Leigh Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No1322
 
Monday 24th January saw Leigh Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, No1322 hold their Installation meeting at Leigh Masonic Hall. There was a good turnout on the night, to see Bro Stuart Boyd go into the chair, in the presence RWBro Keith Beardmore, Provincial Grand Master, RAMGR.
It was nice to have so many people there for both Stuart and the PGM. The Worshipful Commander, WBro Norman Meadows  opened the Lodge and cleared all the domestic business before the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro Arthur Robinson, entered to announce the Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by Grand Offices.
The procession as greeted by the Worshipful Commander, who offered the PGM the sceptre which the PGM accepted and after thanking the Worshipful Commander for the honour he handed it back to WBro Meadows saying how much he was looking  forward to enjoying the ceremony.
WBro Meadows then placed WBro Ken Alker into the chair of Senior Warden and WBro Ian Clarke into the chair of Junior Warden and asked WBro Walter Lyon to remain as Guardian. It was now time for ADC WBro Len Hart to present Bro Boyd to the Worshipful Commander for the purpose of installation.
WBro Norman Meadows did the first part of the ceremony and then handed over to WBro Gordon Glover for the next section. It was a very enjoyable and well worked ceremony. Once installed WBro Boyd, invested his new team of officers. WBro Ken Alker did the address to the Worshipful Commander in fine style and RWBro Keith Beardmore gave a faultless rendition of the exposition.
Ceremony over, it was time for congratulations and handing over of a cheque to charity. After the lodge was closed, it was time for the festive board. With it being Burns night it was a traditional Burns night supper, which was very good. In reply to the toast to his health the PGM said how much he had enjoyed the night and again congratulated Stuart on going into the chair and also Norman and Gordon for the excellent installation ceremony.
The PGM went on to say how important it is for all members of the Mark to try and persuade members of our lodgers who are not yet members of the  Royal Ark Mariner degree to join. It was good to see WBro Arthur Robinson back on the circuit after his long illness. Here is wishing Worshipful Commander Stuart Boyd and Leigh Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No1322 a successful year ahead.
Words and Pictures by Derek Gaskell.