Mark Acting Provincial Officers Welcome Meeting.    2nd Sept 2021 on the Zoom Format
 
What a great site seeing old and new friends once again in time for the start of the Team Visits planned for the coming year.  The Meeting was opened by the PGM R.W.Bro. Keith Beardmore who welcomed everybody and thanked them for their attendance. Keith mentioned the Annual Assembly of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners, (known to us all as the Provincial RAM Meeting) which is taking place this year at the Savoy Hotel, Queens Promenade, Blackpool, FY2 9SJ on Tuesday the 21st of September, with a start time of 10.30am, following on from that meeting at 12 Noon will be the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge meeting.
All recipients of Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank and Acting Mark Prov Grand Officers for the year and First appointments will be invested at these meetings. Due to this being the first time the Savoy is being used it wasn’t clear just how many would apply to attend and dine however it does now appear that there is in fact still some seats available but these need to be booked with some urgency on the forms which the Provincial Grand Secretary has sent out to every member today. Come along support your friends and your lodges on what I’m sure will be a great and memorable occasion to start the new season after all the gloom we have all had to suffer for the past 18 months.
 
Next up was our recently retired Provincial DC W.Bro. David Emmerson PGSD, who thought he could now sit back and watch his protégé W.Bro. Arthur Robinson PGJD take the reins for all things of a Ritual nature, oops, not so unfortunately Arthur has been injured in a fall and could be out of action for a few weeks. We all of course wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to being with him in the near future. David impressed how important it was for all Acting Officers to arrive in good time for the Team Visits, as the saying goes practise makes perfect. At least one hour before each meeting there is always a few run throughs to familiarize every one especially new Acting Officers with what and where they should be when escorting the PGM into the meetings. It’s a wonderful sight and adds such a lot to the evening right from the start, it also I’m sure gets the brethren thinking I would really enjoy taking part hopefully in the not-too-distant future as an Acting Officer.  
Next to add his words of wisdom was W.Bro. Andrew Dickson PGSD the Prov Grand Secretary on matters relating to the administration of the province, he did say that quite a few of the Acting Officers collar Jewels had not been picked up, he needed to be notified by those attending the Team Visit to Lawrence Mark on the 16th of Sept so that he can hand over their appropriate jewel. Another point he raised was that when officers receive a Summons from a Lodge which is having a Team Visit or Special Event it is not only polite but essential that a reply is sent as soon as possible to the Secretary, even if not able to attend and of course a payment for a meal be it by Bank Transfer or Cheque, it really adds to a lot of pressure on Lodge Treasurers if they have to deal with meal payments on the night.
 
Next to speak was W.Bro. John Waring PGJD the Provincial Grand Registrar, just in case you don’t know John he is the brother who always has a data board in his hands complete with paper usually full of names and coloured highlighters. The other thing you will notice is that he always has a smile for everyone, what’s he doing you may ask, well he is the ears and eyes for the PGM, he checks in everyone who is present (hopefully) and tries to find out what hobbies and interests the members have. This is the Friendly Degree and it’s really good to get know each other a little better, not like some degree’s I could mention when you only find out what the person did as a hobby etc is when your stood there at a funeral.  He reiterated what the Prov Secretary had said about getting to the meetings in plenty of time and on arrival you should seek out John and let him know you are there, so that in turn he can let the DC know who is in attendance.
 
The excellent Meeting seemed to be over too soon, our PGM said he got the feeling that members were keen to resume all be it with some trepidation, he said there was no pressure on anyone who didn’t yet feel ready to come back to their Lodges and that Masks could still be worn if preferred. There are several Special Events taking place and though not strictly titled as Team Visits it would be really appreciated by the Lodges concerned if you could get to them and join in the fun, he gave his best wishes to everyone and again thanked them for joining in on the Zoom format, hopefully things will be getting back to normal in the not-too-distant future including the Provincial Meetings.
 
As always, I’m looking forward to my next Mark and Ram meeting to meet up with old friends and those I have yet to meet.  Remember Your Only a Stranger Once.
 
Stay Safe Out There and try to get In Touch with Your Family and all the Friends you have in your Lodges, some are living on their own and are delighted to have some contact with you, my mentor throughout all the time I have been a Freemason is 102 this year and his wife has been in hospital for a few weeks, he is on his own and delights in just sitting and chatting.   
 
Here’s to our next Merry Meeting.
Regards Austin.
Austin N Fletcher. PGStwd.          Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No.1173