Imperial Mark Installation Meeting |
| The normally peaceful town of Poulton le Fylde was a buzz on Friday night awaiting the arrival of a very special guest, fun fair rides, amusements and stalls selling all types of refreshment filled the town square. I mention this because on that same night 7th. December Imperial Mark Lodge was holding its Installation Meeting in the Masonic Hall which is located in the town square and to avoid the congestion caused by Santa's arrival the start of the meeting was brought forward to 5.00 p.m. |
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A “Galaxy” of Grand Officers |
| Most of the Members of Imperial Mark Lodge and many of the visitors were already in the hall when our special visitor Very Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Herbert Past Grand Junior Overseer Deputy Provincial Grand Master arrived at Poulton Masonic Hall. He was greeted and welcomed by Worshipful Brother Douglas John Forster The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Masters Representative on the Fylde who introduced him to the Worshipful Master and the Master Elect. |
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| Bro. Dave Kenworthy W.M. Semper Fidelis, W.M. Clive Gitsham Imperial |
and Bro. John Chapman W.M. Bispham / Norbreck, |
| At 5.00 p.m. the Worshipful Master Michael W. Glover opened the Lodge and completed the items of an administrative nature. On a report the Deputy Provincial Grand Master entered the Lodge accompanied by no less than ten Grand Officers. The usual salutations and responses given and received. The Worshipful Master invited, Worshipful Brother Brian Ogden a Past Master of Fylde Mark Lodge to occupy the Senior Wardens chair, Brother John Chapman Worshipful Master of Bispham with Norbreck Mark Lodge to occupy the Junior Wardens chair and Brother Dave Kenwothy Worshipful Master of Semper Fidelis Lodge to occupy the position of Inner Guard, and act as Installing Officers. |
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Dep. Prov. GM., G. Lee, W.M. and W.Bro. M. Glover |
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| Through the Square Window! |
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Prov ADC's Tony Farrar and Ray Pye |
| Worshipful Brother Clive Bruce Gitsham was presented by Worshipful Brother Roland Alderton Provincial Grand Senior Deacon / Lodge Director of Ceremony and Installed in a delightful manner by the Worshipful Master. The Keystone Jewel was presented and explained by Worshipful Brother Tom Sloan Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden. The Brethren of Imperial Mark Lodge saluted and greeted their new Worshipful Master. The working tools were presented by the Immediate Past Master. The new Worshipful Master was addressed by Worshipful Brother Shaun Haynes Provincial Grand Organist. |
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S.Rep. WBro. J.Forster, Dep. Prov GM., WM., WBro. E. Gavan and WBro. P. Weller Lodge Sec |
| The Worshipful Master appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year, the Wardens were addressed by W.Bro. Forster, the Overseers by W.Bro. Haynes and the Installation Ceremony was brought to a close with the Address to the Brethren by V.W.Bro. Lee who then congratulated W.Bro. Gitsham on him attaining the chair of Imperial Lodge for a second time and wished the Lodge well for the future. On behalf of all the Grand Lodge Officers present W.Bro. Forster gave greeting and he too wished the Lodge well. V.W.Bro. Lee along with the Grand Officers retired from the Lodge and waited in an ante room whilst the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge. A quick photo-shoot took place before repairing to the bar area for an aperitif before taking our seats in the dining room. |
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WM. with RAM. Ambassador WBro. G.W. O’Brien |
| Meals at this time of year is usually 'Christmas Fayre' and tonight was no exception and a splendid meal it was. The toasts were given, and the responses graciously received before we went out into the night air. Santa had departed, and the rides and side shows shut down, not surprising really it was blowing almost gale force conditions. |
| Words by Ernie Gavan and pictures by Ernie Gavan and Howard Emmett |
