Bispham with Norbreck

Monday 8th February 2013.

The Installation Meeting of
Bispham-with-Norbreck Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.866.

The day started well and it just got better, for once as the Brethren made their way from all over the Province to the meeting it wasn’t raining!! Blackpool as we know has an abundance of bright lights and colour, a town which is always looking forward to a better future, this evening all these elements could be found inside the Masonic Hall on Adelaide Street for the Installation of Bro. Michael Shakeshaft as the new WM of Bispham-with-Norbreck Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.866.

Right: PGM with the new WM Michael Shakeshaft
& IPM W.Bro. B. L. Holland PPrGJW

	Shortly after 4 pm. members and visitors began to arrive, gathering in the well furnished comfy bar area with a warming cup of coffee or something stronger, telling each other the usual tall stories and all the news from their own Lodges and areas, lots of laughter and warm feeling as is usual when members of the “Happy Degree” get together. Provincial Director of Ceremonies David Emmerson assisted by the Deputy Director of Ceremonies Ken Boon gathered members of the Provincial Team together for the usual stringent rehearsal of parading the team into and out off the open Lodge meeting. All the officers are now well used to David’s closing words after the practice “if anyone leaves their wand in the Lodge they will have to buy my drinks all night”; secretly we are planning to all leave them in the Lodge at the last meeting!
Above: PGM & W.Bro. Michael Shakeshaft WM	Below: IPM of the Lodge W.Bro B.L. Holland PPrGJW

The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Peter Connolly accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Officers entered the Lodge to a warm welcome and greetings from the WM, W.Bro. Barry Luther Holland who wished him and his team a very pleasant evening. Following the placement of officers for the ceremony Bro. Michael Shakeshift was duly Installed according to ancient custom as Worshipful Mark Master of Bispham-with-Norbreck Lodge of Mark Master Masons, however as is usual before being proclaimed as the new WM any Mark Masons who had previously retired from the Lodge have to re-enter, in these testing times they made what was probably the best site of the evening due to the number present, seventeen in all !

The PGM rose to congratulate the newly Installed WM who thanked him in return and said he was sure there were one or two cheque's to present but that he wasn’t quite sure where they were, however the PGM gave one of his classic replies “I think you will find that they are in the pedestal drawer because I had a little peep earlier”, this of course brought howls of laughter from all the Brethren.
	The very generous donation given by the Lodge was to be split between the West Lancs Charity and a new project recently put in place by the Fylde coast Lodges to refurbish the ground floor Lodge room at Adelaide Street, dedicating the work to the memory of the recently departed and much loved V.W. Bro. Kevan Kim William Beardmore PGJO.

	The address to the WM was given by W.Bro. M.A. Cross PProvGSD, address to the Wardens by W.Bro. A.W. Dickson Prov.GSW, address to the Overseers by W.Bro. R. Greenhow ProvGJW and the address to the Brethren by the PGM R.W. Bro.Peter Connolly.

	The presentation of the Quintuple Keystone Jewel to the new WM was given by W.Bro. Joseph Wheatley PProvGJW, this was followed by the presentation of the IPM’s jewel by W.Bro. William Eardley PGStdB, both given with much sincerity.

	Another highlight was the excellent presentation and explanation of the Working Tools of the Degree by Bro. John Chapman who was later placed in the office of SD for the ensuing year.

	Left: W.Bro Jeffrey Allan Smith PPrDGSwdB,
	(who received the Patrons Jewel)


On a night full of surprises the PGM called upon W.Bro. Jeffrey Allan Smith PPrDGSwdB from Wyre Lodge No.754 who was duly congratulated and presented with a collarette, jewel and certificate as a Patron of the West Lancs Mark Benevolent Fund for his outstanding contribution.

This was greeted with due acclaim from all those present. W.Bro. Smith then in turn surprised the PGM by presenting him with the very last of the Special Mark Tokens which had been created at the Millennium to raise much needed funds. This is truly a wonderful degree.



The Provincial Team escorted the PGM along with other distinguished Grand and Provincial Grand officers from the Lodge which then carried on with its usual business to its closing. All the Brethren then made their way to the bar area for some much welcome liquid refreshment and conversation before taking their places in the Dining Room which was laid out in fine style along with matching place mats and Menus.
	(which everyone agreed were very impressive)
There were 84 Brethren seated including 16 Grand Officers, 17 Mark Masons and at least 5 reigning Mark Masters, a first class meal was then served up by the excellent staff at Adelaide Street consisting of Mushroom Soup, Minted Lamb Henry, Baked Vanilla Cheese Cake, a cheese board and coffee.	Above: PGM with 5 WM's. from the left.W.Bro Steve Wilson, Wyre Lodge No.754, W.Bro. Edward Casey Semper Fidelis Lodge No880, W.Bro. Andrew Stansfield, Imperial Lodge No.1276, Rory Maskell Fylde Lodge No.296, W.Bro Tony Farrar Philadelphia Lodge No1646.

Some interesting tit bits came to light during the meal which we can share; the outgoing Master, whose ritual is the pride of the Lodge members and is also an accomplished organist, was last in the Masters Chair 26 years ago! The new Master Bro Michael Shakeshift said that he had been a member of the Lodge for 30 years and had finally made it!! He has been in the entertainment business for years and was a promoter at one time for the late Bernard Manning, he now owns a club in Carlisle the only one of its kind in Cumbria, a certain person (I’m sure you know who I mean) who always has a twinkle in his eye, thought it could be a Lap Dancing Club, but when questioned Bro Michael stated that he had actually said “He had left his Lap Top at the Club”.

Another snip it from the PGM was that Adolphus Taylor was a member of the Lodge and that he very kindly supplies “Fluffy Toys” for the Mark Ball which is much appreciated.



Following the meal the Masters Song was sung by W.Bro. William Eardley PGStdB ably accompanied by W.Bro. Barry Holland PProvGJW the IPM on the organ. All the usual toasts were given including the special one only given at this yearly meeting, that to the newly Installed Master, to which he suitably replied. As the meeting drew to its conclusion as always it must with the Tyler’s Toast, there was time to reflect on what had past, an excellent Ceremony in great surroundings with every single person in the room sending out nothing but good feelings for it all to be successful, followed by a superb meal served in style by the staff at Adelaide Street, great conversation with genuine friendly Brothers of like mind and as always led by man who has the respect of all who meet him our R.W. Prov Grand Master Bro.Peter Connolly.

Out we go into the night air making our way to all parts of the Province and just so as not to be left out the weather chipped in, it began to rain as usual for the trip home !!

MARK YOU WELL. The Happy Degree
Report by Austin N. Fletcher. ProvAGDC. (Flixton Shepherd Eastwood.No.1173)