Warrington Mark Lodge.  Masonic Hall, Winmarleigh Street, Warrington
 
Installation Meeting.  Wednesday 7th November 2018
 
Well here we are again all set for another Team Visit, this time to what in my own opinion is one of the finest Halls in the Province at Warrington complete with its outstanding Masonic Museum, it is truly well  worth a visit even if you are in Warrington on a visit not connected with a meeting.
Snug
Snug
The Bar
It was a crisp clear day with a Memphis blue sky when I dragged the old Opel out of his house, he was washed and polished at weekend and almost as soon as the door shut down it began to cloud over !!
Off we set at 2.20 pm complete with my usual bottle of Dandelion and Burdock and one Spam sandwich in the Emergency pack, up the on ramp on to our new Super Smart Motorway (M60) not, there it was, three lanes all travelling at 5 mph, but I guess considering it cost at least £300 Million and three and a half years to complete it was well worth it. (What do you think?)
The Festive Board All Ready

Display Statues
Not too sure about this one?? I am Webman!
Turned off on to the M62 to find that one lane on either side has been fenced off with concrete blocks for miles and miles complete with a 50 mph speed limit, funny thing is there isn’t any plant or any sign of a workforce in site anywhere for the whole length of it!!  Ah well I’m sure somebody knows what they are doing.
See No, Hear No Say No!
Have you met my mate!
Yes, book in here please.
SW’s wicket
Lodge Room Looking East
Lodge Room Looking West  
Arrived at Winmarleigh Street eventually at 3.20pm, only missed one turning, found the car park we are allowed to use after putting my Forget Me Knot in the window and made my way to the Hall, rang the bell and a member of staff soon opened the door, I never fail to find it a joy once inside all the rooms are very welcoming, on the ground floor there is an excellent stocked bar and a pleasant lady who is happy to serve you with alcohol or coffee, pass the bar and you find a couple of comfy lounge areas where you can chill out and chat with your friends until it’s time for the meeting.
Sec/Treasurer’s Table    
Carved Sign
Stairway to Museum
Up one flight of stairs you will find that they split into two matched sets of steps which I think is brilliant, both will take you to the very spacious anti rooms complete with lots of storage for regalia, two large Temples can be found here, both are well furnished and maintained. If you backtrack down the right hand set of steps you will find the door to the wonderful Museum, it is indeed a Credit to all who have worked on its creation and still do to keep it up to high standards of the displays and information available, it even has a special display at this time of the year with regard to First World War Centenary.
Boardroom and you know who
Model
Info for the model
Everyone eventually gathered for the meeting, it tyled at 6pm, the minutes were confirmed, housekeeping dealt with and it was then time for the RW. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore PGM to enter accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers, the WM Bro. E.J. Hancox offered the Gavel to Keith which on this occasion he accepted with the proviso that it would only be for a short time. The PGM as is usual went on to introduce members of his Team and Grand officers who come along to support him to all present, which I am sure always makes them feel very special. (I know I am always delighted with the honour)
Museum Sign
Large Temple
Large Temple
DC's Mess!
The Bling Boys
Once the WM had taken control of the meeting he along with members of his Lodge Installed Bro. Stephen Ward  into the chair of Adoniram, it was a reasonably short ceremony as the Master Elect was a Past Master but having that said it was  done with genuine warmth and sincerity. The officers for the ensuing year were all presented and appointed, the Tools of the Mark Degree were presented and explained by W. Bro. Cullen PPrGMO (DC), he also later presented the Warrant of the Lodge, the Book of Constitutions and the Bye Laws. The Keystone was presented and explained by W.Bro. Bob Phillips PPrGSW, the Address to the WM was given by W.Bro. Eric Delamere PPrGSO, address to the Wardens was given by the Acting PrSW Malcolm Sergeant, address to the Overseers was given by W.Bro.Arthur Robinson PrDGDC and the one we all look forward to, the address to all the Brethren given by our PGM.
Fanlight above the stairs
Display Cases
Display Cases
Once the Installation Ceremony was concluded the PGM gave his personal greetings to the newly Installed WM Stephen and wished him good health and a happy year ahead with perhaps a Candidate or two, he also congratulated the Installing Master and the Lodge DC for their excellent contribution and the hard work they must have put into the proceedings. The WM thanked Keith for his good wishes and was pleased to present him with a very generous cheque for £200 for the WLMMCF, Keith thanked him and the Lodge on behalf of the many unseen recipitants which would benefit from their generosity.  
First World War Display
Masonic Symbols
Ancient Apron
Once the Alms had been collected it was time for the PGM accompanied by the Acting Team members and distinguished Grand officers to retire from the Lodge, they all waited patiently outside and as soon as the Lodge was closed there followed the usual photo shoot which always shows us as we are the “Happy Degree”.
Model of Goose and Gridiron
Once glasses had been charged at the bar everyone took up their allotted places at the Festive Board, an excellent meal was served by a very pleasant and efficient staff, the usual Toasts and some first class Responses followed including a nearly new joke from the PGM, the one ending with Tankity Tank, it wasn’t really my fault.
Lady Freemasons
Old Apron
Sign regarding Apron
Keith was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers for June and there it was gone, earlier in the day I was really down in the dumps with the bits and pieces of my health which seem to keep on going wrong, I pulled myself together and went off to the meeting, was I glad I had made the effort I was so cheered up to be in the company of the members of this wonderful degree by the time I went home, it did my heart good,  what else can I say.
Acting Grand Officers
I wonder where the jackets gone.
AH, Now I know!
Eric and David share a joke
Look, you're sat there!
Off we went in to the cold night air to all parts of the Province, looking forward to the next Mark Meeting, I was just thinking this is a good run home, oops spoke too soon, couldn’t get on to the M60 from the M62 it was closed, had to go on to the M602 to Eccles and through the Park to Urmston, it’s a good job it’s my area, arrived home put you know who into his house, I think he sighed as the door closed, had the usual Laphroaig a small one as I’m on diet and settled into a cosy chair to watch a recording of my team, the Mark Degree is so important to me that I let someone have my pass and we only won 6.0.
The Bling Team PGM, WM and IPM.
Flowers for June
Tylers Toast
Here’s looking forward to our next Happy meeting, to meet old friends and the friends I have yet to meet, not a member of the colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree, why not come and join us, ask someone in your Mark Lodge or contact your area Special Representative who will be only too happy to tell you all about it.
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173