Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire
The Winter Gardens, Spanish Hall, Church Street, Blackpool. FY1 1HU
2pm Thursday 2nd May 2024
 
It’s here at last what is probably the most important date on the calendar for a meeting in West Lancashire, our own RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore PGM. presided over 400+ members who attended, one look at the number of dignitaries, including the R W. Assistant  Grand Master R.W. Prof. Denovan Keith Wilson, who was accompanied by W. Bro. Andrew Jennings Dep. G.D.C. and PGM’s from other Provinces  who were here with us it shows just how well respected and held in high esteem our PGM is held up and down the country and beyond.
Everyone was seated by 1.30 pm and the meeting commenced on time at 2pm, now as you know I’m not one for over stating the obvious but it was a truly a wonderful site to see everyone seated, once the W. Masters and the W. Commanders from all over our Province had also paraded into the hall and taken their seats.
The PGM thanked everyone for their attendance and wished all a pleasant afternoon in each other’s company, then our Dep PGM. W.Bro. Giles F. Berkley spoke in memory of those who have passed during the past twelve months all of whom he named including of course one of our two Asst PGM’s W.Bro. David J Winder. G.Stwd, a gentle giant missed by us all.
Asst PGM V.W. Bro. Geoffrey Bury PGJO was Re-appointed and saluted before W.Bro. Mike Pinckard PGStwd, (previous P.G.Sec) was escorted into the meeting where his Patent of office was read before being Proclaimed under the direction of the Provincial DC and Saluted by all members of the Province. (well deserved) All other Distinguished officers present were then Saluted.
A brief resume of proceedings were as follows, Treasurer’s Report which included no rise in Provincial Fees, he was then re-elected, along with the Auditors. Grand officers were then saluted, the Prov Grand Sec submitted his Report, the Report of the Charity Committee was also submitted. The PGM gave his excellent address to the meeting before he Appointed and Invested the Provincial Grand Officers for the year which were then Saluted.
A Vote of Thanks to all the Provincial Secretariat Team, lead in fine style by W.Bro. Kevin Chicken (GStwd designate), the Captain of Stewards, the Master and Brethren of Walton Mark Lodge No. 161 and Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Masters No.1646, for all the arrangements undertaken allowing the meeting to take place.
Provincial Mark Grand Lodge was then closed and a hearty rendition of the National Anthem followed.
Everyone present now made their way to the bars for some liquid refreshment and a good old chinwag, I was making my way to the dining room upstairs to get a few pictures before the Festive Board when an accident occurred in front of me which required some of the Halls first aid team and an ambulance. I have been informed that the Mason concerned is now fine, but for me it was time to get back to Manchester. Unfortunately, I can’t report on the evening but I’m sure it all went well as usual, if you’ve never attended the Provincial Mark Meeting make a note in your diary for Thurs the 8th May 2025, you’ll find it’s well worth the trip. Mark Well.
“Now Let the Pictures Do the Talking”
The Magic of the Mark  

Grand Mark Lodge, Queen Street, London. Tues 11th June. 1PM
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. FSE. No. 1173