Brian is new WM of Wyre Mark Lodge
 
16th April 2014
   
Fleetwood Masonic Hall was the setting for the 92nd installation ceremony of Wyre Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 754 which saw Brian Dicks well and truly installed as the lodge’s newest WM by his predecessor Derek Grainger and by Wyre Lodge’s team of officers and a sprinkling of visitor volunteers.
Geoffrey Catterall and John Forster congratulate Brian Dicks as new WM of Wyre Mark.
Pictured from left to right are: Bob Boal, Geoffrey Catterall, Brian Dicks,
John Forster, Joe O’Brian and Steve Wilson.
After Derek had conducted the lodge’s earlier business, he welcomed Grand Steward Geoffrey Catterall as the representative of Provincial Grand Master Peter Connolly to the installation meeting as well as a glittering procession of Grand and Provincial Grand and acting officers, many of whom later expressed their thorough enjoyment of the day both in lodge and at festive board.
 
Derek invited Provincial SW Giles Berkley to assist him by assuming the duties of ISW, Tony Alderton, who is soon to receive promotion at Provincial Grand Lodge, those of IJW and Frank Kennedy to assume position as IIG.
The new line up at Wyre Mark Lodge is from left to right: Bob Boal (SW) Brian Dicks (WM),
Derek Grainger (IPM), and Joe O’Brian (JW).
The new WM was presented by DC Jeff Smith to installing master Derek and thereafter the well oiled machine which is Wyre Mark Lodge swung into action with the outgoing WM conducting a memorable installation ceremony marked by its good humour, warmth and sincerity.
 
Soon-to-be lodge JW Joe O’Brian presented the working tools of the Mark degree in faultless and dramatic style to be followed by George Clitherow who explained the mysteries of the keystone jewel. George, as lodge chaplain, was later to give thanks at festive board with some specially selected installation graces appropriate to the occasion.
All smiles (well mostly) from the new team after a successful installation.
Special representative of the PrGM John Forster delivered the address to the WM. The address to the wardens was given by Giles Berkley and lodge stalwart and Registrar of Marks Bill Thorp gave the address to the overseers.  Walter Porter saw to it that lodge DC Jeff Smith was invested as DC for the ensuing year with his usual aplomb.
 
Geoffrey Catterall, after giving the address to the brethren brought the good wishes and congratulations of the PrGM to new WM Brian and past and installing master Derek as well as to the officers and brethren of the lodge. On being presented with a cheque for £250 destined for Mark good causes, he thanked the lodge on behalf of the eventual recipients for its generosity.
 
In other business the lodge was delighted to hear from lodge secretary Jimmy Rogers that the lodge was to add to its number when he proposed that Rev Stephen Leach, a Grand Lodge officer and chaplain in the Province of Cornwall who had moved to Fleetwood only the previous week, would like to be considered as a joining member of Wyre. Stephen had come along to the meeting to look for a new Masonic home and said that he had very much liked what he had seen and heard at Wyre Mark Lodge.
Glitterati - Geoffrey Catterall (centre picture) and colleagues at Wyre Mark Installation.
At the installation festive banquet Geoffrey Catterall spoke of the enjoyable day he and his distinguished colleagues had had. He thanked Wyre Mark Lodge for its generous giving to worthy causes.
 
He went on to congratulate not only the members of the lodge but also visiting brethren who were due to receive Provincial honours as well as other brethren who would shortly be visiting Grand Lodge to receive their appointments and promotions.
 
Geoffrey also commended the forthcoming Fun Day which will happen at Bamber Bridge on 5 July as an experience not to be missed.
 
He apprised brethren of the cost saving benefits of sending communications by email to over 1,600 Mark Master Masons and told of the pilot scheme being undertaken at Province to advise about major events happening in Mark. One of the problems encountered he said was the high proportion, up to 30%, of ‘bounce back’ emails caused by having incorrect email addresses or changes to email addresses of which Province had not been advised. He appealed to lodge secretaries to ensure that Province had the correct email addresses for members.
 
Whilst on the subject of electronic communications Geoffrey was full of praise for the Provincial Mark website which he said was full of bang up to the minute news and information. He encouraged brethren to browse the latest happenings in Mark on a regular basis and even to send in articles themselves.
 
Geoffrey wished Wyre Mark’s new WM and all of the lodge members a happy and successful year.
 
Article and photographs courtesy of Bob Boal and Giles Berkley