Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master visits Preston
 
Preston Lodge of Mark Master Masons hold their meetings at the Masonic Hall, Saul Street, Preston and it was to there that Seventy plus Mark Masons went to attend the Seven Hundred and sixteenth meeting of Preston Lodge. Item Seven on the agenda was to ballot for and advance Brother Christian George Upton a Chorley Mason from Adlington. Brother Upton is the son of The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for the Channel Island Brother Derek Arthur Upton and Right Worshipful Brother Upton had indicated his intention to attend his son’s advancement into our wonderful order.
The Pro Grand Master MW Brother Raymond John Smith and
RW Prov. Grand Master Brother Keith Alan Beardmore share a joke
When our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Keith Alan Beardmore was made aware of the situation he informed the Lodge that he intended to make the meeting a Provincial Team Visit and requested members of the team to attend. Right Worshipful Brother Beardmore was later informed that due to his travel arrangements having changed The Pro Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Raymond John Smith made it known that he intended to be in Preston and attend. his good friend, Right Worshipful Brother Upton’s son’s advancement. With all the necessary arrangements in place it looked like the makings of an interesting meeting.
 
RW Prov. Grand Master for the Channel Islands Bro. Derek Arthur Upton,
RW Prov. Grand Master Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore, W Bro. David Robinson WM Preston Mark
with The Pro Grand Master MW Bro. Raymond John Smith
The Meeting was called to order at 6.30 p.m. and the Worshipful Master Worshipful Brother D. H. Robinson Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden opened the Lodge and dispatched the domestic and administrative items on the agenda. On the first report a procession of Grand Officers entered the Lodge Room and took their seats. The next report announced The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire accompanied by The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for the Channel Islands and other Right Worshipful Brethren. Very Worshipful Brethren  and the Provincial Team. After the usual salutations were given and responses made the Inner Guard announced a report  The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother John Vause announced that The Pro Grand Master was outside the door of the Lodge demanding admission. The Pro Grand Master was escorted into the Lodge by Worshipful Brother Steven Walls Past Grand Senior Deacon, acting Sword Bearer and Worshipful Brother Tony Farrar Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremony, acting Standard Bearer. The Pro Grand Master was welcomed into the Lodge and salutations were given.
VW Bro. Geoffrey Herbert Lee PGJO., D.Prov. Grand Master,
RW Prov. Grand Master for the Channel Islands Bro. Derek Arthur Upton,
RW Prov. Grand Master Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore, WM David Robinson,
The Pro Grand Master MW Bro. Raymond John Smith,
VW Bro. Ian Douglas Nairn PGJO and WBro. Giles Frederick Berkley PGJD
both of whom are Asst. Prov. Grand Masters
On an alarm the Senior Deacon escorted the evenings candidate Brother Upton into the Lodge and the Worshipful Master conducted an excellent ceremony of advancement. He was assisted by Worshipful Brother Eric Picton Past Grand Senior Deacon who explained the signs and Right Worshipful Brother Upton who worked the last part of the advancement ceremony and presented  the working tools. Mark Master Mason Brother Upton was escorted to a seat in the Lodge.
The Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony Worshipful Brother John Vause with
The Pro Grand Master  Most Worshipful Brother Raymond John Smith
Right Worshipful Brother Beardmore was asked to present a Grand Lodge Certificate who in turn asked his Assistant Provincial Grand Master Brother Giles Berkley Past Grand Junior Deacon who delivered an excellent explanation of the certificate before it was presented to Brother M. Reilly by the Worshipful Master. The Pro Grand Master congratulated all those who took part in the evening proceedings and an escort was formed and The Pro Grand Master retired from the Lodge. After any other business a procession was formed and The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Masters, Grand and Provincial Grand Officers retired.
RW Prov. Grand Master Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore, Bro. Christian George Upton
with his Father RW Prov. Grand Master for the Channel Islands Bro. Derek Arthur Upton
The Lodge business completed the Worshipful Master Closed the Lodge and was escorted from the Lodge Room. After the usual photo-shoot we adjourned to the bar / lounge for a well-earned refresher before taking our places at the festive board where we partook of a delightful three course dinner with fresh coffee. The toasts were well received as were the responses. It was as we expected a most enjoyable and interesting Mark Meeting in the company of the leaders of our wonderful order.  
Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan