Bispham-with Norbreck celebrate Valentine's Day in fine style
   
Yes, our Installation meeting fell on February 14th, but our ladies still let us out to celebrate....with very few complaints.....I hope!
Mike Shakeshaft & Keith Beardmore with the visitors
A Grand turn-out for this mini team visit
from Cumberland & Westmoreland
  
The day was honoured by the presence of the PGM, Dep.PGM and Asst PGM, along with 28 Provincial Team members to thank the Prov.GSW for his work this year. It was meant to be a mini team visit, but everyone attended, from all over the Province.  There was a real air of excitement in the superb upper Lodge room at Adelaide Street, with over 90 people packed in, it looked really full.
PGM with his Wardens
 Michael Clarke, Peter Connolly, Frank Kennedy,
 
Keith Beardmore & Mike Shakeshaft
The ceremony could not have gone better - Michael Shakeshaft had really done his homework in preparing for this day, as well as representing the Lodge all over the Province during his year in office. Rod Holt, the Lodge DC had helped to drill the ritual into Mike, and it came out superbly on the night. 
Mike installed Frank superbly!
Jules Burton receives his certificate
 
from Michael Clarke
Melvyn Cross, Grand Master of the Thomas of Acon Degree, a member of Bispham-with-Norbreck Lodge (and long-term past Tyler for the Mark Province) honoured Frank Kennedy with the Address to the Master. Giles Berkley performed the Address to the Wardens, and Peter Hegarty that to the Overseers.  The PGM of course delivered the Address to the Brethren in his usual faultless style.  Barry Holland and Bill Eardley presented the jewel addresses in fine style, and that young man Len Hackett delivered the working tools superbly. 
Peter Hegarty & Giles Berkley take wine with the WM
PGM, Frank Kennedy & Mike Shakeshaft enjoy the night
This being Valentine's day, with a red weather warning in place, the staff was a little short on the evening, but the festive board was a really wonderful occasion, with Keith Beardmore entertaining us with a poetic toast to the PGM, who responded in his usual manner - with fun and humour.  He also thanked the Provincial DC David Emmerson and his team for the way in which they had organised the meeting, with Andrew Dickson the secretary doing a great job for the Lodge.
Giles was not upset at winning the raffle...again.
Keith entertained us all poetically
Then it was the turn of Peter Hegarty to say a few words about his running mate for the year, and I have to say, I didn't think he was as scathing as he could have been! Instead he also used poetry to extol the virtues of his friend and colleague for this superb year as Wardens together with the rest of the Provincial Team. 
Lynne will be happy she let Peter come along!
Hardworking DC Rod Holt deserves a rest
Thanks go out to each and every brother who travelled to be with us on that stormy Valentine night. I have to advise that the last brethren to leave that night were a little bit tired, but happy, and enjoying the hospitality of the Lodge and the Hall until after 1am.  I know, I was one of them!      

Words & pictures Giles Berkley Prov.GSW