Garnett Installation
 
Following installation ceremonies it is often said that the installing master can now sit back in the chair of I.P.M. and have a rest following his year of office. This wasn’t going to be the case for Peter Tooze-Froggatt as he vacated the chair of Garnett Mark Lodge No 146.
Peter Tooze-Froggatt, Ian Stokes and Mike Pinckard
The principal guest at the meeting held in Rowley Court, Lancaster was APGM Mike Pinckard. He was able to observe Peter install Ian Stokes as his successor in an excellent manner. It was a hat-trick for Ian as it was his third venture into the chair of the lodge.
The new WM with members of his lodge
This of course meant that the ceremony was very much abridged but that did not prevent Peter from delivering an accurate, well-paced and delightful piece of work. It was a pleasure to observe.
 
Of the visitors the most distinguished was Mike’s fellow APGM Geoff Bury. In 1993 Ian had first been installed as WM of the lodge whilst over in Morecambe Mark Geoff was occupying the same office, hence the unannounced appearance of Geoff.
Some of the visitors
Peter was not alone in delivering good ritual. Alan Gregory of Morecambe Mark presented the working tools, Peter Mason the keystone jewel, Nigel Parrish gave the address to the wardens whilst Nigel Higginson delivered that to the overseers. Mike orated the address to the brethren in his usual accomplished fashion. All played their part well and added to the enjoyment of the evening. I chipped in with the address to the WM.
 
Secretary Chris Larder was unable to be present due to other masonic business. He has done a sterling job in the role but is having to stand back because of commitments in other orders. His replacement? None other than Peter Tooze-Froggatt who will not be having his year out on the back benches.
Grand and acting officers
There is a precedence for this leap from WM to secretary as that is exactly what Chris did.
 
Peter presented Mike with a donation of £300 for the provincial Mark charity. In addition donations of £100 had been made to two cancer charities and the local hospice in memory of the much-missed lodge member John Heaton. A total of £600.
At refreshment
The menu at the festive board was beef and it went down very well indeed. In replying to the toast to his health Ian commented that he was looking forward to representing the lodge at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Blackpool on Thursday 8th May and he urged the members to join him at this superb event if they possibly could.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear