The Lawrence Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.313. Thursday 16th Sept 2021 |
Cunliffe Street Chorley |
A Very Special Installation Meeting |
| Here it was last after the many months of lockdown due to the Pandemic a Team Visit and as it happened a very special one, not only was it to proclaim and declare Bro. David Hatchard as WM for this long established and much respected Lawrence Lodge for the ensuing year but on this occasion one of its own members V.W. Bro. John Bicknell PGJO was to be Invested as AsstProv.G.M. for the Province of West Lancashire. |
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Chorley Masonic Hall |
| Off I set early as usual remembering all the delays on trips from the past, up the approach to the M60, I couldn’t believe it straight up and before I knew it I was passing Worsley which usually takes at least half an hour on this smart (not) motorway, on to the M61 and again in no time at all I was coming off at junction 8, down the A6 and there it was Cunliffe Street. Now where do I park as it was only 3pm, I could soon tell I wasn’t in Manchester when I found a car park which was free for three hours and no charge after 5pm.!! Is this real, well I read it again a couple of times before a chap said “aa thee awrite lad” me a lad, I said it’s just this parking machine, he said “just press buttons and stick ticket on car, you’ll be rite” Well there’s a first for everything, ticket on car and off to the hall which was about 5 minutes away. |
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| The Lodge Room Is Ready |
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We Must Get It Right
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Time to Practise |
| Some members and guests were already inside, I think it shows how keen we are all to get back to our much-missed Mark Meetings, found somewhere to leave my case, back downstairs, a nice cup of coffee and sat chilling out greeting friends old and new as members and visitors arrived. |
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He Thought He Had Retired. W.Bro. Dave Emmerson PGSD |
| The Lodge opened on time at 5.30 and once the usual Lodge housekeeping had been concluded under the watchful eye of W.Bro. Ralph Hayes PPrGJW Lodge Secretary, this included Bro. David Hatchard, W.M. staying in office along with all the other Lodge officers staying in post it was time to receive the R.W.Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore P.G.M. accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officer’s into the Lodge. |
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The WM’s Chair |
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| The JW’s Chair |
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The JW’s Chair
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| Our PGM Keith was welcomed into the meeting by the W.M. who then in reply thanked all present for such a warm welcome, all the usual greetings were then afforded to the PGM his Deputy and Asst PGM’s by all present. |
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Three Merry Mark Masons |
| Next was something very special and not witnessed before by most who were present, the PGM who had taken the Chair of Adoniram requested the Prov S.W. David Winder to act as SW, David Rigby Prov J.W to act as J.W. and the Prov I.G and Prov Tyler to take post. Keith then opened a Provincial Grand Lodge to Invest V.W. John C Bicknell PGJO as Asst PGM for the Province of West Lancs. John re-affirmed his obligations, received his appointment and the Book of Constitutions, he then thanked the PGM and said he was delighted to receive such a high honour before giving the Address to the brethren which was warmly received by all present with loud acclaim. |
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| Are You On My List |
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WM. PGM. and the New Asst PGM
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| The Prov Grand Lodge was then closed, the W.M. resumed his seat thanked the PGM and all who had taken part for an excellent experience which he personally had never witnessed before. Following a response on behalf of the Grand Officers given by W.Bro. Giles Berkley AsstPGM the PGM accompanied by all the Grand and Acting Prov Grand Officers retired from the Lodge. |
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Cheers PGM and the WM |
| The Lodge Meeting was closed and following the usual photo session, and everyone having charged their glasses they took up their allotted seats at the Festive Board to enjoy a first-class meal served in fine style by the staff at Chorley Masonic Hall. The usual speeches and responses were delivered including a new joke from our PGM, all were well received, there followed lots of friendly chatter and shared news from all over the Province, as the evening was drawing to a close David the WM had much pleasure in presenting Keith with a lovely bouquet of flowers for June on behalf of the Lodge members, then alas too soon it was all over yet again, everyone said their goodbyes and stepped out into the dark but pleasant atmosphere. |
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The Upstairs Lodge Room |
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| John and Giles two Asst PGM’s |
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Giles and Geoff Asst PGM and Dep PGM.
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| Well as you know for those who read my reports it never ends there! after driving for about 10 minutes I thought oh oh somethings wrong here, that motorway should be on the right, why is it on the left. Not having a clue where I was going eventually I got on the M61 near Bolton’s ground, two lanes were completely shut off with the single file going for miles, ah well never mind I did get home before midnight, settled down in my easy chair with a small Laphroaig and reflected on what was a great evening, here’s looking forward to the next one to meet up with all my friends and those I have yet to meet, Remember You Are Only A Stranger Once in this the Friendly Mark Degree. |
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A Grand Assembly |
| If you’ve not heard from any of your Family or members of your own Lodges get in touch, telephone, TX, E Mail or even a letter in the post. |
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| Great Provincial Gifts |
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The Price List
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| Everyone at the Meeting tonight sends their very Best Wishes to our ProvD.C. W.Bro.Arthur Robinson who following on from an accident is reported as not being very well at all. |
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Join the Mark and you will have Life Long Friends |
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| Great Friends |
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Mr Cool DepPGM. V.W.Bro.G H Lee. PGJO
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| Flowers for the PGM’s Wife June |
| Get Well Soon Arthur We All Miss You. |
| Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No.1173 |
