Tuscan Mark Lodge Installation 2017
 
Tuscan Mark Lodge No 1099, held their Installation meeting at Liverpool Masonic Hall, Hope Street on Monday 18th December.  The lodge were pleased to welcome the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Ian Nairn PGJO to the Installation meeting.   Unfortunately due illness and work commitments there were not too many Brethren at the meeting, but those who were subject to a first class night.
Installing Master Stephen Hindley; Worshipful Master Sandy Kean
The meeting was held appropriately in the Tuscan Temple at Hope Street.    With everyone in the Worshipful Master WBro Stephen Hindley opened the meeting and received VWBro Ian Nairn.   WBro Steve Walls PAGDC; ProvAGDC, then led the salutations.    It was then up to the lodge DC, WBro Tony Kennedy PProvGJW to present WBro Sandy Kean Master Elect to the Worshipful Master for the ceremony of Installation.
 
WBro Hindley carried out the ceremony with confidence and in fine style.   Later he also presented the working tools to the Master with no let up in the quality of the ritual.    Keeping up the high standard which had been set by the Installing Master, WBro Derek Horrocks PGJD presented the Key Stone Jewel to the Master.   The Worshipful Master then appointed his new team before those assembled where treated to some first class address.   Not to be out done by what had gone before; WBro Tony Kennedy did an excellent address to the Worshipful Master.  The Wardens were also treated to a fine address by WBro Colin Svenson, PAGDC. 
Stephen Hindly; Ian Nairn APGM; Sandy Kean
Due to illness there had to be a last minute replacement for the address to the Overseers and with true leadership (and a smile), VWBro Ian Nairn took on the task.    A better choice would have been hard to find and it proved the old adage, “one volunteer is better than ten pressed men” and after VWBro Nairn had finished this address he went straight in to the address to the Brethren.   Both addresses were faultless and done with feeling.
Once the installation was ceremony over VWBro Ian Nairn was again on his feet to bring the congratulations of the PGM to the New Master and to the Installing Master for what had been a very enjoyable ceremony.   VWBro Nairn also congratulated the DC, WBro Tony Kennedy and WBro Colin Svenson, for the hard work they had put in due to unforeseen circumstances within the Lodge before the meeting.   It was then the turn of the WM, WBro Sandy Kean to present the APGM with a very generous cheque for charity.
The WM; IM and APGM surrounded by Grand Officers
The meeting over it was time for dinner and Tuscan Lodge being Tuscan Lodge ‘party poppers’; very large party poppers.   In response to the toast to grand lodge VWBro Nairn ran through some of the upcoming events, like the Liverpool Association Social evening on 27th January and the change of venue for the Mark Ball 2018.  (See web site for details of both.)  He also gave a run down on what the Charities had been up to during the year and the financial help Mark Masons had given organisations in the Provence.  One of the success stories of 2017 was the PSA tests which had been carried out at the Provincial Meeting in May.  Of the 234 carried out, most had been Green or Amber, but there were a couple that were Red.
Members of Tuscan Lodge
One of the brethren who had received a Red warning was attending the installation meeting and took the opportunity to thank those in the province who had organized the tests in May, for without the test he would not have known his condition.  (He is now receiving treatment.)   We all wish him well and add our own thanks to the West Lancs Mark Executive for the PSA initiative. 
 Our best wishes go to the WM, WBro Sandy Kean and Tuscan Mark Lodge No 1099 for upcoming year.   Tuscan Mark Lodge also extends Seasons Greetings to all.
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell