Cleveleys Mark Installation
 
On 15th. September 2021 a number of Brethren including many Grand Officers attended Cleveleys Lodge of Mark Master Masons to welcome Very Worshipful Brother John Charles Bicknell Past Grand Junior Overseer to their meeting on the Fylde Coast. Very Worshipful Brother Bicknell has of course visited several Mark Lodges on the Fylde Coast but on this occasion it was his first visit as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
At 6.00pm Worshipful Brother Alan Homes Fairhurst Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies standing in for the Lodge Worshipful Master who unfortunately was unable to attend, opened the meeting and attended to the domestic items on the agenda.
Ass Prov. G. M.  with escort
On a report the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremony  Anthony Edward Farrar announced that The Assistant Provincial Grand Master was seeking admission. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master entered the lodge with a procession of Acting Grand, Grand and Acting Provincial Grand Officers to acclimation. Very Worshipful Brother Bicknell was introduced to the acting Worshipful Master who bid him welcome.
After the salutations the next item on the agenda was to Install Brother Robert Bennett as Worshipful Master which was performed by Worshipful Brother Fairhurst in an excellent Ceremony of Installation. The Brethren who had retired for the Inner Workings re-entered the lodge and greeted their new Worshipful Master. The newly Installed Worshipful Master appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year.
Visiting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers
The Address to the Worshipful Master was delivered by Very Worshipful Brother Douglas John Forster Past Grand Junior Overseer the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Masters Representative for the Fylde Coast, the Keystone Jewel was explained by Worshipful Brother Philip Watson Grand Steward, the address to the Wardens by Worshipful Brother Howard Emmett Past Grand Senior Deacon, the address to the Overseers by Worshipful Brother Anthony Edward Farrar Past Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies / Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies and the address to the Brethren was delivered by Very Worshipful Brother John Charles Bicknell Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
W.M. with Ass. Prov. G.M. Special Rep. and Prov.Dep.G.D.C.
After the Greetings of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Keith Alan Beardmore were given the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and escorted very Worshipful Brother Bicknell from the Lodge.
W.M. with Visiting Masters in Office
A visitor from The Province of Devonshire, Brother James Leader was in Lancashire at The Fleetwood Nautical College attending a work related course made enquiries about attending a masonic lodge. He was informed Blackpool Craft Lodge meet on the Second Tuesday in September and he would be more than welcome to attend. Whilst enjoying the company of Blackpool Lodge festive board he was introduced to Worshipful Brother Keith Alan Beardmore. During the ensuing conversation the subject of other orders was broached Including the Mark Degree. Keith told James that he was The Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire and that he knew The Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire.
Brother James Leader enjoys a pint with Worshipful Brother John Forster PGM’s Special Rep.
September was James said he was a Mark Mason and was currently Junior Overseer in his Mark Lodge, Torbay Mark Lodge No. 586. Keith suggested he got in touch with Worshipful Brother Jimmy Rogers Lodge Secretary of Cleveleys Mark Lodge who were meeting the next day Jimmy said they would be delighted to welcome him. I hope James enjoyed himself in Lancashire and enjoyed the company of West Lancashire Masons I am sure we enjoyed his I hope he had an uneventful journey home and mentions us in his own Lodge when time and circumstances allows. 
 

The Worshipful Master concluded the remaining items on the agenda and closed the Lodge. After an aperitif the Brethren were called to the dining room where they partook of a delightful three course dinner. The usual toasts were proposed and the responses were well received. All too soon the evening was over and the Brethren made their way home another excellent evening of Mark Masonry over.               
 
Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan