Portcullis Lodge Installation Report
On the 13th February 2025, The World Famous Hanging Chapel In the Centre Of the Known Universe, otherwise known as St Mary’s Chapel, Langport was bursting at its 14th Century seams with Masons and their collective anticipation, for the Installation of Brother Mike Norton into the Chair of Portcullis Lodge No. 2038. Mike is a devoted man and mason of many talents, involved with numerous Masonic orders, well known to many Somerset Brethren, as well as being Chairman of the Adair Club for ‘Light Blue’ brethren and Secretary of the Somerset Masonic Cycling Association…..amongst other roles! Mike in his usual fashion never stands still for long, so having been initiated into Freemasonry in 2019 and now into the Worshipful Master’s Chair of Portcullis in 2025 could (possibly) be a claim for a Somerset Masonic progression to the Chair record!
Richard Winter, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master was present to keep a watchful eye on proceedings, with 55 brethren looking on keenly. It was the fifth time the Installing Master John Nicholas had performed the IM role, so he performed a faultless and slick set of Inner Workings ritual to install Mike as the Worshipful Master. Mike then installed his officers with his usual laser-accurate precise ritual, with a full ‘bells and whistles’ long closing seamlessly slotted in. Andy Altendorff presented the 3rd degree Working Tools to the new Master, the 2nd by Steve Loveridge and Robert Issacs the 1st degree tools.
The brethren then headed down the hill to The Langport Arms for refreshments after labour at the Festive Board bar and carvery, with much merriment, heartfelt toasts and responses, particularly from Worshipful Brother Mike – who was very nearly stumped for words- once he emotionally reflected on what becoming Worshipful Master really meant to him.
There were many visitors present from seven different Masonic Provinces, including Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, East Lancashire, Derbyshire, Surrey, North Yorkshire and of course Somerset. All present were honoured to share Mike’s and Portcullis Lodge’s very special evening. As Mike stated: “The hard work starts now” – Mike and his team will perform a 1st degree initiation on the 13th March 2025 and full details are on the Adair Club events webpage: https://www.youngmasons.co.uk/event/the-world-famous-hanging-chapel/
Huge congratulations to Mike and his Officers and have a great year!
Report by: Ed Richings – Prov Area Comms Officer (SW)
