Installation meeting 2018 Newton Lodge of Mark Master Masons No1003
 
With the tail end of the ‘Beast from the East’ still affecting parts of the country, the cold however did not affect those attending Bryn Masonic Hall for the Installation meeting of Newton Lodge of Mark Master Masons No1003, held on Monday 19th March.  
Worshipful Master WBro Bob Duff
A good turnout of members and guests were treated to a fine night of ritual and food. Representing the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was WBro Geoffrey Bury PGJD; also attending was the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Ian Nairn PGJO, (who is a member of the Lodge). 
WM Bob Duff and Installing Master WBro Frank Laird
The Worshipful Master WBro Frank Laird opened the Lodge and conducted the necessary business before WBro Arthur Robinson GStwd, Prov DGDC who because of unforeseen circumstances was acting as the Lodge DC retired to organise the procession. Then there came the knock on the door, “the DC on his return.” Enter WBro Robinson to announce those wishing to enter and the WM let them in. Once the introductions had been done and the Gavel had been offered to VWBro Nairn, (which surprisingly he handed back), the salutations were then given.
VWBro Ian Nairn APGM, WBro Geoffrey Bury PGM Representative, WM & IM
The WM then put his officers in place for the Installation.  WBro Frank Cooke PGJD occupied the Senior Wardens Chair; WBro Alan Comber PProvGStdB remained in the chair of Junior Warden and WBro Lucas Kelly PProvGJO took over the role of Inner Guard. Once again the spot light fell on WBro Robinson as he presented the Master Elect Bro Bob Duff to the Worshipful Master, WBro Frank Laird for the benefit of installation. WBro Laird worked his way methodically and clearly through the ceremony of installation and Bro. Duff was placed in the chair in fine form.
The WM and Grand Officers
Then came one of the highlights of the evening; with all the greetings given by the officers and brethren, Bro. George Fox gave an excellent presentation of the working tools to the Worshipful Master. What was so pleasing to all those who witnessed this excellent presentation, was that Bro Fox had only been advanced into Newton Mark Lodge in January? Due to the unforeseen circumstances that were mentioned earlier the Keystone Jewel address was to be missed out, but at the last minute a replacement had been found to do the address and so WBro Derek Gaskell PProvGJD stood in and presented the Worshipful Master with the Keystone Jewel. 
WBro Bury, Bro George Fox, with his Grand Lodge Certificate,
Bob Duff WM & VWBro Ian Nairn APGM 
The address to the Worshipful Master was given by WBro Frank Cooke in excellent manner. Not content with being DC for the night, WBro Arthur Robinson who had by this stage been appointed and invested as lodge DC jumped up again to deliver a very assured address to the Wardens. (We got the impression that he might have done it before a few times).
The 'A' team or in this case just a team. SW WBro Alan Comber, WM & JW WBro Barry Fisher
VWBro Ian Nairn might have handed back the Gavel at the start of the evening but, was not adverse to doing his bit for his Lodge and stepped up to do a first-rate address to the Overseers. As is the custom in our province WBro Geoffrey Bury did the address to the brethren, this was also to the highest standard. The ceremony of installation over it was time for WBro Bury to bring the greetings of the PGM to the WM Bro Bob Duff on taking the chair of Newton Mark Lodge.
A relieved DC WBro Arthur Robinson and a happy Lodge Secretary
WBro Eric Payne in the background
Congratulations were also given to the Installing Master, WBro Frank Laird for the quality of the ceremony. WBro Geoffrey Bury thanked all those who took part in ceremony and for making it such an enjoyable evening, but rightly singled out Br George Fox for his presentation of the working tools. It was then time for the Worshipful Master to present cheques for charity to the PGM’s representative which were gladly received on behalf of those who will ultimately benefit from them. During the risings there was a Grand Lodge Certificate to present to Bro George Fox and the Worshipful Master asked VWBro Ian Nairn if he would kindly do the presentation. VWBro Nairn was only too pleased to oblige and as always the presentation was enjoyable and done with feeling.
Bro George Fox getting personal congratulations from WBro Geoffrey Bury
Then it was all over, the Lodge was closed, photos taken and congratulations given. It was now time for the festive board and Bryn Masonic Hall’s reputation for good food is not missed placed. In reply to the toast to which his name had been coupled WBro Geoffrey Bury brought his own congratulations to Br Duff whom he, (WBro Bury) had known for a number of years on becoming Worshipful Master of Newton Mark Lodge and he again picked out Bro Fox for a special mention. WBro Bury also mentioned the Royal Ark Mariners degree and how it was the PGM’s wish that more Mark Masons joined the degree. At this point Bro Duff held up his application form for RAM.   Continuing onward WBro Bury commented on grants that the Mark Benevolent Fund had approved.  The total comes to over £3.3 Million!  With the largest amount going to the replacement of Ambulances for the St Johns Ambulance, but there is also large amounts to Outward Bound Trust in the Lake District £34K and RNLI at Lytham St Annes, £80K. It had been a good night all round and we wish Br Bob Duff and Newton Mark Lodge a happy and enjoyable year, with plenty of candidates and hopefully plenty of opportunities to employ the skills of the lodges rising star Br George Fox.
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell