On Tuesday 30th September 2025, at the Lodge of Dawn 6511, W Bro. David Jackson was installed into the Chair of King Solomon; the gavel being handed over by the previous Master, W Bro. Mark Gaftarnik, in an excellent ceremony attended by 80 brethren including 30 guests from 15 different lodges.
Worshipful Brother Philip Oldfield PPJGW who attended as the Personal Representative of the RW Provincial Grand Master said “It was truly a memorable occasion which I will never forget and I am sure W Bro David Jackson will have a wonderful year as Worshipful Master.”
Outgoing WM Mark Gaftarnik and new WM David Jackson
The evening also saw Almoner, W Bro. Philip Dante PPDepGDC, succeeded by Bro Daren Rosenbloom. W Bro.Philip has decided to live abroad. He always handled his role with great care and compassion.
The festive Board was very lively and included a raffle total which raised £355 for the Festival. Pictures are set out below in our gallery.
During his toast to the Installing Worshipful Master Bro. Sam Fryer, the newly appointed Senior Warden, paid tribute to W Bro. Gaftarnik.
“From the moment W Bro. Mark was installed he set the tone for a year of dignity, generosity and fraternal harmony. In the Temple his ritual has been exemplary. He has led ceremonies with precision and passion. He initiated and passed Bro. Mark Raw, Bro. Michael Woolfe and Bro. Peter Gawtry, and raised Bro. Raw and Bro. Gawtry with style and grace. He gave W Bro. Jeffrey Hillman PAGDC, in his 50th Year as a Mason, the honour of raising Bro. Gawtry. And let us not forget Junior Masters Night when The Provincial Grand Master, ‘Mr’ James Henry Newman, was reinitiated by Bro Eóin Byrne.”
Bro. Fryer continued “W Bro. Mark was a tireless ambassador for the Lodge of Dawn 651, this year attending many Masters nights and welcoming distinguished guests, including the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters W Bro. Fraser McPherson and W Bro. Malcolm Whiteley. His support for the Light Blues has been inspirational. Our New and Young Masons night in January was the most successful we have ever had with 24 Light Blues visiting from across the Province. W Bro. Mark has encouraged those climbing the Ladder and shown great leadership through his consistently generous and dependable nature.”
And there was more… “The year has been packed with memorable events too. The magician on Olde English Night, the fantastic Partners Night and a wonderful trip to Jersey with 21 brethren and 3 guests visiting the Island were part of a busy social year. With a well organised trip to York Minster, theatre trips and even a Bingo Night W Bro. Mark filled the year with many social opportunities for all brethren to enjoy.”
W Bro Gaftarnik was presented with his Past Master’s jewel by Lodge Preceptor W Bro. David Myers PPGReg on behalf of the Brethren of the Lodge.
Afterwards, W Bro. Myers commented “The manner in which W Bro. Mark Installed his successor was a tour de force but I have come to expect nothing less from him. Throughout his year in Office the ritual he has delivered has always been superb.”
W Bro. Myers added “I am looking forward to W Bro. David’s year. He has grown beyond recognition from a novice who took three years to satisfactorily deliver the first degree apron ritual to an expert who delivers the Ancient Charge as confidently as anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Historically, Installation has always seen the Lodge of Dawn 6511 in great numbers which is testimony to those who take the Chair. It is also a shining example of a friendly and welcoming lodge that loves to welcome visitors from around the Province and beyond.
All images are provided by W. Bro Howard Barnett www.howardbarnettphotography.co.uk
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