Friendship Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.1549
Southport Masonic Hall, Duke Street, Southport
Installation Meeting. Monday 13th May at 6pm
 
Early start as usual and looking forward to the last Team Visit for this season, it’s the seaside yet again, to the Hall I really like at Southport. The early start didn’t really help, you’ve guessed it, the M60 on ramp was backed up, it gets that busy that it even has a traffic light on it again which to be honest doesn’t mean a thing because nobody takes any notice of it. Next a 15-minute crawl to the M62, now really flying 50mph all the way to Jnc 6, then I think it was the M57 or was it A565, now some may say I’m not the best route finder in Lancashire but I still got there with a staggering 10 minutes to spare.
The meeting started on time and once several housekeeping items had been dealt the PGM entered accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers, to be welcomed by the WM on behalf of all present, he was offered the Gavel which Keith said that on this occasion he would accept it for a short period so as to introduce the members of the team.
Tonight, the meeting was to Install Bro. Alexander Myles into the chair of Adoniram, this was done in fine style by W.Bro. Alan Taylor greatly assisted by W. Bro. Mark Cooper the Lodge D.C. and other officers of the Lodge. Unfortunately, quite a few members couldn’t make it to the meeting so it didn’t take me long to get confused (as usual), I’ll make my apologies now just in case I get some of the proceedings slightly mixed up!
The Keystone jewel was presented and explained by W.Bro. Terence Tasker PPrJGW, Working Tools were presented and explained by W.Bro. Skinner PGStdB, Address to the W.M. was delivered by W.Bro. Anthony Johnson PPrGADC, address to the Overseers was given by W.Bro. Andy Wiltshire PPrJGW, and as always my favourite address given to all present by our very own RW PGM Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore, who then gave his personal congratulations to the newly installed WM and wished him and all the members of the Lodge a Happy and Healthy year ahead, in reply the WM had much pleasure in presenting Keith with a list of donations issued by the Lodge, £200 to the West Lancs Mark Charity Fund, £200 to the Southport Hall Fellowship Fund and £100 to the Parenting 2000 Fund. Keith said it was a wonderful amount given and was sure that as always in this Degree it would be well received and used wisely.
On closing the meeting everyone returned for the usual photographs to be taken to record the special evening, then it was off to the dining room to charge glasses and have a good chat before taking their allotted seats for the Festive Board. An excellent meal was served up by the very pleasant and efficient hall staff, Pate with some lovely toasted bread, chunky roast beef and plenty of vegetables finished off with fruit salad and cream, I noticed that all the plates were empty after each course which can only be a good sign, well done to the Chef and all the staff.
The usual Toasts followed the meal and where necessary some excellent responses were given some of which I unfortunately had to miss due to the fact that my chaufer (only kidding my Nephew, Fagin) hadn’t put enough money in the meter across the road!!
Ah well that was it all over for another great evening in the company of Mark Masons, the cream of the crop, already looking forward to the next West Lancs meeting and the Mark Grand Lodge Meeting taking place in London on Tuesday 11th June at 1pm, if you’ve not been before there’s still time to get booked in for a brilliant day out.                   “The Magic of the Mark”
 
Words and pictures Austin N Fletcher. PGJD.                 The Genuine Friendly Degree.