The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Quarterly Communication Meeting Tues 7th Sept 2021
Freemasons Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London
 
Been looking forward to this day and its finally arrived, up at 6.a.m. check I’m all together, is my Apron in the case are my shoes shined, is the train ticket on my phone and printed as backup, yes everything seems in order. My wife does a double check to see if I have everything, my nephew Norton arrives and off we go being driven there in style to Piccadilly Station. The train is in, and we wave goodbye, coach K, find our seats and settle down for the journey. First class is the only way to go, and it doesn’t cost too much more, ten minutes later we are informed that there will be no food on the train as the air conditioning unit is leaking in the kitchen!! Well, what can you say, our seats were next to the engine and the nearest coffee was as far as you could go to the back of the train.  Now as it happens in my case were my usual backup supplies for Masonic trips, a Marmite Butty and a small bottle of Dandelion and Burdock.
The Train is Ready
Arrived in London jumped in a Taxi and were soon at Grand Lodge, there were still some Corona Virus precautions in place but nothing too restrictive so as to spoil the visit.  Once the cases were stowed safely in the cloakroom we signed in and then made our way to the Hercules Pillars one of two watering holes across the street used by Masons on these visits, the other being the George. Before too long after a couple of drinks, non-alcoholic it was time to take up our seats in the Grand Temple.
Friends
Three Thirsty Masons
The Connaught Rooms
Right on time at 1.30 pm the procession into the Temple (including our own PGM of course) began and once it was concluded on this occasion with the Pro Grand Master M.W. Bro. Raymond John Smith taking his seat he welcomed everyone and thanked all for their attendance. Then it was time for the Agenda to be followed as per the Summons, the meeting was quite lengthy due to the loss of meetings over the past eighteen months but I’m sure everyone took that into account and really showed their support for all those receiving offices and appointments. Just before the meeting concluded the roof was raised with a rousing version of the National Anthem sung by all present and that was it all over, slowly everyone made their way to the robing rooms/cloak rooms before going for a well-earned drink and some friendly chat before taking up their allotted places for dinner in the Connaught Rooms.
The George
The Pro Grand Master
Our Grand Steward’s Leader
The meal on this occasion was excellent and was complete with wine, it was great to see quite a few Grand Stewards ties being worn which is a tradition, once a Grand Steward always a Grand Steward. Lots of friendly and interesting chat not just from our own Province but from all over the country.  Towards the end of the meal the Pro Grand Master gave an excellent speech and again thanked everyone for their attendance not only at the meeting but also at the Festive Board which had over 650 in attendance.
The Pillars
I made it on to a Picture
Cheers Peter
There it was gone for another September, we claimed our cases and followed our PGM Keith, along with the Dep PGM Geoff Lee and the two Asst PGM’s Giles Berkley and John Bicknell to The George as we were sure that one of them had said they would be getting the drinks in. We sat enjoying each other’s company and having a real good laugh especially a joke from the PGM which I must admit I had heard earlier in the day and still didn’t get it!! My excuse is that along with some other symptoms I have caused by Long Covid it gives me brain fog yes brain fog!  I was assured by everyone round the table as they were falling off their chairs with laughter, not to worry because I was sure to hear it again at one of the Team Visits, what were they trying to say.
Welcome To Grand Lodge
After thanking everyone for the their great company which I always enjoy and look forward to I set off for Euston with Norton carrying my case (thank goodness), when your sat there having a few drinks it always seems to be a good idea to walk to the station but I’ve now promised myself that’s definitely the last time, it seems to go on forever and I was shattered when I finally got into my seat on the train. A quick sandwich, a coffee a glass of wine and a quiet doze with a smile on my face and next we were approaching Manchester, jumped in a taxi, fifteen minutes later boots off, sat off in my easy chair with a small glass of Laphroaig reflecting on yet another great day with great friends at Mark Grand Lodge.
Fabulous Windows

If you haven’t yet made the trip to Grand Mark or RAM Grand Lodge put it on your list of things you must do, you won’t regret it, here’s looking forward to being with old friends and those I have yet to meet on the coming Team Visits, Remember your only a stranger once.          
The Sun is Setting on Grand Lodge
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.  PGJD
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No. 1173