Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire
Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, The Promenade, Southport. Weds May 1st 2019
 
A great day to look forward to, we set of at 7.30 am under a grey sky complete with the odd shower, nothing like the few days of summer we had a couple of weeks ago but still nothing could dampen our high spirits, my nephew was driving and for once we didn’t take any wrong turns into farm yards, garden centres or get to Southport via Blackpool ! As it was so early we had no trouble parking which is right next to the centre, put the £4.50 in to cover us for the day and off we went to be met inside by the very friendly stewards already on duty and once we had signed in and had our cases checked we set off down the stairs to the main relaxation area where a nice cup of welcoming coffee and a bacon roll could be purchased for a very reasonable price.
Convention Centre
Welcome
Main Stairs
The Main Room
The Great Dome
PGM’s Pedestal
The PGM’s View
Happy to Practise The New G Stwd (left)


Arthur Takes a Break
DC’s ready for action
Members of the Provincial Secretariat were also in place just before the doors into the main arena to distribute   to the newly promoted Brethren their jewels of office for the coming year, here they also issued in exchange for a signature the year books for 2019/20 and the minutes from the meeting held in 2018. At the left of the entrance doors was a stand with lots of genuine provincial items for sale for the Mark and RAM such as ties, cuff links, handkerchiefs and the very distinctive lapel badge which can be seen on nearly every jacket. 
Happy To Be Here
Ernie Prov Tyler happy to be here
David and Norton
Attention
Not like that like this.
I’m in Cogneto
On the other hand

It’s here somewhere
The Alan Baldwin Steps
PGM trying out his chair
PGM and Giles
The Sword Bearer
Go through the double doors and your inside the main area where the meeting takes place, it is a truly first class setting for such an occasion, no further description is required here just take a look at the pictures and you will see what I mean. Already there supervising and working away was the Provincial DC W.Bro. Dave Emmerson and members of his team. The Lodge furniture, (a major job in itself) the Stewarding and Security is supplied and put in place each year by members of Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Masters and members of the Southport Group.  
The Mark Banner
I’m Ready
Great Music (as always)
Happy Mark Men
John B and Kieron (New JW)
Tea Party.
PGM addresses the Tea Party
At around 10.30 am the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore assisted by his Deputy PGM VW Bro.Geoffrey Herbert Lee and his two Asst PGM’s VW Bro. Ian Douglas Nairn and W.Bro. Giles Frederick Berkley along with the Prov JW W.Bro Lucas Kelly and Prov SW W.Bro. Malcolm Serjeant held an informal tea party for all Mark WM’s and RAM W. Commanders where over tea and biscuits they can discuss any matters of interest either locally to their own Lodges or indeed on any national issues they may have.
SW and his table
JW and his table
Ian and his table
Geoff and his table
Giles and his table
PGM and his table
All this time the practise is continuing in the main hall for the meeting itself under the watchful eye of the Prov DC and his Assistants until they are happy that everyone knows exactly what their own role is and what they are doing (or not) only kidding. Once the tea party concludes and the practise is over its time to rest for a while, take a break, a walk on the prom perhaps as the sun was out now and creating a lovely view over the sea or maybe a snack and another coffee until the start of meeting at 2.00 pm.
I’m on my way Graham GStwd.
More Discussion
Happy Chilling OutI.
Graham B and John BA
In the Sun
Now I’m Ready
Happy at Work
The Practise goes on
It’s Like This
Ram Commanders Practise
Hello There
Two’s company
Two G Stwd’s
The New Prov JW & SW
From the practice now on to the actual meeting and the Festive Board
Tony Harrison
The PGM
The stage is set
The Festive Board
The meeting started on time with the parade into the hall  of many distinguished Mark Masons who accompanied the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore to the stage, they were all received with loud acclaim by all present. Once the meeting had been opened the PGM was pleased to receive a Deputation of Worshipful Commanders from the Royal Ark Mariners Degree who took up their reserved seats in the hall.
The PGM was Saluted before the memory of those we have lost over the past twelve months was received with due reverence. The Deputy PGM and two Asst PGM’s were then Re-appointed and saluted before several distinguished Brethren in attendance were acknowledged and saluted.
Just a few words
Presenting the Travelling Keystone
Tylers Toast
Spot the real PGM
The meeting then continued as normal including the investiture of the new Provincial officers for the coming year and those who were promoted, following on from this RW Bro. Tony Morris who is the Dep President of the Mark Benevolent Fund gave an address to the meeting which everyone found very interesting. A vote of thanks was given to Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Masters and the Southport Group, any other business and that was it for another year.    
Words Austin N Fletcher. GStwd. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173
and pictures by Photo assistant Norton Fletcher. MMM