Assistant Provincial Grand Master Tony Bent was delighted to attend Hindley Masonic Hall to be the principal guest at the installation ceremony of Prodesse Lodge No 8678. Tony was accompanied by fellow grand officers Malcolm Taylor (Group Chairman) and David Ogden (group secretary) and were supported by Geoffrey Porter (group vice chairman)
Tony Bent (left) congratulates Jack on attaining the chair.
Worshipful master David Goulden was pleased to receive the APrGM on his visit to Hindley and offered him the gavel, which was politely returned. David then went on to install his successor, in the person of Jack Lyon. This was to be Jack’s third time in the chair of his lodge.
There followed a delightful ceremony, not only enhanced by David’s fine performance, (it being his second time in the chair), but also by the assistance of members of the lodge with varying degrees of experience. Graham Unsworth presented the master elect and delivered the address to him once installed. Ken Wilson delivered the address to the wardens, while Tony Bent performed his duty well in delivering the address to the brethren. The working tools were presented in excellent fashion by junior brethren of the lodge, Alex Goulden and Ryan Mangnall, with ever reliable Ken Wilson stepping in to do a splendid job with the third.
Pictured from left to right, are: Tony Bent, Jack Lyon and Malcolm Taylor.
On congratulating the WM, installing master and all the officers who took part, Tony was delighted to bring the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master, who would have been really impressed by the work carried out. Tony was also pleased to receive charitable donations to the sum of £1,000, in favour of West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity (£300), Wigan and Leigh Hospice (£100), Masonic Charity for Boys and Girls (£100) and Hindley Masonic Hall (£500), which is a commendable effort from such a small lodge. Tony thanked the lodge members on behalf of the recipients for their generosity.
A fine festive board in the newly refurbished room followed and was attended by 38 brethren. Tony responded to the toast to Grand Lodge and brought his own personal greetings and added his own congratulations to Jack on taking the chair and David for the way he installed him. The future is starting to look up for the lodge, with two entered apprentices and two fellowcrafts in attendance. Jack is also in for a busy year, with three candidates waiting in the wings. Jack is a very experienced Mason, holding the rank of PPrJGW.
Pictured from left to right, are: Geoffrey Porter, David Ogden, Tony Bent, Jack Lyon, David Goulden and Malcolm Taylor.
