Ta Ra Ra Boon’s Away
 
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ian Nairn made his worth north, (or as we like to call it – to the top of the province), to be the principal guest at the installation meeting of Furness Royal Ark Mariners Lodge No 375.
Ian was accompanied to Ulverston Masonic Hall by assistant directors of ceremonies Ray Pye and Tony Farrar. Special representative Stuart Brackstone also added his presence to the proceedings.
Ian Nairn, Russ Greenhow and Ken Boon
Outgoing Worshipful Commander Ken Boon and Ian had, for several years, held wands together as members of the provincial directors of ceremonies team.
Succeeding Ken was another well-known Mark Mason in the person of Russ Greenhow. Ken carried out his duties with great precision and feeling. The ceremony was a delight to witness.
Ray Pye and Tony Farrar
It was pleasing to see ten Royal Ark Mariners re-enter the room following the inner workings. In fact all the progressive offices of the lodge were filled by junior members. John Torrance and John Broadhurst were invested as the Senior and Junior Wardens.
Peter Quirk who has recently been appointed to R.A.M. grand rank was re-elected as treasurer – a foregone conclusion as once again he felt no need to raise subscriptions!
The Commander and I.P.C. with some grand chaps!
During the evening Nigel Higginson was admitted as a joining member. Grange over Sands resident Nigel is a member of Kent Dale Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in the adjoining province of Cumberland and Westmorland. He is well known in the Furness and South Lakeland group as a keen and busy Mason. He will add to the stock of Furness R.A.M.
Ian was called into action to explain the certificate of a Royal Ark Mariner to John Houlding before it was presented to him by Russ.
John Torrance, Nigel Higginson and John Broadhurst
To mark the occasion Russ presented Ian with a cheque in favour of the West Lancashire Mark Charity Fund for £500. It was requested that £125 of this be ring-fenced as a donation to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation at Preston.
The quality of the ceremony was not only a credit to Ken but also to director of ceremonies David Smith and his assistant Keiron Mullan. Others also played their part with organist Geoff Waters adding musical harmonies to the occasion and Dave Sear undertaking the explanation of the keystone jewel.
David Smith, Peter Quirk and Kieron Mullan
Russ is the hard working chairman of Ulverston Masonic Hall. Under his stewardship the hall has seen several upgrades with an extension to the building now nearing completion. Russ represents those, often underappreciated, individuals who do the work which enable the rest of us to enjoy our Masonr.
Following the ceremony 45 members and their guests enjoyed a terrific four course meal. A raffle raised £200 with the proceeds being split evenly between the Furness R.A.M. charity account and the hall building fund.
The diners
Ken can reflect on a job well done, the lodge can take satisfaction from a successful installation meeting and all who attended can look back on a pleasant evening spent in good company.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear