In the deepening shadows of the first of December 2022, the brethren of Lodge St. Olaf 1188 gathered in solemn assembly for a night destined to enter the annals of their storied history. The fires of fellowship burned bright, and the air was rich with anticipation, for on this evening, Brother Trevor Cooke, a stalwart of the Craft, was to ascend to the Chair of King Solomon, taking his place as Right Worshipful Master.
The Lodge, adorned with its finest regalia, shone like a beacon amidst the wintry stillness of Cruden Bay. And as the brethren filed into the sanctum, they brought with them not only their own hopes and cheers but the collective support of Lodges from across the province and beyond.
The ceremony commenced with all the gravitas and dignity befitting such an occasion. The brethren of Lodge St. Olaf, united in purpose, carried out the installation with precision and care. Each word spoken, each step taken, resonated with centuries of tradition. And as the ceremony unfolded, the room seemed to hum with the weight of history.
From the ranks of the visitors came none other than Douglas Nicol, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East himself, accompanied by The Depute Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East – P.M. Bro. Davie Wemyss. Their presence brought both prestige and camaraderie, a testament to the esteem in which Brother Cooke and Lodge St. Olaf were held.
As the final ritual words were spoken, and the emblems of authority were placed before him, Trevor rose to his feet, now Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge. A ripple of applause filled the room, mingling with the faint strains of the North Sea wind outside, as though the elements themselves bore witness to this momentous occasion.
The turnout that evening was very much appreciated by The Right Worshipful Master Elect in particular but also by the Lodge at large. Brethren from many Lodges across the province—some from neighboring lands (South of the border) – had journeyed through the biting cold to bear witness to Trevor’s ascension. Shoulder to shoulder they stood, united not only in their fraternity but in their admiration for the man who now held the gavel of authority.
The Lodge’s walls, compact yet sturdy, reverberated with the harmonious chatter of well-wishers. The aprons and sashes of far-flung Lodges added their colors to the scene, and the bonds of the Craft grew yet stronger as greetings and handshakes were exchanged.
In his inaugural address, Trevor, to be known from this day forth as “Trevor the Worshipful,” spoke with warmth and humility. “Tonight,” he began, “is not just my honor but ours together. The strength of this Lodge lies not in its walls or its emblems but in the unity of its brethren. Let us continue to uphold the light of Freemasonry, not only within these hallowed walls but in all corners of our lives.”
The brethren, moved by his words, gave their assent with a thunderous round of applause. Here was a leader who would guide them with steadfast resolve, a man both capable and kind, prepared to shoulder the mantle of responsibility with grace.
Following the ceremony, the brethren adjourned to a festive board of harmony that would be remembered for its abundance and cheer. Toasts were raised to the health of the new Right Worshipful Master, to the visiting dignitaries, and to the future of Lodge St. Olaf. Plates piled high with hearty fare and glasses brimming with fine spirits made the rounds, as stories of past glories mingled with aspirations for the years to come.
The Provincial Grand Master himself stood to offer his congratulations, his words underscoring the respect Trevor commanded among his peers. “To lead is to serve,” he declared, “and Trevor Cooke is a man who knows both well.”
Thus began the reign of Trevor the Worshipful, a chapter destined to shine bright in the Chronicles of St. Olaf. Under his guidance, the Lodge would see the fruits of its labor flourish and the bonds of fellowship grow ever stronger. That cold December night marked not an ending but a beginning, a beacon of hope and fraternity that would light the way forward.
And so, with hearts full and spirits high, the brethren departed into the night, leaving behind the warmth of the Lodge for the crisp embrace of the Aberdeenshire air. Yet within their souls, they carried the eternal flame of Freemasonry, kindled anew under the leadership of Trevor the Worshipful.
The End… But the Journey Continues.
Pictured above – left to right;
S.D. Bro Chris Sime | Sec. – P.M. Bro. Mark Dunn | D.M. – P.M. Bro. Bill Murray | P.G.M.A.E – Bro. Douglas Nicol | R.W.M. – Bro. Trevor Cooke | I.P.M. – Bro. Ewan Mackay | P.M. Bro Gordon Mackay | D.P.G.M.A.E – P.M. Bro. Davie Wemyss | I.G. – Bro. Josh McLean | Treas. – Bro. Doug Sheal | Almoner – P.M. Bro. Derek Clark
R.W.M. Trevor Cooke
I.P.M. Ewan Mackay
D.M. Bill Murray P.M.
W.S.W. Gordon Daly P.M.
W.J.W. Sandy Tweddle
Sec. Mark Dunn P.M.
Tres. Doug Sheal
Almoner. Derek Clark P.M.
S.D. Chris Sime
J.D. Richard Parker
I.G. Joshua McLean
Chap. James Connor P.M.