Fireworks for West Lancs 65 Installation
 
The sky over the City was filled with rockets and star bursts while West Lancs 65 Mark held their Installation meeting at Liverpool Masonic Hall.  Mind you, the fireworks could have been because it was bonfire night?
One can dream.
Alan Ray and John Smith
Representing the PGM at the Installation meeting was WBro Brian Povey, Grand Steward.   This was Brian’s second representation at a Liverpool Mark Installation meeting in three weeks.    Unfortunately, illness, holidays and work had decimated the numbers attending the meeting.  Regardless of this there were enough to open the lodge plus a handful of visitors.
Brian Povey and Alan Ray
The Master WBro John Smith opened the lodge and then welcomed WBro Brian Povey, Grand Steward; the Representative of the Provincial Grand Master.  With the Salutations given, WBro Smith placed those who had volunteered to assist him with Installation ceremony. 
Dave Richards, Brian, Alan, Steve Walls and John
The acting DC WBro Derek Gaskell then presented the Master Elect Bro Alan Ray.   At the completion of the first part of the ceremony something happened that I had never seen before.  When WBro Smith asked the brethren below an Installed Master to leave, half of the members left!   Those who remained were treated to a fine ceremony by WBro Smith.  After WBro Alan Ray had been proclaimed Master of the Lodge, WBro Derek Gaskell presented the Working Tools and then the Keystone Jewel.
Brian, Alan, Myran,Anduyan with Steve
When the Master had appointed all his offices for the year, WBro Gaskell gave the address to the Master.   The address to the Wardens was given by WBro Dave Richards and this was followed by WBro Steve Walls the PGM’S Special Rep for the Liverpool Group of Lodges giving the address to the Overseers.  Steve followed this by presenting a letter from the Province explaining to the Overseers, the new initiative which asks them to contact a set number of members of the Lodge before each meeting to check on their welfare and to see if they will be attending the next meeting.   WBro Brian Povey, Grand Steward; the Representative of the Provincial Grand Master then gave the address to the Brethren.  All four addresses all were given in fine style. 
Everyone
After the ceremony WBro Povey brought congratulations from the Provincial Grand Master to WBro Alan Ray on taking the chair for the first time and to WBro Alan Ray for a fine ceremony.  Before WBro Povey sat down; the WM presented him with two cheques for Charity.  These were gratefully received and will be faithfully applied.  During the risings WBro Steve Walls presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Myran Anduyan. 
Alan and Derek Gaskell  
At the very cosy dinner after the meeting, WBro Brain emphasised the importance of recruitment not only for Mark Degree but also for the Craft; because without one we cannot have the other.  We wish WBro Alan Ray and West Lancs 65 Mark a happy and successful year.
 
Words and pictures by by Derek Gaskell