Dazzling show at Fylde Mark Installation
27th November 2014
   
In his address at festive board Deputy Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore described the scene at Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 296 as “quite dazzling” as there was so much gold “bling” on display adorning the 29 members of the Provincial team and 26 grand officers who attended the lodge’s installation evening.
In total 105 Mark Master Masons made their way from all over the Province to Blackpool Masonic Hall to witness Peter Green installed as the newest WM of venerable Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons which was first consecrated in 1882.
Peter Connolly congratulates Peter Green on becoming WM of Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons
Peter was very ably installed into the chair by lodge DC David Bell who acted as installing master due to the very sad and untimely death of Peter’s predecessor George Wright during his year in office as Fylde Lodge’s WM.
David swiftly despatched the earlier business of the lodge before Provincial GDC David Emmerson announced the arrival of PrGM Peter Connolly accompanied by his Deputy Keith Beardmore, APrGM Michael Clarke and the large procession of acting and grand officers.
Pictured from left are Arthur Robinson, David Bell and Tony Farrar
After the appropriate salutations the PrGM accepted the lodge gavel and, with great bonhomie, said that he and his team were there to enjoy what he was sure was going to be an enjoyable experience and have fun in the process.
He introduced each of the Provincial team members in turn supplying humorous little pen portraits about each of them as well as snippets about some of the grand officers – and received some spirited repartee in return for revealing some personal details about the leaders of the Province. Peter thanked all of his officers for their support at Fylde Mark Lodge.
A part of Keith Beardmore’s dazzling display
After Peter relinquished the gavel to David Bell the installation ceremony began apace and after PrGSW Arthur Robinson and PrGJW Tony Farrar took post as ISW and IJW and Ken Hickson that of IIG Peter Green was presented to David. Peter took his obligation following which the installation ceremony was conducted with great warmth and dignity by the installing master.
The working tools were perfectly presented by Robert Arrand following which David presented and explained the master’s jewel and the Mark Master Mason’s charity jewel which is worn by every WM of Fylde Lodge.
The two Peters with an escort of acting and grand officers
Lodge member and PrGM’s Special Representative John Forster gave the address to the WM. After the new team of officers were invested and appointed by the new WM the address to the wardens was delivered by Arthur Robinson. Tony Farrar addressed the overseers in time honoured fashion.
Peter Connolly finally addressed the brethren and went on to bring his congratulations to the new WM and to the lodge wishing all of its members well for the future. Peter also complimented David Bell for the excellence of his performance as installing master. Peter continued that he and his colleagues looked forward to an enjoyable and fun-filled day.
Festive board diners
Thanking the PrGM, Peter Green said how overwhelmed he was that so many had come to witness him being installed and how much he appreciated the fact that his best friend David had been instrumental in installing him into the master’s chair.
Peter presented the PrGM with three cheques; one for £500 for the Marfan Association which helps children suffering from a life threatening genetic disorder, another for £500 for local charity Aspired Future which helps disadvantaged children and a third cheque for £900 for West Lancashire Mark Masons Charity – which generosity the PrGM summed up as: “Stunning!”
Peter Green toasts John Forster
There was much of the fun about which the PrGM had spoken as he and Michael Clarke next debated who was to give an explanation of a Grand Mark Master’s Certificate which had arrived for a lodge member. Peter declined the offer to do it saying that at his initiation he remembered being “taught to be cautious” before Michael very ably gave the required explanation of the certificate.
Following the procession of the grand and acting officers from the lodge – the sight of which could only be rivalled at Provincial Grand Lodge - Peter closed the lodge in peace and harmony and with the good humour which was a mark of the day.
Saying it with flowers Peter Connolly receives a bouquet for his wife from Peter Green
Among many rousing after dinner speeches Keith Beardmore made his remarks about so much bling being on display. He thanked the grand officers for all their hard work for the Province especially Special Representative John Forster who kept the team so well informed about what was happening in the Fylde.
Keith went on to remind brethren about the retirement dinner which was taking place at Leyland on March 6th in honour of the PrGM Peter Connolly who was stepping down from his role in May. Keith said that tickets were going so fast for the dinner that Mark brethren who intended to attend should go to the Provincial website and down-load them to ensure one of the limited places still available.
Peter Connolly receives a newly minted Mark token
He concluded his speech with a very amusing and well researched poem. In verse he reminded Peter that if he wanted to “keep on the right track” while visiting Masonic halls lodges in the Fylde his best bet was to use his senior citizen’s pass on the trams – everywhere but in Cleveleys and Fleetwood where there was a dispute going on between locals and Blackpool Transport.
Peter responded by thanking Keith for his latest piece of poetry and said he had recently had a wonderful time at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and a pack of 21 brownies with his wife who is a brown owl.
Keith Beardmore says it in verse
He remarked with great sincerity that London had made a wise choice in appointing Keith to take over the role of Provincial Grand Master, which statement was greeted with loud applause from the assembled brethren.
Turning to Peter Green he said how delighted he was that as a Yorkshireman he had crossed over the border though it was a strange coincidence that he had chosen Lancashire Day for his installation - as a banner commemorating the event was unfurled!  Peter wished his namesake a great year at the helm of Fylde Mark Lodge.
Bobbing along -Publicity officer Bob Boal and Bob Walker at the festive board
Peter spoke of Remembrance Sunday when wreaths were laid by Mark Master Masons at 47 different cenotaphs throughout the Province.
He spoke too of the “amazing donation” of £1,900 Fylde Mark Lodge had made not only to local good causes but to Mark Masonic Charity. He mentioned several Mark charitable donations which had gone to support children’s football and rugby at places as far afield as Fleetwood and Bamber Bridge from the Whisky Fund.
Some of us have to work – the secretary’s table at Fylde Mark
He reminded brethren about the Fun Day taking place on December 14th and cordially invited Mark Masons to bring their families to the event before concluding by wishing all Mark Masons an enjoyable Christmas break.
The two Peter's with the Lodge Banner
David Bell next proposed the toast to the WM and added his congratulations and good wishes for a successful year. Peter was visibly moved and said how overwhelmed he felt that so many brethren had come to Fylde Mark Lodge to see him take on the mastership.
John Forster, savours the moment
He presented Peter Connolly, Keith Beardmore and Michael Clarke with newly minted Mark tokens as a memento of the evening and also presented the PrGM with a floral bouquet to take home to his wife Lynn.
Keith Beardmore receives his 'Penny'
As does Michael Clarke

Article by Bob Boal, Photographs courtesy of Bob Boal and Giles Berkley