Furness Pride
 
After enforced delays due to the pestilence which is Covid19 Peter Schofield has at last been able to install Graham Benson as his successor in the chair of Furness Mark Lodge No 36.
Ready for the off are; Alan Jones, Peter Schofield and Graham Benson
The meeting at Barrow in Furness Masonic Hall was attended by 40 members and their guests. The principal guest being Alan Jones who was representing the PGM, which was very apt as he is good friends with Peter.
 
Grand officers in the persons of Brian Davey, Stuart Brackstone, Russ Greenhow and Bill Joughin along with provincial grand senior steward Jim Richards accompanied Alan when he processed into the room.
Rear row Alan Pattinson, Terry Pearson, Stuart Braithwaite, Gary Rogerson, David Shaw
and Jon Reed, front row Tony Cassells, Steve Renney, Peter Clafton,
Darren Stainton, Graham Benson and Dennis Laird
Peter went about the task of installing Graham in fine style. It was a pleasure to observe and he can take great pride in the accuracy, manner and tone in which he placed his successor in the chair.
 
Graham, who enjoys a reputation as being no mean ritualist himself, went about his work with authority and confidence.
 
Adding further to the enjoyment of what was a splendid evening were Geoff Waters who delivered the address to the wardens, John Parrott who undertook the address to the overseers and Bill Joughin who very eloquently orated the address to the brethren. Keiron Mullan gave a delightful explanation of the keystone jewel.
Standing Brian Davey, Rowly Saunders and Russ Greenhow,
Seated Bill Joughin and Stuart Brackstone
As the director of ceremonies of the lodge I can take a great deal of satisfaction from the standard of the ritual but I cannot bask in the reflected glory of their work. It was down to their own effort and commitment with just a little encouragement from myself. Well done one and all, it was superb. I chipped in with the working tools and was particularly pleased to have been asked by Graham to address the newly installed master.
 
Although numbers were down it very satisfying to see 10 junior brethren re-enter the lodge and form a line filling the north side following the inner workings. That bears well for the future of the lodge. It also bodes well that a request for a junior member to undertake the presentation of the working tools at the next meeting was immediately taken up.
Dennis Laird, candidate for February Matty Woods and Darren Stainton
Graham will have a much-truncated year due to the postponement of earlier meetings. However, he will be staying in post for a full year from April 2022. With three propositions for membership and others in the pipeline, along with a proposal for a joining member, he will find himself very usefully employed during his time at the helm.
 
Graham appointed Darren Stainton as his senior warden and Dennis Laird as his junior warden.
Following the ceremonial activities of the lodge it was time to retire for refreshment. The soup course was followed by a simple, but very tasty, main course of steak pie with mashed potatoes and vegetables. As is the tradition of the lodge the dessert on the installation evening was rice pudding.
Alan Jones and Graham Benson
The next meeting of the lodge will be in February. On that occasion there will an advancement. As is the practice with Furness Mark Lodge the work will be shared out between the WM and two past masters with a junior brother delivering the working tools.
 
The middle portion of the ceremony will be undertaken by that eminent ritualist Brian Davey. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of Brian entering the order. At his request it will be a low-key affair although the PGM and other distinguished brethren will be in attendance to mark the occasion.
After labour, refreshment
I am sure Graham and the rest of his newly appointed team will rise to the occasion in front of what should be a very full lodge room.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear