Alarming time at Wyre Mark Lodge
 
An excellent ceremony at Wyre Mark Lodge No 754 saw an alarm, the type of which was one not usually announced by the IG or Tyler, for the fire alarm at Fleetwood Masonic Hall decided to get involved in the installation just as the representative of the ProvGM, David Winder, was about to give thanks following the lodge’s salutation to the Provincial Officers.
David Winder Congratulates new master Tom Egan
Dennis Smith, Wyre Mark’s DC, calmly and safely evacuated the brethren from the building whilst efforts were made to discover that the raucous noise blaring throughout the hall was due to a false alarm situated near to the lodge room. Despite the best efforts of the hall’s staff the strident alarm tones could not be silenced and it was thanks to the good work of Wyre Mark’s secretary Jimmy Rogers who managed to disable the klaxon’s blare to restore order finally. The resultant small blip from the disabled alarm was silent enough for the installation and the following festive board to continue.
David Winder, Tom Egan and Eric Hart
Despite this unexpected interruption the 32 brethren and the lodge’s guests were treated to a memorable installation at the hands of past and installing master Brian Burgess-Dicks.
After opening the lodge, Brian’s first duty was to deliver a sincere, well researched and meaningful eulogy to mark the recent passing of lodge treasurer Terry Naylor PPrGJW. The brethren rose to pay silent tribute to Terry.
Allan Fairhurst, Harry Cox, Jimmy Rogers, David Winder, Tom Egan,
Eric Hart, John Forster, Howard Emmett and Peter Weller
On resuming, Brian deftly disposed of the lodge’s administrative business. He put in place James Rashid the WM of Bispham with Norbreck Mark Lodge No 866 as acting SW, Greg Scott WM of Fylde Mark Lodge No 296 as acting JW. Stephen Thackrah WM of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge No 1446 who had been acting as IG was asked to continue in that role as acting IG.
Jimmy Rogers, Tom Egan and Dennis Smith
A knock heralded the arrival of David Winder and a glittering procession of Grand, Acting, and Provincial Grand officers. This included John Forster the Special Representative of the ProvGMaster, Keith Beardmore.
David Winder was welcomed by Brian and as the distinguished guests were seated salutations were accorded to them. As previously stated, as David rose to give thanks, the fire alarm’s klaxon took precedence for the moment and the temple emptied of brethren and, thanks to DC Dennis Smith’s prompting, it has to be said, in a very orderly manner.
Tom Egan being congratulated by Philip Watson
On return to the lodge room David, as if nothing had happened, humorously continued from where he had left off proffering thanks for the salutation, which drew laughter from all concerned and helped to still any anxieties still suffered.
Brian then proceeded to install his successor Tom Egan in sterling style. Those below the rank of an installed master withdrew and the inner workings took place in faultless fashion.
Fellow Masters Stephen Thackrah, James Rashid, Greg Scott,
Tom Egan, Bob Bennett, and Roger Stansfield
Following which as Wyre Mark’s brethren returned and were appointed to their new offices firstly Brian Dicks presented the working tools to Tom Egan. Grand Steward Philip Watson gave the explanation of the keystone and charity jewels to the new master. John Forster gave the address to the WM masterfully. Allan Fairhurst PAGDC addressed the new Wardens, as only he can, and Eric Hart PrGJW addressed the new Overseers most sincerely. David Winder addressed the brethren perfectly.
David receives a floral tribute for Mrs W to thank her for allowing him to come to Fleetwood
In his speech to the lodge on behalf of the ProvGMaster David said he wished that Keith Beardmore could have been there in person as he had missed an excellent ceremony of the highest order. He congratulated Brian Burgess Dicks on the manner in which he had conducted the ceremony saying he would sleep well that night after all the effort he must have put into learning his role. He also paid tribute to Tom for his part in the installation and told him how pleased he was that Tom was introducing his son Gavin as a candidate to Mark Masonry in a ceremony which would take place in May.
He also took time to congratulate John Forster for his Address saying that he had made it look easy. He praised all the other officers for the exemplary way they had conducted themselves and paid tribute to Dennis Smith for his part in the ceremony.
Tom Egan and Brian Burgess Dicks
Tom Egan thanked him for his kind words and on apologising that there were no cheques to present David assured him that he knew that Wyre Mark’s forthcoming centenary had a pressing need for lodge funds.
The brethren retired to an excellent festive board with much convivial chat and a raffle raised a superb £230.
In his after-dinner speech David Winder made mention that the founders of Wyre Mark would have been proud to see how their handiwork had progressed after 100 years. He said he noticed the strong camaraderie which abounded in the lodge. He also made mention of how nice it was that there were six visiting masters and how Tom would find good friends amongst them as he visited other Mark lodges.
He encouraged members of the lodge to get out and talk to those Masons who currently appeared reluctant to attend lodge due to the Coronavirus and to tell them about the most enjoyable evening everyone had at Wyre Mark in the hopes that they would safely return to the fold themselves.
Tom Egan thanked David for coming to Wyre’s installation and presented him with a floral tribute for David's wife to thank her for allowing David to visit Wyre Mark.
David re-iterated he and his colleagues had had a fantastic day.
 
Words and pictures by Bob Boal