A Grand Stewards Weekend at Foxfields Country House Hotel
 
Twice a year, all those brethren who have had the very great honour of serving as a Grand Steward in the Mark Degree for West Lancashire, get together to share a very nice meal and the company of some very good friends.  And on one of those occasions, we bring our ladies!  And the 14th to the 16th of September was the time for our ladies to join us at the Foxfields Country House Hotel, just after BAe Systems past Samlesbury. Foxfields is also the venue for the Mark Provincial Ball this year, on the 27th of October.   So, thank goodness the weekend was a spectacular success! 
Keith & June Beardmore host the Past Grand Stewards of West Lancashire
Geoff & Marion Lee with Tegwen Drinkwater
Tony & Maureen Harrison, supporting the Mark Degree as always
Giles & Sandra Berkley having a great time
Eric & Tegwen organise this whole weekend - our thanks go to them
Eric and Tegwen Drinkwater organise the whole weekend for us, as we arrive Friday afternoon for a trip to Clitheroe, or a relaxing drink in the restaurant, before an evening meal at the Hotel.  Three of our brethren were missing on Friday night, as Keith Beardmore and Geoff Lee supported Tony Harrison at the Craft 50th celebration for Tom Jackson, a very well-known brother throughout our Province, and indeed at Grand Lodge.  There were only 5 Grand Masters of various Orders present! The Lot was ours to entertain their ladies, and what an honour that was, with the food and drink flowing in superb form. 
Eric Drinkwater greets all the Past Grand Stewards and their Ladies
John Waring and Doreen McKeown, happy and smiling as always
Smile please!  Only Doreen listened.....
Ross & Linda Kinder and Jack and Anne Forsyth
Giles & Sandra with Henry and Diana
Saturday is a day for various exploits for all the members and their ladies.  Some visited Skipton Castle to immerse themselves in the ancient history of the area. Others visited Clitheroe, an ancient town with one of the very best wine shops in the North, with a superb selection of wines from all around the world. Others visited the local train and canal attractions.  Sandra took me shopping to Boundary Mill! 
Geoff & Penny Bury with Maureen Harrison
Lynne Connolly with Doreen McKeown and Michael Walker
Ross Kinder - once a Steward, always a Steward
Saturday evening is the main event of the weekend, with a champagne reception before dining in fine style in a private function room at Foxfields.  We were all surprised and delighted to be served canapés by Jean Haigh, the owner of the Hotel, and naturally we helped on the serving of the fine wine - once a Steward, always a Steward!  The food was superb, and the service was excellent - a very good omen for the Mark Provincial Grand Ball on October the 27th at the very same wonderful venue in the countryside.  We still have around 20 tickets left if you would like to attend - Details are on the Mark Website.
The magnificent meal and surroundings at Foxfields Country House
Peter & Lynne Connolly, being looked after by Ross Kinder
What great company!
After dinner, Eric Drinkwater greeted us as the Secretary of the Steward's Mess and Peter Connolly, our Past PGM, gave a lovely speech as President of the Steward's Mess.  Keith Beardmore asked us all to encourage our fellow Grand Stewards to attend next year at Caernarfon. 
And what great surroundings at Foxfields
The rooms are huge and sumptuous
Is John Waring rehearsing ritual?
Keith also mentioned our most senior member, Jack Forsyth (accompanied by his wife Anne), who was a Grand Steward in 1977, and is also the most senior member (and a Past Master) of the Grand Steward's Lodge, which meets at 86 St James in London.  Benjamin Addy, our Past Pro Grand Master followed Jack 4 years later in 1981, to become a member of that wonderful Lodge.  Keith Beardmore became a member 20 years later, in 2001, with Ian Nairn joining in 2006 and Geoffrey Lee in 2009.  As I joined in 2016, I am still on page 45 of the register - Jack is the first name on page 4, after the current Officers, ahead of all others.........
A sitting room and separate bedroom are standard here at Foxfields.
We all look forward to next year and thank our Ladies for all they allow us to do - even the shopping!    
John was a week early for the Barnoldswick vs Burnley Boat Race
Words by Giles Berkley, pictures from Keith Beardmore, John Waring & Doreen McKeown