Prince of Wales Lodge of Mark Master Masons
St Helens Masonic Hall, Hall Street, St Helens
Installation Meeting. Tuesday 18th April 2003
 
As the saying goes off we go into the wild blue yonder, yes the sky was blue in gaps through the dark clouds which were being blown about by the freezing wind, all good fun, can anybody give a better prediction as to when the real spring is going to appear, that is some sun which is actually warm. I see my complaints about the so-called Smart Motorway’s has had a result, all work on them has been cancelled! I thought at last it will be straight up the on ramp for the M60 and cruise along to the M61, who am I kidding. Still, it wasn’t too bad, came off at the right junction and followed the Linkway spotted Hall Street but of course with my luck it is now a No Entry, checked the details regarding parking from Chris Wild and wandered along to the Hall. I loved the surrounding area, buildings and streets with lots of character, I thought I must come on another day and have a good wander around,
Got to the Hall in good time as usual and was keen to have my usual mooch around especially as it’s one of the few I have not attended before; it is on a corner and reminded me of the main entrance to Grand Lodge in London. Once inside I found it very impressive, lots of very smart rooms one of which has a snooker table, a welcoming bar and lounge areas on the ground floor, a very smart staircase takes you up to level two then up again to the third floor where the smart Lodge room for this meeting was situated. You can check it out in the pictures, I thought it was great.
The meeting commenced on time at 6pm, unfortunately the W.M. W. Bro. Wesley Lay has recently been quite ill, standing in for the meeting was our very own recently retired Prov D.C. David Emmerson, now if anybody knows how it goes you can rely on David who is a Ritual Specialist. Once several housekeeping items were dealt the PGM  RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore entered the meeting accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers, he was welcomed by the Acting W.M. and offered the Gavel which he said on this occasion he would accept it for a short time so as to introduce members of the Prov Team, once this was completed and the Gavel returned,  Bro. Philip Ryan PPrGJW was duly installed into the chair of Adoniram in fine style.  The Keystone and Charity Jewel were presented and explained by V.W. Bro Eric Drinkwater PGJO, the address to the W.M. was given by W.Bro. Chris Douglas Prov.D.G.Swd.B., address to the Wardens was given by W. Bro. David Daisley Durling.
Prov GSW, address to the Overseers was given by W.Bro. B. Povey then of course the address to all was given by our PGM R.W. Keith Alan Beardmore. Worthy of note is that the newly installed J.W. Bro. Graham Barker has received the Keys (Freedom) of London for his work in Education and Charity work.
The Secretary announced that he had received a Grand Lodge Certificate for Bro. P. J. Holden the Lodge I.G. and asked if the PGM would present it, Keith replied saying  that normally he would be delighted but as the executive Team were present on what could be one of their last meetings in their various offices he asked the Dep PGM W.Bro. Geoffrey Lee if he would do the honours, who in turn asked the present Asst PGM Bro. Giles Berkely if he would do the honours, with a twinkle in his eye Giles turned to his friend the other Asst PGM Bro. John Bicknell if he would present it, well by now everyone present were having a really good giggle and thought that must be it there’s nobody left, not true, John who is always switched on had much pleasure in passing the Certificate to V.W Bro. E Drinkwater the PGM’s Special Representative who was delighted to present it to Bro. P. Holden, there followed loud applause when at last Bro. Holden had the Certificate in his possession.   
 
At this point usually Greetings are given on behalf of our PGM to the newly installed WM, however as Keith was with us in person he was delighted to give his own congratulations to the Installing (Acting) WM W.Bro. David Emmerson and all the officers who contributed to an excellent ceremony, enjoyed by all present. The W.M. Philip Joseph Ryan in response had much pleasure on behalf of the Lodge members to present two cheques to Keith for the West Lanc’s Mark Charity and the Aintree Charity Fund, the total was £550, Keith thanked the members for the amazing amount and assured everyone that as always the donations would be well received and put to good use. The time had now arrived for our PGM to retire from the Lodge accompanied by the Acting and Provincial Grand Officers, they were played out by the wonderful music played as always by W.Bro. Shaun Haynes the Provincial Grand Organist.
Once the meeting had closed all the members and guests returned to the Lodge room for the usual pictures to be taken then it was off to the dining room for the Festive Board, after getting some liquid refreshment everyone took up their allotted seats. An excellent meal was served up by the excellent attentive and friendly hall staff. The usual Toasts and responses followed and were all well received, before leaving and stepping out into the chilled night air the “Magic of the Mark” was in full view with everybody saying their goodbyes and exchanging genuine handshakes of friendship.
Here's looking forward to the next Mark or Royal Ark Mariner meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet, remember your only a stranger once in this  Degree, spread the word to any members in your own Craft Lodge who are not yet members of this wonderful degree,  
“The Magic of the Mark’
 
Apology to the members of Prince of Wales for the late arrival of the report due I’m afraid to some dodgy health, bit like a Yo / Yo. It was a great night enjoyed by all.
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD.