Stand-in at 1062
 
The University of Liverpool Mark Lodge No1062, who meet at The Liverpool Medical Institution on Mount Pleasant in Liverpool; held their Installation meeting on Monday 18 February. Before the meeting there was one small problem in that the Master WBro Adam Kenneugh had been held up at work in the local hospital. 
4Steve Walls and Chris Wall
What to do this was the problem for the Master elect WBro Chris Walls, ProvGIG; WBro John Ryan, PAGDC the lodge D.C. and the PGM’s representative WBro Steve Walls, PAGDC; ProvAGDC, they all  stood in a huddle trying to work out how long to wait before starting the meeting and who was going to go the chair.  Then there was that ‘light bulb moment’ when the Worshipful Master of Temperance Mark Lodge walked and his lodge were having their Installation meeting the next night. And so it was a case of “I say young man would you like to do a rehearsal for tomorrow night, because Adam might not get here in time?”  Problem solved.
 
Now the Lodge room used is not very big, ornate, plenty of very interesting things in it and a working Grandfather Clock, but not very big even without the Lodge furniture in it. And so as the clock struck six, (did I mention there is a working Grandfather Clock in the Lodge room), the Installing Master WBro Derek Gaskell, PPrGJD brought the gavel down to start the meeting. Working slowly through the items on the summons, WBro Gaskell got the minutes passed; two account examiners appointed and WBro Chris Walls appointed as the Royal Ark Mariner Ambassador.
Steve and Chris Walls with Mike Winterbottom
WBro Gaskell then welcomed PGM’s representative WBro Steve Walls and assured him it would be a somewhat different ceremony than he had expected. With one last check to see if WBro Kenneugh had arrived, which unfortunately he had not, WBro Gaskell again brought down the gavel to start the Installation ceremony. His first duty was to ask WBro Lucas Kelly, Prov GJW, to occupy the chair of Junior Warden and then to ask WBro Stuart Jones, PProv GMO, (Cheshire) to occupy the position of Inner Guard.
 
It was now time for WBro John Ryan to present Master elect WBro Chris Walls for the benefit of Installation.  Now this is where the fun started for the Installing Master was doing a full installation the following evening but knew it was only two questions that got asked on the short version so it was a quick perm any two from five and fortunately he picked the right two. This done, it was time for the non masters to retire.  The inner workings were somewhat AD-Lib.
Alan foster and Lucas Kelly join Steve Chris and Mike
Now try and imagine the Inner Workings as a young lady, in the proper version she is wearing a bathing suit in this version she was wearing a Bikini but with everything covered; WBro Walls was installed into the chair and the WM was saluted. On the return of the brethren they also saluted the WM and WBro Walls was then proclaimed Master.
 
At this point the IM asked WBro Dave Roberts to assist him and present the working tools, which he did in fine style. It was then back to the IM to present the Warrant and book of constitutions and by-laws.   After this it was time for WBro John Ryan to do his party piece and present the Keystone Jewel, (with the Keystone Jewel being supplied WBro Derek Gaskell). As always WBro Ryan did a first class presentation of the Keystone Jewel.
 
The address to the Master was delivered by the Installing Master. The DC then took over to assist the WM to appoint his officers for the season. With the Wardens in place it was time for another very late recruit WBro Alan Foster, PProv GSW, to give the address to the Wardens.  Alan certainly had not lost his touch from when he was Provincial Grand Senior Warden and did a faultless performance.    It was unfortunate that none of the newly appointed Overseers were at the meeting and so the lodge missed out on what I have no doubt would have excellent address to the Overseers by WBro Lucas Kelly, Prov GJW, (better luck next time Lucas.)  
43 The Team
Then it was the turn of PGM’s representative WBro Steve Walls, PAGDC; Prov AGDC to give the address to the Brethren, which was as always first class.  Then it was over.   It was now time for Dad Walls, (Steve) to bring the PGM’s congratulations to Son Walls, (Chris) on taking the Chair of  University of Liverpool Mark Lodge, and as customary WBro Steve Walls congratulated the Installing Master not only for standing in at such short notice, but also for an entertaining ceremony.  (Steve’s words not mine.)
 
After this the evening took on a new look as it was at this point the Salutations were given to WBro Steve Walls, PAGDC; Prov AGDC representing the PGM and WBro Mike Winterbottom PGSD the PGM’s Special Representative for the Liverpool area and the other Grand Officers.    Salutations were also given to WBro Lucas Kelly, Prov GJW, and the other Provincial officers.  The reason why the salutations were given at this point was because the IM’ had pushed on with the Installation ceremony.  (But they meant more by being done out of order.)    In the risings  the Secretary, WBro Glyn Jones, PProv GSD announced that the Worshipful Master would be promoted to Prov GMO at the Provincial Meeting in Southport on 1st May and that WBro Dave Roberts would receive his first appointment to Prov Grand Senior Deacon, (Cheshire) at their Provincial meeting on 16 March.  Both appointments were given acclamation.
Chris and Derek Gaskell
During any other business WBro Chris Walls announced the April meeting of the Lodge would a demonstration of the advancement ceremony in preparation for an advancement ceremony in at the September meeting.  The September meeting will be held at The Masonic Hall in Hope Street, Liverpool.   It is hoped that this meeting will be a Provincial Team visit.   WBro Chris Walls also asked the each member of the Lodge brought along a Master Mason to the Festive Board at that meeting to try and get some more new members.  With the Lodge closed, it was time to go upstairs for drinks and dinner.   The arrival of the soup saw the arrival of the Immediate Passed Master, WBro Adam Kenneugh. 
 
Adam was given whole hearted welcome from all the brethren.   During his response to the toast to the Grand officers WBro Steve Walls, congratulate Chris again for going in the chair and to presented Chris with a late birthday present (It was Chris’s birthday on the 15th.)   A good time had been had by all, (except the IPM who had been stuck in work), and then it was over.  We wish WBro Chris Walls his team and the lodge all the best for the coming year. 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell