Prescot Lodge of Royal Mariners No.903
 
Installation Meeting Thursday 10th November 2016
 
My favourite time of the year a typical November day light blue sky, a very thin sun a real nip in the air and of course golden leaves falling all around. Exited today to be going to a Provincial Team Meeting my first this season due to my Craft and Chapter Installations falling on the same nights as Team visits. Set off in high spirits and good time as always before encountering the usual ten minutes to clear the on ramp for the M62 near my home across from the Trafford Centre. (I’m sure your good ladies would like a trip there before Christmas!!) As usual I was accompanied by Snoopy and Tom who has been behaving of late, surprise surprise finished up at the car park just across the road from the hall, brilliant. Now for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting Precot Masonic Hall it is a well hidden little gem, tucked away at the side of another building down a short drive, once inside a warm welcoming lounge opens up on the left, continue forward and a very smart well kept Temple opens up also on the left, continuing forward you pass through an anti room before entering the well appointed dining room all set up ready for the Festive Board.
Lodge Room Prepares
PGM & Donald Friar RAMGR
Tell Me Again What are all these Colours For!!
 
Happy As Always
The Lodge opened up on time at 6pm under the leadership of W.Com Bro Michael Winterbottom who has in fact been Worshipful Commander of the Lodge for the past three years, once some of the usual housekeeping minutes etc had been read and confirmed Right Worshipful Brother Keith Alan Beardmore Prov Grand Master entered the meeting accompanied by other Grand Officers and members of his Provincial Team to be welcomed by Bro Winterbottom who as tradition demands offered the gavel to the PGM who on this occasion said he would accept it for a short time so as to introduce the members of his team.
PGM Dep PGM & two Asst PGM’s
PGM & Eric Drinkwater
PGM,Dep PGM, both Assistant PGM’s, New WC & IPC
Once the gavel was returned the ceremony to Install W.Bro. David Emmerson RAMGR as Worshipful Commander for the ensuing year commenced. Everyone present witnessed a truly excellent Installation and it could be seen that a very lot of hard work had gone in to it by all the members of the lodge, once all the officers had been appointed and invested the address to the New Commander was delivered by the now Immediate Past Commander W.Bro Winterbottom and the Exposition of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree was superbly presented by W.Bro Michael Clarke PGJD Asst PGM.  
View from bar
Dining Room Ready
Lots of Bargains
The PGM gave his personal greetings to the newly Installed WC David and those of all present, he also wished him well in his recovery from what was a very serious operation, it was truly great to see him back in action and we hope it won’t be long before he is once again marshalling the team at Prov Team Meetings as ProvDC. The W. Com was pleased to present a cheque for the Charities and the PGM was delighted to receive it and thanked members of the Lodge for their generosity.
Here’s to WC from two Asst.PGM’s
New WC & IPWC
PGM & WC Dave
Card presented by Arthur
It was now time for the PGM to retire along with his Team members and Grand Officers, before too long the meeting was over, once everyone had made their way to the bar for some light refreshments (drinks) to accompany their meals they took up their places at the Festive Board.
The Card
The Meeting
An excellent meal was served up by very efficient splendid staff, following this and the usual toasts we all settled down to listen to some first class speeches which were all well received, the new Worshipful Commander was delighted at its conclusion to present Keith with a lovely bouquet for his wife June.
Words and Pictures Courtesy of Austin Fletcher