Adoniram Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.552
 
Wellington Park, Leyland. Weds 15th Nov 2017
 
                Installation of W.Bro. John Charles Bicknell PGJD. ProvGSec.
 
Today is a special meeting at the prestigious Adoniram Lodge and one I always look forward to, now you are used to my tales of woe regarding travel to and from meetings well today was different !!  Dragged the old Opel out of the garage it didn’t look happy as it’s in need of some TLC, a good wash and wax but it had to be done, set off early as usual, no need for Garmin or Snoopy, got to the M60 ramp, no traffic, now this had to be a first, into the outside lane to bypass M62 turning, on and on straight on to the M61, now I began to wonder if there had been a major disaster somewhere that I’d not heard about and taken all the traffic off the roads.!! Before I knew it I was at Wellington Park approx 25 minutes, incredible...
WM Calm and Ready for the Meeting
I thought I would have a quiet moment
I’m sure they were all here last night
JW’s Chair
As is usual among the early arrivals was the Prov DC David Emmerson, Dep Prov DC Arthur Robinson and  Ernest Gavan Prov Tyler, (affectionately known as the Three Musketeers) along with of course the dedicated VW Rod Bennison PGJO the Installing WM who soon put me through my paces as JW, he really is a one of the gentlest, nicest masons I have come across, always a pleasure to be in his company. Before too long as more members arrived a quick practise for the meeting then it was off for coffee and biscuits laid on by the Lodge, always I find a nice gesture.
PGM & Asst PGM a quick chat
One of the robing room
The Lodge Banner
On time at 11 am the meeting commenced, the PGM was offered the Gavel by the WM but on this occasion he quickly handed it back, saying he realised what hard work will have been put into the ceremony, to which Rod said his dog knows all the words as well as he has been practising with him for weeks, quick as a flash the PGM replied “I hope you’ve not been barking up the wrong tree”, brilliant.
PGM & Newly Installed WM
All the Chains
PGM and Craft PGM
He never stops making notes
New MM we need more
A quick drink
The seating list
The bar ready for action
On congratulating the newly Installed WM and the officers who had taken part in the ceremony the PGM was delighted to receive a cheque for over £700 for the Charities, which he said was a tremendous amount and would be faithfully applied for those in need. The few items left on the summons were dealt and there it was over another worthy and capable WM had been Installed in this prestigious and long established Lodge which I am sure will have a great year ahead to look forward to.
Take your seats
PGM Toasts the WM
Dep PGM Toasts the PGM
A few minutes for a photo shoot then it was down to the bar area for some liquid refreshments and lots of friendly chat before taking up allotted seats at the Festive Board, a fine light meal was served up by the always efficient staff at Wellington Park, the usual Toasts were Honoured and some fine responses, one in particular from the IPM VW Rod Bennison PGJO regarding the design and purchase of the Lodge Banner which he had been very much involved with, he then produced a miniature version which had been kept in his care for many years, and to mark his time in office he had commissioned a plinth for it  to be displayed on in front of the WM at this and all future Festive Boards, this was well received by loud acclaim. The newly Installed WM thanked Rod for the past years work by him and his officers and the excellent miniature banner he had presented to the Lodge, he also mentioned that the afternoon tea party would take place again in June and that he looked forward to the coming year with Adoniram Mark Lodge, just for those who were not present how John finds time in his day to complete his work not only as Adoniram WM and Prov Secretary is any ones guess because that only scratches the surface of  number of Degrees he belongs to, they are truly astounding and I would have needed a recorder to note them all down, amazing, his knowledge in general of Freemasonry and all its associated Degrees must be second to none.
The much loved Prov Tyler
WM Toasts the IPM
Now it was time which as always seems to come too soon to close the meeting and Festive Board which wouldn’t be complete without the Tylers Toast delivered by the very hard working Ernie Gavan PGStdB PGTyler, goodbyes said and off we went into the thin afternoon sunlight to all parts of the province, some as far as Ullverston, myself only a short trip back to Urmston and just as with the trip to the meeting no traffic, I phoned my wife and said I’m leaving now and she was amazed when I rang the door bell twenty minutes later, “What happened” she said.!!.
The Prov DC’s Friends Forever
Member from St Austins MM Lodge having a great time
No meeting is complete without Prov Tyler
Here’s to the next meeting the friends I know and those I have yet to meet, Mark Masonry “The Friendly and Happy Degree”  
Not a member of the colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree why not join us now.
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173