Master Elect, Roy, who joined Mark Masonry in January 1994 was presented to the WM by Ian Fisher, his proposer; necessary questions were addressed to the ME, his qualifications duly confirmed, Geoff proceeded to designate the Acting Officers for the ceremony - W. Bro Maurice Evans P.G.S.D. as Inner Guard, W.Bro. Andrew Whittle Prov.G.S.W. and W. Bro. Tony Cross Prov.G.J.W. respectively, as SW and JW. |
| Brethren under the rank of an Installed Master withdrew and a Board of Installed Masters in the degree of Mark Master Masons was opened. Roy was entrusted, invested and regularly installed into the Chair of Adoniram by Geoff, very ably assisted by senior officers, in a ceremony of the characteristically high quality traditionally worked in this fine Mark Mason’s Lodge. Roy’s first duty was to present Geoff with his well-deserved Past Masters collar and jewel, taking time to sincerely thank him for his assistance and support in the preceding years. |
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| W.Bro. Andrew S. Whittle, Prov.G.S.W.Bro. Roy Hedges, newly Installed Worshipful Master |
and W.Bro. Anthony (Tony) M. Cross, Prov.G.J.W. |
| The newly installed Master closed the Board of Installed Masters, Brethren were admitted, the DC proclaimed Roy the Master of Southport Lodge of Mark Master Masons for the ensuing year and Colin Jenkins then eloquently presented The Working Tools of a Mark Master Mason to him. |
| On completion of the ceremony, the explanation of the Keystone Jewel was given by John Ryan, the address to the Worshipful Master was delivered impeccably by Maurice Evans, the addresses to the Wardens and the Overseers were correspondingly well exemplified by Andrew Whittle and Tony Cross and finally the address to brethren of the lodge was presented, in his own inimitable style by distinguished guest, Ian Nairn. |
| On conclusion of the ceremony, Ian conveyed greetings from the Provincial Grand Master, Keith Alan Beardmore, congratulating Roy on attaining the master’s chair, also conferring well deserved approbation on Geoff and other Lodge officers who participated in an exemplary and very enjoyable ceremony. |
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Ian D. Nairn, P.G.J.O., A.Prov.G.M. with Bro. Roy Hedges, Worshipful Master |
| Roy then presented Ian with cheques totaling £500 allocated to the Southport Masonic Hall Foundation (£200), the West Lancs. Mark Charity (£300) - of the latter, £100 to Queenscourt Hospice and £100.00 to ‘Speed of Sight’, a UK charity offering driving experiences to disabled people throughout the UK. |
| The subsequent festive board was attended by over forty Brethren who enjoyed an excellent meal. In his response to the toast to the Grand Officers, Ian thanked the members of the lodge for their kind hospitality and reiterated how much he had enjoyed the outstanding ceremony. He offered especial thanks to the acting provincial officers on duty who had clubbed together so unselfishly to purchase for him a ‘charity’ yellow knitted duck from the Lounge Bar that protectively decorated a Cadbury’s Creme Egg! A gift he insisted he would cherish. |
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| W.Bro. Kevin Collins, P.Prov.G.S.O., Special Representative of the R.W.Prov.G.M. |
Bro. Roy Hedges, Newly Installed Worshipful Master, Southport Mark |
| Roy, in conclusion, thanked all the Brethren who had attended and contributed to a splendid occasion, announcing that their generosity had raised £139.10 and the raffle £179 for charity. Those with any energy and capacity remaining adjourned to the Bar to reflect on a very rewarding and exhilarating Masonic event. |
| Photos courtesy of Eric Binks Article by Robert Thonton-Davidson |
