Eccles Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.843.
 
Installation Meeting. 8th March 2013.
 
As we move in to March for our trips around the Province the weather has changed from rain to odd days of Spring followed by days of freezing conditions, tonight was no exception, cold very cold, but not far to travel for this one. All the visitors were warmly welcomed by two stalwarts of the Lodge Sandy Winnett, Secretary (16 years in office), and Ian Edge the Treasurer who along with other members of the Lodge and directed to the bar room/reception area where staff were on hand to offer drinks be it coffee/tea or of a more alcoholic kind.
The Lodge was opened on time at 6pm and following several usual business items VW Bro Michael J. Clarke PGJO Asst PGM entered the Lodge accompanied by Grand and Prov Grand Officers. He was greeted by the WM on behalf of all the Lodge members and offered the gavel which on this occasion he felt would be better left in the hands of the WM. Due salutations were given under the guidance of the ProvAsstGDDC W.Bro Arthur Robinson before the Lodge settled down to the main business of the evening.
The Master Elect Bro Robert Allman was duly Installed in to the Chair of Adoniram by W.Bro Sandy Winnett PPrGSW ably assisted by the outgoing WM Brian Lawrence in a very genuine and sincere ceremony.
Right: The scene is set
Ian Edge PGStdB presented the Keystone Jewel, Sandy stepped up again to present the Working Tools and the customary address to the WM, W.Bro Chris R. McNab GSO, the PGM’s Special Rep for the South Eastern Group gave the Address to the Wardens and the Asst PGM gave the Address to all
Above: Sandy Winnett PProvGSW (Sec) -                  New WM Bro Bob Allman. - IPM W.Bro.Brian Lawrence Above: VW Bro Michael J.Clarke. AsstPGM.                      New WM Bro.Robert Allman
The Asst PGM gave his own greetings and best wishes along with those sent from the PGM Peter Connolly, he also congratulated both the IPM and Sandy for their work in what had been an excellent ceremony, in return the WM was pleased to present a cheque from the Brethren to the AsstPGM for the Mark Masonic Charity.
Above: 3 Fine Grand Officers. W.Bro.Brian Hayes PAGDC. W.Bro.D.Walton PGJO. W.Bro.Chris McNab GSD Above: Chris McNab, Michael Clarke the new             WM Bob Allman & The Eccles cakes
Following the Installation Meeting approx 60 Brethren gathered for the Festive Board and were treated to a four coarse meal followed by cheese/ biscuits and some excellent wine, lots of friendly chat and laughter as always.  The new WM known to all as Bob apparently is an avid Everton supporter (oop’s bye bye FA Cup), he says he also spends a big part of his life working with children whom have Autism, digging on his allotment and being with his two lovely Grand children.
       
Above: Lonely Tyler Bro P.Dickenson
Above: Arthur Robinson.ProvAsstGDDC
During his Toast to the new WM, the IPM Brian explained what a wonderful year he had enjoyed, this included visiting several Lodge Installations both in and out of the Province, meeting people he had not met before, making new friends and looking forward to meeting them again, he also reminded the members of the Lodge about their first social evening, was which was indeed the following night!.  
Above: Brian Hayes, D.Walton, Chris McNab, Michael Clarke and WM Bob Allman
The evening drawing to a close it gave Bob (WM) great pleasure to present the Asst PGM Michael Clarke, along with Special Rep, Chris McNab and W.Bro Arthur Robinson ProvAsstGDDC (who by the way had done an excellent job keeping everyone in order) some lovely Eccles Cakes as is the tradition in this very old and respected Mark Masons Lodge.

One point of note during the evening which was very good to see was the number of Mark Masons belonging to the Lodge who are yet to become Mark Masters plus a proposition given during the meeting for another new Candidate, well done to all at Eccles Mark Lodge, whatever your doing it’s working.
Another wonderful evening spent in great company, come and join us in this “Happy and Friendly Degree”.  Time to make our way home to all points of the Province, I did try to prise a couple of cakes from the lucky recipients, but they were in their cases before you could blink. Not far for me to travel tonight, no rain yet again but still very cold, Spring will soon be here!!, until our next meeting,
 
“Mark Well”            Austin N.Fletcher. ProvAsstGDC.  (Flixton Shepherd Eastwood 1173)