Adoniram Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No. 552
Meeting on Wednesday March 18th
Westhoughton Masonic Hall, Peel Street, Westhoughton
 
Here we go to one of the most famous Mark lodges in the Province of West Lancs, it starts at 11 am but guess what it made no difference to our wonderful M60, here we go only 10 minutes to climb over the ship canal and then was it all clear, never in a month of Sundays. It took nearly an hour to get the rest of the way to Westhoughton which should only take 40 mins at most.  One good thing at Brookfield Hall there is plenty of good parking spaces, so no stress there, it’s a very smart and well-maintained building, always a pleasure to attend meetings there.
The place was buzzing already when we arrived, plenty of happy chat going on and lots of genuine happy to see you handshakes, I set off on my usual mooch, the Temple which is upstairs was all set up for the meeting, there is at least a couple of robing rooms a smaller Temple and several meeting rooms, in other words really spacious and pleasant building.
The meeting opened in due form at 11 am, the W.M.  V.W. Bro. G. Bury PGJO. APGM requested the Brethren to stand to order in respect of departed merit to MW Bro. John Herbert Prizeman, W.Bro. John Joughin, W.Bro. Douglas Holgate and W.Bro. Brian Hayes PAGDC.
RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore. PGM. GMRAC. was then saluted, followed by salutes to VW Bro. G.F.Berkley PGJO. Dep PGM, VW Bro. M.J.Pinckard PGJD and W.Bro.G.M.Bury PGJO both of whom are APGM’s.  R.W. Bro. G. H. Lee PGJW.PPDGM was also saluted with seven.
Our PGM Keith was offered the gavel which on this occasion he refused it, saying with a twinkle in his eye that he was here along with all the Brethren to enjoy himself and quickly handed it back. The Treasurer announced that Lodge subscriptions which had been reported as outstanding at the last meeting have now all been paid.
A Ballot took place for two joining members which proved unanimous in favour, they thanked the W.M. and were then given a copy of the By-laws.
Next was a very informative and interesting paper entitled “Mark Grand Stewards” a Historical look at the Appointment and Duties, given by our W.M. W. Bro. G M Bury PGJO. APGM, this received loud acclaim from all present. The R.W. Bro. Keith Beardmore PGM GMRAC thanked VW. Bro. Bury for the talk and the work he had put into its research and delivery.
The PGM RW Bro. K. A. Beardmore GMRAC advised that the normal method of succession in Adoniram Lodge could not be achieved this next year due to personal commitments, he then announced that W.Bro. Michael J. Pinckard would be Master Elect for the ensuing year, this came as a surprise to him but he said that he would do his best to uphold the high standards of this special Lodge.
The RWPGM then had much pleasure in presenting the Treasurer W. Bro. S. L. Walls PGSD with a Diamond Patron collarette in recognition of his contributions to Mark Charities.
Several further items were dealt with before the Lodge was closed in due form at 12.40 PM.
Everyone present then made their way downstairs to the dining room, and once glasses were charged they all took up their allotted seats for the Festive Board.  An excellent meal was served by the friendly and efficient hall staff, the usual Toasts and responses followed including the announcement of W.Bro. Chris Butterfield as SW elect and W.Bro. Paul Smedley as JW elect.
On closing all present said their goodbyes and stepped out into the daylight, but it was still freezing. Another great meeting was over, here’s looking forward to the next one. Mark Well.      
Provincial Grand Mark Meeting is on April 15th at The Winter Gardens Blackpool.  
 
Words and pictures by W.Bro. A.N. Fletcher. PGJD.  FSE.  No.1173