Cleveleys Mark Installation, with a Team visit |
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| Wednesday the 17th of September saw the very first Provincial Team visit of the season, to the Installation meeting of Cleveleys Mark Lodge No 1176. | |
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Terry West, Bill Ainsworth, Keith Beardmore & John Forster |
The workers! John Waring, Colin Mills & John Bicknell |
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| Acting Grand Officers | Terry Murtagh with new WM Tony Blundell |
| Mike Beesley, John Forster & Steve Walls |
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| The excitement was evident before the meeting, as Dave Emmerson, our hard-working Provincial DC, ably assisted by David Bell, drilled the new Team to perfection. The Team was supported by three new acting Grand Lodge officers, John Forster, recently appointed Grand Junior Deacon, Steve Walls Asst Grand DC, and Mike Beesley, Grand Steward. We were honoured to also have the presence of Keith Beardmore, Deputy PGM, and Michael Clarke, Asst PGM, along with the two Provincial wardens, a team comprising 25 members in all, to support the PGM, and Cleveleys Mark Lodge. John Whitley ably escorted the PGM in his role as Deputy Sword Bearer of the province, and Alan Fairhurst stood in as Secretary to enable John to carry the sword in his own Lodge - a proud moment indeed. | |
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| New recruits Arnold Flint & Bob Bennett | Jim Barnes discusses the ceremony with |
with Tony Hough & Harry Cox |
Provincial shop-keeper Joe O'Brien |
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| The leaders of the Province | Surrounded by gold chain! |
| greet the new leader of the Lodge |
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| Lodge DC Greg Grove, and ADC Tony Hough did have some of the pressure taken off their shoulders by the Team, but their hard work was evident as the ceremony proceeded in superb style. Jim Barnes installed his successor Tony Blundell in an exemplary manner, before business called and he had to leave before the festive board - a great shame for Jim, as he really did want to stay. | |
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Wardens Tony Farrar & Arthur Robinson greet Tony Blundell |
Tony's new team |
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DC Greg Grove, WM, and ADC Tony Hough |
Peter Connolly shows Shaun Haynes how to play! |
| John Forster, our special representative for the Fylde, delivered the address to the WM, followed by Arthur Robinson Prov GSW with the address to the Wardens, Tony Farrar Prov GJW addressed the Overseers, and of course Peter Connolly addressed the Brethren. Wayne Beecher delivered the working tools of the Mark Degree. All performed superbly! | |
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Alan Foster and Mark Barton - new team members |
Bill, Keith & Terry enjoy the hospitality of the Lodge |
| The Festive board was another example of a superb Mark gathering. We had a newly arrived brother, Stephen Leach, the Provincial Grand Chaplain of Cornwall, with us to say Grace and return thanks. Stephen has recently retired to Fleetwood, but still carries on his duties in Cornwall - some commute! We also had Harry Cox with us, a member of Cleveleys Mark, and Asst.PrGM in the Craft for North Fylde & Blackpool. | |
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| Wayne Beacher & Terry Murtagh | John Whitley, Bob Walker & Brian Gregson |
| extract money from Alan Fairhurst |
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| Keith Beardmore proposed the toast to Peter Connolly, both of whom had the entire room rocking with laughter. Greg Grove ably proposed a very personal and emotional toast to the WM in the absence of Jim Barnes, and Tony Blundell responded magnificently. | |
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PGM Peter Connolly toasts new WM Tony Blundell |
Hard working DCs Keith Emmerson & David Bell |
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| Peter Connolly in full flow | Lynne will be pleased! |
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WM Tony thanks Peter & his Team for their wonderful support |
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| Some of the brethren insisted on staying in the bar until well after midnight. I know, I was one of them! What a great Mark night. | |
Words and pictures by Giles |
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