New Temple Mark Lodge Installation
 
Thursday 17 October saw a contingent of around 30 Mark Master Masons descend upon Chorley Masonic Hall for the installation meeting of New Temple Mark Lodge 1438.
WBro John Askew, the new Worshipful Master, with APGM Giles Berkley
After the lodge was opened the WM, WBro Andrew Bibby PProvDGSwdB, dispatched the administrative business with alacrity and, on a report, admitted WBro Terry Dickinson, Provincial Assistant Grand DC who announced that the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Giles Frederick Berkley demanded admission. The APGM was welcomed into the lodge at the head of a Provincial deputation that included WBro David Rigby the Provincial Grand Senior Warden, and VWBro Geoffrey Herbert Lee the Deputy Provincial Grand Master (attending in a private capacity as a member of the lodge).
After suitable welcomes and salutations were accorded and responded to the meeting progressed to the main business, the installation of WBro John Askew into the Chair of Adoniram. The ceremony was worked in exemplary fashion by WBro Bibby who, fearing he might become bored after a busy year in the Chair, was promptly appointed Director of Ceremonies for the ensuing year! The addresses were ably given by WBro Vic Norris PProvGJW, WBro David Rigby ProvGSW and WBro Richard Higson, who had been honoured at the annual Provincial meeting in May with a promotion to Past Provincial Grand Senior Overseer. Once the installation was complete the new Worshipful Master was delighted to present WBro Berkley with a cheque for £600 in aid of masonic charities, for which grateful thanks on behalf of the eventual recipients was given.
WBro Terry Dickinson ProvAGDC, WBro David Robinson PProvGJW PGM’s Special Rep.
WBro Geoffrey Lee DPGM, WBro Eric Poole ProvGSD, WBro John Askew WM,
WBro Andrew Bibby PProvDGSwdB, WBro Giles Berkley APGM, WBro David Rigby ProvGSW,
WBro Bill Bruce ProvDGSwdB, & WBro Vic Norris PProvGJW
Following the meeting the assembled brethren enjoyed a lively and convivial festive board. In responding to the toast to the Grand Officers WBro Berkley entertained the brethren with tales of some of the exotic locations he had travelled to in service of the Province and Mark Masonry in general, including Rome, Benidorm and Newcastle. In responding to the toast to his health, WBro Askew expressed surprise at finding himself in the Chair only two years after entering the lodge as a joining member, but was nonetheless delighted at the honour conferred upon him by the Lodge. He also expressed gratitude to the hard work put into preparations for the evening by the officers of the Lodge; in particular the Secretary WBro Frank Lees PProvGSO who was unable to attend the meeting after undergoing surgery the day before, and the DC’s team of Vic Norris and Andrew Bibby who ensured the ceremonial portions of the evening went off flawlessly. All too soon the Tyler brought proceedings to a close and the brethren departed to their own homes and firesides after another most enjoyable evening of Mark Masonry.
Words and pictures by John Askew