Where has 2019 gone?  December is upon us and, for Palatine, that can mean only one thing, our Annual Installation.

For the first time since 2015 we have a brand new Worshipful Master, with the installation of our Senior Warden, Master Elect, into the Chair of King Solomon; Brother Paul Staines.

The representative on the evening was friend of the lodge, WBro Ian Telfer, ably assisted, once again, by WBro Richard Davison, as his Director of Ceremonies, both of whom were given a very warm welcome into the lodge.

Our outgoing Master, WBro Martin Pigford, performed impeccably whilst installing Paul into the Chair, finishing his year in office with the same high standard in which he started.  He will be a hard act to follow.

Our new Master then set about appointing and investing his officers, which he did with aplomb. We have Brothers continuing on the ladder in the positions of Senior Warden and Junior Deacon, a little recycling in between, and we have a magnificent number of five of our more recent members taking office, taking up the positions of Inner Guard, Assistant Secretary, and joining the Stewards list.  Our immediate future looks very bright!

Paul became a Freemason in 2014 and took office as Inner Guard at the first available opportunity, December of that year.  He has completed every office on the ladder on his way to becoming Master of the lodge.  I am sure that with the enthusiasm he has shown so far he will have a brilliant year in office and will set a very good example for others as the lodge figurehead.  One thing is for sure, he will have a busy year as we still have 25 ceremonies to get through!

We enjoyed a fine festive board after the ceremony, during which, as is Palatine tradition, Paul was entrusted with the custodianship of our Volume One history book, detailing our first 150 years, 1757 to 1907.  He is pictured here with our warrant, which is the original from 1757.

We start the year with a double-second - a fine test for the new team.  We hope to see a good number there.

As it's the last entry of the year, may we take the opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy new year.

Until the next time.

RWR