Annual Provincial Assembly of the |
Ancient and Honourable Fraternity ofRoyal Ark Mariners of West Lancashire |
Garstang Masonic Hall, Wyrebank, The Moorings, Garstang. Tuesday 17th Sept 2019 |
| Another Provincial Royal Ark Mariners Meeting to look forward to it doesn’t seem five minutes since our last meeting but of course it was twelve months ago at the now defunct Wellington Park which was one of my favourite locations, I believe it has now been reduced to a pile of rubble and that’s sad. |
 |
Parking |
 |
| Practice |
 |
 |
 |
It’s on the List |
| Well off I set in my new Baby Beemer out for its first Masonic Hall trip since the loss of my old Opel but hey life goes on, set off early as I can’t afford to cross our wonderful DC Dave Emmerson, now that would never do, after all he is the best. Climbed up the on ramp, M60 the new Smart motorway, (not) then it was the M61 easy going so far, not so the traffic on the other side of the road heading towards Manchester that was backed up for miles and I mean miles, before too long joined the M6 then it was off on to the A6 which takes you all the way to the Hall, all in all a great trip. |
 |
A Happy Prov Sec |
 |
| DC’s |
 |
Asst GM’s |
 |
| DC |
 |
Not Like This Like That. |
| The Moorings is an Idyllic location set on one side of a large canal basin where lots of decorative barges tie up, the car park was well policed by several yellow coated Mark Marshalls who waved me through and it only cost me a fiver. (only kidding) Practise was just about to start another few minutes and I would have been relegated to the subs bench. It soon became obvious that a lot more chairs would be needed, if the RAM members would let the Province know if they were attending even if not having a meal it would help a great deal in planning especially now we don’t have the size of Leyland to rely on. |
 |
Not Worried Really |
 |
| Stalwarts |
 |
Oops I forgot my suit |
 |
| Following Divorce I only clean my half |
 |
Great Views |
 |
 |
Men at the top |
| The dining room which overlooks the picturesque setting was all set up ready for the Festive Board and before too long it was time to start the meeting, following on from the usual housekeeping items, approval of minutes, Grand Scribes report the PGM gave a very interesting address which included details of the ratio of RAM members to the Mark Degree members in West Lancs, they are not too bad but let’s all make an extra effort to bring some more friends into this colourful Degree of ours. |
 |
Two Prov Grand Rank Awards |
 |
| Glyn Davies & The PGM |
 |
PGM presents a Charity Jewel |
 |
| Lodge Room |
 |
Secs Table |
| Next it was to Invest Recipients of Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank, these were all greeted with loud acclaim. A great demonstration followed given by VW Bro. Ian Nairn PGJO of the “Nine Steps” taken during the Elevation Ceremony this was accompanied by a paper entitled “The Nine Steps of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree” from W.Bro. Ray Pine, excellent and that was it another great meeting was over. |
 |
Top Table Festive Board |
 |
| Looking after all the staff |
 |
Festive Board |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sales Table |
| The Festive Board was well supported, an excellent lunch time meal was served up by very efficient and friendly staff, the usual Toasts and Responses followed but for once I’m not sure if the PGM gave us one of his award winning jokes or did I miss it ? I’m sure we will be treated to quite a few during this year’s Team visits. Ah well all good things must come to an end and it was time to say our goodbyes, I had great pleasure in wishing VW Bro. Eric Samuel Hughes PGJO congratulations on reaching his Fifty Years in Mark Masonry which was being recognised at St Georges Mark by the PGM and the Team on Monday next. |
 |
Top Table |
 |
| Glyn Davies & PGM |
 |
Happy RAM’s |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
PGM & John B. |
| Here’s looking forward to my next Mark Meeting and as it happens it’s also Monday next, an advancement at my own Lodge, not already a member of the Royal Ark Mariners Degree ask at your Mark Lodge, your local special representative or contact the Provincial Office for details of your nearest RAM Lodge. |
 |
Danny Giles & Ian |
 |
| Kieron Prov JW |
 |
Happy |
 |
| Giles in full flow |
 |
PGM getting his point across |
 |
| Top DC |
 |
Guardians Toast |
 |
50 Years A Mark Mason. VW Bro. Eric Hughes RAMGR |
| Next Team visit Jubilee Mark Lodge, Ulverston, a long journey for some but it will be well worth it, Mark Well. |
| Austin N Fletcher. ProvRAMGR. |
| Chorlton Royal Ark Mariner Lodge. No.394 |
