Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge
The Winter Gardens, Spanish Hall, Church St, Blackpool. FY1 1HU
Wednesday 15th April 2026 at 1.00 pm
 
How fast does this come around every year, I always look forward to it and don’t even mind the usual trip up the on ramp for the M60, if I sing a song the time soon past and anyway there seemed to be a lot more traffic going towards Manchester this morning. Had a good trip and soon arrived in Blackpool now to find a car park, there is a multistorey not far from the hall, I found a space on the second floor, filled in the mortgage papers for the parking fee, and set off looking forward to getting to the brilliant Spanish Hall for what I know will be a great meeting.
 
Through the doors said hello to Morecambe and Wise (only a statue) then it was upstairs, to be greeted by all the Volunteers who do great jobs checking everyone in, looking after security and directing everyone to where they want to be, on this special occasion. I dropped my case off in the allocated area and set off as usual mooching around. There was lots of practising taking place already which had started at 8.30am under the ever-watchful eye of the DC and his team, W.Bro. Mike Beesley who does a great job looking after all the Web Site items was buzzing about checking that all the sound equipment was working perfectly. Now it was time to take a breath and chill out for a coffee downstairs in the wide entrance hall, this building really is excellent and in great condition.
Our PGM Keith was already there and as we all know he is always ready to have a chat with anyone, he will be a hard act to follow by whoever eventually takes up this high office. As everyone arrived, they were all pleased to meet, with the usual genuine handshakes of friendship we share in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degree. Nearing the meeting start time the hall began to fill up and at 1pm the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened, the Worship Mark Masters or their representatives throughout the Province of West Lancashire were welcomed, following that welcome a Deputation of Worshipful Commanders entered.
Our own Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was saluted and then he was pleased to receive the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Prof. Denovan Keith Wilson. In Memorial followed for our recently Departed Pro Grand Master M.W. Bro. John Herbert Prizemann. W.Bro. Eustace Anthony Johnson PGJD. W.Bro. Brian Hayes PAGDC and W.Bro. Peter Hankinson. Apologies followed. Minutes were then submitted, read and confirmed.
The Dep PGM VW Giles F Berkley PGJO was Re-appointed and saluted, the Asst PGM’s V.W. Bro. G.M. Bury and W. Bro. M.J. Pinckard PGJD were Re-appointed and Saluted. Other Distinguished Brethren were then saluted. Several housekeeping items followed, the Provincial Grand Treasurer presented the Accounts for Prov Grand Lodge, which were then confirmed and accepted, the Treasurer was then Re-elected. A Report was presented by the Charity Committee, Provincial Grand Officers for the year were appointed and invested before all Grand Officers were Saluted.
Our Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore G.M.R.A.C then addressed the meeting and gave us the sad news we were all disappointed to hear that this would be his last year in office as leader of our wonderful West Lancs Province. He has the respect and thanks from all of us for the genuine care
and interest he always shows us. He will be sadly missed.
Look who won the Bottle!
A vote of Thanks was given to the Prov Secretariat, the Captain of the Stewards, the Master and Brethren of Walton Mark Lodge N0.161, the Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Masters No.1646 for the work they put in, making all the arrangements for the meeting to proceed.
 
The National Anthem was then sung with gusto by all present.
link to Tonys photo roll
Words and pictures by Austin Fletcher