Furness Welcomes the Chief
 
There was a unique welcome for Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore when he made a private visit to Furness Mark Lodge No 36 held at Barrow in Furness Masonic Hall.
Ken Boon, Les Preston, Nigel Higginson, Tony Farrar, Kieron Mullan, Keith Beardmore,
Peter Schofield, Paul Dixon (C&W), David Rigby, John Stanley,
Stuart Brackstone, Brian Davey and Jim Richards
After Ken Boon had entered the lodge to announce that Keith demanded admission his next call was for the Furness Mark Pipe Major to take post. He then announced the entry of Keith and other distinguished Mark Masons whose entrance into the room was accompanied by a rousing tune on the bagpipes from Steve Renney. Apart from being the junior deacon Steve is also the pipe major with the local St Andrews Pipe Band.
 
After being welcomed by WM Peter Schofield Keith explained that his was a private visit to acknowledge the fact that lodge secretary Kieron Mullan was his present Junior Warden. Adding his support was Senior Warden David Rigby along with acting officers Jim Richards of Jubilee Mark Lodge and Nigel Higginson of Garnett Mark Lodge.
Steve Renney instructing the PGM in the playing of the bagpipes
whilst the WM and junior Brethren give their verdict
The main business of the evening was to advance Gary Rogerson into the order. Gary is the vice chairman of the Furness and South Lakeland craft group whilst his proposer, the WM, is the chairman. Somewhat fittingly Gary’s seconder was Kieron.
 
Peter undertook the first part of the ceremony and did an excellent job. As is a tradition of Furness Mark Lodge the ceremony of advancement was shared out. On this occasion Ian Cottam was called into action for the middle part of the formalities, with IPM John Parrott following up with that part which follows the presentation of the badge and jewel. I must declare an interest, being the lodge director of ceremonies, but I have to observe that the trio delivered an outstanding piece of ritual.
 
The PGM with the junior lodge members.
They were of course ably supported by others who had a participating role, notably Bill Joughin who had been drafted in to cover the position of master overseer with the other overseers and the wardens playing their part well. In fact, at appropriate parts of the ritual the onlooking Brethren also added to the enjoyment of the ceremony as they responded to the story being told.
 
The recession of Keith from the lodge was again accompanied by music from the lodge pipe major.
The sound of the bagpipes is quite appropriate as the lodge which was founded in 1870 under the auspices of the Grand Chapter of Scotland when it boasted the number 24. It was in October 1872 when it became a member of the English constitution. So, although the official 150th of the lodge will be celebrated in 2022 this masonic year will be the 150th since its original inception.
The mallet and chisel
Taken out of a cupboard where it has been hidden from view and now placed on the table of the secretary during meetings is a small wooden box. This box was crafted to hold the small mallet and chisel which sit in front of the WM. A hall-marked silver plate on the box bears the legend:-
“Furness Mark Lodge No 36. Mallet and Chisel made from genuine Furness Abbey Oak in 1937 from the foundations of the Abbey and dating back to A.D. 1127. Presented by Mr Archibald Linn, Past Master of Hartington Lodge No 1021 2nd December 1937.”
Kieron Mullan, Gary Rogerson and Peter Schofield
David Rigby and Kieron Mullan.
One can only assume that the wood was recovered during one of the frequent official explorations of the Abbey. If it was placed in the foundations in 1127 then the tree from whence it originated must have been much older. Surely there cannot be many curios of such antiquity in existence in Mark Masonry.
There were some 45 members and visitors at the meeting. As is usual some Mark Masons from Millom in the adjoining province of Cumberland and Westmorland had travelled round the Duddon estuary for the meeting. Making the trip from the south round Morecambe Bay to the Furness Peninsula were several visitors from the Lancaster and Morecambe area who had come along to support Gary who is a regular visitor to their area.
Keith Beardmore, Peter Schofield and John Parrott.
There was a good atmosphere in the dining room following the meeting. Keith had been quite adamant that he was simply a guest visiting the lodge and that no special arrangements should be made in respect of the food. Accordingly, the diners enjoyed the traditional one course meal which on this occasion was cottage pie.
 
Pics 8, 9,10 The diners
Next off the rank for advancement into Furness Mark Lodge at the meeting in February will be the craft group secretary Alan Pattinson in what will be the third advancement of Peter’s year in office.
Words and pictures by Dave Sear