Prince Setanta Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 1446
 
On the 19th March 2018 Prince Setanta Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners held its Installation Meeting. The venue was the Masonic Hall Market Square Poulton le Fylde, Poulton le Fylde can be found on the Fylde coast between the River Ribble in the South and the River Wyre in the North, rather appropriate as just down the road is Skippool Creek a busy port for import and export in the days of sailing ships.
Bro. Bill Swindlehurst W.C. Leyland RAM, I.P.W.C. Mike Casey with
W.C. Andy Stansfield and Bro. John Whitley W.C. Semper Fidelis RAM
The principal guest was Worshipful Brother Derek Alan Horrocks Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank representing the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Keith Alan Beardmore accompanying were several Grand and Provincial Grand Officers. At 6.30pm the Lodge was opened by Brother George William Michael Casey Worshipful Commander and he quickly dispatched the domestic business of the lodge. The next item of business was to Install Brother Andrew Charles Stansfield Senior Warden and Commander Elect for which purpose the Worshipful Commander invited Brother Bill Swindlehurst Worshipful Commander of Leyland Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No.1002 to be Installing Senior Warden, Bro John Whitley Worshipful Commander of Semper Fidelis Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No.880 to be Installing Junior Warden and Worshipful Brother Anthony  Edward Farrar a Past Commander of Edmund Taylor Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No.296 to act as Installing Guardian.
W.Bro. D.A.Horrocks R.A.M.G.R. with the W.C. & I.P.C.
The Installing Officers in place Brother Stansfield was presented to the Worshipful Commander who proceeded with the Installation Ceremony and what an excellent job he did. The Brethren of his Lodge then acknowledged and greeted their new Worshipful Commander and took their seats in the Lodge. The New Worshipful Commander Appointed and Invested his Officers for the ensuing year.
Grand and Provincial Grand Officers
Now Worshipful Brother Casey Delivered the Address to the Worshipful Commander and the Exposition, now an integral piece of ritual, was presented by Worshipful Brother Horrocks. The Installation ceremony being completed Worshipful Brother Horrocks gave greetings on behalf of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
Lodge D.C. W.Bro. Tony Cross with the W.C. & I.P.C
The Worshipful Commander conducted the remaining items on the agenda and closed the Lodge. After the now usual photo shoot we repaired to the bar for a refreshing drink before we sat down to a delightful three course dinner. The toasts were short and the responses equally so and before too long we were heading to the car parks for our homeward journeys another splendid evening of Royal Ark Mariner Masonry over.
Words and pictures byErnie Gavan