Bispham with Norbreck Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No. 866
 
Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool
 
INSTALLATION MEETING.  Friday 10th February 2017
 
At last after all my trials and tribulations at the end of last year and the start of this year I can finally get back to visiting with my friends old and new in the Mark Degree. As usual I would be travelling with Snoopy and Garmin for company both of which really enjoy taking me into car parks and farm yards along the way. Set off around 3.15pm up the ramp opposite the Trafford Centre, 35 minutes later made it all the way to Worsley (approx 6 miles), however once I made it to the Bolton split had no further hold ups whatsoever and arrived directly opposite the Hall in Adelaide Street, isn’t technology wonderful when it works.
Lets Practise
WM all Ready To Go
WM Bro John Shaw & DC W.Bro R Holt PPrGSD
The hall is well appointed, warm and welcoming, I made my way through the foyer turning right into the recently refurbished Lounge/bar, got a welcoming drink of coffee and settled down into one of the comfy chairs to await the call for the Provincial Team Practise.
Preparing the Lodge

Giles  “I’m sure I had it With Me When I Left..
Newly re-furbed lounge & Bar
The time came to attend the Lodge Room and what a delight to see Dave Emmerson the Prov DC looking so much better, fit and well again after his serious illness and operations of not so long ago, once he was happy (well reasonably) all the Brethren could relax and await for the Lodge to be Tyled.
Group Shot
Group with Giles
The Lodge opened on time at 6pm with a buzz of excitement, following several items of Lodge business it was time for the Prov Grand Master, R.W. Bro.Keith Alan Beardmore to enter accompanied by the Acting Provisional Team members, Grand and Provincial Officers. W.M. Bro.John Shaw greeted the PGM and offered him the gavel which on this occasion he said he would be delighted to accept for a short while. As is usual on these occasions the PGM introduced the members of his team and other distinguished Brethren to the Lodge, which is always a nice touch and makes the team members feel part of something special which of course they are. On handing back the Gavel to the W.M. the Ceremony of Installation continued, Master Elect Bro.Stephen Smith was duly Installed in to the Chair of Adoniram by Bro. Shaw assisted by officers of the Lodge.
WM SW JW
WM PGM SW & JW
The address to the W.M. was given by W.Bro.M.Cross PGStdB, to the Wardens by W.Bro.A.Whittle PPrSW, to the Overseers by W.Bro. A.H.Fairhurst ProvGJW and the address to all present was given by the PGM, always a moving piece. Now sat at ease in the chair of Adoniram, Bro.Smith had the Quintuple Keystone Jewel presented to him and explained by W.Bro.Forster PGJD, who is the Special Rep for the area, he was also presented with the Charity Jewel. Now it was W.Bro.Giles Berkley G.Stwd who stepped forward and presented W.Bro.Shaw with the stunning gold IPM’s Jewel which has been past on this way in the Lodge since 1962. (not by Giles of course) The Working Tools of the Degree were presented and explained by W.Bro.J.A.Powell PGSD.
A drink at the bar
Dining Room
One note of interest was the number of Mark Master Masons who re-entered the Lodge following on from the Installation Ceremony, 18 in total which can only be a good sign for the future of the Mark Degree, now all we need are similar numbers to come along and join the wonderful Royal Ark Mariner Degree.
Before the PGM and the team retired the WM had much pleasure in presenting Keith with cheques for the charities to the value of £866.00 (yes the Lodge No.) a superb amount and much appreciated by all who receive support from the Mark Degree.
PGM Toasts WM
Lodge business being concluded it was closed in due form and once glasses were charged, the Brethren made their way to the dining room which was laid out in fine style including a miniature whisky at each place setting for the Festive Board, an excellent meal was served to all by friendly attentative staff.
All now feeling a warm glow, plenty of good food (including my favourite Crumble with Custard) and few sips of  what does you good, all present settled down to honour the usual Toasts and were treated to some excellent interesting speeches as always.
WM Toasts IPM
The saying is ”All Good Things Must Come To An End” and it was now time for us to say our goodbyes and go out into the cold night air to make our way home to all parts of the Province, I like many others are already looking forward to our next meeting, The Friendly Happy Degree of Mark Master Masons.
 
Austin N Fletcher, ProvJGO.  Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Lodge of MMM. No.1173