Eccles Lodge of Mark Master Masons |
Elm Bank, 46, Half Edge Lane, Eccles, M30 9BA |
Installation Meeting, Friday 10th March, 5.30.PM |
| Another great evening to look forward to a Provincial Team Visit at the Installation Meeting of Eccles Lodge of Mark Master Masons, not very far to travel for this one so I put Snoopy and Garmin back in their case, they weren’t happy. Set off in a rush at 4.15 pm after a very busy day and just managed to get there in time by using all the local back roads and cut through’s. The Provincial DC W.Bro Dave Emmerson who is known to be just about the best in the country for his ceremonial work was just about to start his practise for the Provincial Officers, phew I made it. |
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The Lodge Room Awaits |
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| The Secretary Rob Allman |
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| The Man with the Info. |
| The Lodge opened on time at 5.30.pm and after dealing with a considerable amount of Lodge business the moment arrived for the entrance of the PGM RW Bro Keith Beardmore accompanied by his Provincial Team, Grand and Provincial Officers. The PGM was warmly greeted by the WM Bro Alan Perks PGJD and as is usual he was offered the gavel, on this occasion the PGM said he would be pleased to accept it for a short period as he would like to introduce the members of the Provincial Team to the Brethren. |
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| PGM & Special Rep Graham Bailey |
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Prov DC’s |
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| Prov JW.SW & Tyler |
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Prov Sword Bearer |
| Once the gavel was handed back to the WM, Bro.Perks along with his Installing team carried out a wonderful ceremony which at times proved to be quite difficult due to the age of the Master Ellect Bro.William Reynolds who was born on the 26th Dec 1930 who was determined to occupy the chair of Adoniram, all credit to him. The Tools were presented and explained by the IPM Bro W Walker, the address to the WM was given by W.Bro.B.Lawrence PPrAGSwdB, address to the Wardens was given by the Prov SW, address to the Overseers was given by the Prov JW and as always the wonderful address to all the Brethren was given by the PGM. The Keystone and Charity Jewels were presented and explained to the newly Installed WM by W.Bro.Peter Burrow PPrGJO. |
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| Showcase |
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New WM |
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| PGM & WM |
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| Special Rep.WM. & Ins WM
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| On conclusion of the Ceremony the WM was pleased to present a cheque for the West Lancs Charity to the PGM who said he was delighted to receive it and thanked the Lodge on behalf of those in need saying it would be faithfully applied. At this point a Grand Lodge Certificate was to be presented, the PGM was invited to carry out the task who in turn quickly invited his Special Representative W. Bro Graham Bailey to have this pleasure. |
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| Prov JW.WM.InsWM.ProvSW |
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Group Photo |
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| Busy Bar |
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Dining Room |
| Now it was time for the PGM to retire from the Lodge accompanied by the Prov Team, Grand and Prov Officers, once outside they waited patiently for the Lodge to close so that the usual photo shoot could take place to record the event for Lodge History. |
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| PGM & Norton Fletcher newest MM into the Province |
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PGM & WM |
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| Dining Room |
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| Special Rep. Ken Alker |
| All the Brethren gathered in the well stocked bar for some liquid refreshment before taking their places at the Social Board, an excellent meal was served to all accompanied by a glass or two of wine, it would be remiss if mention wasn’t given to the main organiser of the meeting, that of course is the Secretary W.Bro. Rob Allman, one of the many unsung heroes in most Lodges (in all degrees) |
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| PGM & Special Rep |
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PGM Gets Cakes |
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| The Happy Degree |
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| Cakes |
| Following the meal there followed the usual Toasts and some excellent speeches which were well received, a raffle was taken and even that worked out perfect, three winners, a Lodge member, a Prov team member and a visitor. |
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| More Cakes |
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Box of Cakes |
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Label on the Box |
| Just before the Tyler’s Toast was given a very pleasant surprise when not only the PGM but several other Brethren including his Special Representative W.Bro.Graham Bailey, the Prov Senior and Junior Wardens and the Prov DC were presented with genuine Eccles Cakes, what a nice gesture to end the evening. Too soon as always it was over having said our goodbyes and looking forward to our next meeting it was out into the chill night air, some with a long way to travel but for myself on this occasion a ten minute trip, another great evening has come and gone in excellent company in this the “Happy Friendly Degree.” |
| Mark Well |
| Austin N.Fletcher. PPrJGO. |
| Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Lodge No.1173 |
| Next Team Visit ------ Murray Mark Lodge, Wigan. 4th April 2017 |
