New Recruit at Furness
 
The latest member of Furness Mark Lodge No 36 is Peter Dismore M.B.E. Peter is a member of Dalton in Furness craft lodge and chapter. He was awarded his M.B.E. for his service to submarines.
 
John Houlding. Ian Cottam, Peter Dismore, Keiron Mullan and Stuart Brackstone.
WM Ian Cottam kindly vacated the chair to enable Kieron Mullan, Peter’s seconder, to undertake the first part of the ceremony. Ian returned to his rightful place to deliver the second part.
 
The last piece of the advancement from the explanation of the apron onwards was undertaken by Bro. Graham Benson who is the Junior Overseer. It has become somewhat of a tradition of the lodge to delegate this latter part of the ceremony of advancement to someone who has not been through the chair.
The appointed Senior Deacon being unable to be present Bill Glassey took on the role with a couple of days notice. He did an excellent job.
 
It proved a delightful ceremony with Peter’s proposer John Houlding obviously relishing the part he had to play in the proceedings as he put a lot of enthusiasm into his work as Junior Warden – particularly that part which takes place at the Senior Warden’s wicket!
 
As Peter remarked afterwards, “It was not only an enjoyable ceremony but one you could understand and appreciate as it was taking place.”
 
There is little doubt Peter will prove a useful member of Furness Mark Lodge. He is a capable and enthusiastic Mason. He the treasurer of both Dalton in Furness Lodge and Chapter and also undertakes the same role for the club which runs the hall.
Peter Dismore, Bill Glassey, Ian Cottam and Graham Benson
Special representative Stuart Brackstone was on hand to deliver a letter from the Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore welcoming Peter to the order. Somewhat appropriately Stuart is the current WM of Dalton in Furness Lodge No 6828.
 
On the evening there were two ballots which both proved favourable. The first being to make V.W. Bro. Alan Dunn an honorary member. Alan is not in the best of health at present.
 
On a sad note the first business of the evening was for Ian was to call the Brethren to order to pay tribute to the recently departed W. Bro. Ken Jackson PAGStdB. Ken was a stalwart of Furness Mark Lodge and Mark Masonry in general. He was known to many as the organiser of the “Chara from Barra” which carried members to events throughout the province and also organised the annual Christmas lunch which attracted visitors from far and wide. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
The second was in respect of Terry Rydal who will be advanced at the meeting in February.
Words and pictures by Dave Sear