Lebanon Mark Lodge TI
 
Adelphi Hotel Liverpool.  Monday 5th February 2018
 
To Celebrate the 50th Anniversary in Mark Masonry of R.W. Bro Peter Connolly
 
Tonight is another landmark event, a Celebration to honour a man who breathed new life into our Mark Degree here in West Lancashire and I believe he was and is still admired by all who have come into contact with him. He certainly made me in my early days want to attend meetings to meet up with like minded Masons. He is the one who started me off taking the pictures and doing reports for the Mark Web site, shall we say with some prompting from Asst PGM V.W. Bro. Ian Nairn PGJO on that fateful night when I heard him shout “Peter, Austin’s got a Camera” It is not possible to over estimate his enthusiasm for the Degree, he’s like a Human Dynamo, he would say Austin take a picture of these three Masons and before I could turn round and ask exactly who they were he was gone on yet another mission.
Peter Being presented with Certificates from PGM
The Best DC in the Land
Now Lets Practise
A couple of times that I personally remember, sat near to the WM at Adoniram Mark once as a Standard Bearer, Peter was sat near to me also, all was quiet as on this rare occasion there was no Organist, suddenly a head popped up from behind the organ and some glorious music began, I couldn’t believe it I didn’t even see him go down to the organ but there he was smiling and playing away, another great night was a Team Visit to a RAM meeting when Peter wearing a Rainbow coloured waist coat at the Social Board stood up in response to one of the Toasts and began swapping semaphore signals with W.Bro. Ian Nairn a great memory.
JW’s Chair
Acting Officers All In A Row
The Secret Notes
Ernie the Prov Tyler checking his equipment
My own lodge was struggling badly and was on the brink of closing, there was discussion as to whether it could carry on, at that meeting I declared that I had recruited some new Candidates, thankfully the Lodge carried on, Peter heard about this and at the next meeting duly turned up without any pomp along with the Best DC in the land W.Bro. David Emmerson, he took off his chain of office and donned the Snr Deacons collar whilst David took up the Jnr Deacons role, together they Advanced not one but two Candidates that night, what an  excellent gesture from both and of course we had a great night, never to be forgotten, the Lodge survived and now goes from strength to strength.
One More Time
The Happy Degree
Distinguished Brethren
Ceiling Light
Now back to the Special Meeting, stood the old Opel outside for a couple of hours to acclimatise, it doesn’t like the cold, double checked my two travelling companions to see if they were playing and off we went, 2.15pm, it was miracle Monday, straight up the on ramp and basically no traffic all the way to Liverpool !! Yes no traffic.
Vast Lounge Areas as used in making the Titanic Film
Now for my trips you wouldn’t expect everything to go to plan really would you and it didn’t, I spotted a big open car park on the right behind what looked like the Adelphi Hotel, checked the sign yes it did indeed say Adelphi Car Park, but my many years in the job directed me to the fact that there was vehicle glass all over the car park, this was not a happy place. I spotted a chap polishing the wing of a sports car, no I don’t know what he was doing there either but anyway I went over and asked “Is this car park ok” he said “it’s not good” lots of cars and those coaches at the back are always getting screwed, your best parking across the street in the multi story it’s open until 11pm. Thanks for the info and off I went round the corner and into the car park, up and up I went, no spaces until I got to the 6th floor, ah well I thought never mind that will be ok, trundled off to the pay station where the sign said,  THIS CAR PARK CLOSES AT 8PM, wonderful.. I put two pounds in just to cover some time and made my way to the Adelphi reception, our PGM Keith was already there asking about a secure car park where he and Ernie had parked before, “oh no we don’t have that anymore was the reply” that’s all there is, the croft at the back, £2.50 please.
Can I win, no, I had to go back, floor 6, get the Opel and park it back where I started!
A Talk In
Ernie and Peter
Peter with Mathew Hampson, Deputy Grand DC
Now Sign Here
Ah well finally got back to the hotel and the room being used for the meeting, the Prov DC, assisted by his Dep and assistant DC’s along with the Prov Tyler already had all the seating sorted and as soon as members of the Prov Team arrived he began to put them through their paces. Once he was satisfied with proceedings everyone was directed to a very nice room for pre meal drinks (alcoholic) and or d’oeuvres, not so for Ernie and I we went in search of coffee!! No luck I’m afraid but we did find a bar where Ernie had his usual J20 and Lemonade whilst I had Lime and Lemon, very nice, you may ask why I’m telling you about our search for a drink, all will become clear if you seek out the picture of Ernie leaning on the bar, you can see someone across the other side who pops up all over the place, a little known fact is that on the isle of Islay off the West coast of Scotland there is a big church in Bowmore which actually supports two different faiths with a door for each on either side, the Church was built in the round intentionally it is said so that there are no corners for the Devil to hide in. (it seems he was in Liverpool on Monday)
Pre Meal Drinks
Canapes
The Grand Dining Room
A Table Setting
JW’s Wicket
Chill Time
This special meeting opened on time at 6pm, usual Lodge business was dealt with including a Declaration given regarding the WM, Treasurer and Tyler for the ensuing year. The knocks were given and the PGM R.W.Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore entered the Lodge accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers, he was welcomed by the WM and offered the Gavel which on this occasion he said he would accept for a short time. He then continued to introduce most if not all the Acting Provincial Officers including his Deputy PGM Bro. Geoffrey Lee and His two Asst PGM’s, W.Bro. Ian Nairn and W.Bro. Giles Berkley. The PGM then requested for the Celebrant to be placed not on the Lodge floor in front of the WM but sat in the Chair of Adoniram, Keith then took up a position in the West and delivered a quite stunning Resume of Peter Connolly’s life in general and the history of his Masonic Career, on request the Prov Grand Secretary W.Bro. John Bicknall PGJD rose and read the details of the certificate’s from both Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge before handing them to the PGM for presentation to the celebrate who I’m sure was showing signs of a tear or two at this point. Loud and sustained acclaim was given by all present to a man who was well worthy of the Honour who in kind gave a short response, thanking everybody present for making this such a special occasion and that he would have pleasure in saying more at the Social Board.
Prov Dc’s Ready for Action
Lebanon WM You know who
Chains
Peter. PGM Prov JW SW
Grand Officers
The WM returned to his chair and the Lodge continued as per the summons, the PGM, Team members and distinguished Grand officers soon retired from the meeting and following a couple of further items the Lodge was closed in due form. The usual photo shoot followed before all present made their way to take some liquid refreshment and pre meal appetisers, lots of the usual friendly chat ensued and before too long it was time to take up the allotted places at the Social Board.
Collection of DC’s
PGM & His Two Asst’s
Chains with WM 'who left his GJW chain off , to wear the Lodge WM collar'
Ernie ordering drinks (look across the bar, this photo is not doctored)
The very splendid dining room was set out in fine style complete with its silver candle sticks, a five course meal followed complete with Wine, Port and coffee, then it was time for the usual Toasts and responses, one to note was the Toast to the PGM given by Asst PGM Ian Nairn PGJD to the PGM Keith, all of which was connected in some way to Trains, very clever indeed and received deserved acclaim from all.
Tylers Toast
Peter & Tom Blackburn
PGM & WM Toast
Peter & Happy Group
W.Bro. Thomas Blackburn PGSwdB gave a delightful Toast to Peter tinged with comedy, excellent and well received by all present and the Celebrant. It was Peter Connolly’s special night and he gave a heartfelt response to his Toast and once again a big thankyou to all for making the effort in attending and making this a very special night to remember.
One of my favourite people
The Happy Degree
That as we say was it, all over, everyone saying their goodbyes off we went into the cold night air, I made my way back to the broken glass car park, I breathed a sigh of relief to find the old Opel intact but I could tell it wasn’t happy, I’m sure I heard a soft whisper saying “Take me home”, here’s to the next Team Visit in this the Happy Degree, looking forward as always to seeing the old friends I know and those I have yet to meet.  Remember if you’re not already a Mariner make those enquiries to join up to the most colourful Royal Ark Mariners Degree.   

Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173