Walton Mark Installation |
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6th November 2013 |
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| The Provincial Grand Master, Deputy PGM and Asst PGM were part of a 30 strong Provincial Team visit to Garston, to witness a wonderful ceremony of Installation, as V W Bro Robert Peter Owen PGJO, installed his successor W Bro Colin Boardman PProvAGDC in very fine style. |
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Treasurer Peter Craven working hard |
Chris Walls, Keith Beardmore, Jimmy Kontzel |
and Steve Walls |
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| GJO David Littler, Graham Hall PAGDC and | Sword Bearer David Kemp and Deputy Steve Clarke |
Graham Kyffin PAGDC all from Cheshire |
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New WM Colin Boardman |
The New WM with Past Wardens |
| I must say that everyone was very impressed on arrival at Garston, as the hall has been extensively re-furbished and now shines like a new pin! The rain and M62 traffic did mean a few of us arrived at the last minute, but practise for the Team began on time, the Provincial DC Dave Emmerson, assisted by David Bell (who is doing very well on his sponsored diet !) and Barry Fisher, soon told us where to go, in and out of Lodge. There was quite an air of excitement as we found out we had the PGM, Deputy, and Assistant with us, but also the Grand Junior Overseer of England, David Littler, the Assistant Grand Chaplain Graham Halsall, and Grand Stewards Graham Bailey and Geoff Caterall. So we made sure we stepped off with the right foot, which in this case was the left foot...... | |
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| Graham Bailey GStdB, John Mawdesley GStwd, | Asst PGM Ian Nairn, Peter Connolly |
David Littler GJO, Graham Halsall, Asst G Chaplain, |
and Keith Beardmore |
and Geoff Catterall GStwd |
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Provincial Team in training! |
The PGM with his Wardens |
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The Royal Ark Mariners in attendance |
'A Grand Team' |
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David Bell, Dave Emmerson and Barry Fisher the DC's |
Derek Horrocks with WM Colin Boardman |
and IPM Peter Owen |
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Peter Connolly welcomes Colin back into the Chair |
The Youngest Mark Man in the Province Chris Storey |
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David Littler GJO with Derek Horrocks |
The PGM meets and greets |
| The WM installed his successor in an exemplary fashion, and was ably assisted by Derek Horrocks, special representative for Garston. There were a few of the new officers missing due to unavoidable calls on their time, but the ceremony went off without a hitch, with the addresses being delivered to the WM by Derek Horrocks, to the Wardens by Giles Berkley ProvGSW, to the Overseers by Peter Hegarty ProvJGW, and of course that to the brethren by our Provincial Grand Master, Peter Connolly. | |
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Mark Men enjoy the Festive Board |
Garston greeted and treated us all well |
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Ian Nairn and Keith Beardmore enjoy the meal |
Chris Storey, just 20 years old! |
| The Festive Board was a very friendly affair, with a very good sum being raised for charity by Peter Hegarty who performed his usual West Houghton swindle. The dining room has also been totally refurbished, and is a really nice place to enjoy the company of other Mark men. The usual wine takings were punctuated by one with the youngest Mark Mason in West Lancs, Bro Chris Storey of University Mark Lodge in Liverpool. The IPM, V W Bro Owen, who once served as special representative, talked about the rejuvenation of the Lodge in 2004, and about the new WM, Colin Boardman, who served 7 years as Group Secretary and 2 years as Vice-Chairman of the Warrington Group, and joined Walton Mark in 2005, when he collected dues and subscriptions for the Treasurer, and was promptly appointed SD! This is his second time in the Chair, and he is sure to steer the Lodge in the right direction, having been Captain of a ship for 20 years..... | |
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Peter Hegarty helped raise over £330 on the night |
Peter Connolly addresses the meeting |
| Peter Connolly addressed the meeting with his usual mix of humour and instruction, and spoke of sticking to our beliefs, and being proud of them in society. He also informed us that the Mark Province of West Lancs is donating 15 defibrillators to Masonic halls, and one bus, as well as donating 43 wreaths to be presented across the Province on Sunday. He thanked the Lodge for their charitable efforts, and the Treasurer Peter Craven, and Secretary Glynn Jones for their hard work. | |
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Lynne will be pleased |
Keith is assured a warm welcome from June |
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Derek Horrocks and Ken Alker clearly enjoyed a great meeting. We all left having appreciated the fine efforts of everyone who took part, and the hospitality afforded us by Garston Masonic Hall. |
| Pictures & story by Giles Berkley Prov. GSW | |
