West Lancs Mark 65 - Installation
 
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro Giles Berkley attended the Installation meeting of West Lancs Mark Lodge No 65 on a very wet Wednesday night at Liverpool Masonic Hall, on 1st November.
WBro Giles Berkley was accompanied by two PrAGDC, WBro’s, Terry Dickenson and Roy Hedges. Before the meeting, WBro Giles did a roaring trade in selling the new Provincial Mark tie. The Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master, WBro Brian O’Hare and the meeting was under way.
 
There was a knock on the door and WBro Terry Dickenson entered and announced The Deputy Provincial Grand Master requested admission. In the procession with WBro Giles Berkley were, WBro Steve Walls the PGM’s Special Representative for the Liverpool Group of Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges.
WBro Les Norton, Provincial Grand Almoner and WBro Dave Richards, PGStB. The two Provincial Deacons for the night were WBro Jorge Perez and WBro Jeremy Clitherow. With the Salutations done and the minutes signed it was time for WBro Brian O’Hare to place his officers for the Installation ceremony. WBro Colin Mills took the Senior Wardens chair and WBro Eric Poole the Junior Wardens chair, while WBro Mark Lawrence took the role of Inner Guard. With the offices in place, the acting DC, WBro Derek Gaskell presented the Master Elect, Bro Paul Green to the WM for the purpose of Installation.
 
WBro O’Hare worked his way through the questions and then asked all those below the rank of an Installed Mark Master to leave for a short while. Those left in the lodge room were then treated to an excellent ceremony; delivered in a very confident manner by WBro O’Hare.
On the return of the brethren WBro Paul Green was proclaimed Master of West Lancs Mark Lodge No 65. WBro Brian O’Hare also presented the Working Tools to the new Master in the same competent manner that he had carried out the rest of the ceremony.
 
The presentation of the Keystone Jewel and the Masters address were given by WBro Derek Gaskell. The Warden’s address was given by WBro Dave Richards and this was followed by the Overseers address given by WBro Steve Walls. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro Giles Berkley then gave the address to the Brethren. All these maintained the same high standard that had been set by WBro Brian O’Hare.
With the ceremony of Installation over, WBro Giles Berkley brought the congratulations of the PGM to WBro Paul Green for taking the chair and wished him all the best for the coming year and told the new WM how well he had been installed; and gave the PGM congratulations to WBro Brian O’Hare and said how much the PGM would have enjoyed the excellent ceremony that we had all witnessed. 
 
WBro Green then presented charity cheques on behalf of the lodge, which were gratefully received. During the first rising, WBro Giles Berkley presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Noel Gamos. With the business of the meeting concluded the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge.
 
A fine festive board was then enjoyed by all. In reply to his toast the Deputy PGM again congratulated WBro Green and emphasized how well he had been installed into the chair by the fine ceremony WBro Brian O’Hare had conducted. WBro Berkley then went on to say how important recruitment was not only to the Mark Degree but also to the Craft.
The more members we can recruit for the Craft the more members we can get to join the Mark and subsequently join Royal Ark Mariners. WBro Giles also reminded the Worshipful Master he would be expected to represent West Lancs Mark Lodge at Provincial Grand Lodge which is to be held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool on 2nd  May 2024.
 
We wish WBro Paul Green and West Lancs Mark Lodge No 65 a happy and successful year. Congratulations must also go to WBro Colin Mills, the very hard-working  secretary and WBro Eric Poole, treasurer for all the hard work they put in to make the Installation meeting a success.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell