Monday 14th January 2013.
The Installation Meetings of
 Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Royal Ark Commanders No.1646
and Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Mark Masters. No.1646.
 
What started out as a normal cold, grey January
morning ended with a warm glow that all members
of the Mark Master and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees
feel when in each others company.
 
Rain and sleet began to fall, this however did not
deter the Brethren, on arriving at the Masonic Hall,
Burlington Gardens, Leyland you could immediately
feel the high anticipation in the air of the meetings
about to take place.
 
It was Installation day for both Philadelphia Lodge
of Installed Royal Ark Mariner Commanders No.1646
and Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Mark Masters
No.1646.
Left: VW. Bro, Fred Hargreaves, The PGM
 
Peter Connolly and W.Bro. Stuart Brackstone
The first meeting started on time at 4 pm with
approx 60 Brethren in attendance including on this
occasion a very special Honorary Member, RW Bro.
Peter Connolly Prov.G.M. accompanied by several
other distinguished Brethren.
 
W.Bro. Geoffrey Bury was Installed as Commander in
fine style by W.Bro. Brian Molyneux both of whom
received due congratulations along with all the
officers who had taken part in the Ceremony by the
PGM. It was an excellent start to the evening’s
proceedings and a pleasure for all the Brethren
present to witness such a fine and sincere Ceremony. 
 
Right: W.Bro. ian Nairn, The PGM, the Worshipful
Master Tony Farrar, Installing Master W.Bro. Peter
Hegarty & Deputy PGM, VW.Bro. Keith Beardmore
  
  The Mark Meeting began at 6.30 pm in what can only
be described as an electric atmosphere of excited
anticipation, the number in attendance after the
Lodge had received the PGM and his Provincial Team
must have been in excess of 100 Brethren, a
splendid site to behold and displays the tremendous
feeling shown by all for the Mark Degree.
 
W.Bro. Anthony Farrar was Installed in to the
Masters Chair by W.Bro. Peter Hegarty and those of
us lucky enough to be present witnessed a most
sincere and caring ceremony, described by the PGM
on giving his congratulations to the new Commander
as Excellent in every respect.
 
Left: W.Bro. Gordon Glover Swd Br, The PGM with
Std Br. Malcolm Serjeant and
 
RAM Std Br. W.Bro. Austin Fletcher
The address to the Master, Wardens and officers
were given in flawless fashion to be followed later by
the address to the Brethren in general by the PGM
which as always was heartfelt and uplifting.
 
Both Lodges presented generous cheque's for the
Charities which were well received by the PGM, who
as always managed to pass them on to the Provincial
Brother responsible for their safekeeping and in his
own words “saves him the 28p stamp” I really think
it’s about time somebody let him know how much
stamps actually cost in 2013 !!.
 
Right: The PGM with three Grand Stewards, left to right
W.Bro's Garth Green, Shaun Higson and John Bicknell
Garth and Shaun are East Lancs Mark Masons.
 
 
 
At least 100 Brethren were seated for The Festive Board which was presided over by the newly Installed
Master and Commander in the presence of the PGM. The meal as always at Leyland was excellent, this
followed by wineand other beverages from the well stocked bar soon created a wonderful relaxed
atmosphere of fun and friendship.  
 
One of the highlights came when W.Bro. Douglas Nairn PGJD Asst PGM gave the speech to toast the PGM,
part of which consisted of using hand semaphore signal flags to see if the PGM could still remember the
letters from his time in the Military, which of course he did, excellent fun and well received by all.
 
The PGM, during his response, announced the names of the Provincial Wardens for the next season,
W.Bro. Giles Berkley, (new SW of Philadelphia Mark) to be Senior Warden and W.Bro. Peter Hegarty,
(Installing Master) to beJunior Warden. The Provincial Meeting will be held at Southport on the
1st of May.  
 
The night was waning fast and the Festive Board eventually drew to a close at around 10.30 pm, I’m sure
that as all the Brethren left the Hall into the freezing night air they felt just as I did, warm inside from a
wonderful afternoon and evening spent in wonderful company having witnessed two excellent ceremonies
which again were a joy to behold.
 
Mark Well Brethren.
Austin N. Fletcher. Prov AGDC.
 
Article and photographs courtesy of Austin Fletcher