Derek is new WM of Wyre Mark Lodge
17th April 2013
Full evidence of Mark Master Masonry’s well deserved reputation as the friendly degree was certainly on show at the installation ceremony of Wyre Mark Lodge No 754 as Derek Grainger became the lodge’s newest WM - with good humour and bonhomie the order of the day.
The principal guest of the lodge was AProvGM Ian Douglas Nairn, who had for company a glittering array of grand and Provincial Grand Officers which included Wyre’s very own Walter Porter, Colin Moxey, John Forster, the Special Representative of the ProvGM, and an escort of acting officers including the ProvGSW Andrew Dickinson. ProvDGDC Ken Boon and ProvADGDC Brian Gregson kept a watchful eye on their charges.
Pictured, from left to right, at Wyre Mark Lodge installation are: Jimmy Rogers, Ian Nairn, Derek Grainger,
Steve Wilson and John Forster.
After outgoing WM Steve Wilson had dispatched the early business of the lodge he welcomed the lodge’s distinguished guests. Ian Nairn humorously declined Wyre’s proffered gavel from Steve, saying he was there to enjoy the evening’s proceedings.
Steve asked Andrew Stansfield of Imperial Mark Lodge No 1276 to assist him in the ceremony by occupying the chair of SW, Tony Thackeray of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge No 1446 that of JW, and Jim Barnes of Cleveleys Mark Lodge No 1176 to act as IG.
Derek Grainger was presented by acting DC Jeff Smith, following which he was very ably installed into the WM’s chair by Steve and Jeff.
Joe O’Brian presented the new WM with the working tools. Brian Gregson presented the jewel of the lodge and also explained the charity jewel. The address to the WM was given by Colin Moxey.
After the officers of the lodge had been invested Andrew Dickinson addressed new senior and junior wardens, Brian Hicks and Bob Boal on their respective duties. Bill Thorp gave the address to the newly promoted lodge overseers Joe O’Brian, Mike Brown and Lee Munro.
Ian Nairn delivered the time honoured oration to the brethren before bringing the greetings and good wishes of ProvGM Peter Connolly to Derek and Wyre Mark Lodge. Ian congratulated the new WM on Peter’s behalf and wished him health and happiness for the year ahead.
Wyre Mark Lodge members and guests enjoy the festive board.
Derek presented Ian with a cheque for £500 for Fleetwood Masonic Hall Club and another for £300 destined for the West Lancashire Mark Charity Fund; for which Ian thanked the lodge on behalf of the recipients. Busy Ian also presented and explained to Wyre Mark Lodge’s newest member, Duncan Brereton, the import of his Mark Grand Lodge certificate.
Both John Forster and Bill Thorp in their responses commented on the excellence of the ceremony and wished Derek and the lodge an enjoyable year.
At festive board Ian summed up the evening as one of, “good ritual, good company and good grub” as he wished Wyre Mark Lodge and its new WM success for the year ahead. He gave thanks for the support and companionship of the grand officers who had attended and the acting officers for giving of their time to add to the occasion. He also commended the Mark website to brethren saying how it so convincingly showed that Mark Freemasonry had embraced the electronic age and what a wealth of information on every aspect of Mark was to be found there.
Words and pictures by Bob Boal

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