Edmund Taylor Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No. 296
 
Edmund Taylor Royal Ark Mariner Lodge welcomed a new shipmate aboard on 18th. December when Brother Alan Barnes a member of Bispham with Norbreck Mark Lodge No. 866 was elevated into the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners. Edmund Taylor Lodge meetings are held in the lower lodge room in the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool and on a rather damp Tuesday evening some twenty-five Royal Ark Mariners turned out for the meeting.
Worshipful Commander Peter Neville with Brother Alan Barnes (Can).
The Worshipful Commander Brother Peter Neville opened the meeting at 7.00 p.m. and dispatched the items of an administrative nature. Salutations were given to Right Worshipful Brother Keith Alan Beardmore Provincial Grand Master, a member of Edmund Taylor Lodge, to which he suitably responded. A ballot took place for the Candidate, Bro Barnes, which proved in favour. Worshipful Brother Robert Arrand was invited to occupy the Worshipful Commanders chair and on an alarm Bro. Barnes was admitted into the lodge and elevated by W.Bro. Arrand in a delightful manner. The signs of the degree were explained by Worshipful Brother Brian Ogden.
Rt.W.Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore Prov.G.M., W.Bro. Arrand, W.C. and Candidate
Acting S.W. W.Bro. Andrew Dickson, W.Bro. Arrand, W.C., Candidate, and J.W. Patrick Dwyer.
Bro. Barnes was escorted to the acting Senior Warden Worshipful Brother Andrew Dickson who invested him with the regalia of the Order. The Working Tools of a Royal Ark Mariner were presented faultlessly by the Senior Deacon Brother Bob Bennett and the method of advancing was explained by the Lodge Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother Ray Lamb.
W. Bro. Robert Arrand, W.C. and Candidate
Bro. Barnes was congratulated on joining our order by the Worshipful Commander and the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and escorted to a seat in the lodge.
S.D. Bro. Bob Bennett (Tools), W.Bro. Arrand, W.C. and Candidate
DofC. W.Bro.Ray Lamb (Steps), W.C., Candidate. and W.Bro. Brian Ogden (Signs)
The remaining items on the agenda were conducted and there being no other business the Worshipful Commander closed the lodge. Before going to the bar / lounge for an aperitif a quick photo shoot took place. The Director of Ceremony called us to the dining room for the festive board, with Edmund Taylor meeting so close to Christmas and some of the Brethren already having had one, two, three or even more Christmas dinners or lunches it was a pleasant change to have a three-course meal of fishcake, grilled ham and ice cream. The usual toasts were proposed, and suitable responses given before we ventured out into the cold night air for our homeward journeys another night of Royal Ark Mariner Masonry at its very best.    
Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan