Friendship mark

Following the opening of the Lodge, on due report W. Bro. J. P. Murphy Prov.G.S.O. Lodge Secretary and

W. Bro. M. H. Serjeant Prov.G.Std.B. the Lodge Director of Ceremonies were presented to the

Worshipful Master on their preferment in Provincial Grand Lodge, by the Assistant Director of Ceremonies

W. Bro. C. S. Lee P.Prov.A.G.D.C., the presentation was greeted with warm congratulations by the Master

and endorsed by all present with the usual acclamation.

The Master, Brethren and Guests of the Lodge were also honoured and delighted to welcome

W. Bro D. J. Forster G. Stwd. representing the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master,

W. Bro. B. Molyneux P.G.S.D. Provincial Grand Masters Special Representative, W. Bro. F. Cook A.G.Std.B.

six other Grand Officers and W. Bro. A. Dickson Provincial G.S.W. of the Province of West Lancashire

in procession.

Once the dust had settled, and the acting officers were in place, the Master Elect W. Bro. Thomas Holt

P.Prov.G.Std.B. was presented and gave his assent to the usual questions.

Before asking the Brethren below that of an Installed Master to retire, the Worshipful Master thanked

the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge for their assistance and support during his year in office.

The installation work was then conducted in an exemplary manner by the Worshipful Master

W. Bro Terry Tasker.

The following addresses and work appertaining to the investment of Officers was undertaken in a most

efficient manner by the D.C. and A.D.C. working in concert. At the conclusion of which W. Bro. D. J. Forster

G.Stwd. offered the hearty congratulations of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to the Master,

the Installing Master, and Brethren of the Lodge.

The Worshipful Master and Brethren of Friendship Lodge M.M.M. No 1549 were delighted to welcome the

Senior Warden of the Province of East Lancashire W. Bro. Malcolm McCarthy supported by 12 other East

Lancashire Mark Masons, 8 of whom are members of Friendship Lodge of M.M.M. No 1459, and included the

Worshipful Master W. Bro. Rev. Harry Edwards Provincial G. Chaplain (E.L.), the Master Elect and the I. P.

Master, members of 1459 have visited our Lodge at the Installation meeting for the past 5 years, when the

members of 1549 have responded to the invitation to join them at their Installation meeting in Middleton

Manchester in September. We feel the reciprocal visiting between these Lodges enhances both meetings

and strengthens the bonds between these East and West Lancashire Lodges. Also on this particular

occasion we had the somewhat unusual occurrence of the Senior Wardens of both Provinces present at a

private Lodge meeting, and I speculate they had much to talk about.

The Worshipful Master was pleased to welcome a further 19 guests from Lodges in the Southport and other

West Lancashire Groups, which completed the compliment of 32 guests in all.

The Festive Board was enjoyed by 52 Brethren who ate and sang their way through the evening until time

and circumstance dictated the departure of the Representative and Group Officers, and subsequently the

departure of the East Lancashire Brethren who were whisked away on their coach, and we trust, with happy

memories of the evening.

Report by W.Bro. Brian Skinner