Secretaries’ Seminar 23rd March
 
The sun was shining on Ormskirk Masonic Hall on Monday 23rd March for the George Harradon Mark Lodge No 956 meeting. The Lodge was rededicated on 25th November 2024 to be the secretary’s lodge.
The meeting was opened by the Worshipful Master WBro Jorge Perez, Prov.G.J.W.  The first item was an In Memoriam for Most Worshipful Bro John Herbert Prizeman, Pro Grand Master, who passed to higher service on 22nd January 2026; and also WBro Doug Holgate, who passed to higher service 9th January 2026.  All stood in respect to departed merit.
 
With the minutes approved WBro Perez welcomed WBro Mike Pinckard the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and offered him the gavel which was accepted and then politely returned. Salutations were then given to WBro Pinckard.
The election of offices for the ensuing year saw WBro David Durling declared Master Elect and WBro Peter Taaffe declared, Treasure for the ensuing year.
 
The main item of business for the meeting was the Secretaries Seminar; given by members of the secretariat led by, WBro Kevin Chicken, with WBro Richard Elsdon and WBro Chris Wild and WBro Ralph Heyes. Each one explained their role within the office. This was very informative.
The main point that came over was that if secretary’s or members of a lodge have a problem then please get in touch with Provincial Office for assistance. West Lancs Mark Province is one of the few provinces to have a resignation form. This needs to show the date of resignation; the date that the APGM spoke to the resigning member and the date that final notice of resignation was read out in lodge. There is a need to keep details of members up to date and there is a form so that Provincial Office can update Keystone. Summonses should go out three weeks before the meeting so that if there are any errors they can be corrected. An installation return form is sent to the Lodge secretary prior to the Installation meeting and this form should be returned within fourteen days of the Installation to Provincial Office. There was a reminder that failure to pay Grand Lodge fees on time could result in a Lodges Warrant being suspended until the situation is resolved. Summons need to show the dates of the PGML meeting and the Royal Ark Mariner Assembly.
 
PGML his year is too held on 15th April in Blackpool. Please note that this is earlier than normal.
The R.A.M Assembly will be held on 15th September at Westhoughton Masonic Hall.
Although all 61 Lodge secretaries in the Province had been notified of the meeting, only about a third turned up for the meeting. Recently in his address to Adoniram Mark the PGM, RWBro Keith Beardmore explained that specialist lodges had been set up to assist members.
George Harradon Mark Lodge No 956 is always happy to accept new members and receive visitors. The Secretaries Seminar replaced the zoom meetings and is a good way for new or old secretaries to keep up to date and exchange ideas. With the business meeting being held at Ormskirk Masonic Hall you know that you will get a good meal.
 
Please remember that Provincial Office is always there to help.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell