Installation night in White Ensign Lodge is always a special evening as its the start of the new Masonic year with a new leader at its helm. Friday 6th December saw the installation of the Master-Elect W.Bro Les Leek as Worship Master of White Ensign Lodge. The Provincial team consisted of APGM W.Bro PL Wong (Presiding Officer), W.Bro CJ Overall (SW) , W.Bro DW Owen (JW) and W.Bro J Benson (DC). The lodge was opened by W.Bro Ian Fothergill for the commencement of the lodge business which included a ballot for two candidates for initiation and a joining member, the ballot being successful.
The Provincial team, the DPGM VW Bro. Keith M Evans and other Grand Lodge Officers entered the lodge room. The gavel was passed over to the Presiding Officer for a short time until it was passed back to W.Bro Ian Fothergill. Prior to the lodge opening in the second degree, the Entered Apprentice retired from the lodge room. The lodge opened in the second degree and the Master-Elect was duly obligated, on completion the Fellow Crafts retired from the lodge room. The lodge opened in the third degree and Master Masons who were not Installed Masters also retired for a short while. In the meantime, W.Bro Les Leek was subsequently installed as Worshipful Master of White Ensign Lodge. At various intervals the brethren who had retired from the lodge returned for the proclamation of the new Worshipful Master by W.Bro Ian Fothergill.
The Presiding Officer gave his address to the new Worshipful Master (WM), this was followed by the WM investing his Wardens and other Lodge officers for the ensuing year. The Provincial team then gave their respective addresses to the Wardens and brethren of White Ensign Lodge. On conclusion of the installation, the Provincial team, the DPGM and other Grand Lodge Officers departed the lodge room. The remainder of the lodge business being conducted by the WM. On completion, W.Bro Tom Kennedy piped ‘Cooks to the Galley’ and the Stewards retired from the lodge room. The lodge was then closed.
The brethren retired from the lodge room, ‘tot’ of rum in hand as well as other liquid refreshments into the festive board for dinner. Both the informal and formal toasts were given. Alms were collected, the Masonic Shore Patrol collected the fines and a raffle took place. The grand total for the evening being collected for charity was £617.13
The lodge Charity Steward, W.Bro Mike Wroe will distribute the monies to two charities in due course.
