Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 296
 
Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons hold their meetings at the Blackpool Masonic Hall Adelaide Street Blackpool and on the 23rd January 2020 a goodly number of Mark Masons made their way there to attend the regular meeting. The Worshipful Master Brother Patrick Dwyer opened the Lodge at 6.30 p.m. and called on Right Worshipful Brother Keith Alan Beardmore Provincial Grand Master, a member of the Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons, to deliver eulogies for Worshipful Brother Peter Lonican the Immediate Past Master and Brother Robert Arrand the Lodge Senior Warden both of whom had been called to Higher Service a moments silence was observed in respect of departed merit.   
W.M. Patrick Dwyer congratulates Candidate Bro. Stephen Lloyd
After the items of a domestic nature were completed the usual salutations were given with appropriate responses. The next item was to advance Worshipful Brother Stephen Lloyd and on an alarm Brother Lloyd was escorted into the lodge by Brother Grenville Coxhill and Brother John Cartwright and an excellent ceremony of Advancement was carried out. The Worshipful Master was assisted in the ceremony by Worshipful Brother Peter Green Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon, Brother Brian Purdie presented the working tools and Worshipful Brother Roy Rhodes explained the signs of the degree all three in an exemplary manner. Brother Lloyd was welcomed into the Lodge and Mark Masonry by Very Worshipful Brother John Forster Past Grand Junior Deacon, The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Masters special representative for the Fylde Coast. Brother Lloyd was escorted to a seat in the lodge.
Rt. W. Bro. Keith Beardmore P.G.M. with W.M. and Candidate
The next item was to present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Brother Darren Clemson, the Worshipful Master asked the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to present and give an explanation of the Certificate.  There being no further business the Worshipful Master closed the lodge.
Grand Officers supporting Bro. Lloyd on his Advancement
After the now ubiquitous photo shoot the Brethren repaired to the bar / lounge for an aperitif before being called to the dining room where they partook in a splendid three course dinner. The measure of a good evening is the amount of noise generated at the festive board; the noise was in abundance. The usual toasts were proposed, and the responses were well received. Soon we were heading homeward another splendid evening of Mark Masonry over.      
Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan