Imperial Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.1276 |
Friday 7th April 2017, The Masonic Hall, Poulton-le-Fylde |
The Blackpool and Fylde Assoc of Mark Lodges 47th Annual Festival Presentation |
“Some Impressions of The Mark Degree” |
| Today is a another happy day looking forward to a Provincial Team Visit this time at Poulton-le-Fylde and yet also a sad day as it is the last team visit for this season, having said that we still have the biggest meeting to look forward to at Southport on the 3rd May, Provincial Grand Lodge. |
 |
|
DC: I’ll give them 5 minutes more
|
 |
| Provincial Banner |
 |
The Lodge Ceiling (For those who look up)! |
| For this trip I was given special permission, dispensation to use my wife’s new car so I had to sneak it past the garage so as not to wake up Snoopy and Garmin dozing in my near vintage Opel. I thought what’s this a sat nav built in, wow these modern cars, anyway I pressed a few buttons, put the post code in and it said drive so knowing about my past experiences I thought I won’t argue and off we went into the blue yonder. A great drive on a lovely afternoon only went wrong once before turning into the car park where I had been on a previous visit, parked up in a great end bay to save any damage to Linda’s car and had also filled my pocket with change so as not to get caught out, yes, like last time, well I couldn’t find a pay station anywhere!! Just my luck, now owned by a supermarket they had changed the rules, three hours free, no return within two hours and not in action after eight, well it was twenty to five which meant I was twenty minutes out. Now should I stay to get past five o’clock and feel the displeasure of our Prov DC W.Bro Dave Emmerson or go and chance my luck, your right I left for the hall. |
 |
| Wheres my collar |
 |
Dining Room Awaits |
 |
The Lodge Building |
| For anyone who hasn’t been to this hall it is like a Tardis, situated in a lovely old town square complete with stocks an old Constabulary Police Station and a picture post card church at the far end. Once inside the building the good sized dining room complete with bar is found on the ground floor, a set of stairs takes you up to several robbing rooms and the well appointed Temple complete with unique ceiling rafters, a Wedgewood blue style wall freeze and plenty of Lodge banners, in other words lots of character. |
 |
| The Square |
 |
The Old Police Station |
 |
|
Constabulary Crest |
| Now to the special meeting which opened on time with several members arriving late in a state of panic due to heavy traffic congestion, they were suitably calmed down and then entered the Temple to take up their places. Once the Lodge’s own housework had been completed the time had arrived for the RW PGM Keith Alan Beardmore along with Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers to enter, after being presented to the WM Bro.R.A.Smith the PGM was offered the Gavel, he thanked the WM for his kind offer but just for once he was going to sit back and enjoy the presentation with all the other brethren and was very happy to hand the gavel back. |
 |
| The WM is ready |
 |
PGM WM DC Chatting
|
 |
Hard Working Treasurer. W.Bro.S.G.Wadsworth.PPrGSD |
| We all settled back in our seats and were treated to a presentation in word and screen shots regarding the history of Masons Marks dating back to the Egyptians, Romans and beyond, the screen shots gave lots of interesting examples of actual marks as can be found in lots of Ancient Churches, Monasteries and the like. On its conclusion the PGM thanked the WM and all who had taken part, some of whom were W.Bro.Colin Moxey, W.Bro.Mike Casey, W.Bro Phil Weller, the two Wardens and three Overseers (some of whom were acting) and W.Bro Keith Jackson for his musical accompaniment to the Mark Anthem, which everybody left the lodge humming, “Make your Mark, Make your Mark” |
 |
| Ian & Giles |
 |
Ian & Giles Dressed
|
 |
DC’s
|
| The WM presented the PGM with two cheques to mark the occasion, one for £50 for another epic Bike ride by W.Bro Steve Walls “Leeds 2 Liverpool Canal” who has raised many thousands with his past efforts in aid of Charity and a £200 donation to the “Walk Around the Royal Parks” on the 6th May in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund which the PGM is taking part in along with the Provincial Secretariat, including VW. Bro. Michael Clarke PJGO. APGM who has overcome a serious illness in the past year. The PGM announced that after Michaels many years of wonderful dedicated service to Mark Masonry, West Lancs Mark Masons in particular and of course the West Lancs Mark Charities as Chairman he had decided to stand down from his office in May. The PGM said he would be a very hard act to follow and would be Installing W.Bro.Giles Berkley PGStwd as APGM. a worthy choice. |
 |
| Chains & WM |
 |
Group Photo |
 |
The Old Stocks |
| It was now time for the PGM to retire from the Lodge accompanied by the Provincial Team and Grand officers, they all waited patiently outside for the Meeting to come to a close to do the usual photo shoot which enables all Mark Masons to get a glimpse of how much we all enjoy our time together. |
 |
The Square
|
 |
| Special Seat in the Square |
 |
WM & PGM Toast with Arthur over seeing
|
Downstairs, glasses charged everyone including five visiting WM’s took up their places at the Festive Board, lots of chat and smiles all round, an excellent meal was served up by very attentative staff and it was then on to the usual Toasts and responses which were all well received, including the highlights which we all look forward to the Toast to the PGM from V.W. Bro. Ian Nairn Asst PGM and the response to that Toast from our own PGM. |
|
| Visiting WM’s |
 |
|
Festive Board in Full Swing
|
 |
St Chads |
| The time had come for the Tyler’s Toast and then it was out into the night air for journeys all over the Province, everyone happy with the evenings work and looking forward to their next meeting wherever it may be, why is the Mark Degree different? Can we explain it ? All we can say to those who are not members is:- |
| “It’s the Happy Friendly Degree” |
| Austin N Fletcher. PPrGJO. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173 |
| Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire |
| 3rd May at the Floral Hall Southport |
| and |
If Not a Member already Consider Joining the colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree You’ll Enjoy It
|
 |
