Royal Ark Mariners Southport Lodge No.473
 
Masonic Hall, Duke Street, Southport
 
Installation Ceremony Thursday 1st February 2018
 
My first Team Meeting visit this year due to the last one clashing with Burns Night evening at my own Hall and I’m really looking forward to it, an Installation in the very colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree.
The Hall
S & C Near The Roof Line
The Portico
Flag Stones
Display Cases in Passage
Dragged the old Opel out from his house, switched on my assistants Garmin and Snoopy and off we go, I glanced up at the motorway banking and my heart sank, standing traffic !! Now it was only 2.10 in the afternoon but there it was blocked, skipped past the usual junction thinking clever move, that was a negative, got to the foot of the on ramp near the high level bridge opposite the Trafford Centre and said hello to three solid lanes going nowhere. Ah well I’d taken a couple of calms tablets on leaving so I just  turned up my relaxing driving music, Lady Antebellum, Don Williams and Mark Knopfler, soon I was fast asleep. (Not really only kidding) once again it took me nearly as long to get to the M62 turn off as it took me to get the rest of the way to Southport. No further traffic problems, lots of bells and whistles though as I got nearer to the hall, speed camera warnings and red light camera alerts, ah well you know I never speed, get lost yes but never speed, well not much anyway!!
The 3 Chairs
Notice re The Chairs
Head of Centre Chair
Mark Display
Apron Och Eye
Pulled up outside the Masonic Hall in Duke Street and what can you say only magnificent, the building stands proud before you in the afternoon sun, it is a credit to the original builders and to those who have maintained it ever since, if you visit take some time to view it from outside complete with its Masonic signs, built with huge sandstone coloured blocks which shout out stability and its wonderful ornate Portico, breathtaking.
Small Lodge Room
Nice Clock
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KT Stained Glass Window
Sideboard
Long Case Clock
Once inside the wonders continue, greeting you in the entrance hall are three special, no correction very special ornate chairs, exquisitely carved by Welsh Masons for HRH Edward VIII the The Prince of Wales who was expected to become the Grand Master of the Mark after attaining the Throne and becoming Grand Master of the Craft, which of course didn’t take place due to his abdication in 1936. The chairs were relegated to a damp cellar beneath the hall in London, some considerable time later the chairs by now being in a sadly dilapidated state were spotted by the curator of the Hall who approached one Harry Barlow to ascertain if they could be restored, after inspection Harry agreed that they could if permission would be given to do the work in Southport, this was granted and Shepherd Eastwood the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark in West Lancashire arranged for the transportation by lorry. (Incidentally the original name of my own Mark Lodge is Shepherd Eastwood) 
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Board Room
Notice Room
Early Photo
Bar Area
You may wonder who is Harry Barlow, he was a man with a vast reputation for being able to restore all types of antique furniture, he had special cramps made and obtained a very strong glue from Brussels as used by violin makers and known as Rabbit Ears to seal the open joints, they were then re varnished, re upholstered and gold leaf applied. The chairs are unique and several years ago were valued by Christies to be worth many Thousands, I won’t say the amounts here but shall we say substantial. The chairs are the property of the Southport Group of Masons, not any individual, this fascinating history was imparted by Harry Barlow some 60 years ago.
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Festive Board Awaits
Arthur about to Walk the Tightrope
In Anticipation
Always Smiling
Prov DC sorting out his officers
Now back to the present the Installation of Bro. Kevin Thomas Chicken WC elect of Southport RAM Lodge, as is usual I had a good snoop around the building whilst waiting for members of the Lodge, West Lancs Team members and guests to arrive, I had a nice drink of coffee served up by a very pleasant lady behind the bar in the lounge area (no I wasn’t behind the bar just the lady). Now it was time for our star Prov DC Dave Emmerson (who as our own PGM rightly says is the envy of all the Provinces in the country) to put the Team through their paces before the opening of the Lodge.
