Furness RAM installation
 
Making his way up to the north west corner of the province from the south east corner to represent the RW PGM at the installation meeting of Furness RAM No 375 was Peter Hegarty. Accompanying Peter on his journey to the top of the province was Steve Gregory.
Steve Gregory, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Peter Hegarty
Probably the most famous son of Ulverston is Arthur Stanley Jefferson who adopted the stage name of Stan Laurel. There is a statue of Laurel and Hardy outside Ulverston Coronation Hall.
Peter Hegarty, John Torrance and Russ Greenhow
But I digress, what you really want to hear about are the details of the meeting. The work of outgoing Worshipful Commander Russ Greenhow in installing John Torrance in his stead was excellent. He had obviously been burning the midnight oil as he delved over the pages of the ritual book. All the effort proved worthwhile as his work was a delight to listen to.
Peter Hegarty (a group chairman in East Lancs.) with Furness group chairman
and master elect of Furness Mark Peter Schofield
All of the work was undertaken by Russ with the exception of the presentation of the keystone jewel the responsibility for which fell upon the shoulders of your northern correspondent.
There were 36 members and guests in attendance. It was very pleasing to see that a third of that number had to leave the room at that time when the inner workings were taking place.
David Smith, Peter Hampson and Peter Quirk
To mark the occasion John presented Peter with a donation of £500 for the West Lancashire Mark Charity.
Following the ceremonial formalities the action transferred to the dining room where a three course meal of chicken and leek soup, roast chicken and sticky toffee pudding was very well received.
In responding at the festive board Peter gave an insight into the work of the Friends of Ecclesholme of which he is Secretary and Steve is President. To hear about the valuable work from someone with “hands on” experience reinforces the importance of our charitable giving.
The diners
During the course of the meal the ubiquitous raffle was held with the proceeds going to the hall building fund. This money will be well spent.  For those of you who have not been to Ulverston for a while I can tell you that there is ongoing work to improve the premises. There are new storage and changing facilities in an extension alongside the lodge room. In the past a lot of the furniture of the various orders had to be man-handled into the cellar but that state of affairs no longer exists. A ramp allowing disabled access to the front door has been constructed. The old committee room is being converted to provide better toilet facilities. One of the people who deserves great credit for this updating of the building is the hall chairman and Immediate Past Commander Russ Greenhow.
Oyster catchers and dunlin
Having left the chair Russ is not going to have a gap year but has stepped straight back into the breach and taken over the abacus from long serving lodge treasurer Peter Quirk.
Of course occasions like this do not just happen and during the course of the day secretary Peter Hampson and director of ceremonies David Smith received great plaudits for their work on behalf of Furness RAM.
And finally this editions avian image is of oyster catchers and dunlin.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear