Highly entertaining evening at Aegis Lodge |
January 2016 |
| Contrary to what you may initially think, the heading of this story is certainly no criticism of the standard of ceremony performed at this enterprising lodge. |
| However, faced with an invitation to attend a ‘Demonstration of the Ancient Punishments’ which included a blood-curdling graphic, the brethren attending a special meeting of Aegis Lodge No 9115 at Wyrebank, Garstang, may well have done so with a degree of trepidation. |
| Indeed, such was the intrigue generated by this ‘demonstration’ that the lodge was delighted to welcome the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Philip Gunning, Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Grainger, Lancaster group chairman Jim Wilson, a host of other grand and Provincial grand officers and more than 80 brethren. |
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They need not have worried! |
| The evening turned out to be a highly entertaining and amusing sketch about the symbolic penalties referred to in our ceremonies and how they may have been devised in ancient times. |
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Giles Berkley (right) receives the cheque from WM William McGhee. |
| The team of budding thespians were from the Bispham-with-Norbreck Mark Lodge and the performance, accompanied by dramatic and fitting musical excerpts, was introduced and narrated by Giles Berkley in a manner which would have made Christopher Lee proud. |
| We were firstly introduced to the star performer whom we shall call Carl the Candidate who was carried in on a stretcher and whom we must assume had seriously deviated from the Masonic path of honour and integrity, as he had suffered serious corporeal injuries which presented the medical team with some intense challenges and regrettably all attempts at resuscitation eventually failed. |
| The foul deed had, of course to be investigated, and who better to do so than Inspector Clouseau accompanied by his trusty manservant Kato! |
| Consequently it was not long before the perpetrators were identified as being two Masons steeped in Masonic etiquette namely Philip Gunning and Keith Kemp. |
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| Pictured with the Bispham-with-Norbreck troupe of thespians, |
with Carl the Candidate in the foreground, are, from left to right: Giles Berkley, |
David Grainger, Philip Gunning, William McGhee, Jim Wilson and Keith Kemp. |
| Concluding with two ancient brethren around their camp fire we were made party to their discussions on how to ensure their secrets remained so and the most suitable ‘penalties’ for transgression! |
| The whole performance was undoubtedly thoroughly enjoyed by all present and made for a most interesting and unusual Masonic event. |
| At the festive board the brethren enjoyed the customary Wyrebank sumptuous banquet after which the Worshipful Master William McGhee was delighted to present Giles Berkley with a cheque in the sum of £200 for the West Lancashire Mark Charities Fund. |
| You can view the Mark Report on the occasion here |
Article and Photos Courtesy of Frank Parle |
