Warwickshire Installed Masters Lodge (WIML) – Sept 2025

Kings Heath Masonic Hall was once again bustling with brethren eagerly anticipating the evening’s entertainment.  As it was the installation meeting, the main players were the Installing Master, Phil Wills, and the Master Elect, David Butcher – both very experienced Freemasons and the assembled throng were not to be disappointed.

As with all successful lodges, many brethren have contributed to make Brother Phil’s year special and he was careful to thank them all for their support.  However, all good things must come to an end and it was time for him to install his successor.  Philip Hall, the Provincial Grand Master for Warwickshire presented the Master Elect and David was installed, or should I say inducted, into the chair in a sincere and quite superb manner.

Having reappointed several of his team, David proceeded to appoint and invest the remainer, all rewarded for their loyal service to the lodge with a job!  Two very well-known brethren were appointed as his wardens, in the persons of Geoff Walker as Senior Warden and Stewart Lenton as Junior Warden.  Having presented the outgoing Master with the Immediate Past Master’s jewel, our new Master delivered his inaugural address – ‘Masonic Charities’.  Unsurprisingly, with David’s impeccable charitable pedigree, it proved to be a most interesting and informative talk, and one well received by the brethren.  A transcript of his address can be found here.

The excellent evening continued with a convivial festive board complete with the usual atmosphere enjoyed at such Warwickshire occasions.  One unusual addition came from Martin Parrack and the Let’s Talk team.  During the past year, folk coming up to our stand have been invited to nominate a charity and two would be chosen to each receive £1,000.  Tonight was the night and the lucky worthy causes pulled out of the hat, so to speak, were the Gap Warwick and the British Heart Foundation.  A very appropriate occasion having heard all about the important work of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

The final toast complete, the brethren said their goodbyes and returned to their homes both near and far.  It was clear that no-one had been disappointed and that it had been another excellent evening thanks to the brethren of Warwickshire.

Pictured: Installing Master, Phil Wills contractures David Butcher, the new Master of Warwickshire Installed Masters Lodge. 

Pictured: Geoff Walker (left) as Senior Warden, David Butcher (centre) as Worshipful Master and Stewart Lenton (right) as Junior Warden.