The Red Rose Lodge of Mark Master Masons  No.1594
Installation Meeting Monday 24th November 2025
Hindley Masonic Hall, Market Street, Hindley. 6.30 pm
 
Really looking forward to visiting this hall which I haven’t been to before, it’s not far but still left early to join the queue on to the usual, M60, 30 minutes later and then it was on to the A58. A long wiggly road which seemed to go on forever, then a sigh of relief a sign “Welcome to Hindley” appeared, it was only now that the fun began! We travelled down the full length of Market Street at least twice, no sign of the hall. In the end we parked up in a Free Car Park, and went for an enforced stroll, before too long “Bingo” there it was down a wide alleyway next to a huge building, well lit but still hard to spot if passing in a car.
Once inside it was a very warm and friendly atmosphere, lots of members and visitors alike welcomed us to Hindley, I went off for my usual mooch around, not the biggest Hall ever but great surroundings, well decorated, clean and well maintained including a very smart Temple.  
The meeting commenced on time at 5.30 pm and following several housekeeping items the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore G.M.A.C. entered accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand officers, he was presented to the W.M. who welcomed him into the Lodge on behalf of all presented. The gavel was offered to Keith who said he would accept it on this occasion for a short time so as to introduce the members of the team to everyone, once this was done the Lodge W.M. resumed his seat.
Bro. Peter Newall the Master Elect was presented and following the usual qualifying questions, all below the rank of a Past Master were asked to retire for a short time.
Peter was duly Installed into the chair of Adoniram by Bro. Jack Lyon the outgoing W.M. he was assisted in fine style by officers of the Lodge. Address to the W.M. was given by W.Bro. Baxendale The Keystone and Charity Jewel were presented and explained by W.Bro. Rick Wooley PrGSD. The Warrant of the Lodge, the Book of Constitutions and Bye Laws were presented by W.Bro. Ray Pye PAGSwdB.
The Mark Masons outside the door of the Lodge re-entered and saluted the newly installed W.M, Officers for the ensuing year were presented with their appropriate collars and had their duties explained, the usual addresses were then given in turn to the Wardens, the Overseers and finally the address to all present was given by our PGM. Keith gave his personal congratulations to the W.M. and wished him and all the members of the Lodge a healthy and happy year ahead.
In return the W.M. Peter Newell thanked Keith for his good wishes and was pleased to present him with a list of local charities the Lodge have donated to totalling £470, the PGM thanked him and the members for such a large amount saying it would all be well received and put to good use.  One final item was to present Bro. Philip Dobson with his Grand Lodge Certificate, it was passed to our PGM who with that usual twinkle in his eyes passed it over to his Dep PGM VW Bro. Giles Berkeley PGJO who did no more than to hand it to Asst PGM W.Bro. Geoffrey Michael Pinckard. PGJD. he gave a short stutter and said all in fun “I must read up on this presentation”.
It was now time for the PGM and Grand officers to retire from the meeting on its closing everyone returned for the usual photographs to be taken, to mark the occasion. Once this was done everybody made their way to the dining room, charged their glasses and took up their allotted seats for the Festive Board. A fine meal was served up by the very efficient and friendly hall staff.
The usual Toasts followed the meal along with some excellent responses, and a fine raffle for the Charities was taken. All too soon the time had come for everyone to say their genuine goodbyes of friendship and leave to all parts of the Province with that warm feeling of another great Mark meeting and if like me already looking forward to the next meeting.
The same applies to the wonderful Royal Ark Mariner Degree, not already a member ask your Secretary or Lodge Ambassador, who will be happy to point you into the right direction to join with us in the colourful regalia and story of Noah.  
Here's to our next merry meeting, Mark Well.
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. FSE 1173