2019 Installation at Adoniram Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No552
 
The start of spring and the nearing of the end of the Masonic season always coincide with Adoniram Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No552 Installation meeting. Or is it the other way around?
At least we have got a seat
Whichever it is the Installation meeting was held on 29 March at Liverpool Masonic Hall, in Hope Street.    As always there was a good turnout for the meeting. The Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Commander WBro Ian Elsby and once open the first item was to pay tribute to departed merit in this case to VWBro Bill Merry, PGJO and RAMGR. 
I am ready
WBro Ian recalled how Bill had been a hard working mason and well respected by all. Bill was always jovial and full of fun and earned the nick name among some as ‘merry Bill’. A period of reflection was then observed by the lodge.
Have you got a job yet?
 It was now time for the Worshipful Commander offered the sceptre to the APGM WBro Ian Nairn hoping that he would keep hold of it for the night as was his right. However WBro Ian Nairn thanked the Commander warmly for invitation but reluctantly handed it back saying that he would hate to deprive the Worshipful Commander of the pleasure of performing the installation ceremony.
Ian Elsby and David Anderton
Then the acting DC WBro Arthur Robinson led the salutations to the two APGM’s, WBro’s Ian Nairn and Giles Berkley. It was now time for the Worshipful Commander to ask WBro John Ryan to take the chair of the Senior Warden for the installation ceremony and WBro Phil Gunning to occupy the Junior Warden’s chair.   WBro Arthur Robinson then presented Bro Chris Hamilton, Worshipful Commander elect to WBro Ian Elsby for the purpose of installation.
Giles Berkley and Ian Nairn
All those below the rank of an installed commander were asked to leave for a short while. WBro Elsby then performed the inner workings and placed Bro Hamilton into the chair in fine style. Brethren were then invited back into the lodge and duly greeted the new Worshipful Commander before WBro Elsby proclaimed Bro Chris Hamilton, Commander of Adoniram Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No552. Officers were then appointed and invested. 
The Team
With this completed, it was then the turn of WBro Mike Winterbottom, Prov RAMGR, and the PGM’s Special Rep for the Liverpool Mark Lodges to deliver a first class address to the Worshipful Commander. When WBro Ian Nairn turned down the chance of doing the ceremony, it did not mean that he got out of doing any work for it fell to WBro Nairn to present the exposition to the brethren which he did faultlessly and with feeling.    At the close of the installation ceremony WBro Ian Nairn congratulated WBro Chris Hamilton on behalf of the PGM on becoming the Worshipful Commander and WBro Ian Elsby on the excellent job he had done as installation commander.
Chris Hamilton and Ian Elsby
 During the propositions two new candidates were proposed and so there will be work for the Lodge and Worshipful Commander to do at their October meeting. There was also a Grand Lodge Certificate to be presented to Bro Jack Poller and once again this fell to WBro Ian Nairn and again this was done in excellent manner. We wish WBro Chris Hamilton and Adoniram RAM lodge an enjoyable summer and another successful season for 2019/2020.
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell