Ormskirk Priory R.A.M. No1019
 
What is nice about Ormskirk Priory Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, No 1019, Christmas meeting is that even the local council get into the sprit and decorates the surrounding streets with lights etc; so that even on a wet and cold night in December the Town looks cheery.
All ready
The R.A.M meeting was held on 12 December.  It was odd there did seem to more people out that night for some reason, as though there was something else happening that day, (but obviously not as important as a R.A.M. meeting).
The lodge Ark
Loosening up for the singing
There was a slightly smaller turnout for this year meeting than last year, but that might have been something to do with last year’s meeting was a Provincial Team Visit.  Notwithstanding the number attending the Worshipful Commander WBro Ivan Hicks got the meeting underway on time.  An enactment of the elevation ceremony was the main business of the evening.
"He's got 2 mins to start"
This allowed the Commander and his new team to have a bit of a practice before they do one for real in February.  In the propositions later in the meeting another possible candidate was also proposed and so it may be a double elevation at the next meeting.
There more of them on the other side
Commander Ivan Hicks
When the meeting was closed it was time for the traditional Christmas meal followed by the singing, (the term is used loosely), of Christmas carols.  Now I am sure in this day and age that with a bit of ‘techno tweaking’ the lodge can have a Christmas number one in 2020.
Musical director Gary Darbyshire
Massed voices of 1019 R.A.M 
The singing was completed with a somewhat raucous version of the Twelve days of Christmas, which was fun and funny.  Thanks go to Bro Gary Darbyshire for the musical accompaniment.  It was another Christmas meeting success and the Worshipful Commander thanked WBro Fred Hargreaves the lodge Scribe for all his hard work at organizing the evening.   Ormskirk Priory Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, No 1019 wish Seasons Greetings to everyone.

Words and Pictures by Derek Gaskell
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell