A Grand Night Out
 
Those of you who have witnessed a team visit from the acting officers will know that our Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore takes the time to introduce them individually and say something about each one of them.
Ray Dickinson and Kieron Mullan with the horse and cart
Last year Kieron Mullan of Furness Mark Lodge No 36 was Provincial Grand Master Overseer and the PrGM made reference to his role as the Furness and South Lakeland group boxing secretary.
Kieron Mullan, Tony Harrison, Richard Wilcock and Peter Schofield
In that role Kieron helps to organise the annual boxing tournament held by the group at the Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange over Sands under the auspices of Kendal Amateur Boxing Club. It is a major commitment and involves many hours of work behind the scenes.
Peter Schofield with the raffle ticket sellers
The 2017 event was once again a great success with a four course meal being followed by 13 bouts of boxing ranging in ability from young novices to senior pugilists.
 
As always it was a sell-out event and thoroughly enjoyed by all who managed to get tickets. Amongst the diners/spectators were Past Deputy PrGM Tony Harrison and Furness and South Lakeland chairman Peter Schofield who is member of both Jubilee and Furness Mark Lodges.
Action from the bouts
As well as the usual raffle and items being auctioned there is a tradition which sees a large piece of porcelain affectionately known as “the horse and cart” being sold to the highest bidder. The horse and cart remains with the committee for auctioning at the next event and the successful bidder simply has a plaque placed on it. This year it went for the sum of £550.
 
It is also a tradition that several young ladies are drafted in to sell the raffle tickets and they always manage to sell a great deal of them.
 
Committee treasurer Ray Dickinson and group charity steward Richard Wilcock, both of whom are members of Jubilee Mark No 375, have not yet completed their work on the abacus but the initial projection is that the evening will have raised in excess of £5,000 for charity. In its 31 year history the boxing evening has raised over £180,000 for good causes.
The diners
The hotel offers a discounted price for those attending and the rooms are fully booked by Masons and their guests.
 
After the bouts those staying overnight can continue to socialise and enjoy each other’s company well into the early hours.
The top table guests
By morning the ring is down and a full English breakfast can be enjoyed in the dining room with splendid views over Morecambe Bay.
 
So for those of you who may have wondered what a boxing secretary did when our PrGM introduced Kieron I hope that satisfies your curiosity.
 
If you fancy coming along you will find the tickets on the shelf with the hens’ teeth! But I am sure though that Kieron will be willing to add your name to the waiting list as some seats are freed up each year.
For the past several years there has been extensive coverage of the evening in the local newspaper which generates good publicity for Freemasonry in general.
The view over Morecambe Bay at 8am (a view not enjoyed by too many overnight residents!)
The only disappointment with the event this year was that the sports editor of the paper had to call off attending and the photographer had to go to another commitment before the main bouts. This entailed your northern correspondent being drafted in to write it up and take some of the photos. Not a major problem as I’ve done it a couple of times before but it did mean I had to curtail my “socialising” until I had finished work – but don’t feel too sorry for me as I did my best to catch up later!
(An article on the evening also appears on the craft website)
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear