Cloister Lodge of Mark Master Masons,
 
The Grange Club, Edgeley Road, Stockport
 
Advancement Meeting.   Tuesday 13th November 2018
 
Not too far to travel for the Old Opel tonight but still didn’t look too happy, when I coaxed it out of his house, off we went looking forward to another great evening with members of the Mark Degree plus on this occasion the pleasure of a visit by the PGM and a mini Team to this Lodge in the farthest South East corner of the Province.

Dave & Dave
Lodge DC Vincent Wren & Graham Special Rep
Pulled up in the car park very early, no, alongside me was the Prov DC W.Bro.Dave Emmerson who is always early, oh and no hold ups on the motorway, correct no hold up. No sooner had we got inside and Dave was off upstairs to make sure the Lodge room was set out in fine style for the meeting. 
Slowly members and visitors began arriving, lots of genuine pleased to meet you handshakes and smiles, with plenty of time for a quick drink and some stories from the around the Province, in the comfort of the snug area near the bar. 
SW Wicket
Group Shot
We were worried for a while because W.Bro. Ernie Gavan the Prov Tyler hadn’t arrived as he is always one of the first at any Team meeting wherever they may happen to be, panic over when he walked in delayed by motorway traffic!!, it was great to see W.Bro.David Sear the Prov Swd B who had travelled all the way from Barrow in Furness, now that’s the other extreme of the Province as far as you can go to the North West corner.
PGM Candidate & WM
Candidate & WM
The meeting opened up on time at 6 pm, previous minutes confirmed then it was time for the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore to enter the Lodge accompanied by members of the Prov Team and Grand officers. The WM Bro. Brian Cross welcomed the PGM and offered him the Gavel which he said he would accept for a very short time to introduce members of the team who had accompanied him on this visit.
Dave & PGM
Around the Bar
On returning to the chair of Adoniram the WM assisted by his officers carried out the Advancement Ceremony of Bro. Peter Frank Shepherd, the WM invited W.Bro. Brian Hayes PAGDC to assist him which he said he was pleased to do, he did some wonderful ritual work including the Working Tools of the Degree and in conclusion he congratulated the newly made Bro on being Advanced to the Honourable Degree of a Mark Master Mason and invited him to take his rightful seat in the Lodge explaining that on some future occasion his attention will be directed to a Lecture expounding the History of the Degree and its origins.   
Great Friends
Toast PGM & WM
The PGM Keith congratulated the WM, the DC W.Bro. Vincent Wren and gave special mention to W.Bro.Hayes for their part in the Ceremony, he then crossed the Lodge and gave a welcoming handshake to the newly advanced Bro. Shepherd in joining this, the “Happy Degree”.
Festive Board
On returning to the business of the summons it was pleasing to hear a proposition for another Candidate and following a collection for the Charities the PGM retired from the Lodge accompanied by members of the Team and distinguished Grand and Acting Grand officers. On closing everyone returned for the usual photo opportunity then retired from the Lodge room whilst it was set up for the Festive Board.
WM. Lodge DC. Prov DC
PGM Candidate & WM Toast
Once everyone was seated an excellent meal was served up by the friendly staff and included a very tasty homemade crusty Steak Pie (and here’s me on a diet), the usual Toasts and Responses followed including an interesting one from the new Brother.!! The PGM treated us to not to one but two jokes which I made a note of for future reference, as usual all good things come to an end and it was time to leave, the Lodge room may have been a little tight but it in no way effected what was an excellent evening enjoyed by all present, congratulations to W.Bro. Nigel Paton PPrGMO for his organisation and to all the members of Cloister Mark Lodge for the great welcome we all received. Off we went into the cold night air, not far to get to Urmston but after spending 35 minutes the Tuesday before without moving an inch and within sight of my home I didn’t get caught out again, came off one junction early and as I looked up to motorway there it was stopped.
Excellent Staff
Graham Bailey & PGM
Here’s looking forward to the next meeting to see old Mark friends and those I have yet to meet.
Prov Tyler Ernie
Not a member of the colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree yet, come along and join us we’ll be happy to see you. 
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. GStwd
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173