A job for everyone
 
George Harradon Mark Lodge, No956 held its February meeting on the 17th.  Due to Covid and the other usual things that prevent members attending lodge meetings the DC needed people to fill offices for the meeting.  It is often and rightly said that the Mark Degree is the friendly degree and so when the Lodge DC, WBro Derek Gaskell asked visitors to fill in they where only too happy to do so. (This is why it is always advisable to carry ritual book when visiting a Mark Lodge.)  However, there still two people missing, the WM and secretary.
Fred Hargreaves and Roger Boyle
They unfortunately were stuck on the M56 due to an accident, (nothing new there then).  It was the Worshipful Master’s first meeting after being installed in November and so he was not happy.   With the candidate Bro Brian Beaumont safe settled in the bar with a drink, WBro Gaskell opened the lodge and approved the minutes and then right on cue the WM, WBro Roger Boyle arrived and took his rightful place in the Master’s chair.
 
It must have been a bit of a shock to see WBro Gaskell now in the SO chair.   A visitor, WBro Alan Foster, PAGDC in the SW chair.   Another visitor WBro Bill Gaywood, acting as JO and WBro Mike Winterbottom, PGSD in the MO seat.   Visitor WBro Steve Walls, PGSD, the PGM’s Special Rep acted as the Inner Guard and another visitor Bro Connor Grimes as JD.  If the Master was in shock it did not show and he commenced the advancement ceremony.  With the candidate in the safe hands of the SD, VWBro Fred Hargreaves, PGJO, Bro Beaumont was advanced in fine style. 
Fred and Roger with the candidate Brian Beaumont
The lodge was then closed in due from.  At the very enjoyable festive board, WBro Walls in response to the toast to the Grand Offices welcomed Bro Brian Beaumont on behalf of the PGM into the Mark Degree and presented Bro Beaumont with a letter from the PGM.  This letter was accompanied by an invitation to the Mark Provincial meeting to be held at The Spanish Hall, Winter Gardens, in Blackpool on Thursday 5th of May.
 
The Royal Ark Mariner degree was mentioned a couple of times during the evening to the candidate and others as the next step.   Bro Brian said how much he had enjoyed the ceremony in response to the toast to his health.
443 = Steve Walls; Fred; Brian Beaumont Roger Boyle and Alan Foster

This meeting gave Bro Beaumont a real taste of the friendly degree and how everyone gets a job, (or two).  We wish Brian many enjoyable Mark meetings in the future.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell.