Fylde Mark Lodge No 296
Warrant dated: 24th February, 1882 Consecrated: 1st April, 1882
Subcribing Members: 36
Meet at Blackpool Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool
on Fourth Thursday in Jan, Mar, Apr, Sep, Nov(I)
| Meeting | Date |
|---|---|
| Ladies Evening | 13th February, 2010 |
History of the Lodge
The Warrant of The Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.296 is dated 24th February 1882 and the Lodge was consecrated on 1st April 1882. The Lodge originally met at the Clifton Arms Hotel, Blackpool and, in 1898 was invited to invest in a new company founded to build a new Masonic Hall in Blackpool. Fylde Mark Lodge was the first Lodge to meet in that new building in Adelaide Street on 29th September 1899 and this remains the Lodge's home to this day. The Lodge met every alternate month throughout the year and it was not until 1909 that a summer recess was proposed. Until relatively recently the Lodge still had seven meetings per year.
The Edmund Taylor Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No 296 was formed in 1913 and many Fylde Mark Lodge members were founders of that Lodge. Fylde Mark Lodge is justifiably proud that the Blackpool and District Association of Mark Lodges was founded in 1971 from an idea of one if it's members, V.W.Bro Norman Nicholson, who became the first Chairman. The Association continues to hold an Annual Festival presentation which is very well supported by members of Provincial Executive. The Festival is hosted in turn by one of the seven Mark Lodges in the Blackpool and Fylde area.
2009 MARK FESTIVAL
The 2009 Mark Festival will be hosted by Fylde Mark Lodge No.296 on Thirsday 23rd April 2009 at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool.
For details email David Bell , Chairman of the Fylde Mark Festival Committee.
INSTALLATIONS MINI TEAM VISIT
Fylde Mark Lodge was honoured to receive Rt. W.Bro. Peter Connolly at the Installation of Bro. Wally Atcheson. The Provincial Grand Master was accompanied by his Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro Keith Beardmore, the Provincial Grand Wardens, W.Bros. Howard Emmett and John Forster, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, the Provincial Grand Sword Bearer, the Provincial Grand Deputy Secretary, the Provincial Grand Standard Bearer and the Provincial Grand Tyler, who were all introduced to the Brethren by the Provincial Grand Master.
Rt.W.Bro. Connolly gave special congratulations to W.Bro. John Powell on his appointment to Grand Rank; W.Bro John was very unwell during the Summer and was unable to travel to London to be invested by The Grand Master; we are all delighted that his health is now much improved.
Although this was officially a Mini Team visit, many other Acting Officers of the Province who were not “on duty” came to give their support to the Provincial Grand Master. The Brethren of Fylde Mark Lodge were especially grateful to the Provincial Grand Organist, W.Bro Doug Little for the music during the Ceremony.
The Installing Master, W.Bro Ken Ormston, was outstanding in installing his successor and was suitably congratulated in the Lodge by the Provincial Grand Master. To complete a successful year, in which five new candidates were advanced, W.Bro Ormston presented a cheque to Rt.W.Bro. Connolly, in favour of the West Lancashire Mark Charities, for £1000, which had been raised at Lodge meetings and various social events during his year in office.
The Festive Board, which was enjoyed by everyone present, (including the rich fruit cake made and donated by Bro. Allan Burton of Blackpool Craft Lodge,) was attended by more than sixty Brethren, three of whom are not yet Mark Masons !!!
Thanks from all the members of Fylde Mark Lodge must go to the Secretary, W.Bro Bill Ainsworth for his
organisation of the event. Below are some photos of the proceedings.
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Pictured above:The Provincial Grand Master. The
Worshipful Master, Bro. Wally Atcheson and The Installing Master, W.Bro Ken Ormston. |
Pictured above:The Worshipful Master being
congratulated by the Provincial Grand Master and The Provincial Grand Director Of Ceremonies, W.Bro.
Terry Maybury. |
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Pictured above:The Provincial Grand Wardens,
W.Bros Howard Emmett and John Forster relaxing in a festive mood. |