Private visit to Allen Pooley
 
On 9th April the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Keith Beardmore arrived at the Adelphi Hotel; Liverpool, which is the meeting place for Allen Pooley Mark Lodge 992.; for a private visit. 
Brian Jackson & Joe Muscroft
RWBro Keith Beardmore has made it a practise to visit the Lodges of his Provincial Wardens during their term of office and Allen Pooley Mark Lodge is the lodge of WBro David Atkinson the current Provincial Senior Warden. Accompanying the PGM was the Deputy PGM, WBro Giles Berkley and WBro Arthur Robinson, the PrGDC.
Alan Ball & Tom Walsh
It was a very relaxed evening with drinks and nibbles before the meeting was opened.   After the Lodge had been opened by the Worshipful Master, WBro Alan Ball there was an ’In Memoriam for WBro John Ryan’.   A heartfelt eulogy was delivered by, VWBro Paul Shepherd and this was followed by a moments silence in respected for departed merit.
Paul Shisley & Philip Pattullo
WBro Alan Ball then offered the gavel to RWBro Keith Beardmore, who then passed it back.   WBro Arthur Robinson then led the salutations to the PGM and the DPGM.    The main item on the summons was the advancement of Bro Joe Muscroft. 
Sandy Kean, Giles, PGM, Alan, Joe & Brian
It was a very interesting ceremony because it was divided between the WM, WBro Alan Ball, and IPM, WBro Tom Walsh.   With the signs and secrets presented by WBro Paul Shirley, who also presented the ‘Working Tools’ and WBro Philip Pattullo.
All join in
Throughout the ceremony the candidate had been in the safe hands of the Senior Deacon, Bro Brian Jackson.   Once the ceremony was over, Bro Joe Muscroft was welcomed into the Mark Degree by WBro Sandy Kean, the PGM’s Deputy Special Rep for the Liverpool group of Mark Lodges.    WBro Kean presented Bro Joe with a letter of welcome from the PGM, which also included a £10 off voucher for the meal at Provincial Grand Mark Lodge, which will be held in Blackpool on 8th May.
 
Congratulations must go to all who took part in the ceremony, which was enjoyed by all.   When the Lodge had been closed it was time for more drinks before sitting down for a fine meal.  During the toasts; Allen Pooley Mark Lodge helped celebrate RWBro Keith Beardmore 50 years in Masonry.  There had been an official celebration in Blackpool the night before, (8th April).
Alan welcomes Joe to the Lodge
VWBro Paul Shepherd gave a very enjoyable and amusing presentation on behalf of the Lodge to the PGM.   WBro Giles Berkley gave the toast to the PGM is his usual amusing and sincere way.  In his response to this toast, RWBro Beardmore thanked WBro David Atkinson for his support during his year in office. 
PGM welcomes Joe to the Mark Degree
He also congratulated the members of Allen Pooley Mark Lodge on their Provincial appointments for the new season; WBro Mark Dimelow promoted to PPrGSwdB and WBro’s; Paul Shirley; Philip Pattullo who remain on the Provincial team.  We hope that Allen Pooley Mark Lodge members have a good summer recess and return in October ready for the new season and we wish Bro Joe Muscroft many happy years in the Mark Degree.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell