Murray Mark Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.490
Pemberton Masonic Hall, Chapel Street, Pemberton, Wigan
Installation Meeting Tuesday 4th April 2017
 
Especially looking forward to this Installation Meeting at a Hall which I haven’t visited before and not too far away.  The day before I spent hours trying to update my well known travelling companions, Snoopy and Garmin on the PC. Snoopy didn’t give me any problems zip done, but Garmin now that was a different matter, hours, on off, do this, do that to the point where I was considering getting Tom back out of his retirement!! Eventually it said all done, ah a sigh of relief, now the funny thing is after all that it was basically only three roads from Urmston to the Hall never mind Poulton-le-Fylde next if I complain it could take me anywhere!!
Lodge Room from WM’s Chair
From JW Wicket
Lets get ready
Perfect
Arrived at the Hall and pulled into a large car park, the sun was shining and all was well with the world, once inside I found the hall a delight, well furnished and decorated, a large dining room complete with bar, the Temple and robbing rooms are all upstairs, unusual but I would like to mention the toilets which were stunning.
Practice Time
The Hall
Dining Room
Friends old and new were having a coffee and chatting, bringing news from their own parts of the Province and beyond, up in the Temple W.Bro.Dave Emmerson the Provincial DC was as usual putting the Provincial Team through their paces, we are all agreed that he must be the best in the land. Before too long the moment had arrived, the meeting was opened on time and once the housekeeping had been done the PGM RW.Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore entered the meeting accompanied by members of his Provincial Team, Grand and Provincial officers.
PGM retiring Special Rep, Ken Alker & IPM
New WM, PGM,Asst PGM & Banners
Large Group
The PGM was duly greeted on behalf of the Lodge by the WM W.Bro.Martin Stokes PPrJGW and was offered the gavel which on this occasion he said he would accept for a short period, he then commenced to introduce the members of the Provincial Team and other distinguished officers, which is I can assure is a delight for all those concerned.
PGM WM
PGM Toast WM
Dining
Once the WM was back control of the Lodge he along with other officers carried out a wonderful ceremony to Install W.Bro.Bill McMath PPrGJW into the chair of Adoniram, the Lodge officers for the coming year were then presented and Installed following this the address to the WM was given by W.Bro.Andy McMath, address to the Wardens was given by the Prov SW Alan Foster and the address to the Overseers by the Prov JW. Alan Holmes Fairhurst. One highlight was the presentation of the Working Tools which was given by Bro. Mike Wright the Lodge Snr Overseer. The Hall Stone Jewel and Charity Jewel were presented and explained by W.Bro. Frank Anderson PPrDGSwdB. Cheques for various Charities were presented to the PGM totalling £450 which he was delighted to receive on behalf of those needy charities stating what a very generous gesture it was. The time had arrived for the PGM to retire from the Lodge accompanied by his Provincial Team and Grand officers.
The Four Musketeers
The Happy Degree. PGM & Asst PGM
Front of Menu
Once the Meeting was closed it was time for the regular photo shoot, shock, horror, I had four batteries three of which had decided to expire!! However these days there’s always the phone for backup although it doesn’t look very professional, on this occasion I got away with it, the one remaining battery hung on.
Top Table
The Happy Degree
Flowers for June
Great job by Ernie as always
Glasses charged everyone took up their places at the Festive Board to be served an excellent meal in fine style by a very attentative staff, lots of chat and stories as is usual were followed by the usual toasts and some great responses, especially the very funny one from Asst PGM Ian Nairn regarding our PGM and skiing. All to soon the evening was drawing to a close, the newly Installed WM Bill presented Keith with some lovely flowers for his good Lady and there it was another great night in the Mark Degree was over, out into the cold night air feeling happy and looking forward to the next meeting, would I need Snoopy and Garmin, better had just in case, well I don’t know where they were taking me but it wasn’t back to Urmston !! Got home eventually, see you all at Poulton if I make it..  Happy Trails from the Happy Degree
Austin N Fletcher. PPrGJO
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173
Don’t forget to take a look at the Royal Ark Mariner Degree if you’re not already a member.