March meeting of West Lancs No65
 
It seems odd to be writing about the last meeting of the season in the first week of March; but the March meeting of West Lancashire Mark Lodge No65 is just that. Unfortunately one or two members were missing due to illness, but there were a couple of visitors at the meeting who could fill in and so the Worshipful Master WBro Bill Skinner, PPrGSD got the meeting underway and welcomed the PGM’s Special Representative WBro Mike Winterbottom, PGSD to the lodge.
Mike Winterbottom & Bill Skinner
It had been intended to have a Masonic Lecture at the meeting, but the lecture never made it to the meeting, the Lecturer did but not the lecture.  Fortunately the Quizmaster from George Harradon Mark Lodge was there visiting and just happened to have a copy of the quiz questions in his case. Off the Quizmaster popped to get the questions while the lodge completed the rest of Lodge business and then it was quiz time. 
Everybody
It turned in to a fun meeting. The format somewhat different than at George Harradon quiz night as the Quizmaster did not have printed question papers for the members, but shouting out the answers seemed to work. At the end of the quiz WBro Skinner thanked the Quizmaster for stepping in at such short notice. In the risings the secretary WBro Richard Wilson, PGStB, announced that WBro Eric Poole will be receiving the honour of Prov Grand Senior Deacon at Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Southport on 1st May.
Bill Skinner and Mike Winterbottom with visiting Master Masons
The news was greeted with applause; unfortunately Eric was one of those members who were absent due to illness. In general communications, the Liverpool Mark Festival was promoted. The festival is being hosted by Temperance Mark Lodge No 774 at Woolton Golf Club on Tuesday 16 April. (See website for details.) The festival will have special interest to West Lancs Mark No65 members as the WM WBro Bill Skinner has got a part in the presentation of ‘Why the Mark?’  Then it was dinner and the members were joined by two Master Masons. By the end of the evening one Master Mason had agreed to join the lodge at their September meeting.
 
We wish West Lancs Mark No65 a good summer and all have plenty of time to get the advancement ceremony under their belts.
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell