First Class Furness
 
This Parrott is not pining for the fjords, has not ceased to be, has not expired and gone to meet his maker, nor has he shuffled off this mortal coil or joined the choir invisible but has in fact been installed as the WM of Furness Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 36. I refer of course to John Parrott who was elevated into that prestigious office by Ian Cottam in a ceremony which took place at Barrow in Furness Masonic Hall. (With apologies to Monty Python).
Ian Nairn, John Parrott, Ian Cottam and Stuart Brackstone
Principal guest on the day was Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ian Nairn. Ian was accompanied by the PGM’s special representative Stuart Brackstone. Both were under the guiding hand of acting deputy D.C. Ken Boon with assistance from assistant DCs Tony Farrar and Terry Dickinson. Other acting provincial officers in the persons of senior warden Stuart Boyd, junior overseer Tony Thackrah and deputy sword bearer Ray Dickinson added further lustre to the proceedings. There was another acting officer present but he was otherwise engaged as he was the installing WM.!
Following their journey north, or as we like to think of it to the top of the province, the visitors were greeted with a welcoming cup of tea and biscuits. In charge of administering the much needed brews were John’s daughter Sophie and son James. Their cordial welcome proved a perfect start to what was to be a most enjoyable evening.
There was somewhat of a sad note as Ian Cottam’s last duty before installing John was to pay respect to the memory of Alan Dunn PGJO who had recently passed to the grand lodge above. Given the fact that Alan, who had been WM in 1985, was good friend to many of the more senior brethren the tribute was delayed until the principal guest and the grand officers had processed into the lodge.
Sophie, James, John Parrott and Ian Nairn
What can I say about the work of Ian Cottam in installing John? Well it was accurate, well delivered and nicely timed. Ian Nairn summed it up best when he later referred to the work as “a master class of ritualistic expertise.”
It was appropriate that Ian installed John as he had also seconded his proposal to become a member of our order.
Lodge secretary Kieron Mullan added to the already heavy workload he faces on such occasions as he stepped from behind his desk and onto the floor to explain the signification of the Keystone Jewel prior to adorning John with it.
Terry Dickinson, Tony Farrar, Stuart Boyd, John Parrott, Ian Nairn, Ken Boon and Tony Thackrah
Bill Joughin delivered the address to the new WM in fine fashion, Stuart Boyd orated the address to the wardens to a similar high standard and Bill Glassey addressed the overseers as to their duties in a like manner. Ian Nairn was called upon to expound the address to the brethren. He did not let the standard drop and his delivery of the address was very well received.
John has a reputation of being a good ritualist and the work he had to undertake once he had ascended to the chair gave every indication of this. He will have a busy year as on the evening a ballot in respect of two potential candidates for advancement proved favourable.
Besides the excellent ceremonial work one of the principal pleasures of the evening was in seeing eleven junior brethren line up in the north on their re-entry following the inner workings. In fact all of the progressive offices were filled by junior brethren and Furness Mark Lodge appears to have a good succession plan in place.
Kieron Mullan, Bill Glassey and Bill Joughin
In truth however I have to report that the numbers in attendance were in fact down. This was mainly due to the fact that it was the Easter holiday period and meant that some brethren had, quite rightly, honoured family commitments and were unable to be present. The plus side of this was it gave some of the junior brethren who had not previously done so a chance to play a small part in the proceedings. The fact that they were keen and eager to do so also bodes well for the future.
To mark the occasion John presented the Assistant PGM with a cheque for £360 in favour of the West Lancashire Mark Charity.
Following the ceremonial part of the evening 45 members and their guest enjoyed a three course meal in the Fairfield Suite of the masonic hall. The main course was Cumberland sausage which proved very tasty. As is a tradition of Furness Mark Lodge the choice of sweets included rice pudding with jam.
VW Brethren Alan Jones, Brian Davey, Ian Nairn, Mike Southworth and Stuart Brackstone
A raffle held at the installation banquet raised £207 for the masonic hall building fund. Hall treasurer Bill Glassey was delighted to receive the donation from the WM.
Excellent ritual, friendly company, a nice meal and a refreshing glass or two – the installation meeting of Furness Mark Lodge No 36 was a delightful occasion in keeping with the finest traditions of the order.
John has the summer to learn the first part of the ceremony of advancement as he will be undertaking that piece of work at the next meeting on Thursday 6th September. Ian Cottam will not be resting on his laurels as he will called into action to do the second part of the ceremony with senior overseer Graham Benson rounding the whole thing.
John Torrance WM of Jubilee Mark Lodge No 375 along with
Peter Dismore, Dennis Laird, Carl Hallows, Darren Stainton, Peter Schofield and Bob Herber
But John’s most pressing job is to complete the application form to apply to become a Royal Ark Mariner!
Words and pictures by Dave Sear