The Palace is again open for business - Semper Fidelis Mark Lodge No 880
 
Monday the 18th of October was the first meeting of Semper Fidelis Lodge of MMM No 880 at the Palace Masonic Hall, in the centre of St Annes since the start of the pandemic.

Visitors W. Bro. Joe O'Brien and the Master of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge Steve Thackrah
However things did not start well, as we greeted by the Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro, Bill Swindlehurst, who told everyone as they arrived that the Secretary had just had a text an hour before telling he'd proved positive for Covid-19 and he'd been in the Lodge room in the morning setting things up, so the Lodge room had been sprayed and wiped down and if you weren't happy to go in, to go home! 
W. Bro Howard Emmett talking to the Senior Warden Bro. Mark Brown
The Lodge Chaplain Bro. the Rev Godfrey Hirst and the Treasurer W. Bro. David Kenworthy 
The D.C. Bill Swindelhurst and the Master Noel T. Dentith
Not a great start, but things did get better, as the majority stayed and we had a first class Proclamation Ceremony and  meeting, with the D.C. doubling up as Secretary, most of the Officers were there and all happy to be back in each others company, all be it a little more distant than usual. The D.C. Bill, really was the Star of the of the night, doing all the work in a very pleasant and efficient manner.
Festive Board
W
At the festive board, a tasty meal of Stilton soup, classic shin of beef and sticky toffee pudding, was enjoy by all.
Words by John Forster and pictures by Tony Thackrah