Tuscan Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.1099
Installation Ceremony
Hope Street, Liverpool. 15th December 2025
 
Here we go again, it’s cold, dark and raining but that didn’t dampen our spirits in attending the last Team Visit of the year in Liverpool. Set off early as usual. Did that make any difference getting up the M60 ramp and over the high-level bridge, not at all in fact it broke the record, 35 minutes and that was without the usual delay for crashes! We soldered on and eventually reached the M62, now we could really get moving all the way up to the break neck speed of 35 MPH. Anyway, we got to the outskirts of Liverpool and soon found our way to Hope Street, more by good luck than knowing where it was, ha ha now as usual where do we park.?? We did look around for a while but gave up and parked on the street, £8.40 for 4 hours!!
We got to the Lodge with only ten minutes to go, missed the usual practice session, got changed and that was it, no time for my usual mooch around, the meeting opened on time and once several items of housekeeping had been dealt with, the R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore. G.M.R.A.C. Provincial Grand Master entered the Lodge accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers. The W.M. welcomed him and the Team on behalf of all present, he offered the Gavel which Keith said he would accept for a short time so as to introduce members of the Team to all, however he said he wouldn’t keep it for long as he knew that the Lodge officers were eager to get on with the Ceremony to Install the new W.M.
The incoming Master W.Bro. Alan Bresnen PPrAGDC was Installed in fine styal by W.Bro. Sandy Kean PPrGMO assisted by other officers of the Lodge. The Keystone Jewel was presented and explained by W.Bro. Derek Gaskell PGStdB, the Address to the W.M. was given by W.Bro. Brian Boothroyd, address to the Wardens was given by W.Bro. Chris Walls. PrGSW, last but not least was my favourite Address to All, given by our own
RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore. G.M.R.A.C. who then congratulated the newly Installed W.M. and wished him and members of the Lodge a Healthy and Happy year ahead that will hopefully see a couple of new apprentice Masons or even Joining Mark Masons. The W.M. thanked Keith for his good wishes and was pleased to present him with a list the Donations the Lodge had made, how nice it was when in the good old days when we used to present those bits of paper called cheques. Anyway this is the list of donations given by Tuscan Lodge members, £300 to Sefton Womens and Childrens Aid, £200 to WLMC, £100 to Liverpool Masonic Hall, Keith was amazed by the wonderful amount donated by a Lodge with such a small number of members and it really showed the true hearts of Mark Masons.  
 
Before closing two Charity Jewels were presented one to W.Bro. Kevin Chicken GStwd. Prov G Sec and one to
W.Bro. Andrew Whittle PGSD for their donations to the Mark Benevolent Fund. One more special item came up next before closing when the Asst PGM W.Bro Michael J Pinckard had the pleasure of presenting two Grand Lodge Certificates one to W.Bro. John Williams and one to Johnathan Edwards.
The time had come for our PGM accompanied by members of this year’s Team along with the Grand Officers to retire from the meeting, everyone gathered outside until the meeting closed and it was time for all to return for the usual photo session to mark the occasion. Once this was done everyone gathered in the dining room once they had charged their glasses and took up their allotted seats for the Festive board. An excellent meal was served by the very efficient and friendly staff, following the meal the usual Toasts and some excellent responses followed, then as always it was time to leave, the evening seemed to go by in a flash, everyone saying their goodbyes, with the Mark handshakes of genuine friendship. It was a cold rainy night out side but everyone left with a warm glo and a smile inside, here’s to the next one.
Not a member of the Royal Ark Mariners you will have an ambassador in your Mark Lodge or ask the Secretary who will point you in the right direction.
Before closing I’d like to give special Thanks to Sandy Kean ProvGMO for his great communications with me.
Stay Well, Stay Safe and Have a Great Christmas perhaps give someone a phone call who you haven’t seen for ages, family, friend or members of your Lodge who has been missing for some time.
 
Mark Well.
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. FSE No 1173.