Ormskirk Priory RAM Lodge. No1019
 
Ormskirk Priory Royal Ark Mariners Lodge No1019 held their Installation meeting at Ormskirk Masonic Hall on Thursday 12th October.
Representing the Provincial Grand Master was WBro Derek Horrocks, RAMGR; and also in attendance was WBro Maurice Evans, RAMGR the PGM’s special rep for the area.
 
The Commander WBro Geoff Gill opened the lodge and it was once opened there was an In Memoriam for WBro’s Brian Fairhurst and Tom Newton. A short eulogy on both brothers was given by WBro Fred Hargreaves. After the moment of reflection.
The Commander welcomed WBro Horrocks and the other visiting Grand Offices to the meeting. With the domestic items and salutations out of the way it was then time for the main item of business of the night. WBro Gill asked WBro Bill Cropper to take the Senior Wardens chair and WBro Ken Meath to take the Junior Wardens Chair and WBro Cliff Boyton to act as Guardian.
Step forward WBro David Rawcliffe to present the Commander Elect, Bro Bill Nolan to the Commander for the purpose of Installation. The members of and visitors to, Ormskirk Priory RAM Lodge were treated to an excellent Installation ceremony by WBro Geoff Gill. WBro Fred Hargreaves presented the Keystone Jewel and WBro John Rawcliffe gave the address to the Commander; both of these were done in fine style.
 
It was now time for WBro Derek Horrocks to deliver the Exposition to the assembled Royal Ark Mariners, which was done to the same high standard that we have come to expect from WBro Horrocks. It was then congratulations all round before the Lodge was closed and everyone retired down stairs for a very enjoyable festive board. We wish the new Commander WBro Bill Nolan a happy and enjoyable year in the chair and hopefully he will have a candidate in December.
Let us hope that Ormskirk Priory Royal Ark Mariners have many more enjoyable quality nights like the 12th. Two dates the new Commander will have in his diary for the coming season are; the RAM assembly 17th September 2024 and the Mark Provincial Meeting 2nd.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell.