Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire
The Winter Gardens, Spanish Hall, Church Street, Blackpool. FY1 1HU.  Thursday 5th May 2022
 
Set off at 8am, can’t take any chances with the motorways in Lancashire, up the on ramp M60, no holdup now that’s most unusual, made it across the lanes to the outside one which is what you have to do to get past several on and off ramps to eventually join the M61. Nice sunny day, blue sky and looking forward to the special Mark Provincial Meeting, arrived in good time, found a car park not too far away, I had to wipe my glasses when I read the sign, £14 to park for ten hours. A meter collectors van appeared so I told him I didn’t want to buy the oblong piece of concrete just borrow it for a few hours, he wasn’t amused.
Off we went towards the Tower, been here many times but could we find the Spanish Hall, lots of alterations inside, new Rooms / Halls, I was beginning to flag but then began to see lots of men in Masonic clothing, followed them and at last found the entrance, I think I must be getting old! Booked in went up a couple of flights of stairs and bingo there it was, unusual but really impressive, some of the D.C.’s under the watchful eyes of W, Bro’s Robinson and Emmerson were already in action working out the procedure required to make the meeting run smooth. Take a look at the pictures and you will see how it doesn’t look like any other Hall that the Provincial meeting has been held before.
All the Mark members attending were as usual happy to meet and sitting around happily chatting and enjoying some light refreshments, at around 1.30 everyone started making their way to take up seats in good time for the meeting which started on time at 2pm.
The meeting continued as per the Agenda, the PGM R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore was re-appointed along with the Deputy PGM V.W. Bro. Geoffrey Herbert Lee PGJO and the Asst PGM’s W.Bro. Giles Frederick Berkley PGJD and V.W. Bro. John Charles Bicknell PGJO. all were duly saluted.
Other distinguished Brethren were then saluted. Apologies were read out, minutes from the last Provincial meeting were confirmed, the Grand Treasurer presented the accounts and the dues for the ensuing year and was re-elected. Following a collection for the Charities the RW Prov Grand Master gave his address to the meeting, it was very interesting and was received with loud applause, Provincial Grand officers for the ensuing year were then appointed, invested and duly saluted. 
One of the distinguished guests who attended the meeting was R.W. Bro. John Herbert Prizeman the Dep G.M. who said he was delighted for the invitation to attend by our own PGM and had been well looked after since arriving in Blackpool. He then gave an interesting talk which was well received by all with loud applause.   
A vote of thanks was given to the Master and Brethren of Walton Mark Lodge No161 and Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Mark Masters No.1646, likewise the Secretariat for all the arrangements and hard work they had put into the meeting. The Provincial Grand Lodge closed for another year and was followed with a rousing verse of the National Anthem.
If you have never attended and seen the spectacle of the Provincial Mark Grand Lodge Meeting get it marked in your diary now for next year, you wont regret it.
Here’s to our next Magic Mark Meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet.
 
Words and pictures Austin N Fletcher.  PGJD, Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge.  No.1173