Semper Fidelis Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No. 880
 
Masonic Hall, The Palace, Garden St, St Anne’s on Sea. Mon 16th Oct 2017
 
A Banner Dedication Meeting
 
Another special meeting to look forward to tonight, one that is a first for me and probably for most of the Brethren attending also, a Mark Lodge Banner Dedication. Very windy outside so I didn’t want to get the old Opel out too early, fired up you know who Garmin and Snoopy, case in the back of the car complete with marmite butty and a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock just in case of emergencies. Set off in good time up the ramp on to the M60, light traffic, on to the M61, left on to the M55 and by now it felt like driving through falling snow, there were so many leaves blowing about and hitting the screen at times I could hardly see, no matter ploughed on, came off at the correct junction and before I knew it there I was in Garden Street. I spotted Ernie Gavan the Prov Tyler, he was as is usual  unloading all the equipment which he carries around for Team visits, he really is a nice guy and works very hard for all of us, I shouted “Oy Ernie any parking” he smiled and said “this is Lytham” now I know what he meant.
The Lodge Room
View through the wicket
WM Ready for Action
Turned right,  ah I thought a multi storey great, no This car park closes at 1930hrs !!, turned left Sainsbury’s yes this will do, no, 2 hours maximum and closes at 2200 hrs, oh well leave it here and come back and move it, started to walk back to the Hall and there it was a space on the road side, now decisions to be made will I make it, have a go, started to run back to the car, well jogged, jumped in and after a fifteen point turn made the exit and there it was still there waiting for me.
Lodge Warrant
Bible
Practise in full swing
What a relief walked back towards the Hall, round the corner of the Police Station, next left and I had arrived, a Door amongst the shop fronts with small Square and Compass, I thought is this it ??  Well what a surprise I had in store “Aladdin’s Cave” comes to mind, through the door up the stairs and into one of the nicest Lodge and Dining rooms I have ever seen.  Went and had a chat with a very pleasant guy who was in fact the Lodge secretary Geoffrey Crosland PGStdB, as it turned out he was in fact going to be carrying the new Banner for Dedication later on in the evening. I re-located a summons and some other interesting material which I found kind of lying about, found myself a very comfy seat on a small settee near to the Lodge entrance and thought how nice is this.
Banner Deputation
Banner
Lodge Plaque
Before too long I woke up and thought where am I (only kidding), Mark Masons began to arrive from all over the county and the Team members under the guidance of David (don’t leave your wands in the lodge) Emmerson the Prov DC began this very important practise session. Once he was satisfied that all was well everyone relaxed and went to talk over the evenings proceedings. I myself had a very interesting and friendly chat about the Highlands and one of my favourite places the island of Islay with John Bruffell from Corinthian Lodge No.1052 a Mason I had never met before, at the Social board he was kind enough to have supplied me with a large drink whilst I was away taking photo’s, that’s how you can tell your at a Mark Masons meeting.
Centre of banner
Dining Room Ready
Door Knocker
The Old Committee Room
One great piece of news W.Bro. John Waring was back with us, one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of meeting, he keeps the PGM in check and supplies him with lots of information regarding the Team members in attendance, whilst on holiday in Cordoba his wife Doreen unfortunately fractured her wrist, ouch, it meant that when they returned to the UK he had to stay in close attendance and look after her every need which included trips to the hairdressers, nail bars, food shopping etc which he was of course delighted to be doing !! Welcome Back. 
PGM & Two Newly promoted Prov RAM s
PGM & Special Rep John Forster
PGM & Chains

Still Practising

Now to the main event, the Lodge opened at 6 pm, usual housekeeping was dealt with and before too long it was time for the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore PGJO to enter accompanied by members of the Prov Team, Prov Executive and distinguished Grand officers.  The WM Bro. Kenneth W Turner gave greetings to Keith and offered him the gavel which he was on this occasion happy to accept. The PGM then proceeded to open Provincial Grand Lodge which is required for the Banner Dedication Ceremony to take place, the Team assembled in due form and made presentation to the PGM, the WM holding one corner of the banner presented it and asked for it to be accepted on behalf of Semper Fidelis Lodge, which the PGM was delighted to confirm.
John Relaxing
Standing in at the Last Minute
PGM & Prov Chaplain
Once it was placed in a prominent position at the right of the WM, W. Bro. S.W.Leach the Prov Chaplain gave a wonderful oration regarding the detail work on the banner and their meanings, it was very, very interesting and received loud acclaim from all present. Now usually this is where the PGM would hand back the gavel to the WM for the normal Lodge proceedings to continue but not tonight, Keith had a surprise for one of the Lodge members, he asked for W.Bro.Roger Buckley PPrGJW to be presented to him at the pedestal, he was delighted on this special occasion to promote Bro.Buckley to PPrGSW for the many years of dedicated service he has given to Mark Masonry in general and Semper Fidelis Lodge in particular, there followed long and loud acclaim by all.
Father & Son
Always ready for a chat
DC’s & Banner
PGM. WM. & Banner
Large Group & Banner
The PGM then closed the Prov Lodge and was happy for the WM to take his rightful place in the chair of Adoniram, at this juncture the WM stood and handed the PGM an envelope which he was delighted to open inside was a magnificent cheque to the value of the Lodge number £880, after a sharp intake of breath he thanked all members of the Lodge for the princely sum donated to the West Lancs Mark Charities to aid those in need. This was of course well received by all present.
Notice on the Organ
Old Organ under repair
Tucked away in a corner
PGM & New Promotion
Following the First Rising it was time for the PGM to take his leave, the Prov DC called his officers to post and once assembled they accompanied him from the lodge in fine style, here shall we say normal service was resumed, in no time at all the meeting came to an end, it had taken a number of years to raise the funds to purchase the very special  banner but I’m sure that everyone present thought it had been well worth the effort and would be treasured by members for years to come.
Prov Officers & Banner
Lodge members & Banner
A quick photo shoot followed the closure of the meeting then it was off for some liquid refreshment and a chat before taking up the allotted seats at the social board in the wonderfully laid out dining room, I would say again what a wonderful Masonic Hall they have here in Lytham. An excellent meal was served up at a very reasonable price by very efficient and friendly staff then it was time for the usual Toasts and responses which at Mark meetings are not the type which send you to sleep and of course we all wait with baited breath for the PGM’s joke to be delivered never the same one twice, although some say (not me of course) they are likened to Les Dawson’s piano playing. At its conclusion the WM had much pleasure in presenting the PGM with a lovely bouquet of flowers for his very understanding wife June and that was it all over too soon, why is this degree so different to all the others, why are we happy to make long journeys, drive round and round trying to locate the halls, meet people we have never seen before,  we shall probably never know but personally I always think great tonight it’s a Mark meeting which is not the case with some of the other degrees I belong to.
PGM & WM Toast
Flowers for June
Gathered for the Festive Board
Off we go out into the night air, I stepped outside and immediately got blown across the pavement by a very strong gust of wind which had been promised all day as the tail end of the hurricane which had battered Florida, I thought oh oh, the old Opel’s underneath some trees, I hurried round the corner and all was ok apart from a few twigs on the bonnet, fired her up and realised the fuel was low, will it get me home I wondered, ah well there’s bound to be a station between here and the motorway, no there wasn’t, on and on we went will it make it.  Down the M55, on to the M6 on to the M61, whew then I spotted the services, don’t take the chance get some gas. As I got to the pump I repeated to myself “How Much” £1.37 yes £1.37, the dearest petrol I have ever purchased, as I approached the office to make payment I noticed a jet black horse tied up outside and the guy on the desk had a black three cornered hat on and a black mask, his ID badge said Shell Motorway Services name D.Turpin, ah well you live and learn.
The Tylers Toast
Before too long I was once again at the Bus Stop on the Bridge, not far to go now over the high level bridge and that was it another great night at a Mark Masons meeting, here’s to the next one, meeting old friends I know and those I have yet to meet.
Mark Well
Words by Austin N Fletcher and pictures by Austin and Giles.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173