Walton Installation
 
The installation meeting of The Walton Lodge of Mark Masters No 161 at Garston Masonic Hall was a unique occasion. This old and established lodge, dating back to 1872, was in grave danger of having to surrender its warrant but on the day it was given a new lease of life when it became The Walton Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards.
 
Members of Walton Mark Lodge prior to the meeting with Jim Mylan in the Master’s chair.
Prior to the installation of the new WM 30 joining members who are present or past provincial stewards were accepted as joining members. Some 20 of them were present and were able to process into the room to be welcomed by outgoing WM Jim Mylan. If it had not been for a provincial team visit taking place on the same evening there would have been even more in attendance.
It was very fitting that representing the Provincial Grand Master on the day was Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Clarke who was one of the joining members. Michael and Rod Bennison have, with the full support of the executive, been very much the driving force behind the change to a Stewards’ lodge. The move will ensure that the name of Walton Lodge lives on albeit in a different form with its records, regalia etc. continuing to be looked after and put into good use.
 
 
Eric Hughes, Bill Wainwright and Derek Horrocks.
Master Elect Bill Wainwright was presented by Andrew Maginn and Jim undertook the first part of the ceremony of installation.
At extremely short notice the PGM’s special representative for the area Derek Horrocks was called into action to deliver the remaining part of the ceremony up to and including the presentation of the Hallstone Jewel. To his great credit the quality of his work did not reflect the fact that he had had no time to prepare. It was an outstanding effort.
WM Bill with some of the joining members.
Peter Craven gave the address to Bill as the newly installed WM, Glynn Jones that to the Wardens and Wilf Spencer that to the Overseers. Michael was called into action to orate the address to the Brethren.
One of the last duties of Jim as WM was to present Michael with a cheque for £500 in favour of the West Lancashire Mark Charity.
Jim Mylan and Graham Kyffin
The next meeting of Walton Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards will be in May at Leyland. This will be a full team visit and feature a re-dedication of the lodge. It promises to be an event worth the effort of travelling along to.
 
Future May meetings will be held at a hall chosen by the WM with the ladies being invited to dine.
The Steward for the year is chosen by the unscientific but completely fair and transparent method of placing the names of all who want to hold the office into a ballot box and drawing out one name. The Steward is in fact also the Master Elect as he will be installed as WM following his year in office.
Junior Warden Jack Parker, Bill Wainwright and Senior Warden Dave Sear
The draw took place at Garston and the first Steward will be Hughie O’Neil. Hughie should have been at the meeting but had telephoned prior to the lodge opening to give his apologies as he was stuck on that great car-park colloquially known as the M62.
Although in many respects, particularly to its established members, it was a sad occasion in other regards it was very much a joyous one. As Michael commented, “Today has seen the rebirth of Walton Lodge which will enable its name to go forward for many years. Its history will live on and will not be consigned to the dusts of time.”
Amongst those observing proceedings was Graham Kyffin who is a regular visitor at Walton Lodge. He is also by coincidence the WM of the Cheshire Provincial Grand Stewards Mark Lodge.
Michael and Rod have not settled back on their haunches now the changes have been made as the former was elected treasurer and the latter will be the new secretary. 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear