Prince Setanta RAM Charity Presentation
 
18th January 2016
 
Yesterday was Blue Monday.  The 3rd Monday in January. Apparently, the most depressing day of the year.  Because we all spent our money on Christmas, which is now well and truly over. Because we ate too much, put on weight, and can't lose it now. Because the weather is terrible. Because this is the day in the year when there is the highest spike in divorce rates, following Christmas disputes. And just because it is Monday.
Glenn O'Brien was elected as the next Master
WM Peter Weller congratulates his future successor
The Mysterious Porphry Stone
But the internet has some cures!  Try some Tryptophan, which the body converts to Ceratonin.
And where do we get this from? 
ADC Tony Cross, WM Peter Weller, and DC Melvyn Cross
Mike Casey with his excellent Charity presentation
From a poached egg of course, which apparently will cure poverty, the end of Christmas, obesity, the weather, divorce, and the Monday blues. Nonsense of course, but it does go on to suggest you have a get-together with a group of friends, so we followed the advice, and went to Prince Setanta RAM Lodge at Poulton!
WM congratulates Mike Casey
Scribe John Moss & Treasurer Stephen Wadsworth
After we opened the Lodge, the Worshipful Commander Peter Weller declared Glenn O'Brien the next W Cmdr, to be installed on March 21st, which will be supported by the Provincial Grand Master and his Team. Bro Wadsworth was declared Treasurer, and we then moved on to the main business of the meeting, to receive a presentation on Mark Charities from Mike Casey, who is in charge of the Corinthian Group, one of 5, which covers Barrow, Ulverston, Lancaster, Garstang, and the Fylde, from Fleetwood to St Annes.  A big area indeed for Mike to cover as Deputy Team Leader, but he does have Bob Boal and Russ Greenhow to assist, in the South and North.
Mike Casey accepts wine with the WM for a job well done
Peter Weller keeps an eye on Tony Cross
Mike stressed the use of Gift Aid and matched funding, so that if a Lodge gives £400, with gift aid of £100, and matched funding from Province of £500, the destination recipient charity could receive £1000.  This makes a real difference to our giving.  Mike also promoted the 21st Century Club, which aims to raise £4000 per year, and gives half away to charity, and half as prizes, with a top prize of £750!  More information on all these issues is available on the Mark website.  A lively question session followed, and we all left the Lodge room with a far better understanding of the Mark Charities.  Well done Mike! 
Hardworking Mike gives toast to visitors
And Giles Berkley, W Cmdr of Semper Fidelis, responds
At the festive board, we had a slight wait for the meal, and Melvyn Cross told us a wonderful story of one of his best Mark experiences, going abroad to help with the building of King Solomon's Temple, with good Mark friends, and a great Mark audience. Just like Blue Monday for us.
And by the way, none of us were at all blue when we left.........

Pictures and words by Giles Berkley