Progress Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Ashlar House, Saul St, Preston |
Installation Meeting. Monday 8th October 2018 |
| A really pleasant Autumn day, a sky looking like I was back in Memphis and another great Mark meeting to look forward to, this time it was at Preston, Ashlar House which is a well kept, very smart Masonic Hall. Once inside you enter a wide, well lit hallway, a door on the right takes you into the excellent dining room which has some stunning chandelier main lights, carry on further and you enter a comfortable snug with a well stocked bar and pleasant staff who will serve you with alcohol or coffee whichever you prefer. Opposite the snug is the main staircase taking you up to the next level where can be found the Lodge rooms, once reaching the top of the stairs if you look back there is an interesting mural to be viewed, a glass display case on the landing holds some very interesting items well worth spending some time to have a look at. |
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Hall exterior |
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| Snug |
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Bar |
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Wall Mural (Mozart's Magic Flute) |
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Display Case |
| The upper floor is a maze of passageways leading to several Lodge rooms, storage cupboards, robbing rooms and toilets. The meeting was in the large Temple which is really well appointed and personally I always find it a joy and privilege to be at a meeting in this room. |
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Display Card |
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| Lodge Room |
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I’ll just tick you off |
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| I must get this right |
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Help is at Hand |
| Just in case you are wondering why there are no trip notes well it’s simple the old Opel stayed in his garage sulking because he’s not been washed for 5 weeks, yes 5 weeks, I got to use the wife’s Tipo which for me is quite posh, very quiet and comfortable with its air con, blue tooth and sat nav and four wheels. Didn’t encounter any traffic jams, found the hall first time (I usually miss one turning) arrived at 2.50, now getting back out of Preston going home that’s another story! |
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Good Friends |
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| Lets Practise |
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Prov Sword Bearer |
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| Here We Go |
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Three Just Men |
| The Meeting opened on time at 6pm, usual housekeeping was dealt with then it was time for the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore to enter accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand officers, the Gavel was offered by the WM Bro. Raymond Thompson and on this occasion the PGM accepted it on the proviso that he would hand it back as soon as he had introduced his team of officers because he knew that Raymond was eager to carry out the Installation Ceremony himself. |
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DC’s All |
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| Two Stewards
& Senior Deacon (A Grand Affair) |
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PGM Asst WM & PAsst GM |
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| PGM Asst WM & PAsst GM & IPM |
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Group |
| The WM Ron thanked all his officers for their support during the previous twelve months and then it was time to Install Bro. Fisher SW in to the chair of Adoniram, this was done in fine style, all the officers for the ensuing year were then presented and Invested with their respective collars of office. The address to the WM was given by W Bro.Tim Shaw PGStdB who also presented the Lodge PM’s Jewel to the now IPM W.Bro.Thompson, address to the Wardens was by the Prov SW W.Bro.Serjeant and the address to the Overseers by the Prov JW W.Bro.Kelly. Another highlight of the Ceremony was the presentation and explanation of the working tools given by Bro. Alan Whittle, first class, what is always a delight also is to have the Prov Organist playing in the Lodge room, it adds so much to the atmosphere. |
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Big Group |
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WM & PGM
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WM & Austin |
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| Lodge Banner |
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PGM Toast with WM |
| The PGM congratulated the newly Installed WM and all the officers who had taken part in the Ceremony then it was time for him to retire along with the Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers, as soon as the Lodge meeting drew to a close everyone returned for a quick photo shoot then it was off to the bar from some liquid refreshment. He who must be obeyed Prov DC W.Bro.Dave Emmerson soon called for everyone to take up their allotted seats in the dining room where an excellant meal was served up by the very efficient and friendly Hall staff. |
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The Famous Ernie taking a break |
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Prov Sec, Prov DC & Prov Dep DC |
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WM & IPM |
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Festive Board |
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| The usual Toasts and Responses were all delivered and well received and yes the PGM’s joke was tonight very funny, the person next to me said he must have paid for that one, I was going to share it with you but the only trouble is I can’t remember it, never mind there’s always next time. All too soon the evening was coming to an end, some nice flowers were presented to Keith for his Lady June and that was it, everyone saying their goodbyes with a smile a handshake and looking forward to the next meeting. |
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Good Friends |
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| Pr SW & JW |
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PGM & Flowers for June |
| Off we went into the cool night air, now I did say I found my way there with no problems, I came out and thought just go back the way you came, soon be on the M6, mistake, spent 20 minutes driving round Preston before going home in an entirely different way, missed the M6 altogether and went straight on to the M61, safe at last, went past Botany Bay, under the bus stop on the bridge even the M61 was still open near home for a change, past the Trafford Centre and that was it, another great night spent in good company in our Friendly and Happy Degree. |
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Tylers Toast |
| Here’s to the next meeting, |
| Not a member of the colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree why not join us now, speak to one of your friends in the Mark Degree, he will point you in the right direction. |
| Mark Well |
| Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. GStwd, PProvGJO |
| Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173 |
