Celebrations took place at the Grand Lodge of Bermuda, Irish Constitution last weekend. Allen Richardson was installed as the new Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master in a ceremony at Hannibal Lodge.

The post had been held for the past 12 years by the Rt Wor Bro St Clair “Brinky” Tucker.

The Very Wor Brother Richardson’s first duty was to install the Wor Bro Leonard E “Shinah” Simons, as his deputy.

He promised the two of them would endeavour to take freemasonry to a new level.

Bro Tucker had been complimented in a communication from Ireland by the Grand Master, Most Wor Bro Douglas Grey, for leaving the province of Bermuda in a healthy state.

He warned Bro Richardson that he had a “hard act” to follow.

Grand Master Grey would have come to Bermuda to reign over the events, but an illness in his family prevented that from happening.

Nonetheless, the ceremony was awesome, with a mixture of brethren from the local Irish, English and Scottish constitutions, along with overseas dignitaries and brethren from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Atlanta and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Especially saluted was the Rt Dr Gerard Bean, the only one of the past Prov Grand Masters of the Bermuda province in attendance.

He was the second Prov (1994-2002) succeeding the first, Dr Clarence James (1989-1994). Bro Tucker, of course, followed them both (2003-2015).

Salutations were extended to Bro Richardson on behalf of all English Masons by District Grand Master Robert Rego and Rt Wor Travis Gilbert, Grand Superintendent of Scottish Lodges Bermuda District. Wor Bro Richardson set the pace for the free-flowing wit and humour dominating the festive board.

In attendance were the wives and significant others of nearly a dozen dignitaries.

He singled out his mother for being his rock, father and everything else, raising him in such a manner that he did not realise he was actually poor until he reached manhood.

Deputy Simons praised his wife, Michelle, drawing attention to the fact that the ceremony was on the 33rd anniversary of their marriage.

Visiting dignitaries were most liberal, expressing appreciation for hospitality extended to them: The Turks and Caicos Master was on the verge of making Bermuda his second home; senator the Hon Joseph Curry, vice president of the Bahamas Senate, warned that the next time they come to Bermuda they may not leave.