The 50th year of Queensway Mark Lodge 1331 and Installation
 
1st September 2017
 
Queensway Lodge this year is celebrating its 50th year of existence and in recognition of the event the membership decided to elect the longest serving member reverend V. W. Bro Walter Owen Balmer PGJO and Deputy Pr G. Chaplain as the Worshipful Master.
The lodge had a large number of guests attending together with the representative W. Bro Graham Taylor Bailey, RW Bro Peter Connolly Past Pr GM and the Grand Chaplain Bruce Harry who it transpires had been at Theological College with Walter. VW Bro Eric Drinkwater the Special Representative for the area was also in attendance.
Among the other guests were the Provincial DC David Emmerson and his assistant Steven Walls, and the Tony Farrar Acting AGDC together with several acting and past provincial officers, and masters of two other Lodges.
It is 34 years since Walter was first in the chair of Queensway Lodge. This around he was installed by W. Bro David Richards ably assisted by W. Bro Norman Davies PPGSW who gave the address to the master. This was fitting as both of them were retired Police officers and past colleagues of Walter who also had been a serving Police Officer with Liverpool City Police and latterly Merseyside Police, who, after retiring had taken up his duties in the clergy.
The festive board was a rectangular table with 31 people sitting down to a 5 course meal. Much joviality and humour was present during the lead up to the formal toasts and speeches.
It was a fitting occasion for such a distinguished brother who had served Mark Masonry for such a long time. It was an honour to be present and see a friend of many years once again in the chair and looking forward to another successful year of Mark Masonry with candidates in the pipeline for his year.
Words and pictures by David Richards, P.G.St.B.