Chorlton Mark Lodge No. 394. Urmston Masonic Hall, Urmston
Installation Meeting. Weds 1st February 2023
 
Surprise, surprise no need to go up the on ramp today, which is usually how all my reports start, the Hall is only five minutes away from where I live! Our PGM R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore was attending in a private capacity to visit as the Provincial SW is a member of Chorlton Mark, he always makes a point of visiting both the Wardens Lodges during their year in office, this is of course on top of all the Team visits he makes throughout the year, along with Provincial meetings in other Provinces and even Grand Lodge meetings here and in Europe, how does he do it all, I just don’t know.
It was a real pleasure to meet up with him once again along with W.Bro. Arthur Robinson PGJD the Prov D.C. who accompanies him like myself all over the Province of West Lancs. There was a great atmosphere in the Hall in anticipation of the great Meeting ahead which was to see W.Bro. Gareth Royston Jones PGSD being Installed as Worshipful Master once again.
The meeting started on time at 6pm and once some general housekeeping items were dealt with the PGM entered accompanied by Acting Prov Officers and Grand Officers, the W.M. offered Keith the Gavel which on this occasion he said he was delighted to hand it back to the WM, W.Bro. Graham Bailey PGJD as he was sure that he was looking forward to carrying out the Installation Ceremony. The Brethren present were then called to order by the Prov D.C. to give due salutations to the PGM. The meeting then continued at a pace before it was time for all below the rank of an Installed Master to retire.
An excellent ceremony was carried out by a great ritualist W.Bro. Graham Bailey PGJD and of course the Lodge D.C. W. Bro. Michael Tonge PProv G.J.W, Graham also presented the Warrant of the Lodge and the Keystone Jewel, the Working Tools had been presented and explained by Bro. Ian Wood. The address to the W.M. was given by W.Bro. Graham Bailey PGJD, the address to the Wardens was given by the Prov S.W. W.Bro. David D. Durling, the address to the Overseers was given by the Prov J.W. W.Bro. Brian Povey and as always the address to all present was given by the PGM.
On completion of a first class ceremony our PGM Keith gave his personal congratulations to the newly Installed Master and to all who had assisted with the Installation, the W.M in reply had much pleasure in presenting a cheque for the West Lanc’s Masonic Charity Fund to Keith who announced it was for the magnificent sum of £600, which would be well received and put to good use of the needy.
The PGM then retired from the meeting accompanied by Grand and acting Provincial Grand officers, on closing everyone made their way back into the Lodge for a quick photo session before making their way into the dining room for the Festive Board. The usual toasts and responses followed the excellent meal served up by the friendly and attentive hall staff, Keith was presented with a lovely bouquet for June which he thanked the members of the lodge for saying they will be well received.  
Then it was time for everyone to say their goodbyes and step out into the chilled night air, for a change I didn’t have far to go but I still settled down with my usual drop of Laphroaig and looked forward to my next Team Visit somewhere in Lancashire, which I’m sure will include getting up that on ramp.
 
Mark Well
Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173
A Date for your Diary
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Weds 27th April 2023 at Blackpool Winter Gardens, Spanish Hall