What Just Us Two
PGM, Giles & Robert Wright (APGM in the Craft)
Dep PGM & Lodge DC
Still Listening
The Lodge opened on time and dealt with quite a list of items on the summons including a ballot for W.Bro.B.S.Skinner RAMGR to be become an Honorary Member and a ballot for a Candidate for Elevation, both of which proved unanimous in favour. Following on from the housekeeping the RW PGM Keith Alan Beardmore RAMGR entered the Lodge accompanied by Acting Grand, Prov Grand Officers and other distinguished guests, he was welcomed by the WC Alan Foster on behalf of all present and offered the gavel which on this occasion Keith said he would be delighted to accept for a short period so as to introduce the members of his Prov Team and Executive to those present, but would, with a twinkle in his eye be likewise delighted to hand it back to the WC to carry on with the Ceremony
Here We Go
Prov Dep. Grand Organist David Tattersall
Attention
I’m Ready
Still Smiling
After the present WC had thanked all his officers for helping him to have a really enjoyable year we all sat back and enjoyed a wonderful Ceremony carried out by the WC Alan Foster under the watchful eye of the Lodge DC Colin Sherman, the address to the newly Installed WC was given by W.Bro Tasker and the address to all was given by the PGM, once all the officers for the ensuing year had been Presented and Invested the PGM gave his personal greetings to the newly Installed WC and said how much everyone present must have enjoyed a first class Ceremony giving special mention to the Installing WC and the Lodge DC
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The Unsung Heroes: Brain Skinner Scribe & Ted Dickinson Treasurer 
PGM & His Team
Dep. PGM, PGM & JW
I’ll check one last time
New WC & Installing WC & Team
WC Bro. Chicken thanked the PGM for his kind words and had much pleasure in presenting three cheques to him, one each for the West Lancs Mark Charity Fund, the Southport Lifeboat Fund and the Masonic Hall, on behalf of the Lodge members and the IPWC Bro. Alan Foster. Next there was a surprise for one of the Lodge members Bro.Paul Iddon, his Grand Lodge Certificate for presentation, the WC of course asked his distinguished guest if he would be kind enough to present it, who in turn said he was sure that his Dep PGM VW Bro.Geoffrey Lee PGJO would like the honour, who in turn asked the Asst PGM W.Bro.Giles Berkley PGStwd if he would like to present it as he said he had been anchoring to present one of these certificates for some time. (did you like the use of anchoring, mariners, the PGM said I could use that one)
PGM & New WC
PGM WM & Ins WC
WC & Ins WC
Ernie Prov Tyler
The Festive Board
The time had arrived for the PGM, distinguished officers  and his Team members to retire, they were played out of the Lodge by the Prov Deputy Grand Organist W.Bro.David Tattersall who had added some real atmosphere to the meeting with his excellent music. As the Lodge closed everyone gathered for a quick photo shoot then it was off to the bar for some liquid refreshment, plenty of hello’s and friendly chat before taking up the allocated seats at the Social Board.
WC & Ins WC
PGM & New WC
PGM & Dep PGM
Asst PGM & Dep PGM
Fred Hargreaves & Asst PGM
The DC’s It’s Mine
An excellent meal was served up by the very efficient staff members, then it was time for the Traditional Toasts and responses including the PGM’s response which included mention of an event which is obviously close to his heart, the sinking of the ship Mexico and the subsequent loss of life by the local lifeboat crews, we then waited with baited breath for the joke (which he pays Ernie the Prov Tyler for) to be delivered and you know I’m still not sure if I’ve heard that one before !! only kidding. All good things must come to an end and it was now time to make our way to all parts of the county and beyond, after many handshakes and good wishes it was out into the cold night air, as to the motorways will they or wont they be open, well on this occasion they weren’t too bad until I got within range of home then it was off you go CLOSED. The old Opel was glad to make it back to his warm house and I was happy to sit down with a small glass of Laphroaig here’s to the next one to meet friends I know and those I have yet to meet, Mark Well
 
Austin N Fletcher.  Prov RAMGR
Chorlton RAM. No.394