A Special Meeting to Present a 50 Year Certificate in Mark Masonry to VW Bro. Bill Merry PGJO
 
Coronation Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No. 563
 
The Masonic Hall, Island Rd South, Garston, Liverpool, Thursday 6th October 2017
 
Really looking forward to tonight’s meeting, well worth a trip to Garston, overcast sky but not raining as yet  the old Opel was happy, he’s not keen on rain, got Snoopy and Garmin fired up and off we go in to the blue yonder. Up the ramp M60, over the high level bridge, left on to the M62 follow along to Jnc 6 merge on to the Knowsley Express Way, right on to Speke Rd and before I knew it I was outside the front door of the Hall, Garmin didn’t put a foot wrong, mind you Snoopy was working overtime checking out speed cameras.
Cabinet
Door Carving
I spotted a great parking spot, thought I’ve cracked it before seeing it was outside a drive to a garage !!
Parked just across the road and knocked on a door to make sure they were happy and that I wasn’t blocking them in, the accent threw me a bit they were absolutely fine and said it’s no problem, and anyway we’ve been after a set of wheels like those for a while!!
WM’s Chair
Prov DC relaxing!!
View from the West
The building outside is really smart, neat and tidy and once inside it is just the same, turn right through a door and you find yourself in a welcoming lounge bar area with easy chairs to relax in, past the bar turn left down a short passage and there was some warming tea/coffee and biscuits waiting for members arriving from near and far, a really nice touch.
Lets Practise
SW Wicket
Always Ready for a Chat
The Lodge room is upstairs and again is well appointed and welcoming, who did I see on entering and for once chilling out none other than our Prov DC, Dave Emmerson, team members began to arrive and as soon as there were enough assembled it was time to practice, under the guidance of the Dep. D.C. Arthur Robinson and the Asst DC’s including of course the long standing officer Steve Walls who does such wonderful work raising much needed funds for the Mark Degree Charities.
PGM & Stephen Lyon “Half the Man” He has lost (Stones)
5 DC’s
PGM with VW Bro.Bill Merry PGJO & WM
The meeting opened promptly at 6.00 pm under the watchful eye of the DC W.Bro. Stephen Lyon who has lost an incredible 9 stones, yes 9 stones, I had to look twice when I saw him earlier, that’s almost the weight of another person he’s lost !!  All the usual housekeeping was dealt with then it was time for the PGM, RW Bro. Keith Beardmore PGJO to enter the lodge accompanied by Grand and Prov Grand officers along with this year’s Acting Team members.
Hard working Lodge Duo. Treasurer & Secretary
Group Shot
PGM with Bill & one of his Certificates
WM Bro. Doug Holgate offered Keith the gavel which on this occasion he was delighted to accept, however he did say that as this night was for us to celebrate W.Bro. Bill Merry PGJO achieving a 50 years milestone in Mark Masonry he would just introduce a few of the Provincial Team and distinguished guests to all present.
Festive Board ready
Liquid refreshment
As we are all aware our PGM has some very nice gentle and I always find inspired touches which quite often are not the way things have always been done, (as we always hear from shall we say some of the older brethren) he chose to be escorted by the Prov DC to the West and a position in front of the SW’s pedestal after W.Bro. Bill Merry PGJO had been placed in the WM’s chair. He then commenced to give a summary of the life and times of W.Bro. Merry including his long and distinguished Masonic career, this was greeted with loud acclaim from all the Brethren. W.Bro. John Bicknall PGJD the Prov Grand Secretary then was pleased to read and present W.Bro.Merry with not one but two certificates to mark his 50 years in Mark Masonry, one from Grand Lodge and one from Prov Grand Lodge, again this was received with loud acclaim. On thanking the Brethren W.Bro Merry (who I thought was holding back a tear) said he would be delighted to say more about this special meeting at the Festive Board.
Festive Board Well Supported
It’s a mirror
Coloured Door Light
Once the Lodge was restored shall we say back to its normal layout business commenced as per the issued summons a collection for the Charities was taken and following the First Rising it was time for the PGM to retire accompanied members of the Prov Team and Grand Officers.  On closing the Lodge a short photo session took place before everyone assembled downstairs for some liquid refreshment and as always plenty of friendly chat before making their way to the well dressed and laid out dining room.
Big Clock
PGM & Bill
PGM & WM
An excellent meal and individual bottle of wine was provided and enjoyed by all, served up by very efficient and attentative staff. The usual Toasts were honoured and followed by some excellent responses (including as is usual following his speech a stunning joke from the PGM, well yes). Then it was that special time to hear from W.Bro. Merry, he gave us more insight in to his life, family, work and of course some of his Masonic memories, a great ovation followed and just before the evening was drawing to close the WM Bro. Doug Holgate was delighted to present two lovely bouquets one to W. Bro Merry for his for good lady at home and one to our PGM Keith for his lady who has to put up with him being missing most of the week.
Always Hard Working for the cause
An address to the Celebrant
Response from Bill Merry
Another great night was had by all but as usual all too soon it was time to say our goodbyes and wishing each other a safe journey home it was out into the cold night air.
Flowers for Bill
Now if you remember I had a great trip to Garston no problems, no hold ups, no being taken into car parks by you know who, well this is where it ended !! Went to the old Opel, good start wheels were all intact, made my way back to the motorway M62, pushing along listening to Lady Antebellum on the player then the dreaded motorway sickness appeared “Road Closed” well you could see that everybody came off and the vehicles were spread eagled in all directions on this huge roundabout, nobody had a clue where to go next!! Luckily for me being a World Wide Traveller (not) I followed my nose and of course ignoring the sat nav which kept saying turn right, turn right, trying to take me back to the motorway I must admit that I started talking to it and told it to you know, second word off, eventually I spotted a sign saying Warrington and knowing that there is a road which goes from there to Irlam where I go with my love for football watching Irlam Town, it’s not exactly the Etihad but it’s football roots and a great night out in the cold air with a good cup of Bovril. Found it made my way to Irlam went past Barton Airport but didn’t dare take the M60 for the last miles, continued on, over Barton bridge, past the Trafford Centre and that was it, home.
PGM receiving Flowers for june
Our Trusty Prov Tyler
My wife said I thought you only went to Liverpool, ah I didn’t bother to try and explain just got myself a glass of Laphroaig and sunk in to an easy chair, here’s looking forward to next week’s meeting at Garstang, now where’s that map..
 
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173