Eccles Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.843
Installation Meeting. Friday 13th March 2026
Eccles Masonic Hall, “Elm Bank, 46, Half Edge Lane. Eccles
 
Well just for a change not too far to go today and no M60 or the infamous on slip, brilliant, every time I drive over the high level bridge I remember a day from quite a few years ago which at the time wasn’t too funny, we set off on a job and as we got nearly to the top over the ship canal the blue peril CID car decided to stop! We had to roll it backwards all the way back down the hill to the turn off, you can imagine what the oncoming traffic thought. no hard shoulder not funny at the time but now it does bring a smile of happy days.
Anyway back to the Team visit, arrived in good time lots of members and guests were already there having a drink and a good old chinwag, the meeting opened on time and following several housekeeping items had been dealt with the knock on the door we were all waiting for came, and the Inner Guard announced that our PGM was without and wished to enter, of course the W.M.M. was delighted to welcome R. W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore G.M.R.A.C. our Provincial Grand Master, along with members of the Provincial Team, and Grand Officers.
He was welcomed on behalf of everyone present and offered the gavel, Keith declined the offer on this occasion as he said he could see how eager the WMM was to continue with the Installation Ceremony.
A first-class Installation ceremony to place W.Bro. P. Burrows PPrGJW into the chair of Adoniram was carried out by W.Bro. Lane, who also presented the Book of Constitutions, the Charity Jewel, and the Warrant of the Lodge, the Tools of the degree were presented and explained by Bro. A Longbottom Junior Overseer.
Our PGM was the first to give his personal congratulations to the newly installed W.M. and wished him and the members a happy and healthy year ahead, perhaps with some work to do perhaps a candidate or two to advance.
The W.M. had much pleasure in presenting Keith with an envelope for the Charities which he opened to find “oops,” not what he thought it was (lots of laughter) but very quickly the WM somewhat embarrassed gave him the right envelope with a cheque inside for £200 made out to the WLMC. Our PGM thanked all the members for the generous donation saying it will be well received and put to needy causes. The usual addresses were given to the Wardens, the Overseers and finally my favourite address given by our own PGM Keith.
On closing the Lodge, everyone returned for the usual pictures to be taken to mark the special occasion before making their way to the dining room, charging their glasses and taking up their allotted seats for the Festive Board. An excellent meal was served up by the very efficient and friendly hall staff, the usual Toasts and Responses followed including a new joke from our PGM, which on this occasion was funny!!
There it was all over this special meeting with our P.G.M. and the members of the Provincial Team present, everyone was now saying their goodbyes with the genuine handshakes of friendship before setting off into the cold night air to all parts of our West Lancs Province, here’s to our next merry meeting.
Not a member of the Royal Ark Mariners yet just ask your Ambassador W.Bro. Ian Edge PGStdB who will point you in the right direction and give you all the information you will need to join this wonderful degree,
Mark Provincial Meeting is taking part at the Winter Gardens, Spanish Hall, Blackpool. 15 April 2026.
 
Words and pictures by W.Bro. Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Lodge FSE. 1173