Three brethren were honoured at Grand Mark Lodge on Tuesday 9th June 09 at the Annual Investiture meeting. They were Eric Hughes promoted and who now becomes Very Worshipful Brother E.S.Hughes, PGJO, David Withey promoted to PGJD and Derek Horrocks who was appointed P.G.Std.B.
There were 12 brethren from the various Garston Mark Lodges who attended Mark Grand Lodge and all converged on the Virgin Train at Runcorn station for the 11.04 to Euston station. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Peter Connolly and Lynne were already aboard having got on at Lime Street station. The other people on the train must have thought that they were being invaded by a mass of undertakers, quickly dispelled when the train was taken over by merriment and a very joyous gathering.
On arrival at Euston station the majority were quickly transported to Great Queen’s Street although some did travel by bus. The weather was fine but very humid. Some of us broke into a sweat not necessarily from the heat but more from anticipation of a great meeting. As always, there was the usual chaos within the Hall not least because we had been pre-warned that there was to be a big turnout and everyone was vying for a good seat and view. We heard that a train had broken down outside Wigan and some of our colleagues from further north were delayed and didn’t get to the Hall until 3.30pm. Among the unfortunate were our Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Tony Harrison but he did see a lot of the investitures take place in due course.
Grand Mark Lodge opened at 3.00pm and once again The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master, John Hale presided. As he is the Provincial Grand Master of our northern neighbouring county of Cumberland and Westmorland we were delighted to see him. Prince Michael of Kent was elsewhere and couldn’t be present but that in no way diminished the splendour of the occasion.
The hall was packed to the extent that there was standing room only for quite a few brethren and we later heard that there were in excess of 2000 Mark Masons present at the investiture. Needless to say that when ever West Lancashire was heard announced by the Grand Secretary for those brethren being either promoted or appointed in Grand Lodge, the Temple reverberated with thunderous applause. Our Right Worshipful Master must have felt proud of his contingent of boisterous supporters.
When Grand Mark Lodge was closed there was an even more desperate mass of bodies in the robing rooms, many desperate to depart as soon as possible as it just been announced that there was to be an underground railway strike commencing at 7.00pm. West Lancashire Mark Masons being intelligent and very loyal brethren, remained behind to enjoy the festive board laid on at the New Connaught Rooms adjacent to Grand Lodge. There were 66 West Lancashire Mark Masons at the festive board and with the few who had not remained for dinner, the turnout from West Lancashire was well into the 70s. Only one other county could boast a larger contingent and we don’t need to remind you that our colleagues from our eastern border of Lancashire are as proud and loyal of there masonry as we are in West Lancashire.
The festive board was a great success and quantity of liquid, not water was consumed. Because of the large number dining, tables were laid in regimented rows and not round tables and also the adjacent rooms were opened to accommodate all the revelers. The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master was in fine form and obviously enjoying our company and the annual investiture event.
Dinner and speeches were all completed by 7.45pm when the great tussle once again started as we all tried to reclaim our bags at the same time. Outside was a mad scramble for taxis but everyone got away alright and we arrived back at Euston station for the homeward journey which by now was quieter than the morning journey, most of the brethren being exhausted after a most exhilarating day. By the time the Garston Masons arrived at Runcorn we were all ready for our beds and I doubt if anyone had problems sleeping that night. |
