Tuscan Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No. 1099
Installation Ceremony. December 18th 6pm
The Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool
 
This is the last Team Visit before the New Year and one we are all looking forward to, set off early as usual 3.30pm, weather normal, grey, cold and raining. Climbed the on ramp for the M60, snaked across the three lanes which always helps to get passed a couple of junctions, traffic for once kept moving, what a surprise, soon reached the M62 and kept moving all the way to Liverpool.
More surprises, the Christmas Fairy must have been looking down as we even found a place to park just round the corner from the hall!
Once inside climbed a couple of flights of stairs to locate the Lodge room being used, it was superb, and what a beautiful ceiling, we dropped off our cases in the anti-room, went to the small bar area which is attached to the dining room, sat down had a warming drink of coffee and a good old natter with our leader.
In no time at all the rooms were full of happy Mark Masons looking forward to the evening, shaking hands and sharing those genuine glad to see you greetings. The meeting opened prompt at 6pm, a couple of housekeeping items were dealt with, then it was time for our Prov Grand Master R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers to enter, he was greeted by the W.M. W.Bro. Adrian Gil Smith on behalf of everyone present and as is tradition offered Keith the Gavel, which he said that on this occasion he would accept for a short time so as to introduce members of the Team to the Lodge.
A minutes silence was then observed to the memory of W.Bro. Anthony Kennedy P.Prov. J. G. W.
(Hon Member) who passed to higher office on Tuesday 7th November 2023.
Once this was completed the business at hand commenced which on this occasion was an Installation by Proclamation, the Ceremony was carried out in fine style by W.Bro. Sandy Kean Prov. D.G.Swd.B. the Lodge Secretary. Following on from this heartfelt and warm ceremony, the address to the WM was also given by Sandy, the Prov S.W. addressed the Lodge Wardens and finally the one we all look forward to given to all present by our Provincial G.M. Keith. Even though Tuscan Mark Lodge is not huge in number there was at least forty present to support the Installation, all hoping and wishing that the Lodge will be blessed with some Candidates in 2024.
The PGM congratulated the WM on taking the Chair of Adoniram for another year and all the officers who had taken part and also arranged the evening, the WM had much pleasure in presenting Keith with two cheques for £100 each, one for the West Lancs Mark Charity and one for Hall Fund. The PGM said it was a wonderful gesture from such a small lodge and would be well received and put to good use. Everyone gathered in the Lodge room on its closing for the usual photo season to record the occasion, before getting some liquid refreshment and taking up their allotted seats in the dining room for the Festive Board.
An excellent meal was served up by the very efficient and friendly Hall staff, even though I still suffer with Long Covid, which basically means I can’t taste or smell most things, (I particularly enjoyed the Christmas Pudding). There were the usual Toasts and some excellent responses and I believe a couple of first-class funny stories from our PGM. One surprise came when W.Bro. Alexander McLagan Kean Prov.D.G.Swd.B. was appointed by Keith to Deputy Special Rep to assist Stephen Walls in the Liverpool Area.
There it was all over too soon, everyone giving their genuine goodbyes of friendship before stepping out into the cold night air and looking forward to their next Mark or Royal Ark Mariners meeting.
 
“The Magic of the Mark”   Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year.
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark 1173