West Lancs 65.  1/9/21
 
Like a lumbering bear awakening from its winter hibernation, Masonry is now coming back to life after its imposed lockdown.        
Jack Pollar Master Elect and Billy Skinner WM
West Lancashire Mark Lodge, No 65 who meet on the first Wednesday in September, November and March at Liverpool Masonic Hall, in Hope Street, Liverpool were the first out of the blocks in Liverpool with the first Wednesday being the 1st September.   Members and visitors arrived back at the hall and for many it was for the first time in 18 months.  During the lockdown much work has been down to spruce up the hall, with much of the work being done by volunteers.  In the smart looking lodge room at the appointed time the DC WBro John Roberts, PProvGStB, informed the Worshipful Master WBro Bill Skinner, PProvGSD, that all were in place and the meeting got underway.  With the lodge business complete it was now time for the installation of the Master, as per the Grand Lodge directive on these matters.  The Worshipful Master WBro Bill Skinner had been elected Master for another year and so he only needed to be proclaimed.   DC WBro John Roberts proclaimed WBro Skinner Master.  Then the Master appointed the officers for the year, which did not take long as all offices remained in place. 
The candidate Bob Beeton and Eric Poole SD
Now it was time for the Master and his team to earn their corn with an advancement ceremony.   Bro Bob Beeton entered the lodge and was handed over to the acting Senior Deacon WBro Eric Poole, ProvGSD, for the rest of the ceremony.   WBro Poole is an excellent Senior Deacon and makes the ceremony a good experience for the candidate.  WBro Skinner worked his way through the advancement doing all the work except the working tools, which were done by WBro Poole.  Everyone who took part and watched enjoyed the ceremony.
Mike Winterbottom; WM & Master elect
Mike Winterbottom PGM's Special Rep; Bob Beeton; Billy Skinner
Candidate; WM and Senior Deacon 
With the advancement over it was time to elect a new Master.  Yes, the Lodge had just elected one and put him place but it was now time to move on to the next one.  There being only one nominee for Master, WBro Jack Poller, PProvGSD, he was declared Master elect.  Jack will be installed at the November meeting, (which will also be a Provincial Team visit).    During the risings the PGM’s Special Representative, WBro Mike Winterbottom, PGSD, presented Grand Lodge certificates to Bros, James Pape and Connor Grimes.  Congratulations were also given to the Lodge secretary WBro Richard Wilson on his promotion to Past Grand Junior Deacon and to WBro Roy Ashley on his appointment to Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon.  When the Lodge was closed it was time for dinner. To start the new season with a new member is a very good start.  All in all a good night and it is good to be back.
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell