Leyland Mark Lodge No. 1002. 
Wellington Park, Burlington Gardens, Church Rd, Leyland
Thursday 8th November 2018
 
To Celebrate 50 years in Mark Masonry of VW Bro. Malcolm Stuart Cowburn. PGJO.
 
Another great evening to look forward, a very Special Celebration, 50 years, yes 50 years as a Mark Mason, that’s a real achievement. 
SW’s wicket
Two Stallwarts
Chapter Room 
The Small Lodge Room
Lets Practice
It was a clear day, though with quite a chill in the air, clear sky and my front as usual at this time of the year knee deep in leaves, 22 bags taken away so far!   As the garage door opened I’m sure I heard a growl and a snarl from you know who, I said I know it’s two days on the run but we have to go, I’ll give you another wash at weekend. No need for my travelling companions (I hope you know I can get lost in a car park)  Tom and Snoopy as I have been to Leyland many times, I still made sure I had my emergency pack, some Dandelion and Burdock and today as a treat my good lady had given me a slim bagel with Marmite. (I am on a Diet after all)  Off we set up the M60 ramp, I and the old Opel were flabbergasted the traffic was actually moving at 40 mph, over the bridge we went, you have to take the outside lane to clear the M62 turning and the Worsley turn off and there we were M61, left hand fork and up to 85, oh I mean 70, no hold ups anywhere, soon arrived at Leyland. The Temple was all set ready for the meeting under the guidance of the country’s best DC, Dave Emmerson so I decided to go and take a few photo’s for posterity as it appears that soon unfortunately we won’t be able to meet there anymore, now that’s a real shame and I for one will certainly miss it.
I must get this right
The hands are never still
PGM & The Celebrant
PGM, Dep & Malcolm
The PGM Casual
Before too long members of the Lodge and visitors began to arrive, lots of the usual handshakes and friendly chat as is normal in this Degree, coffee and tea were available at the bar and as everyone got comfy they exchanged news  from their own parts of the Province, the PGM joined them and was as usual always ready to have a good old chinwag. I did notice lots of congratulations being given to the Celebrate on reaching his Golden Anniversary.
PGM WM Dep PGM WM Malcolm & David
PGM Malcolm David & Me  (Keith keeps insisting I get on a photo !!)
The Dining Room Awaits
Chat around the bar
Chat around the bar
At the allotted time everyone made their way upstairs to the spacious robbing rooms and on time at 6pm the Meeting opened under the guidance of WM Stephen Hallam, the previous minutes were confirmed and several housekeeping item were dealt with, then it was time for our PGM VW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore to enter accompanied by Grand and Acting Provincial Officers, he was welcomed by the WM and offered the gavel which on this occasion he did accept.
Chat around the bar
Happy As Always
PGM Toasts Malcolm
Dep Malcolm & PGM
PGM & WM
Once the PGM had introduced members of his team he requested that VW Bro. Malcolm Stuart Cowburn PGJO be placed in the Chair of Adoniram and from the west Keith gave a very interesting and at times very funny resume not only of the Celebrants many years as a Mark Mason but also of his life history in general. (including the story about the Black Socks you had to be there to appreciate it!!) Members of the Prov Secretariat then read out the details from not one but two Certificates, Grand Lodge and Provincial.  The PGM then made his way to the East and was very pleased to present both Certificates to Malcolm who looked overwhelmed by this special occasion, the WM then returned to the chair of his office and continued with the business on the summons. Following a collection for the Charities the PGM accompanied by his Acting Prov Team members and Distinguished Grand officers retired from the Lodge, on closing there was the now usual photo shoot to commemorate the occasion then it was off to the bar for some liquid refreshments before taking up the allotted seats in the Festive Board.
Festive Board in full swing
Roy Turner Tribute Speech
Malcolms Response
An excellent meal followed served up by the always friendly and efficient staff at Leyland, (I was on a boring salad) this being a celebration of a well respected Mark Mason on reaching his 50 years service, the PGM only gave a short response to his Toast saying we all looked forward to another Toast and Response on this special evening, you know he didn’t even deliver one of his classic jokes. There was as could be expected an excellent Toast to the Celebrant given by W.Bro. Roy Turner a lifelong friend, he gave a very sincere address to the man of the evening, this was followed by a great response from Malcolm which everyone present enjoyed, he received a lovely gift of several bottles of wine from his Lodge members and we all Toasted him with “here’s to your 60th”. Keith received a lovely bouquet for his long-suffering Lady June who at least gets to use the remote for the TV quite a lot (only kidding) the Tyler’s Toast followed and that was it all over too soon once again. 
WM’ presents gift to Malcolm
Ditto plus vouchers for more wine !!
Malcolm presents a cheque to PGM for Prostate Cancer Reseach
Flowers for June
Off we all went into the late autumn night with a warm glow from the evenings proceedings, all saying as one here’s to the next Mark Meeting, to meet old friends and those I have yet to meet.  Mark Well.
Not in the Royal Ark Mariner Degree yet, come and join us, just ask a member from your own Mark Lodge or contact your area Special Representative who will be only too happy to tell you all about the most colourful Degree.
Mark Well
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. GStwd,
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173