Cleveleys Mark Lodge welcomes two new members
 
15th Vovember 2017
 
Cleveleys Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1176 doesn’t do things by halves and their latest regular meeting proved no exception when two new recruits joined the happy band of Mark Masons who meet at West Drive Masonic Hall, Cleveleys.
 
Newest members of Cleveleys Mark are Nick Cutting (L), Bob Stafford (R) with WM Steve Hagen
After WM Steve Hagen and his officers despatched the early business of the lodge, members and visitors in attendance heard from lodge secretary Jimmy Rogers that if a ballot proved successful, Bob Stafford a member of Furness Mark Lodge No 36 was to be admitted as a joining member and that Nick Cutting, a past Master of Fleetwood Lodge No 3711 was to be advanced as a Mark Master Mason.
 
Happily the ballot proved favourable and in the first instance Bob Stafford was admitted and greeted by the WM and was conducted to his place in the lodge.
Nick Cutting, Alan Fairhurst, Steve Hagen and Bob Stafford
The scene was set for the ceremony of advancement as Steve Hagen invited the very experienced Alan Fairhurst PProvGJW to conduct the main part of the ceremony.
 
Nick Cutting was ably conducted round the lodge by his proposer, SD Bob Bennett, and fellow deacon Frank Hayes who later became fellow workmen bringing material from the quarries.
Masters in office
Steve Smith, WM Bispham with Norbreck Mark Lodge No 866,
Joe O’Brien, WM Wyre Mark Lodge No 754 (seated)
Roy Rhodes, WM Fylde Mark Lodge No 296
join WM Steve Hagen (centre rear) on home territory at Cleveleys Mark
The three overseers, as is tradition, were roundly booed as they rejected Nick’s workmanship and were chided in the acting WM’s dulcet tones for their excuses in failing to recognise the keystone.
 
Alan and his fellow officers conducted a memorable, ceremony filled with several moments of good humoured asides which were appreciated and enjoyed by members and visitors alike.
 

At the conclusion of the ceremony John Forster, the ProvGM’s special representative, welcomed Nick Cutting and Bob Stafford to Cleveleys Lodge of Mark Master Masons, saying that he trusted that they would have a long and enjoyable experience in the Mark Degree.
Words and pictures by Bob Boal