Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons
 
On Tuesday 11th. September, bright and early, forty plus Mark Master Masons left West Lancashire to attend the September Communication of Grand Lodge held in Freemasons Hall Great Queen Street London. The weather on the West coast was awful but improved considerably around the Midlands. The journey down was pretty much uneventful apart from the good-humoured banter exchanged in coach F. The time flew by and before long we were pulling into Euston Station, and after a short bus ride we found ourselves outside The Grand Temple. After finding our designated robing room and signing the attendance register time for refreshments.
Welcome to Grand Mark Lodge
After sampling the fare of the local hostelries, it was time to put on our regalia and make our way to seats in the Temple. The now customary fire warning was read, and the Grand Director of Ceremony announced the first of four processions, The Provincial and District Grand Masters, The Past Deputy Grand Masters, The Grand Officers of the year and The Pro Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Raymond John Smith, who was presiding over the meeting.
Blackpool and Fylde recipients W.Bro. Melvyn Cross and W.Bro. Jimmy Rogers
The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was opened, and salutations were given by the assembled Brethren with suitable responses. The first item on the agenda was to remember those of our Brethren who have been called to higher service, there next followed several items of a domestic nature before the main item on the agenda the appointment and investment of Brethren promoted in Grand Lodge, of which seven of our Brethren from West Lancashire had been honoured. The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master addressed Grand Lodge in which he welcomed distinguished guests from overseas and distinguished Heads of Other Orders and congratulated those Brethren who had been promoted in Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge was closed by The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master and a rousing rendition of The National Anthem brought the proceedings to an end. The Pro Grand Master along with The Deputy Grand Master and The Assistant Grand Master retired accompanied by the Grand Officers of the year.
West Lancashire recipients with Rt. W.Bro. Keith Beardmore P.G.M.
Some of the West Lancashire delegation
Enjoying a drink with The P.G.M.
After removing our regalia and depositing our cases in the cloakroom of the Grand Connaught Rooms, next door to The Grand Temple, we repaired to the bar lounge area to enjoy a celebratory drink with the recipients from West Lancashire. The Grand Director of Ceremony called for us to take our seats in the Banquet Hall. The assembled brethren stood to order whilst The Pro Grand Master was escorted to his seat. After grace the brethren from all over England, Wales and Districts and Provinces Overseas sat down to a rather pleasant three course banquet followed by coffee. Some thirty-five West Lancashire Mark Master Masons were seated in the Connaught Rooms supporting our seven newly promoted brethren along with our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Keith Alan Beardmore, and The West Lancashire Mark Province. The toasts were short as were the responses and soon the brethren were making their way home.
Time for a quick one before our journey home
Fortunately, or unfortunately the return train was not for several hours, so we went across the road to the George Hotel where several other Mark Masons seem to have taken over the place, what an enjoyable way to while away the time. Alas it was soon time to make our way back to Euston and the journey back North. The journey home was as uneventful as the morning one, and the weather had definitely not improved.   
Grand Steward W.Bro. Austin Fletcher relaxes aftrer hectic day
Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan