Unity Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.544. 
Re-Dedication Meeting.
29th April 2013.
Wellington Park, Leyland.
 
Early start today set off at 7.30am, headed North towards Leyland for a unique event at Wellington Park, the re-dedication of a Mark Master Masons Lodge. Nothing much to note regarding the weather conditions  just as usual light rain, one thing worthy of note however, Tom now has a Pal called Snoopy, more bells and whistles to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Ah well arrived in good time in fact there was just me, two squirrels, a Blackbird and a locked door, now I was beginning to panic because I had another task to do at 9am, get on line for 3 Wembley FA Cup tickets !! Not to worry the great staff on the front desk hooked me up and I sorted tickets.

Members of the Provincial Team began arriving at 9am and after a quick practise under the guidance of our leader David Emmerson we gathered in the cosy lounge area, someone asked was there any chance of coffee and it was delivered faster than a speeding bullet, just what you need to bring you round on a Monday morning.

The Lodge is prepared
At around 11am around 50 Brethren had gathered for the meeting, these were made up of previous Lodge members and a host of new members who would be joining at this special meeting. The Lodge was opened in traditional manner at 11.30am and following this the RW PGM Bro Peter Connolly entered accompanied by Grand and Provincial Officers, he was offered the gavel by the WM Thomas Prince and on this occasion he accepted it.
 
Original Warrant 16th Nov 1900
Centenary Warrant
 
The PGM welcomed everyone on this very special occasion before giving a brief history of the Lodge and how the decision had been arrived at to bring it back to life. Peter then carried out a Re-dedication ceremony which I and most others present had never witnessed before, it included the act of traversing the Lodge and in his own words “strew salt” around the new members of the Lodge, which is the Emblem of Fidelity, Hospitality and Everlasting Friendship”.   (How fitting for the Mark Degree)
Above: Sword B,PGM, Standard B's & New WM.
Above Right: New WM & Wardens.
 
The Deputy PGM Keith Beardmore replaced the PGM in the Chair of Adoniram, with the Provincial Wardens occupying their respective chairs, to Invest VW Bro James Anthony Harrison as the new WM of Unity Lodge, following this the appointment of officers took place and one unusual Tradition of note, whoever is named as Steward at the Installation meeting is in fact the WM Ellect for the following year. Several other items of business were dealt before the PGM retired from the Lodge.
 
At its closure there was a photo shoot called for this being such a special occasion and some of these can be seen here, also at the end of the report is a brief history of the Lodge as printed in the summons as researched by the Secretary W.Bro David Rotheram PPrGJW.
 
Right: PGM with salt in hand, New WM, Installing Master
& Prov Chaplain who gave Prayers for the Dedication.
 
New WM, his Wardens & Original Members
New WM, Keith A.Beardmore Dep.PGM
(the Installing Master)
 
New WM & all new Members of the Lodge which includes PGM
 
Everyone present gathered in the warm surroundings of the bar area before going into the dining room and taking their seats for an excellent meal as is normal at Wellington Park, the usual Toasts and speeches being delivered it was time to say our goodbyes and head off to all parts of the Province. Another wonderful meeting of warmth and friendship having been shared, it was as always seems over too soon, here’s to our next one.
 
Returned to car switched Tom and Snoopy on, no complaints from them, drove home, no rain, snow or fog maybe summer has arrived !!
 
See you all at the Family Fun Day, 6th July
at St Saviour’s Memorial Hall, Church Rd, Bamber Bridge. PR56AJ.   12 noon to 4pm.
Mark Well.
Austin N.Fletcher. ProvAGDC.                                   (Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Lodge. No.1173)   
 
Compiled from Unity minute books:-
 
On the 25th October 1900 seven Mark Brethren attended a meeting at the Liver Hotel, Liverpool to consider the desirability of forming a new Mark Lodge. After discussions it was decided to petition for one to meet at the Masonic Hall, Hope Street Liverpool and to be called “Unity”
The cost of the annual subs were agreed at 15 shillings (75p) and the fee for Advancement of a new member to be 2 guineas (£2.10p) and 10/6p shillings (53p) as a joining fee.
 
The first meeting took place on the 15th Feb 1901 by Dispensation approved by Grand Mark Lodge. The Master (designate) was W.Bro.J.Milne who opened the Lodge at 1.30pm and immediately commenced to Advance nine new members, following this W.Bro M.Goodacre.ProvGSec occupied the Masters Chair and conducted a Ceremony of Consecration.
 
Once the Lodge had been Consecrated a ballot for the first WM was taken and proved in favour of W.Bro.John Milne, who was then Installed as First WM by W.Bro.Goodacre.


The newly formed Lodge continued to flourish for 110 years under the direction and guidance of each newly Installed Master, which of course included advancing many Brethren into this wonderful Degree.     
 

Sadly in 2011 with declining membership it was decided that the Lodge would have to surrender its Warrant, HOWEVER rather than erase the Lodge from all records the PGM wisely agreed that the Warrant should be held by the Prov Secretary in abeyance in the hope that it could at some future time be used again, which has now proved to be an excellent decision.
 

On Mon 14th Jan 2013 a meeting was held at the Masonic Hall, Leyland to discuss the possibility of forming a new Lodge for Acting and Past Wardens of the Province of West Lancashire to under the name of Unity Mark Lodge No.544, the Brethren gave unanimous approval.
 
Here’s to the Future . . . . .   Mark Well.