Newton lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.1003.
 
Installation Meeting. Monday 18th March 2013. Masonic Hall, Bryn.
 
A clear sky, no rain, no snow perhaps Spring has arrived at last, a trouble free trip North to the Masonic Hall at Bryn for tonight’s Installation meeting in the company of the PGM. Brethren began to arrive from all over the Province and after the usual heartfelt greetings shared amongst Mark Masons we settled down for a good old chinwag in the well appointed bar/lounge area whilst the Lodge room was being made ready under the guidance of the Deputy Prov. D.C. Ken Boone.
 
The Ceremony commenced on time at 6pm with General Lodge business, this being completed RW Bro Peter Connolly PGM entered accompanied by Grand officers and an amazing 30 plus Acting Prov Officers. Following the usual greetings and salutations the Brethren settled down to the main business of the evening, Installation of a new WM.
Right: The Lodge Awaits
Bro. Ron Pearson was duly Installed into the chair of Adoniram by W.Bro. Frank Cooke P.G.Std.B. the Installing WM, he was assisted by PM’s of the Lodge and the Province, we witnessed a truly excellent and flawless ceremony. The address to the new WM was given by Frank, address to Wardens by the Prov SW , address to the Overseers by the Prov JW, and as is usual the address to all present was given by the PGM, Alan Brown the Lodge Asst DC who is also a Prov G Steward was then happy to present the WM with the Keystone Jewel.
The star of the Ceremony was the newest member of the Lodge Bro.Gil Smith who presented and explained the working tools of a Mark Mason in fine style and received due acclaim.

At the conclusion of the Ceremony the PGM was pleased to give his greeting to Bro Ron, the new WM, the Installing Master and all the officers who had taken part, in response to his greetings the new WM presented Peter with not one but three cheque's, the amounts of which he was happy to relay to all present, £400 to the Mark Charity, £100 towards the Mark Fun Day (6th July at Bamber Bridge 2pm start) and £100 to the Hall Building fund, a truly remarkable sum of money.     
Left; James Wheeldon, Rose & Thistle, David Webster, Red Rose, Evan Walsh, Lodge of Charity, Ken Alker, PAsstGSwdB, Special Rep, Terry Dickinson, Murray Mark, Russell Green, Westhoughton Lodge, & Jim Carey of Leigh Lodge.
The old chestnut from Peter about saving the 28p postage by handing the cheque's over came up again and it was surprising how long it took Newton Lodge members to pick up on it with the usual outburst of laughter. (some of us of course may have heard that one before, we really must get him a postage price list)
 
Left: One of the many chairs dedicated to members past & present, the plaque enlarged above.
Below: Doug Little, Provincial Organist.
 
 
Several good things to note from the evening, the signs for the future of the Lodge and a very important one at that was the fact that they have at least seven Mark Masons who were present and a proposal was given for yet another new Candidate. In attendance also were 6 reigning  Mark Masters accompanying W.Bro. Ken Alker P.A.G.Swd.B. who is the PGM’s Special Representative for the area. (see photo above)
Above: Ken Alker, Special Rep, and the PGM with the WM, Ron Pearson, Frank Cooke IPM & Ian Nairn A.PGM
Above: JW, Frank Laird, John Bicknall Grand Steward, D.Prov.G.Secretary and SW, Chris Marsden.
   
The Ceremony over everyone gathered for a chat and a few drinks before making their way to the Festive board which was attended by upwards of eighty Brethren, an excellent meal was served up by the very attentive staff during which time the PGM made his way round the tables speaking to just about everyone in the room.
                                     
W.Bro. Doug Little P.A.G.Std.B. Prov. Organist
W.Bro. Gordon Glover Provincial Sword Bearer
 
The toasts followed and several entertaining responses, one of which mentioned Wigan Rugby Team the Pier and something about Pie Eaters, which raised lots of laughter. (not to mention any names but a clue to that person, he is an Asst PGM). A Dutch Auction was also done (or was that us who were done, only joking) which raised a very decent amount, one of the winners to note was a very pleasant young man who is about to join a Mark Lodge, Mark Driscoll an Ex Sub Mariner, now compared to the rest of us he looked about 16yrs old, maybe it could be that life under the sea slows down the aging process and is very good for the complexion, or could it be that some of us are just getting older !! (me included)
Ready for the Festive Board 
Jimmy's Shop
Last up was the Traditional Tyler’s Toast, another great night over and here’s to the next one.
Above: The PGM Toasts WM. Ron Pearson.
Above: Mark Driscoll (Future Mark Mason)
More Lovely Flowers for Lynn.
 
Weather outside not too bad, no rain, no snow, no wind great, 5 minutes and I’ll be on the motorway heading South, simple, NO, Motorway Closed !!  All I could get out of Tom was turn around, do a U Turn, Turn around, needless to say Tom nearly went through the window.!!
 
Mark Well.     “The Friendly Degree”   
Austin N. Fletcher. ProvAsstGDC.       (Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173)