Warrington Mark Lodge.  No.1178.  Installation Ceremony, 5th November 2025
The Masonic Hall, Winmarleigh Street, Warrington
 
Here we go again off into the wild blue yonder, well really it should be the grey and dull yonder, climbed the on ramp in record time for the M60 only took 20 minutes but traffic wasn’t going anywhere, for as far as we could see in the distance it was at a standstill climbing the high level bridge, oh well never mind it’s always worth it to attend a Mark Team Visit.
This time it was in Warrington, at the excellent Masonic Hall on Winmarleigh Street, I never fail to be impressed by its excellent condition, once inside if you turn right there is a first class bar and lounge area, quite a few Mark men had already arrived and were sat chatting, sharing stories from all over the Province, lots of smiles and laughter, everyone welcomed me with the genuine handshake we all share. I was just getting myself comfy when I remembered the communication sent to me by the excellent Lodge Secretary Bob Phillips to put the car reg in the machine near the front door, which covers the cost of parking on Museum street, whew just in time.
Now as usual I started mooching about had a quick look in the first class dining room which was being dressed for the Social Board, next it was upstairs where on the way you pass the door for the wonderful Masonic Museum which I always pay a visit too, well worth spending some time in there if you haven’t had a look before. Up another short set of stairs and you arrive in one of two smart anti-rooms used as robing areas for this meeting. The Temple is very smart, well appointed clean well decorated and has a very nice chequered pavement which was already set up for the Mark Meeting.
On time at 6pm the W.M. W.Bro. John Hancox commenced proceedings and following several              housekeeping items the Lodge was honoured to receive into the meeting
R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore G.M.R.A.C. our Provincial Grand Master.
He was accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers.
After being presented to the W.M. who welcomed him on behalf of all present, he was offered the Gavel which Keith replied that on this occasion he would accept it for a short time so as to introduce the members of the team to everyone present.  Once this was done the W.M. resumed the chair of Adoniram to continue with the Installation Ceremony, almost Immediately he invited the D.C. W.Bro. Chris Cullen PPrGJW to assist him by taking up the position of W.M. to which he replied he would be delighted.
The Provincial Wardens W.Bro. Christopher Walls and Alexander Perez were invited to take up their respective offices for the Installation which they were happy to do, the meeting continued at a pace and the Ceremony by Chris Cullen DC to install Bro. Corcoran was in as fine style as you would witness anywhere. The working tools were presented and explained along with the Warrant the Bye Laws, and the address to the W.M. was also given by W.Bro. Chris Cullen, address to the Wardens was given by W.Bro. Chris Wall, address to the Overseers was given by W.Bro. Alexander Perez.
Our PGM then gave his personal greetings to the newly Installed Master and congratulated all the officers who had taken part wishing them all a happy and healthy year ahead, in turn the W.M. thanked Keith for his good wishes and was pleased to present him with three cheques (bank transfers) 1 for WLMC, 1 for Clatterbridge Charity and 1 for the Hall Development Fund, Keith thanked him and said it was a wonderful amount and would be well received and put to good use.
Now it was time to present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Martin Terence Ford, on this occasion  and with a twinkle in his eye Keith passed the honour on to his Deputy V.W. Bro. Giles Frederick Berkley P.G.J.O. Now it was time for the PGM and all the Team to retire but before doing so there was yet one more very special presentation for Keith to perform, he was delighted to present a Field Promotion to the wonderful Lodge organist Bro. Brian James Wilson, to that of Past Provincial Grand Organist, needless to say he was delighted and received loud acclaim from everyone present.
Another great meeting all too soon came to an end, after closing  everyone made their way back to the Lodge for the now traditional photo session before making their way down stairs to get some liquid refreshment and taking up their allotted seats for the Social Board. An excellent meal was served by the very attentive and friendly Hall staff, this was followed by the usual Toasts and some fine responses, time seemed to go bye in a flash as it always does when your enjoying something, then it was time to say the goodbyes along with the genuine handshakes we share before setting off to all parts of the Province. Remember your only a stranger once, join the Mark Degree, make new friends, and for those Mark men who are not yet members of the beautiful Royal Ark Mariner Degree speak to your Secretary or the Lodge representative and come and join us,
Here’s to the next one, Mark Well.      
Link to more photographs courtesy of Tony Cross
Words and Pictures Austin N Fletcher PGJD   FSE 1173