Chorlton Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners.  No.394.
 
Installation Meeting.  14th April 2014.
 
Urmston Masonic Hall.  Province of West Lancashire.   South Eastern Group.
   
Lovely evening, no rain, no snow in fact nice and peaceful could it be that Spring has tried a comeback ! Here we are again gathered for another great evening at Urmston, this time it’s for the Installation Meeting of Chorlton Royal Ark Mariners which was founded over 60 years ago.
Members of Chorlton RAM with Geoffery Lee.
After the usual greetings the Lodge was opened on time at 5.45 pm, a few words of respect were given by the WM to the memory of our recently departed brother Laurence Overington ProvRAMGR it was always a pleasure to be in his company, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him, well loved and a real character in every sense of the word.
W.Bro.Tony Johnson (Oldest member) Bro.Victor Mambu (Newest member) W.Bro Lee. WM and IPM
The main guest of the evening representing the PGM was the hard working, very hard working, W.Bro. Geoffrey Lee, RAMGR, Prov Grand Secretary, having received due salutations all was ready for the business of the evening, to install Bro Clifford Bevan Prov RAMGR as W.Commander of the Lodge. This was done in true fine style by Bro Brian Hayes Prov RAMGR the outgoing WM, he was ably assisted by officers of the Lodge making especial note of the work done by the DC Bro.David Emmett Prov RAMGR. The Keystone Jewel was presented and explained to the newly installed WM by W.Bro. Chris McNab RAMGR who is one of the finest ritualists in this degree and many others, a joy to listen to.
Another shot, 'Just in Case'
Having invested the officers for the coming year with their collar and jewels of office there was still a very pleasant task to be dealt with and that was to present Bro Victor Mambu the newest member of the Lodge with his Grand Lodge Certificate, this was done in excellent style by W.Bro. Geoffrey Lee. A cheque was presented by the WM for the Mark Charities, general Lodge business transacted and following the Charity Box the Lodge was closed in due form.
Victor Mambu receives his GL Cert from W.Bro Lee
The Brethren gathered around the cosy bar to take some much needed liquid refreshment served as usual by the always smiling Nigel, lots of friendly chat and stories followed just as in the Mark Degree before seats were taken for the Festive Board.
Smiles around the bar.
A superb meal was served and enjoyed by all, the usual Toasts and speeches came and went but one to make note of was that given by W.Bro. Lee who expanded on the virtues of the Royal Ark Mariners Degree, all be it that if you are a member of a small Lodge as oppose to a Lodge with many members do not think you are failing, the warmth and sincerity shared by its members is exactly the same, a great thought for us all to remember.
The ever smiling Nigel.
As always another great night comes to an end, hand shakes are given, good wishes exchanged for a safe trip home, a fine summer break ahead and of course the evening wouldn’t be complete without our closing message “Here’s to Our Next Merry Meeting” 
 
Austin N.Fletcher. Past Comm.