Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of West Lancashire
The Winter Gardens Spanish Hall Church Street Blackpool. FY1 1HU
Thursday, 8th May 2025. 2pm
 
How quick it seems to come round, the highlight of the year for West Lancs Mark Masons, the Provincial Grand Meeting in Blackpool, set off early 8.30, and I know you won’t believe me but I went straight up the on ramp then over the high level bridge and kept moving all the way to the M61, yes it was a miracle. A nice drive all the way to the car park at the end of Adelaide Street, then a short walk to the Winter Gardens to be greeted by the statue of Morecambe and Wise, how nice it would be if they were there in person.
Checked in by the acting Stewards who were doing a great job, then it was up the very steep steps to get to the Spanish Hall, no actually on this occasion I went and found a lift (yes I must be getting old). There is a very pleasant, large anti room before you enter the Hall with some amazing statues embedded in the walls and a huge ornate fireplace and of course our very own W.Bro. Dougie Holgate the Prov Inner Guard selling all things Mark and Royal Ark Mariners.
On entering the Hall I found a hive of activity under the watchful eye of the Prov DC W.Bro. Arthur Robinson along with his Deputy and Asst’s running through the entry and exit of today’s meeting, they are never happy until they have it just right, which it usually is. It is always nice to see so many smiling faces and sharing the warm and genuine handshakes we share in these two degrees. Once the practice was over everyone started to chill out with a nice drink of coffee, biscuits and a good old chinwag.
A brief resume of the meeting went as follows, to welcome the WM’s or their representatives from the Mark Lodges throughout the Province, next a Deputation of Worshipful Commanders entered. Our Provincial Grand Master was then Saluted following this in memoriam was read, several housekeeping items were dealt with, W.Bro. G,F, Berkley PGJD was Re-appointed Dep PGM, VW Bro. G.M.Bury PGJO and W.Bro.M.J.Pinckard PGStwd were Re-appointed Asst PGM’s. Other distinguished Brethren from Provinces all over the country were saluted.
Our RW PGM Keith Alan Beardmore G.M.R.A.C. gave his address to the meeting, which was well received by all present, next a real highlight for our Brethren, Provincial Grand officers for the year were appointed, invested, and saluted. A vote of thanks was given to the Provincial Secretariat under the leadership of W.Bro. Kevin Chicken PGStwd Prov Grand Secretary. The Captain of the stewards, the Master and Brethren of Walton Mark Lodge No.161 and Philadelphia Lodge of Installed Masters No. 1646 for there help and assistance in all the arrangements they had made for this special meeting. Now the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed for another year and everyone was wished a safe journey home following the Festive Board.
Words and pictures by W.Bro. A.N. Fletcher. PGJD