Terrific team performance at Fylde Mark
 
24th March 2016
 
Fylde Mark Lodge No 296 put on a splendid show at their latest advancement ceremony with a terrific team effort as Jonathan Moss became the lodge’s newest member.
The Fylde team who advanced Jonathan - Robert Arrand, Ernie Gavan, Jonathan,
Bill Snell, Peter Green and Bernard Hopkinson
As Fylde Mark Lodge is PGM Keith Beardmore’s mother lodge, and he was there in person to see the ceremony of advancement, the five visiting masters who attended (picking up tips on how it should be done?) expected a classic ceremony - and they were not disappointed.
 
WM Bill Snell was handicapped slightly, or should that be sightly, as he is awaiting treatment to resolve his cataracts problems so he deputised his predecessor, the very experienced Peter Green, to perform the main part of the ceremony.
 
Nonetheless Bill despatched the early and later business of the lodge smartly enough despite his visual problems.
The full supporting cast who took part
After Peter took over the reins Jonathan, who is a member of Spartan Craft Lodge No 8048 was admitted to the lodge and, accompanied by SD Robert Arrand, who also acquitted himself with distinction, quickly proved he was an ideal candidate.
 
Jonathan was well and truly advanced by Peter and the rest of the Fylde Mark team and later expressed his enjoyment of the experience. He said he had no idea how different it would be from his Craft lodge.
 
The lodge overseers were roundly jeered by the audience for their recalcitrance in accepting his work, as has become the tradition, which all added to Jonathan’s enjoyment and set him at his ease.
A ‘Grand’ welcome to the Mark for Jonathan came from Bob McGown, Keith Beardmore and John Forster
Prov G Tyler Ernie Gavan was prised from the back benches to explain the mysteries of the pass grips and signs used in the Mark Degree and did a creditable job as was expected.
 
Bernard Hopkinson gave the explanation of the working tools also in exemplary style.
 
DC Wally Atcheson who had so obviously rehearsed his troops well, kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.
 
On his return to his rightful place and after welcoming Jonathan Bill Snell thanked all those who had taken part for their contribution to the success of the evening.
 
John Forster welcomed Jonathan to Fylde Mark and presented him with an invitation and a voucher to attend Provincial Grand Mark Lodge.
“If the Devil should cast his net”... six masters Alan Davis, Derek Abbott, Bill Snell, Bob Boal, Glenn O’Brien and Barry Shaw
He also made mention that Fylde Mark is to host the 46th Blackpool and District Festival on April 28 at the Masonic Hall, Blackpool and encouraged the lodge’s visitors to attend to see Fylde Mark present a show which would be long remembered.
 
In his response Keith Beardmore welcomed the newest member of the lodge and singled out the officers who had taken part for praise.
 
He also congratulated lodge member John Morris on his forthcoming promotion which he is to receive at Provincial Grand Lodge on May 4.
 
Keith said that Fylde Mark’s participation in the Blackpool and District Festival would take some beating and would set a new target for others to follow.
Report and Photographs Courtesy of Bob Boal