Bob in at Furness
 
3rd November 2016
The latest recruit to join Furness Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 36 in a ceremony held at Barrow in Furness Masonic Hall is Bob Herbert.
Brian Davey, Bob Herbert, Barry Fitzgerald and Ian Cottam
Bob is the assistant secretary of Baldwin Lodge No. 1398 and Scribe E of Baldwin Chapter which both meet at Dalton in Furness.
As is usually the case at Furness the ceremony of advancement was divided amongst three members. Brian Davey, who is also a member of Baldwin Lodge, undertook the first part and displayed all the ritualistic prowess expected from such a renowned practitioner of our ceremonies.
John Houlding, Ken Boon, Bob Herbert and Bill Joughin.
Ian Cottam delivered that part relating to the signs accurately and with a well-paced delivery in his own relaxed manner. Senior Warden Dave Sear, Bob’s proposer, completed the advancement from that part of the ceremony which followed his presentation of the badge and jewel. All three were grateful that WM Barry Fitzgerald had allowed them to take part.
Stuart Brackstone, Bob Herbert, Darren Stainton and Craig Boothroyd.
Senior Deacon John Houlding had once again undertook his duty of conducting the candidate throughout the ceremony in fine style. All had taken place had taken place under the watchful eye of lodge D.C. Bill Joughin and his able assistant Ken Boon with special representative Stuart Brackstone also witnessing proceedings.
Almoner Stuart Collins, seated right, impresses upon Bob the importance of relaxation!
There were several other members of Bob’s craft lodge in attendance including Junior Overseer Darren Stainton and steward Craig Boothroyd who are, respectively, the WM and Senior Warden of Baldwin Lodge.
 
Bob is a reporter by trade and a retired newspaper editor. He is well known in the area and is a past president of Barrow Rotary club. For those of you who are Rotarians Bob is the man who, until his recent retirement, was for six years responsible for putting together the magazine for the north-west district.
 
An avid sports fan he also compiles and writes much of the content for the Barrow A.F.C. match day programmes. Over the years he has been the ghost writer of the programme notes for some of the managers/coaches of not only the soccer but also Barrow Raiders R.L.F.C.
Bill Glassey IPM, standing, enjoins Barry Fitzgerald
to enjoy good health for the rest of his year in office.
When he is not on holiday Bob shares an office with his proposer where they analyse all of the country’s social, political and sporting problems and find suitable solutions – the office is situated on the stools at the end of the bar in the Cross Keys Hotel, Barrow in Furness!
 
On later replying to the toast to his health Bob remarked, “I was told I would enjoy the ceremony but I didn’t think I would enjoy it so much. It has been a superb evening.”
 
Also balloted for on the evening was another Baldwin Lodge member Carl Hallows who will be advanced shortly.
 
Words and Pictures by Dave Sear