Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons |
| It isn’t often a lodge finds itself in the enviable position of having two Brethren from the same craft lodge wanting to join our wonderful order on the same night, but such was the case in January when Fylde Lodge of Mark Master Masons advanced two of the brethren of Temperance Lodge which hold their meeting in the Masonic Hall Adelaide Street Blackpool. Our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Keith Alan Beardmore was in attendance at a meeting in Adelaide Street when he was approached by Brother James Spiers Paterson and Brother Brian Montgomery both of whom were desirous of joining the Mark Degree. Rt. W.Bro. Beardmore had no hesitation in agreeing to propose them both for membership of Fylde Lodge. |
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| Acting W.M. Brian Ogden with Candidates Bros. Paterson and Montgomery and |
Rt. W. Prov. G. M. Keith Beardmore and Special Rep. John Forster |
| Due to the indisposition of the Worshipful Master Brother Peter Lonican the Immediate Past Master Worshipful Brother Brian Ogden volunteered to take the masters chair for the evening and at 6.30 p.m. on the 24th. January opened the lodge. His first duty was to welcome to the lodge The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, the usual salutations were given, and suitable responses were made. The Worshipful Master conducted the domestic items on the agenda before announcing the advancement of Bro. Paterson and Bro. Montgomery. The advancement ceremony was conducted in an exemplary manner by the acting Worshipful master who was ably assisted by Worshipful Brother Ernie Gavan Past Grand Standard Bearer, who explained the signs, Brother Brian Purdie lodge Inner Guard, who present the working tools and Worshipful Brother Peter Green Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon, who assisted with the second part of the ceremony. The newly advanced brothers were welcomed into Mark Masonry in general and the Fylde Lodge in particular by The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. |
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and now Joined by Lodge Deacons |
| A Grand Lodge Certificate was presented to Brother Grant Anthony Thornburrow, after an excellent explanation of its format by Rt. W. Bro. Beardmore. On completion of any other business the Worshipful Master closed the lodge. After the now ubiquitous photoshoot we repaired to the bar/lounge for a well-earned refresher before being called to the dining Room where we partook of a rather pleasant three course dinner. The mark (no pun intended) of a good festive board is the amount of sound generated by the brethren’s chatter tonight was no exception. The toasts were proposed, and responses were well received. Before long we were off into the cold night air another excellent evening of Mark Masonry, alas, over. |
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Advancement Team with Rt. W. Prov. G.M. |
| Words and pictures by Ernie Gavan |
