Right royal show at Prince Setanta Mark installation
   
Thursday 12th February 2015
 
Prince Setanta Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1446 played host to a regal array of no less than ten grand officers, as well as many Provincial officers, at the lodge’s annual installation ceremony held at Poulton Masonic Hall.
 
Representing the Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Senior Warden Arthur Robinson and his many distinguished colleagues were welcomed to the lodge by outgoing Master Bryan Snaith prior to a ceremony which was categorised by its great warmth and good humour as he installed his successor Philip Watson.
Masters of the Universe, or at least the Fylde, are Clive Gitsham, Bryan Snaith, Philip Watson and Peter Green
Due to some officers being unavoidably absent Bryan in turn was supported by colleagues in office Clive Gitsham of Imperial Mark who acted as ISW, and by Peter Green of Fylde Mark who acted as IIG. Another visitor Joe O’ Brian of Wyre Mark stood in as SO and Roland Alderton of Imperial Mark enacted a superb and impressive performance as DC for the evening.
 
After Bryan had disposed of the earlier business of the lodge Roland announced the arrival of Arthur and the glitterati of grand officers.  Following salutations, officers of Prince Setanta performed the lodge’s unique Banner Ceremony presenting the lodge banner in turn to the wardens and WM who gave the appropriate knocks as it was advanced round the lodge.
Bryan Snaith (left) hands over the ‘reigns’ of Prince Setanta Lodge to his successor Philip Watson.
As Philip has served the lodge before as WM in 2005 the ceremony following his presentation by Tony Alderton to Bryan as installing master was that of a previously installed master, but nonetheless the abbreviated version of the ceremony was done meticulously.
 
Philip was presented with the working tools by JW Bill Farrington and the keystone jewel by Chaplain Peter Walker.
Grand officers on parade at Prince Setanta Lodge with Philip Watson (centre picture)
The time honoured Addresses, that to the WM was given by Colin Moxey, that to the wardens by Howard Emmett to the overseers given by John Forster. Arthur Robinson gave the Address to the brethren and after Bryan Snaith, with a broad grin following a job well done, told new WM Philip Watson that the ceremony of his installation was complete, Arthur brought the greetings and good wishes to all concerned from PrGM Peter Connolly.
 
Philip, thanking Arthur for his greetings and kind words, asked if he in turn would take greetings back to the PrGM from everyone at Prince Setanta Lodge.
 
At the sumptuous festive board which followed the conclusion of the ceremony Arthur took the opportunity to deliver his own personal greetings to the lodge, jesting that as Philip who was formerly a soldier he trusted that the lodge would be “well drilled” in  the future.
Arthur Robinson (left) congratulates Philip Watson on becoming WM of Prince Setanta.
He spoke of how much he and his colleagues had enjoyed their day at Prince Setanta Lodge. He praised the lodge for an enjoyable day and thanked lodge secretary Tony Thackrah especially for the wealth of information and assistance he had given him as the representative of the PrGM.
 
He also thanked what he described as “the galaxy of grand officers” for their support of the day, singling out the work which Colin Moxey had done for Mark Masonry during 18 years in office and which was continued by John Forster whom, Arthur said, acted as the eyes and ears of the PrGM in the Fylde.
 
Arthur also spoke about the roll-out of the defibrillator programme in the Province as a much acclaimed initiative undertaken by Mark Masonry and the generous contributions the degree made to charity generally.
Some of the diners enjoying the festive board
He spoke too about the tremendous dedication and work done on behalf of  Mark Masonry by PrGM Peter Connolly and he encouraged brethren to show their appreciation of it at the special dinner which is to take place at Leyland in honour of Peter and his wife Lynne on March 6.
 
This is to be followed by the inauguration on May 6 of Peter’s successor Keith Beardmore, whom, Arthur said, would continue to keep Mark Masonry on the front foot.
 
Arthur next gave the floor to Andrew Dickson of Bispham with Norbreck Lodge No 866 who announced the Festival to take place at that lodge, tantalisingly giving nothing away but that it was billed as: ‘What more can we do to a Mark man?’
 
Arthur continued by reminding brethren too about the Fun Day which will be staged on 28 June at Leyland which he said was an opportunity of a great day out not to be missed.
 
The new WM Philip Watson thanked Arthur for attending as the lodge’s principal guest and presented him with a gift to show the lodge’s appreciation.
Report and Photographs Courtesy of Bob Boal