Installation West Lancashire Mark Lodge No65. 2018
 
Where to start on West Lancashire Mark Lodge No65 Installation meeting?
 
First came the invite and menu for the installation meeting and then these were followed a few days later by a phone call from one rather harassed lodge secretary WBro Richard Wilson, PGStB, would I do Inner Guard on the night? 
'Not Happy'  IM Eric Poole and WM Billy Skinner
This was accompanied by a list of members of West Lancs 65 who could not attend the installation meeting; one of these being the WM Bro Mark Lawrence had just suffered a stroke. And there was a list of others unable to attend the meeting for various reasons. We now move on to Wednesday 7th November at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street for the installation meeting it’s self.
 
After the PGM’s Special Representative WBro Mike Winterbottom, PGSD had placed at each place setting on the festive board tables; an information card advertising children’s Christmas party on December 9th at Leyland, a flyer for the Liverpool Mark Social on 26th January at Hope Street and the “Join the Friendly Degree” leaflet for each member to take away and give out at their Craft lodge, it was time for a drink before the meeting. 
'Let's Not Look'  Lucas Kelly; Eric Poole; Billy Skinner; Mike Winterbottom
Once everyone had drag themselves back down from the bar, the lodge DC WBro John Roberts, PProv GStB got everyone in place and found jobs for those who did not have one.   WBro Eric Poole was standing in for the Worshipful Master and opened the lodge and completed the lodge business.     Once this was done the DC retired to form the procession and on his return he announced that the Representative of the RW Provincial Grand Master sought admission. 
 
The permission was granted and the procession of the PGM’s Representative and Grand Officers entered.   WBro Roberts then introduced WBro Lucas Kelly, Prov GJW the PGM’s Representative to the Worshipful Master. After the salutations, WBro Poole asked WBro Colin Mills PGStB, ProvDGSec, to take the chair of the Senior Warden and WBro Roy Cowley to occupy the Junior Wardens chair. WBro Derek Gaskell, PProvGJD remained as Inner Guard. 
 
It was now time for WBro Billy Skinner, PProvGSD, master elect to be presented by WBro John Roberts to the Worshipful Master for the benefit of installation. WBro Poole as always when doing any ritual was very assured and installed WBro Skinner in fine form and was all the more impressive because of the short notice he had to prepare. 
 
WBro Richard Wilson did his usually fine explanation of the Keystone Jewel and later the address to the Master.    The Wardens address was given by WBro Colin Mills and the Overseers Address was given by WBro Roy Ashley.    What must be one of the joys of being the PGM’s Representative at an installation meeting is that you get to do the Address to the Brethren and WBro Lucas Kelly; Prov GJW carried it off as though he had been doing it for years.
A Grand Bunch
With the ceremony complete the PGM’s Representative stepped forward to bring the PGM’s congratulations to WBro Skinner and also his congratulations to WBro Poole on the fine ceremony he had preformed.    The Worshipful Master then presented WBro Kelly with two cheques for charity, both were received with thanks. 
 
It was now time for WBro Mike Winterbottom to present a grand lodge certificate to Bro Ray Allen and Mike even seemed to enjoy doing it. 
 
It was a very enjoyable festive board and a great atmosphere; which was especially good as there were a couple of non Mark Masons present and they could experience the Friendly Degree at its best.   In reply to the toast to which his name had been coupled WBro Lucas Kelly brought his own congratulations to the Master and also congratulated the Installing Master for the fine job he had done at short notice. WBro Kelly then expressed his thanks to the PGM’s Special Representative WBro Mike Winterbottom, for all the hard work he does with and for the Liverpool Mark Lodges.
 
The Worshipful Master in his the response to his toast also thanked WBro Winterbottom for all he had done for him personally. Despite some early setbacks West Lancs 65 had put on a first rate Installation meeting that had been enjoyed by everyone who attended. Our thoughts are with Bro Mark Lawrence and we wish him a speedy recovery. We also wish WBro Billy Skinner, and his Lodge plenty of work during his year in office.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell