Liverpool Festival

Liverpool Mark Festival 2017

Thursday 23rd February was a very stormy day, but the weather did not deter over eighty Mark Masons turning up at Liverpool Masonic Hall to be part of the Liverpool Mark Festival 2017. The festival was hosted by Corinthian Mark Lodge No1052 on behalf of the Liverpool Association of Mark Lodges. This year’s festival was titled ‘George Washington’s Masonic Apron’.

RWBro Peter Connolly; WBro David Anderton; WBro Peter Guy; VWBro Paul Sheppard

When the business of the Lodge had been completed the Provincial Grand Master RWBro Keith Beardmore and the Provincial team processed into an almost packed Corinthian Temple. The Master of Corinthian Mark Lodge WBro Peter Guy welcomed the PGM and his team and wished them an enjoyable evening. Once the salutations had been completed, the lodge was called off to allow Master Masons to attend the meeting.

George Washington; RWBro Keith Beardmore; Madame de Lafayette; General Layayette

With the speakers taking part in place, the narrator WBro Andy Whittle began the explanation of ‘George Washington’s Masonic Apron’. During the preamble WBro Whittle warned the audience to expect anything from the actors representing the three main characters. (And he was right to do so.)

WM with Grand Officers

WBro David Anderton took the part of George Washington and General Marquis de Lafayette was regally acted by RWBro Peter Connolly. It fell to VWBro Paul Sheppard to handle the very demanding role of Madame de Lafayette; which he did with aplomb. With George Washington welcomed into the Lodge; the history of how he acquired the apron from the Lafayette’s was given. At the point in history, (in this version), when George Washington, met General de Lafayette, enter the lodge one Marquis de Lafayette resplendent in Military Uniform and it was at this time that the two men realize they are both Freemasons. General de Lafayette offers to ask his wife to make a Masonic apron for Mr Washington.

A Grand Bunch

Now the anticipation in the Lodge was at its height with the audience waiting to see the arrival of Madame de Lafayette and they were not disappointed. Enter Madame de Lafayette, wearing her fur stall and with her sowing basket in hand. With witty asides to those in the audience sitting close to her, Madame de Lafayette began making a magnificent Masonic Apron. Once the apron had been completed it was presented to a very grateful George Washington and it was then shown to the gathered assembly.

The symbolism of the apron was explained by the narrator and ten speakers representing the Lodges in the Liverpool Association. Each point was highlighted for the audience on a big screen during the explanations.

Paul Sheppard; Peter Connolly; David Anderton

At the end of the presentation which had both been very amusing and informative; the Worshipful Master thanked all those who took part and these thanks were echoed by the PGM when he spoke and he thanked Corinthian Mark Lodge for hosting the Festival.

When the meeting had been closed all those who attended enjoyed a four course festive board. At the festive board the PGM thanked WBro Mike Winterbottom for his hard work in setting up and organizing the Liverpool Association of Mark Lodges. Two cheques for charity were presented to the PGM; one from the Association Social evening which had been held in January this year.

PGM and PProv GM

WBro Les Moore on behalf of the Association announced that there would be another social evening in January 2018 and another Liverpool Mark Festival will be held in March 2018. The steering group of Liverpool Association of Mark Lodges would like to thank all those attend on the 23rd. Special mention must go to the three actors, WBro David Anderton; RWBro Peter Connolly and VWBro Paul Sheppard who made it a very amusing and entertaining evening. Thanks also go to Corinthian Mark Lodge for hosting the Festival and WBro Andy Whittle for all his hard working in setting the whole thing up.

Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell.