Imperial Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1276 |
|
Installation meeting 30th November at the Masonic Hall, Poulton Le Fylde |
|
| The meeting was attended by VWBro. Geoffry Michael Bury PGJO Asst PGM. He was accompanied by WBro. John Dean and James Rashid both ProvAGDC’s. | |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| WBro. Steve James PrGSD (EL) had a special visa for the evening and along with WBro Ernie Gavan formed the procession for VWBro. Bury’s entry to the Lodge. | |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| The WM, WBro. Andrew Stansfield opened the Lodge at 6pm. 29 Brethren were present; members, visitors and guests. 5 Grand Officers were present. | |
 |
|
| The Lodge room was icy cold with the only heat coming from the battery powered candles! Fortunately the warmth of friendship in the Lodge room sustained the Brethren through the meeting. | |
 |
|
| The WM worked through the business on the agenda up to the proclamation, at which point the acting DC soon to become the DC, WBro. Ken Sykes proclaimed WBro. Andrew Stansfield as WM for the ensuing year. | |
 |
|
| The WM appointed and invested his officers, although a number could not be present on the night and will be invested at a future meeting. | |
 |
|
The addresses were given:
|
|
 |
|
| VWBro. Bury congratulated the WM and all the Brethren of the Lodge on behalf of the RWPGM. | |
 |
|
| The WM presented VWBro. Bury with a cheque for £500 for the West Lancs Masonic Charity with a further £750 to be ring fenced for the Trinity Hospice. | |
 |
|
| The meeting was closed and everybody adjourned to the bar area for drinks and the festive board. The dining area was as chilly as the Lodge room although the atmosphere warmed everybody up! | |
 |
|
| In his response to the toast to his health VWBro. Bury outlined the need for recruitment and retention and how we all need to be proactive to bring down the age profile of the Brethren within the Province. |
|
 |
|
| Lively discussion and a friendly atmosphere accompanied a very nice and warming three course festive board. | |
 |
|
| WBro. Chris Sage ran a (town name) fiddle and raised £130 for Charity. | |
 |
|
| The WM presented a bouquet of flowers to VWBro. for his wife. | |
 |
|
| During the evening a number of Brethren traded in their old and very old Mark ties for the new bright and shiny Province of West Lancashire red ones! Still a few to persuade! | |
 |
|
| A good night was had by all! | |
| Words and pictures by Tony Cross |
