Flixton Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners.  No.1173.  Installation Meeting.  12th May 2022
The Masonic Hall, Peel Street, Westhoughton
 
As always set of early to beat the many motorway holdups I usually get caught in, crept up the on ramp to join the M60 que, however it only took twenty minutes to travel the three miles to the M61, and we were off. No more hold ups and in less than half an hour we were in the car park at the hall, once inside we settled into some comfy seats opposite the bar and chilled out with a welcoming drink of coffee. The dining room was set out in fine style ready for the Social Board, it was really impressive.
Members and visitors soon began to arrive, making their way upstairs to the large robing areas next to the Lodge Room (Temple), lots of the usual genuine handshakes of friendship and chat from all over the Province and beyond. Practise for the meeting was soon in full swing under the watchful eye of our Provincial D.C. W.Bro. Arthur Robinson GJD, once he was happy everybody made their way to the lounge area to chill out looking forward in anticipation to the meeting ahead.
Right on time at 6.30 pm the meeting was opened in fine style by the Worshipful Commander Bro. Gareth E Fisher who is in his third year mainly due to the Pandemic, and who according to all his Lodge members has done an excellent job under the trying times we have all had to live through. The new W.C. W.Bro. Martin Stokes Prov RAMGR was installed in fine style by W. Bro. Fisher, officers for the ensuing year were then appointed and invested. At this point the PGM congratulated the newly installed W.C. and in return was presented with a cheque for the Mark Charity Fund to the value of £400 which Keith said was a magnificent sum and would be well received and put to good use.
 
The address to the W.C. was given by the Lodge Treasurer W.Bro. Stuart Wilson Prov RAMGR, the PGM then gave the address to everyone present and that was it, another very enjoyable meeting was over for another year.
All the members and visitors gathered for the usual picture session and then made their way to the bar area for some liquid refreshment before taking up their allotted seats for the Festive Board. An excellent meal was served up by the very efficient and friendly Hall staff, in what was a really pleasant atmosphere, the usual Toasts and Responses were given including as we have come to expect a tall story from our PGM, I even remembered the end of this one, which ended in Tankety Tank.
Now it was time for everyone to say their goodbyes with their genuine handshakes and good wishes for a safe trip home, stepping out into the night it wasn’t only cold but pouring down as well, it certainly was refreshing as we all ran for our cars, well some like me just walked a bit faster, my running days are over!!
 
Here’s looking forward to our next Merry Meeting, be it the Magic Mark or RAM degree, to see old friends and those we have yet to meet.
 
Austin N Fletcher. PGJD / RAMGR
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark. No.1173   Chorlton RAM