Ormskirk Priory Mark Lodge No1019
 
Ormskirk Priory Mark Lodge No1019 only has two meetings a year, one in March and the Installation meeting in November so on Thursday 23rd, members and visitors gathered at Ormskirk Masonic Hall to witness the Installation of a new Master.
Neil Cooper & Ivan Hicks
The Lodge was honoured with the presence of VWBro Geoff Bury, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Two DCs attend the APGM, WBro Roy Hedges and WBro David Rigby and also in attendance was VWBro Maurice Evans, the PGM’s Special Rep. Who incidentally sold several New Provincial Ties before the meeting opened?
 
It was a very good turnout on a dirty wet night, but the atmosphere at the meeting was warm and sunny. The Worshipful Master, WBro Neil Cooper got the meeting underway on time and concluded the domestic business on the summons before the Provincial DC, Roy Hedges announced that  VWBro Geoff  Bury, Assistant Provincial Grand Master demanded admittance.
Maurice Evans & Ivan & Neil
With the salutations complete it was time for the Lodge DC, WBro David Rawcliffe to present the Master Elect, Bro Ivan Hicks for the propose of Installation. WBro Neil Cooper steadily worked his way through the ceremony and on the return of the brethren Proclaimed WBro Hicks, Master of Ormskirk Priory Mark Lodge. WBro Neil Cooper also presented the Working Tools.
 
VWBro Fred Hargreaves presented the Master with the Keystone Jewel and then gave the Address to the Master. The Wardens Address was given by WBro Graham Radford and the Address to the Overseers was given by WBro John Rawcliffe. With all the offices in place, VWBro Geoff Bury gave the Address to the Brethren.
Geoff Bury, Ivan & Neil
Four fine addresses to match the first-class Installation ceremony. Now it was time for the APGM to bring the congratulations of RWBro Keith Beardmore, PGM to both WBro Ivan Hicks on taking the Chair for the first time and also to WBro Neil Cooper on his fine ritual. A charity cheque was presented to VWBro Geoff Bury on behalf of the Lodge by VWBro Fred Hargreaves, which was gratefully received.
 
Then it was over and the Lodge was closed in due form. In response to his toast VWBro Geoff Bury again congratulated the WM on taking the chair and WBro Neil Cooper on his ritual.
Recruitment was again the main topic, of the response; not only the need to try and recruit Mark Members but also new members to Freemasonry in general; or has he elegantly put it, “Make gentlemen into brothers and brothers into Mark Masters.” 
 

We wish the Worshipful Master and Ormskirk Priory Mark Lodge a happy and productive year.

 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell