Happy Birthday Imperial Lodge of Mark Master Masons 1276.
 
17th May 2013
 
Friday the 17th of May, was the exact day and date of Imperial Marks consecration 50 years ago and to celebrate their Golden Jubilee an extra meeting was held at their Masonic home at Poulton-Le –Fylde.
 
The Lodge was opened in due form, the guest of honour for the evening V. W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore PGJO. Deputy Provincial Grand Master then entered the Lodge under the direction of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W. Bro. David Emmerson PAGDC. accompanied by the two new Provincial Wardens, Bros. Giles Berkley Provincial Senior Warden and Peter Hegarty Provincial Junior Warden, both looking resplendent in their new shiny regalia, also in the parade were a number of acting Provincial Officers and a further 12 Grand Officers.
 
VW. Bro Keith Beardmore with John Forster Special Representative
 
The Worshipful Master of Imperial Mark, Bro. Andrew Stansfield then warmly welcomed the Deputy and offered him the gavel of the Lodge, which was gratefully accepted.
 
V.W. Bro. Keith thanked the W.M. and after he had tender the greetings of the Provincial Grand Master proceeded to introduce some of the other distinguished guests present, which included 5 Past Grand Stewards, the new Wardens and acting Provincial Officers, the Masters of other Mark Lodges, particular mention was given to W. Bro. Harry Cox PAGDC, who shortly will be appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft. 
 

W. Bros John Powell PAGDC. Peter Hegarty Prov. JW, Brian Sager PGJD. and Giles Berkley Prov. SW.
 
The Deputy then gave a very interesting résumé of both 1963 and the 17th of May in particular. Some of the notable events were: on the 17th of May in 1792 the New York stock exchange was formed, in 1900 British troops relieve Mafeking after 215 days, 1940 German troops occupy Brussels, 1943 saw the return  of Wing Commander Guy Gibson with 617 squadron after the overnight Dam busters raid with the loss of 8 of the 19 aircraft. In 1963 Man Utd won the cup final, Everton won the league, the Beatles recorded the album Please Please Me in a single day, the first James Bond film, Dr No, was released, President John F Kennedy was assassinated, the great train robbery took place, the Profumo scandal caused the resignation of Prime Minister Harold McMillian and on the 17th of May 1963 Imperial Lodge of MMM was Consecrated.
 
LtoR front W.B.Neil Hamilton PGStwd, Peter Hegarty Prov.JW, Bro. John Gledhill SW 1276,

Glen O'Brien JW 1276,  W.Bro.Giles Berkley Prov.SW.
He then called upon V.W.Bro. Colin Moxey PGJO. To relate the history of the Lodge which he had researched and written. Colin then entered “Memory Lane” and gave an account of the founder members, most being personal know to Colin. The first and subsequent meetings were held at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, until in 1997 when they moved to Poulton after the Masonic Site at the Hotel had been vandalised after a political party conference had been allowed to use the rooms.
 
Keith Bearmore with Andrew Stansfield W.Master
 
The Secretary W. Bro. Peter Weller P.Prov.G.Swd Br. Then read the Warrant and the minutes of the consecration meeting. W.Bro. A.B. (Tony) Alderton P.Prov.D.G.Swd.Br. then listed the membership throughout the 5 decades.
Bro. Clive Gitson then told of the Lodges “Hall of Fame”, which boasted a Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. John Escott, 1988-1991. who was advanced in 1965 and is still an Honorary member of the Lodge. Two Acting Provincial Wardens W. Bro. Jim Gould and W. Bro. Arthur Kaye. And many other members who have achieved Grand and Provincial ranks. Not the least of these is V.W. Bro. Colin Moxey PGJO. advanced in 1968, who was the PGMs Special Representative for a record 18 years. W. Bro. Donald David Hesmondhaigh, P.Prov.GJW. who was advanced the month before Colin was the most senior member present being the Master in 1975.
The Worshipful Master then gave a summary of the Lodges History over the last 50 years and looked forward to the next 50.
 
After retaking his rightful place the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge and it was down stairs to the Festive Board, where each brother was given an embroidered pocket handkerchief and a retrospect of the Lodges History in booklet form.
 
The 1st class meal was enjoyed by all in a super atmosphere of true Mark Masonic friendship     and fun, responding to the toast to the Grand Officers the Deputy Provincial Grand Master thanked all who had assisted in the work of making the event so memorable and proposed the toast to Imperial Mark Lodge. The response by the Master was very well received; the toast to the Provincial Officers then gave the new Provincial Junior Warden, Peter Hegarty, his first chance to reply in his new office, which was given with confidence, clarity and humour and appreciated by all.
 
The new Provincial Tyler W. Bro. Ernie Gavan, P.Prov. G. Insp.of Wks. finished the evening off in style with the Tyler’s Toast, and all departed knowing that Imperial Lodge of MMM no 1276, 50th birthday had been well and truly celebrated.
 
Pictures by W. Bro. Jimmy Rogers PGASwdBr.
Report by W. Bro. John Forster. PGStwd. Sp. Rep.