The Annual assembly of Royal Ark Mariners was held on Tuesday the 10th December at Great Queen Street, London there were 5 recipients of Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank from East Lancashire and 4 of them made the journey down to London.

Nolan Morrison, Reg Foster, Dennis Schiff and David Kelly

The 5th recipient W.Bro M Adrian Hunter was unable to attend due to a hospital appointment.

The PGM and 34 East Lancashire members also caught  the  1035 am train  from Manchester Piccadilly and we had coach A all to our selves, we were looked after by Tracey our regular carriage supervisor. The Grand Stewards of the year David Biggs and Gerry Young didn’t get on the train until it stopped at Macclesfield so we were in need of the splendid refreshments they brought with them.

The PGM in the window seat and Deputy PGM on the journey down

 Grand Stewards Lodge held their Meeting at Mark Masons Hall on the Monday afternoon and many of the travellers attended, then it was back to the Union Jack Club for “quiet discussion and drinks”.

Tuesday Morning was spent doing the tourist sites around  London, Covent Garden was decked out with some eye catching Christmas decorations.

The  RAM Assembly  meeting was held at Great Queen Street and was followed by a  meal at the Grand Connaught Rooms

Grand Lodge set out for the Royal Ark Mariner Meeting

 There was a dash for the taxis to catch the 9 o’clock train back to Manchester.

On the train  Tracey and the Grand Stewards did their best to keep every one supplied with drinks and nibbles.

Dennis Schiff was also celebrating his  Birthday and he was presented with a cake, (obviously we had to limit it to one candle because of Fire Safety considerations) and following an announcement by the train manager, a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday to mark the event.

The Birthday Boy and cake

The journey home went smoothly and we arrived back in Manchester on time.