Team Visit to Lathom Mark Lodge No268 October 2021 |
| I parked up in the Church car park opposite Southport Masonic, got my parking ticket and as I was getting my case from the back of the car I thought what magnificent looking building the Hall was, the evening light just made it stand out. I thought i will get a photo but then thought no Austin Fletcher who does the Provincial Team visit reports and photos would have got one. |
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WBro John Karran |
| I wonder into the Hall just another visitor attending Lathom Mark Lodge No268 Installation, on Monday 25th October. I ordered my coffee and started to chat with people I had not seen for almost two years. Then there came a tap on the shoulder, “Have you got your camera?” WBro Austin was not there and so would I do the photos and report. |
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| No time now to go back outside and get that photo of the Masonic Hall and so you will just have to imagine a magnificent building in the evening sun. The team were all ready and outside the Lodge room. Inside the Lodge room the Master gavelled and the start of an exceptional evening began. WBro John Karran opened the lodge, once open WBro Karran gave a short memoriam to WBro A.M. Woodhead, PPrGSW. Then it was time for WBro John Dixon, PGJD the Lodge DC to proclaim WBro John Karran Worshipful Master and the Offices until the end of their current year, in this case it was about 90 minutes. |
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| Those who missed the inner workings |
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| It was now up to the secretary WBro Jim Molly, PrGJO, to read the dispensation to elect and install the master on the same evening. Bro Ian Richards was then declared Master elect and WBro Karl Brennan, PPrGJD, Treasurer. Enter WBro David Emmerson, PPrGDC; PGSD to announce that RWBro Keith Beardmore, Provincial Grand Master demanded admission. The provincial team and the Provincial Grand Master entered and RWBro Beardmore was introduced to WBro John Karran. The WM then offered the Gavel of the Lodge to the PGM who accepted and after the salutations had been completed; RWBro Beardmore introduced the provincial team. |
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| With all the introductions done and the WM back in the chair, the WM asked Provincial Grand Senior Warden, WBro David Winder to assist him and occupy the SW chair. The WM then asked the Provincial Grand Junior Warden WBro Eric Heart to take the Chair of the JW. WBro Shaun Higgson, PGSD then presented Bro Ian Richards to the Worshipful Master for the benefit of Installation. WBro John Karran then began an exemplary Installation ceremony. WBro Karran was able assisted in the ceremony by WBro John Dixon, who did the explanation of the working tools. WBro Alan Foster, PAGDC who presented the Keystone Jewel to the new Master. The addresses were done by WBro John Dixon, who addressed the Worshipful Master. |
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| Provincial Wardens |
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Maurice Evans, Special Rep. & WM Ian Richards
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| WBro Eric Heart who did the address to the Wardens and WBro David Winder did the Overseers address. The icing on the cake was the address to the brethren which was given by RWBro Keith Beardmore. I think everyone enjoyed the Installation ceremony and the standard of WBro John Karran’s ceremony was deserving of a team visit. With the Lodge closed a fine festive board round off an excellent evening. The New Worshipful Master has an advancement ceremony in Lathom Mark Lodge’s December meeting, and we wish him and the Lodge well for the coming year. It was a fine evening from the first gavel to the Provincial Grand Tyler WBro Ernie Gavan closing toast. |
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| WM Ian Richards and Barry Tomlinson |
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Plotting
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WM Ian Richards and PGM to follow |
| In the response the toast to his health the RWPGM asked everyone to remember that Covid-19 is not over and to take care. New guild lines will be coming out from Province on this matter shortly. Please stick to the basic rules; Hands; Face; Space. If you are going out a lot try and do two test a week. If we all do it, we will get through it. |
| Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell |
