"Provincial Grand Lodge"
 
The Mark Province of West Lancashire held its Provincial Meeting
on Wednesday 1st May 2013
The Mark Province of West Lancashire meeting at the Southport Theatre and Conference Centre was once again blessed with a pleasantly warm sunny day.
 
The members of the Southport Mark Lodges had been up early under the leadership of Brian Molyneux, and had transported the pedestals and chairs from the Masonic Hall to the venue. The members of Philadelphia Mark Lodge, led by Stuart Brackstone, had secured the venue and had their Stewards in place both inside and outside in readiness for the members of the province, and their guests arrival.
Rod Bennison in full flow instructing the stewards.
Top Brass Meeting.!
The Provincial DC, David Emerson, his Deputy and their band of Assistants soon got to grips with the task in hand. Practices were being held on the floor of the soon to be Lodge Room with one aim in view, to celebrate another fantastic Mark Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting, in the best traditions of our fine Province.
      
The Brilliant Dave Emmerson                   Provincial Wardens           The Junior and Master Overseers
David Emerson discusses procedures whilst the Wardens and and Overseers patiently wait. The RAM Commanders are rehearsed and I get to grips with the sound desk in the warmest room in the house.
RAM Parade practise
Mike (webmaster) at the sound controls
The Processions start
The PGM with Prov G.Sec, Sword and Standard Br
Practice is over the processions start and the PGM is ready to enter, The Acting Grand Officers form a separate procession and are received with acclaim, as was the boss!
   
The Acting Grand Officers with Grand Secretary (Des)
Prov Overseers in action (or not) 
All listen carefully as the PGM assisted by the Inner Guard and Wardens opened Provincial Grand Lodge.
   
General Stage View.
Prov Treasurer
The PGM welcomes our distinguished guests and the Provincial Treasurer delivers his report to the gathering.
    
The PGM on Stage,                          The Prov Sec                   and Ivor T.J.Morgan
The Provincial Grand Secretary, reported on the issues affecting the Province whilst Ivor Morgan, PPGSW paid attention. Ivor, form Freshfields Lodge No.1007, A lovely guy who was sat next to Austin Fletcher, (the photographer), he is 89 years old and said he wouldn't miss the meeting for the world & that he had no intention of going anywhere at least not until his Grand Daughter had finished her studies in N.Ireland. He's brilliant, we hope she takes her time!
General Stage View.
General Stage View.
The PGM delivers his report to the brethren following which he invested and promoted a total of 106 brethren to Provincial and Past Provincial Grand Rank. Following which he addressed to assembly on the presence of the Grand Secretary designate, VW.Bro. Paul Tarrant, Who took the opportunity to respond. He was given a traditional and well deserved West Lancashire response.
Stewards with their leader Rod.
The brethren take 'refreshment'
Following the retirement processions the brethren sojourned to the bars prior to dining on a very pleasant meal. The pictures which follow are testament to the enjoyment of those who stayed for the meal and require no further comment.
Tables await
The brethren are ready
There's a lot of Central Lancs lads about on these photo's
   
PGM & dignateries
Revd's Graham Halsall and Harry Callaghan
The Top Table
Iain Nairn & Grand Junior Warden Tom Jackson
The PGM Networks
   
The Lads from the South East of the Province
The Networking continues
   
All done, and off we go, back to our loved ones not forgetting to tell them how hard we all worked!
But it realy was worth all the effort, roll on 7th May 2014.
   
Photographs courtesy of Austin Fletcher and Geoff Waters
Words of 'wisdom' the webmaster