Installation with a difference at Wyre Mark
 
19th April 2017
 
Wyre Mark Lodge No 754 has a reputation of being quite a bit different from the rest and the lodge’s latest annual installation proved no exception. The ceremony saw the newest master of Wyre Mark, Joe O’Brien, finally, and quite literally, take the chair after illness had caused him to become wheelchair-bound had compelled him to mark time for an additional year as SW.
Joe O’Brien takes over the reins from Mike Brown
 
Joe as a master-in-waiting despite his handicap is already well known on the master’s circuit from his frequent and regular visits to other Mark lodges both on the Fylde and further afield.
“It’s a fair cop guv.”  Joe is collared by the Wardens - Alan Foster and Alan Fairhurst
Joe’s illness has not dampened his spirit or wicked sense of humour in the slightest and fun and laughter abounded throughout the proceedings of the day.
 
Wyre Mark’s outgoing WM and installing master Mike Brown, and the other officers of the lodge under the watchful eye of DC Dennis Smith, gladly and ably adapted to the different circumstances of conducting the ceremony from the floor of the lodge instead of what is usual practice to make the installation unique as well as memorable for Joe.
Pictured from left to right are Alan Foster, Joe O’Brien and Mike Brown
Mike, after despatching the domestic business of the lodge, welcomed Provincial Grand Senior Warden Alan Foster in his role as the representative of the PGM Keith Beardmore. Alan was accompanied by Grand Officers Stephen Leach, Walter Porter and Terry West as well as an array of other distinguished officers which included John Powell and John Forster the PGM’s Special Representative and Alan Fairhurst PrGJW.
The Grand Officers welcome Joe as WM
Following salutations to the lodge’s distinguished guests Mike invited Bob Walker WM of Cleveleys Mark Lodge to act as installing SW, Ray Smith WM of Imperial Mark Lodge as IJW and Roy Rhodes WM of Fylde Mark Lodge as IIG.
Words of wisdom from Alan Foster to Joe O’Brien
The stage set, Tony Blundell presented Joe to Mike to receive the benefit of installation at his hands and thereafter acted as ‘chauffeur’ for Joe during the ceremony.
Mike Brown tells a few tales about Joe’s life and times in his toast to him
Mike went on to give an impressive and meaningful performance in installing his successor.
 
Tom Egan most ably presented the Working Tools to the new WM.
 
Stephen Leach presented Joe with, and explained, the Keystone and Mark Benevolence Jewels.
 
As the installation progressed John Forster gave the Address to the WM followed by the busy Stephen Leach who gave the Address to the Wardens. Walter Porter gave the Address to the Overseers and also gave one of his humorous speeches as he welcomed Dennis Smith back into his post as lodge DC.
You’re having a laugh!
Following the appointment and investiture of the officers of Wyre Mark Alan Foster gave the age-old Address to the Brethren.
 
After Mike, with a broad smile of satisfaction, announced the conclusion of the installation Alan brought the congratulations of the PGM to Joe and to Mike for the part he had played in the ceremony and brought good wishes for the lodge to enjoy a successful year ahead.
Mike runs the raffle at festive board as Stuart Boyd PrGSW designate (second right) joins in
As his first pleasant duty Joe thanked Alan for his kind remarks and presented him with a cheque for £100 for the Mark Benevolent Fund Charity Walk and another cheque for £250 for Fleetwood Mustard Seed Group which provides a food bank for the town’s poor and needy.
 
Adding further to the uniqueness of the day Frank Kennedy next invited Mike Brown to take centre stage. Paying tribute to Mike for all the efforts he had put in during his mastership Frank presented his good friend with a Wyre Mark Lodge Founder’s Jewel which had belonged to Louis Cohen a PM of Fylde Mark Lodge No 296 when Wyre Mark Lodge was founded in 1922. Frank had sourced the Founder’s Jewel through Louis Cohen’s great grandson, now living in Berlin, as a fitting memento to mark Mike’s year as WM.
 
John Forster brought congratulations and good wishes to the lodge on behalf of the Grand Officers and introduced Stuart Sutherland Boyd who is the PrGSW designate and whom John said was picking up ‘tricks of the trade’ from the two experienced ‘Alans’ - Foster and Fairhurst as PrGSW and PrGJW.
The Founders Jewel which was presented to Mike Brown by his pal Frank Kennedy
Bob Walker responded on behalf of the visitors saying how much everyone had enjoyed the experience at Wyre Mark’s installation.
 

Joe O’Brien thanked all of these respondents and after his debut performance of closing the lodge the brethren retired to a very enjoyable and sumptuous festive board.
Words and pictures by Bob Boal