Semper Fidelis Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners. No.880
 
Installation Meeting
 
Thursday 9th November 2017. Masonic Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood
 
Another great evening to look forward to but this time a little different, it’s a Team visit to a Royal Ark Mariner Installation Meeting and what could be more fitting than for it to be at Fleetwood with its long history and connection with the sea.
The Famous on Ramp
Hall Entrance
Stairway
Checked my case to make sure I had the right regalia, picked up the starting handle on my way out, opened the garage door and cranked up the old Opel, not too bad a couple of turns and it fired up, squeezed inside woke up Garmin and Snoopy and off we set into the wild blue yonder, isn’t life wonderful, then you’ve guessed it, the nightmare on ramp for the M60, you think I would be used to it by now but that’s not the case, the starting price for the so called “Smart Motorway” was I believe £278 Million, it has been total chaos in this area for over three years now and I’m sure as we all know the sad fact is it will make no difference whatsoever to the traffic flow and whatever you do as I have mentioned before don’t  break down because there will no longer be a hard shoulder!!. Getting to the meeting was hard work but if I’d only known it was a breeze compared to the trip home!!
Lets Practise
Arthur keeping his eye on proceedings
Sword & Banners
Anyway let’s get back to meeting, arrived in Fleetwood in good time, only drove past the hall once, parked up facing the right way on the Esplanade for the return, crossed the road up the steps and luckily I followed someone in who had the door code, it is a very welcoming and warm entrance lobby which features a sweeping staircase at the far end complete with a chair lift for the needy, just to the right is a well lit very smart dining room which was already laid out for the Festive Board.  Next door on the right is a very pleasant snug with a well stocked bar, just waiting for members and guests to partake in some refreshments following the meeting.
Special Wall Clock
Semper Fidelis Picture
Table Plan
Before too long it was practise time and tonight it was in the hands of the more than capable Prov Deputy Grand D.C. W.Bro.Arthur Robinson who was in charge of the Team visit for this evenings visit. Once he was satisfied everyone relaxed for a short time having a good old chin wag, then it was time for the meeting to start, on the dot of 6pm the doors were closed and off we went.
The Dining Room awaits
PGM making notes
I have it all here
The Collars are ready
As is usual all the Lodge housekeeping was dealt with and following the item any other business the Prov Grand Master Keith Alan Beardmore entered accompanied by acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers, he was offered the Sceptre as is his right by the W.Commander Bro.David Britton and on this occasion he said he would hold on to it for just a short time.
Group Shot
WC’s Chair
New WC, IPWC & Wardens
He proceeded to introduce the Acting Grand Prov officers, Distinguished Grand Officers and members of the Prov Executive to everyone present before handing back control of the lodge to Bro.Britton the W.C. for the Installation Ceremony. It was pretty obvious that many hours practise must have been put in by members of Semper Fidelis RAM Lodge because the ceremony was excellent and enjoyed by everyone whether long time members  or relatively new to this degree, first class.
Happy Lodge Members
Ditto plus PGM
The Four Muketeers
The address to the newly Installed Commander was delivered in fine style by the Installing Commander W.Com. David Britton and this was followed by the address to all present by the PGM, officers for the ensuing year were presented and invested with the collars of their various offices and on conclusion the PGM gave his personal greetings to the new Commander who was pleased to present three cheques one each for the West Lancs Mark Charity, Trinity Hospice and the Charity Walk which had taken place a few months ago.
PGM & W.C.
PGM & Two soon to be promoted GL officers
The Snug
What Can You Say
Next on the summons was to present Bro.Roy Ernest Rhodes with his Grand Lodge Certificate, this pleasant task was kindly past over by the PGM into the hands of his Asst PGM, W.Bro.Giles Berkley PGS who said he would be delighted to present the certificate, which he did with his usual charm, he truly is one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. The Charity plate was honoured and then it was time for the PGM to retire from the Lodge accompanied by the Prov Team, Prov Executive and Grand officers.
Michael the Happy Barman
Festive Board
On closing of the Lodge there was the usual short photo session then it was off to the bar for some liquid refreshment served up by the very friendly barman Michael, plenty of friendly chat between friends old and new, before too long the Prov Deputy DC Arthur called for everyone to take up their places at the Festive Board, the PGM accompanied by the W.Com, Installing Past Com and Grand officers entered and once seated an excellent meal was served up by the very pleasant and efficient staff, (once again I had to dodge the sweet because I like to stay in shape, kind of small and dumpy).
New W.C. & I P W.C.
Giles & Prov Chaplain Stephen Leach
Giles using his hands to speak (Brilliant)
Following on from the meal the usual Toasts were honoured and some interesting speeches including one from the Asst PGM Giles Berkley PGS, we all waited in anticipation for the PGM’s speech in which he usually brings us up to date with issues of the day from Grand Lodge and any interesting facts regarding the Charities, oh and of course there is always the joke which we all look forward to!! (Now I’m sure he’s told the one about the grid, the stick and the string once before).  On closing we should mention two of the hard working members of Semper Fidelis RAM, W.Bro. Jimmy Rogers the Scribe who had everything organised so well and W.Bro.Harry Cox the Treasurer for collecting every meal payment before the meal started, now that must be a first.  Time was against us once more and it was time to leave but not before Keith was presented with some lovely flowers for June, which he said would be much appreciated, out into the chilled Fleetwood night air, still reasonably early and I thought home before eleven, how wrong could I be!!
PGM & W.C. with flower presentation
PGM in Toast with W.C.
PGM with his Dep & Ass PGM
Said hello to Garmin and Snoopy, a sip of Dandelion and Burdock and off we set, about a mile from the M55 Garmin piped up “Motorway closed calculating a new route”!!  I thought here we go it’s pulling my leg, on arriving at the roundabout there were three yellow coats who seemed to be having a good laugh at all the car drivers who were gesturing towards them, on and on I went, eventually I was in the centre of Preston, and I thought what the heck am I doing here,  oh well I thought at least I can get on to the M6 from here, not so, next motorway was the M61, ah this will take me home, past the Macron Stadium, on to the M60, not far, few more miles and I’ll see the domes, not tonight M60 closed no options only one road open, now I’m on the M62 heading towards Warrington. Ah well just over two hours to get from Fleetwood to Urmston, can’t wait for December around my area, Trafford Centre.
 
Here’s looking forward to the next meeting at Leyland, Adoniram Lodge, now what could possibly go wrong with that trip, looking forward to seeing friends I know and those I have yet to meet,

Mark Well.
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173