Keith makes a surprise visit to Wyre Mark Lodge
   
18th February 2015
 
The members of Wyre Mark Lodge No 754 were very pleasantly surprised when they were attending to the ordinary lodge business prior to the main item on the agenda, an advancement, to see what transpired after inner guard Bob Robinson announced that there was an unexpected “Report”.
 
The resulting enquiry made by JW Joe O’Brian saw the appearance of David Bell as acting DC, who startled Wyre Mark members and their visitors with his announcement that the Provincial Grand Master Designate, Keith Beardmore, was about to enter the lodge.
Pictured, from left, are Keith Beardmore, Brian Dicks and John Forster at Wyre Mark Lodge.
Keith was formally presented to Wyre’s WM Brian Dicks who welcomed his distinguished visitor and offered him the lodge gavel. Keith declined it by saying that as he and David had a free evening they wanted to enjoy themselves and where better than a visit to Wyre Mark Lodge to see an advancement ceremony done as it should be.
 
As it transpired, despite Brian’s reply of ”no pressure then” an advancement ceremony done as it should be is precisely what Wyre Mark’s WM delivered in a manner which was later to earn him lavish praise from many quarters.
Surprise guests David Bell and Keith Beardmore (left), with John England, Brian Dicks and John Forster.
The newest member of the lodge, John England, proved himself a very worthy candidate as he was introduced to the lodge in a ceremony which saw senior deacon David Britton very ably escort him round during the various stages of his advancement.
 
Brian was assisted not only by the his officers but also by several visitors including Giles Berkley who acted as SO, Terry Murtagh and Tony Blundell of Cleveleys Mark as JO and IG, and Peter Green of Fylde Mark who took post as JD.
 
As the ceremony neared its conclusion junior warden Joe O’Brian gave an excellent presentation of the working tools after which Brian welcomed John England to Wyre Mark Lodge.
Helping hands – candidate John England (left) with Peter Green, Brian Dicks and Tony Blundell.
As well as John’s advancement before such special company the lodge had a full programme on the agenda. This was tinged with sadness as the brethren were asked to stand in silent tribute to one of its former members, Bill Thorp, who recently passed to the Grand Lodge above.
 
In other items dealt with by the lodge, SW Bob Boal was declared WM for the ensuing year and Terry Naylor was returned by popular demand as treasurer. The lodge also heard that its membership was to be further increased by joining member.
 
In his address to the lodge Keith Beardmore complimented Brian and his officers on the fine quality of the advancement ceremony saying he expected no less from Wyre Mark.
Honourable members - soon-to-be-promoted Rev Stephen Leach and Jeff Smith
He continued by congratulating the lodge on a “double header” as lodge DC Jeff Smith is to receive promotion to Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden and Rev Stephen Leach is to be appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain at Provincial Grand Lodge on 6 May. He also congratulated Bob Boal and Terry Naylor on their in-house promotions.
 
Keith wished the lodge well for the future and said how delighted and entertained he and his colleagues had been by all they had seen.  He said he hoped that he would see a good turn out of Wyre members at Provincial Grand Lodge to cheer on Jeff and Stephen.
 
At festive board the PrGM’s Special Representative John Forster added his congratulations to that of Keith’s. He spoke of how he was eagerly anticipating both Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge saying that he would give his chain of office a rare airing at Wyre Lodge’s installation in April.
 
He went on to commend the special dinner for PrGM Peter Connolly being held on 6 March and advised that he had organised a coach to take Fylde Masons attending it to and from Leyland.
 
He also recommended a demonstration being put on by Leyland Lodge of Instruction on 29 April, the first in 25 years, where aspects of a RAM and a Mark ceremony would be on show.
 
John concluded with a reminder that Provincial Grand Lodge is to take place at Southport on 6 May and further outlining the programme for the day, saying what a special event it would be; that the day would see not only two Wyre Mark members honoured but also that same local area connection extended to the new Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore.
 
Article by Bob Boal, Photographs courtesy of Bob along woth Giles Berkley