Prince Setanta Lodge of Mark Master Masons
 
The Masonic Hall, Market Place, Poulton-le-Fylde
Installation Ceremony Thursday 14th February 2019
 
A really pleasant day, it looks like spring is on the way and an evening to look forward to, a visit to Prince Setanta Lodge where you are always assured of a great welcome, opened the garage door and there it was the old Opel with a kind of sneer on its face having not moved for about two weeks, I thought oh oh. Turned the key and whoosh started first time but once I got it on to the drive I realised that both front tyres looked a little short in the air department, ah well got the foot pump out and ten minutes later they were back up to pressure I however had to sit down and recover. (Isn’t old age fun)
Hall Entrance
Hall Building
The Square
Form of Remembrance
Back Alley
As I have been ill yet again for a couple of weeks my wife insisted I took my nephew, Norton along with me as a minder, off we went into the blue yonder up the ramp on to the M60, I thought for a minute I was hallucinating all the traffic was moving !! yes really.  Switched Snoopy on and he started talking to me, then it was Garmin’s turn, nothing, not a squeak, ah well I guess you can’t have everything. On nearing Blackpool I got my nephew to get the maps up on his phone, now I haven’t got a clue where we went but it was virtually single track and I thought we would finish up in a farm yard any minute, anyhow we struggled on and eventually I realised where I was, went past Market Place and turned left into the car park, now as you already know I can get lost in a car park but on this occasion our Asst PGM W.Bro. Giles Berkley pulled up behind me in his beautiful car and it shows the Mark of the man (no pun intended) he offered to get my parking ticket.
The Church
The Church Sign
The Whipping Post
Whipping Post Sign
This is where you finish up if you attend Prince Setanta without your Tie   
Now if you haven’t been to this hall before don’t be dismayed by its appearance from outside as it’s tucked in between a row of shops and next to the old Lancashire Constabulary station and can be found in the old Market Place which dates back to at least 1600. Have a walk round, there are some classic old buildings and passageways, St Chad’s Church, a couple of Ale houses, a whipping post, a set of stocks where offenders would be displayed for the public to throw rotten food at and an interesting stone table where they used to sell fish fresh from the coast, it’s a really relaxing place except for Market days when it is a hive of activity.
Once inside if you go straight ahead you pass a welcoming snug room on the left before entering the good sized dining room, opposite the snug is a flight of stairs which takes you up to the first floor where the really well appointed Lodge room is situated along with plenty of storage cabinets and several robbing rooms. Already present was as usual the one and only Dave Emmerson the Prov DC who is acknowledged by many to be the best in the land, accompanied by his Deputy and Asst DC’s and of course the very hard working, reliable Prov Tyler W.Bro. Ernie Gavan. As members of the Prov Team arrived it was time for the usual practise under the guidance of Dave (don’t leave your wands in the Lodge) Emmerson, once he was happy it was time for a quick coffee break before proceedings began.
Old Picture of the Square
The Snug
The Festive Board Awaits
Plaque in Dining Room
Plaque in Dining Room
The Lodge was opened on time at 6pm, usual housekeeping was dealt with which included a vote for a joining member the one and only W.Bro. James (Jimmy) Francis Rogers PGJD, then it was time for the RW PGM Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore to enter the meeting accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers, the WM W.Bro. W. Farrington PPrGJD welcomed the PGM and offered him the gavel which he said he would accept for a short period to introduce the members of his team and would then be pleased to hand it back as he knew the WM was looking forward to carrying out the Installation Ceremony.
The Lodge Room
View Through SW’s Wicket
The Empty Chair in Memory of Recently Departed
                W.Bro. Andy Maginn PPrGSD. Walton Mark Lodge.
The WM’s Ready
Good Friends
At this point the Lodge demonstrated a tradition which is always done on opening, they had delayed it on this occasion so that it could be witnessed by all, the Lodge Banner is paraded around the Lodge and presented to the Wardens and WM before being placed in a special stand attached to the WM’s chair, as can be seen in the photographs, very unique and something I have never seen before.   
Is that right
Lets Practise
When he speaks we listen
Wonderful Music
A Collection of DC’s
W.Bro. Anthony Thakrah PPrJGD was then duly Installed into the chair of Adoniram in fine style along with all the officers for the ensuing year, of special note and a delight for the WM was appointing his son Stephen as SW of the Lodge which in turn of course if everything goes to plan means he will have the great pleasure of Installing him as Master of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge in February 2020.
Festive Board in Full Swing
The Friendly Barman   
Group Picture
PGM.WM. Asst PGM
WM & His Son SW
The Warrant of the Lodge and the Book of Constitutions was presented by the now IPM W.Bro. Farrington, the Keystone Jewel and the Charity Jewel were presented and explained by W.Bro. P.A.Watson PPrJGW, the Working Tools were presented and explained by W.Bro.Alan Gould PPrGSO. The Address to the WM was given by the PGM’s Special Representative W.Bro. John Forster PGJD, to the Wardens by W.Bro. Andrew Dickson PAGDC, to the Overseers by W.Bro. L.R.Kelly Prov JW and to all the Brethren present by the PGM. 
On conclusion of the Installation Ceremony the PGM gave his personal congratulations to newly Installed WM and wished him a healthy and happy year in office and hopefully with a Candidate or two, he then congratulated the Installing Master W.Bro. Farrington for all his hard work along with the Acting DC John Forster PGJD for standing in and doing a great job.  The WM thanked the PGM for his kind comments and had much pleasure in presenting him with four cheques £100 to the NW Air Ambulance, £100 to Cancer Research, £50 to the Hall Fund and £250 to the West Lancs Mark Charity Fund, Keith thanked him and all the members of the Lodge for the magnificent total given of £500 which would be well received and put to good use by all the recipients.  
WM & IPM
PGM & WM
Asst PGM & PGM
WM & IPM
Prov DC & Asst DC
Then it was time for the PGM along with members of his team and the twenty plus Grand Officers who had attended this first class meeting to retire from the Lodge, on its conclusion the usual photo shoot took place before all the Brethren made their way downstairs for some liquid refreshment before taking up their allotted places at the Festive Board. An excellent meal was enjoyed by all and was served up by the very efficient and friendly staff.
Lots of Happy Chat
PGM in Full Flow
The usual Toasts and responses followed the meal including the informative one we all look forward to from the PGM along with a gentle joke or two, the WM had much pleasure on behalf of the Lodge in presenting a special flower to the PGM for June, after all it was Valentine’s Day.
He’s there with that camera again
Tylers Toast
A great evening was had by all at this very special Lodge where its members always make you feel very welcome, out into the cool night air for the journey home, I couldn’t believe it no motorways were closed or hold ups the old Opel was flying and before long I was passing under the Bus Stop on the Bridge, then it was past the lights of the Trafford Centre and home, a hot mug of chocolate with two measures of Spanish Brandy in it and everything seemed fine with the world. Oh and would you believe it Garmin decided to work on the way home!!
Flower Presentation
Austin Jimmy & Norton
Here’s looking forward to the next Mark meeting to see old friends and those friends I have yet to meet,
Mark well.
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173