PGM visits Newton Mark
 
On a cold wet Monday night in January , (21st to be exact), the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Keith Beardmore made his way to Bryn Masonic Hall for a private visit to a meeting of Newton Mark Lodge No1003; the ‘Mother’ lodge of ProvGJW WBro Lucas Kelly.   The PGM was accompanied the Prov Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro David Emmerson; also in attendance was, WBro Andy McMath, ProvRAMGR and WBro Andrew Coyle Prov GSD.
The Worshipful Master WBro Bob Duff opened the Lodge and conducted the Lodge Business; which included electing the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year; this honour went to WBro Alan Comber PPRGStdB. 
WBro Lucas Kelly ProvGJW was a lucky loser and once again got the Treasurer’s job.   It was then time to welcome the PGM into the Lodge and after the greetings and salutations were done it was time to advance Bro Azeez Amosun.    
The advancement ceremony was split between the Worshipful Master WBro Bob Duff and WBro Barry Fisher, PPrGMO.  Once the candidate had been announced and had entered into the lodge, he was placed into the safe hands of the acting Senior Deacon, VWBro Ian Nairn PGJO.   VWBro Nairn did an excellent job of protecting the candidate form the Overseers and a very enthusiastic Junior Warden, one WBro Lucas Kelly. 
It was a first class ceremony enjoyed by all including the candidate.   At the close of the ceremony the PGM welcomed Bro Amosun into Mark Masonry and Newton Mark and also invited him to Provincial Grand Mark Meeting at Southport on1st May.    The PGM then congratulated WBro Duff and WBro Fisher on an excellent ceremony.  With the Lodge closed and Photos done it was time for dinner.   A good meal with good company rounded the night off nicely.  VWBro Ian Nairn’s toast to the PGM certainly was not nebulous; (my favourite word of 2018), it was very genuine and entertaining.  The response by RWBro Keith Beardmore was equally entertaining and informative. 
The PGM encouraged those whole not yet in the Royal Ark Mariner degree to join and explained the advantages to the Province by having a high ratio of Mark Masons in the Royal Ark Mariner degree.  The PGM thanked Newton Mark Lodge for their warm welcome and excellent ceremony, adding that he got to see plenty of Installations in a season but not many advancements and how much he had enjoyed himself, so much so that he is going to come back with the whole Provincial Team on 18 March for the Installation meeting.  Our congratulations to Bro Azeez Amosun and wish him a long happy time in the Mark Degree.
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell.