A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Tea Party
 
Wellington Park, Burlington Gardens, Leyland. Sunday 4th June 2017. 2pm
 
A calm pleasant morning, sunny but plenty of big clouds lurking about, I think the whole country was still trying to come to terms with the recent attack in London which of course followed on from events more local to us all in Manchester three weeks before.
PGM
Rod Bennison
Some light relieve today with a get together at Leyland for the Summer Afternoon Tea Party organised by Adoniram Lodge and West Lancs Mark Masons for their wives, partners and friends, I shut the garage door on my old Opel, he didn’t look too pleased, but I thought he would enjoy the rest, no hold ups on the way in fact the fastest ever to Leyland 25 minutes door to door. (My wife’s posh car a Fiat Tipo the only one I’ve seen so far in England, well it’s posh to me compared to my ageing Opel)
PGM’s Table
Rods Table
Once inside we were warmly welcomed by the two retiring Provincial Wardens and then of course by one of Freemasons true gentleman W.Bro. Rod Bennison WM of Adoniram Mark Lodge attired in his stunning white suite, (a certain film from Elstree Studio comes to mind) he gave my wife and I details of our table before directing us to partake in a glass of Prosecco which was being handed out by our very own never still, always hard working PGM Keith Alan Beardmore. 
Prov Organist
Dave Brooklyn
Soon it was time to find our tables in the main hall, once everyone was seated and had said hello to each other both friends old and new were as is usual in this the Happy Degree very easy in each other’s company and looking forward to the treats in store.
Before the afternoon proceeded any further the PGM called for all to stand to honour the memory of the fallen and injured in the recent attacks on our Democracy, our thoughts are with all their families and friends.
Then we were off, very quickly delivered to each couple was a huge pyramid cake stand complete with a wonderful array of mixed sandwiches, pies, quiche, a selection of very tasty cakes and topped by scones complete with cream, jam & butter, now it was rumoured that our PGM had been up all night cooking the scones, how true that is I’m not sure, if he had told me that himself I would believe it of course..  However what a shame for me I started on another diet two weeks ago and could only sit ogling the delights (well I did have a sandwich, oh and a cake oh and couldn’t resist a scone!!) Coffee and Tea a plenty was served up to compliment the fayre by the very efficient staff at Burlington Gardens.
We were treated to some excellent background music by our very own Provincial Organist W.Bro. Shaun Hayes and once the food delights were finished we were well entertained with songs old and new by a singer from Blackpool Dave Brooklyn.
A very pleasant afternoon was had by all and if you couldn’t attend be sure to look out for the event next year, I’m sure you will enjoy the relaxing and peaceful atmosphere as we all did spent in good company, here’s to our next merry meeting.
From the PGM and all Mark Masons we wish everyone a Happy Healthy Summer and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark. No.1173