LAWRENCE LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS
Chorley Masonic Hall
The Central Lancashire Association Festival 16th January 2020
 
The Lodge was opened at 6pm and the Lodge business was conducted by the W.M.Bro David Hatchard.  W.Bro David Emerson announced that the Provincial Grand Master R.W. Keith Alan Beardmore stood without and demanded admission. The PGM entered accompanied by Grand and Acting Provincial Grand Officers. The W.M. Bro. David Hatchard offered the PGM the gavel which was quickly returned so he could enjoy the proceedings.
The Lodge was called off and two non Mark Masons were admitted. The Lodge was set up for the ceremony of a Mark Advancement circa 1778-1879 so that it could begin called. IT STARTED WITH A DREAM.
The team members taking part were Trevor Partington, John Lancaster, Michael Norris, Don Hesketh, Tony Price, Ken Wilson, Andrew Cogle, Frank Hunt, Ian Brown, and Derek Whittle.
The Festival representative for Lawrence Mark Lodge W.Bro Trevor Partington gave a brief explanation how they came to choose a subject for the Festival. He then read the forward which explained how the ceremony was put together by Brethren of a South Yorkshire Lodge.  The narrator W.Bro Lancaster set the scene and the ceremony began.  The ceremony highlighted the connection which undoubtedly exists between the Craft, Mark degree and the Royal Arch.  To add to the authenticity of the ceremony W.Bro Lancaster and his wife Margery had made ten old style Mark aprons.
When the ceremony which took the best part of an hour was over there was huge applause and the PGM rose and thanked everyone who had taken part and for all the hard work that they had put into it to make it a success.
The two non Mark Masons retired and the ceremony props were removed and the Lodge was put back together as a Mark Masons Lodge.  The Lodge was called on again and a collection for Charity was taken.  The PGM retired accompanied by the distinguished Grand Officers and Acting Provincial Officers. The Lodge was closed in due form and all 81 brethren made their way to the bar before taking their seats at the Festive Board and an excellent meal was enjoyed by all.
Words by Trevor Partington and photographs by Paul Snape.