Prince Setanta Mark Lodge Installation |
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Thursday 13th February 2014 |
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| Thursday 13th February saw the Deputy PGM Keith Beardmore visit Poulton Masonic Hall for the installation meeting of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge. The first thing we all noticed was the unusually cold welcome we all received. And I don't mean from the brethren! The curse of the 13th had struck....... | |
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| John Powell, Terry West, Howard Emmett, | David Bell, Neil Brown, Les Preston, Giles Berkley, |
| Keith Beardmore,John Forster, Colin Moxey | Peter Hampson and Ken Boon |
| and Walter Porter | |
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Keith Beardmore and Special Rep John Forster |
John Forster, new W MBrian Snaith, |
IPM Anthony Thackrah, and Keith Beardmore |
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| Unfortunately the heating had broken down, and had been off all day, in temperatures near to freezing, and the wind howling. Did we all say we could not continue? Never! With barely a shiver, everyone just got on with the job of installing Bryan Snaith in the Chair, with the usual mix of friendliness and fun. There were two retired gas technicians there, Howard Emmett, Provincial Charity Steward, and Ernie Gavan, Provincial Tyler, who were unable to help out, but we soon forgave them. | |
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| Howard Emmett, Provincial Charity Steward | Phil Watson welcomes the next candidate, |
| feels the stormy weather | Dave Brooks to the meal. |
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John is forced to part with money by Alan Bousfield |
and tears ensue.......... |
| The Installation went off without a hitch - Anthony Thackrah did a great job, as did all those who took part. There was more than a little running after the meeting, in the hopes that we could get to the bar for a hot toddy, or perhaps a hot soup main course. The food was, as ever, excellent under the supervision of Lee Munro, also a Mark Man. The speeches all went with a great deal of clapping (some of which I am sure was to keep warm.......) especially when the next candidate for the Lodge was introduced at the Festive board - Dave Brooks, proposed by Philip Watson. A good sign of the resurgence of this Lodge. |
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| Keith Beardmore points out more | Giles is not ashamed to claim a raffle prize....... |
| fascinating facts about the Mark Degree | again! |
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IPM Anthony Thackrah maps out his connection |
Y........M |
| to Bryan Snaith |
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| Our Deputy PGM Keith Beardmore entertained us all royally, with his usual mix of humour and information, as he covered the RAM, defibrillators, the Mark Masonic Ball, the website, the Fun Day, and also the warm welcome he had received.......... The proceedings drew to a close with everyone having a nice warm feeling in their hearts that they had attended a really wonderful evening. And some cold hands and feet to match....a testimony to the Degree that no-one took a little adversity too seriously! |
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C.........A Phil Watson leads the dancing. Don't ask ! |
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| Pictures and words by Giles Berkley | |
