Bispham with Norbreck Mark Installation Meeting
 
A most enjoyable evening was had by all on Friday 14th February 2020, nothing to do with “St. Valentine’s Day” I hasten to say, but rather Bispham with Norbreck Lodge of Mark Master Masons Installation Meeting which is held in the Masonic Hall Adelaide Street Blackpool. The weather when we arrived at Blackpool was to say the least awful a wild storm blowing off the Irish Sea tail end of Storm Ciara, Denis or some such thing but the hospitality in the Hall was warm and welcoming. The principle guest was Worshipful Brother Kieron Eamon Mullen Provincial Grand Junior Warden, representing the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Keith Alan Beardmore, who had travelled from the far North of the Province and was greeted and welcomed into the Hall by Very Worshipful Brother Douglas John Forster Past Grand Junior Overseer the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Masters Special Representative for the Fylde Coast.
W.M. is Congratulated by W. Bro. Kieron Mullen Prov. G.J.W.
joined with W. Bro. Giles Berkley and V.W. Bro. John Forster
The Lodge was opened at 6.00 o’clock by the Worshipful Master Kenneth Edward Jones and dispatched the domestic and administrative items on the agenda. On a report the Lodge Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother Antony Cross Past Grand Assistant Director of Ceremony announced that the Provincial Grand Junior Warden was outside the door of the Lodge and was seeking admission. Worshipful Brother Mullen was greeted by the Worshipful Master and after the usual salutations the Worshipful Master invited Worshipful Brother Brian Burgess-Dicks to occupy the Chair of Senior Warden, Worshipful Brother Chris Sage the Chair of Junior Warden and Worshipful Brother Steven Thackrah the position of Inner Guard.
W.M. with his Wardens W. Bro. Peter Maxwell P.Prov.G.Swd.B.
and Bro. James Rashid and Director of Ceremony W. Bro. Antony Cross P.A.G.D.C.
Brother John Brumfield the Lodge Junior Warden and Master Elect was presented by Worshipful Brother Antony Cross and Brother Brumfield was Installed as Worshipful Master in a delightful Ceremony of Installation by Worshipful Brother Jones and the Brethren greeted and saluted their new Worshipful Master. The Worshipful Master was presented with the Quintuple Keystone Jewel by Worshipful Brother Forster. The Officers of the year were appointed and invested, the Address to the Worshipful Master was delivered by Worshipful Brother Mel Cross Past Grand Junior Deacon, the Address to the Wardens by Worshipful Brother John Powell Past Grand Senior Deacon, the Address to the Overseers by Worshipful Brother Antony Cross and the Address to the Brethren by the Representative of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
Worshipful Master John Brumfield with his colleagues Masters in Office Bros.
Chris Sage Imperial Lodge, Brian Burgess-Dicks Wyre Lodge, Patrick Dwyer Fylde Lodge
and Steven Thackrah  Prince Setanta Lodge
Bispham with Norbreck Lodge have a special Immediate Past Masters Jewel which is presented to the Immediate Past Master at the Installation Meeting annually, Worshipful Bother Giles Berkley Past Grand Junior Deacon Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented the jewel with an explanation of its origin. Worshipful Brother Mullen gave the greetings of our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and the greeting from Grand Mark Lodge were giving By Worshipful Brother Forster. The Ceremony of Installation over Worshipful Brother Mullen along with the Grand and Acting Provincial Grand Officers retired.
W.M. with Installing Masters Bro. Kenneth Jones and Bro. John Chapman
Eight of the Grand Officers who accompanied the Provincial Grand Junior Warden
After a short photo shoot the Brethren adjourned to the bar/lounge for a refreshing drink before being called to the dining room where a delightful thee course dinner was enjoyed by all. It is said the quality of festive board can be judged by the amount of noise the chatter generates, this was in abundance. The toasts proposed were well received as were the responses and soon we were making our way homeward after an enjoyable evening of Mark Masonry, the weather had not improved.
Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan