Ormskirk Priory Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners. No. 1019
Installation Meeting at Ormskirk Masonic Hall, Thursday 14th October 2021
 
Here we go again off to Ormskirk for another great meeting this time it’s a Royal Ark Mariners Installation the degree with the wonderful rainbow coloured regalia. Set off early as usual and once again virtually no traffic hold ups even though it seems that the maximum speeds on all our motorways are now restricted to 50 mph, that is except for the really dare devil speed of 60 mph for the odd mile or two.!!
Managed to get parked up behind the hall in the same spot as I had at the last meeting, needed a £1 for the ticket, not a bean in change, tried without success to pay with a card in the slot, not a chance basically it said “go away” I set off down a little alleyway into a square which had been holding a large market, now packing up for the day, the only shop I could see was Costa Coffee, so all in all it cost me £2.95 to get the pound coin I needed. Sat in the car with the drink for a while and blow me people were parking and just walking off, now that wouldn’t have happened to me, I’m sure I would have come back to a ticket.
Once inside went upstairs where the Lodge room and Masonic area is and before too long members and visitors alike were starting to arrive, unfortunately on this special night the Installing W.C. Bro. Ivan Hicks was taken ill and had to be taken home by the IPC W.Bro. Clifford Boynton, now what do we do? Fortunately, W.Bro. David Rawcliffe the Lodge DC stepped into the breach as I.W.C and overall, at short notice he did an excellent job of Installing Bro.Derek Gaskell as Worshipful Commander of the Lodge for the ensuing year.
The RW Provincial Grand Master Bro.Keith Alan Beardmore RAMGR who had entered the Lodge accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers congratulated the newly Installed Commander, the acting Installing WC and all the officers who had taken part in the Ceremony. In turn the W. Commander Bro. Derek Gaskell had immense pleasure on behalf of the Lodge to present the PGM with a cheque for the charities in the sum of £1019, the Lodge number, the Scribe W.Bro. Fred Hargreaves reported that the same amount had been donated at the last Installation meeting. The RW Prov Grand Master said it was a truly amazing amount and would be well received and put to good use by many needy people.
J
The WC then said there was a Grand Lodge Certificate to be presented and asked if Keith would present it, he said that he would be delighted but that on this occasion he would delegate the pleasure to his Asst PGM VW. Bro. John Bicknell, who gave a beaming smile and said it comes with the job. Bro. Jason Hengler was really pleased to receive the certificate and the explanation given by John.
J
It was now time for the PGM to retire from the meeting accompanies by Acting Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers (members of the Team) Once the Meeting closed everyone returned for the usual quick photo session before going downstairs for the Festive Board. As is usual the room was set up really nice complete with candle sticks and real candles (thoughts of Liberace) the friendly and efficient staff both behind the bar and serving the food were excellent.
Everyone was happy to be in each other’s company and sharing the usual chat from all over the Province, the Toasts were given, some great responses followed including a new great joke from our PGM, yes.
(well, I enjoyed it)
In what seemed a blink it was all over for another year, everyone said their goodbyes and gave genuine handshakes of friendship, then it was out into the cold night air and the journey to their own homes and firesides some as far as Barrow on the edge of the Province.
J
Here’s to our next merry meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet, if you haven’t seen someone for a while give them a call today, I’m sure it will be appreciated.      
Mark Well.
Austin N Fletcher. Prov.RAMGR  Chorlton RAM. 394