Two unexpected visitors at Cleveleys Mark 1176
 
After being at a great meeting of Adoniram Mark Lodge in the morning I was looking forward to my early evening meeting at Cleveleys Mark, as they had moved their starting time forward, half an hour, due to the fact they had a double Advancement to preform.
 
It was the first meeting for the Master, Bob Stafford, since his installation in September, to be fair he was very confident and looked very much at ease in his new office.
All attending with the exception of the Photographer,
with the new Members Bro. Mark Smith and Bro. Stephen Booth sitting at the front
 
Unfortunately, the S.W. W.Bro. Paul Smedley, had been taken in to hospital the day before and the I.P.M. W. Bro. Bob Bennett, took his place, father and son W. Bro. Tony Thackrah and son Steve (the Master of Prince Setanta), from that Lodge stepped in to fill the Junior Deacons and Junior Overseers posts respectively. 
 
After the usual business, the next item was to ballot for a rejoining member, who was returning to the Lodge twenty years since he left, Bro. David Sangster was welcomed into the Lodge after the ballot had proved successful. 
 
The two candidates then entered the Lodge together and received their Marks and took their obligations.
 
When, there was a knock on the door, and the inner guard announced that two visiting brethren were seeking admission.
W.M. with the 3 new members,
The PGM, his Assistant with the D.C keeping a close eye on things
 
The Director of Ceremonies retired and brought back the news that the Provincial Grand Master and one of his Assistants stood outside the Lodge and demanded admission.
 
Right Worshipful Brother Kieth Beardmore and Worshipful Brother Giles Berkley had made the unheralded visit to witness the first double Advancement that Cleveleys Mark Lodge had conducted in many a long year.
 
The first part of the ceremony was delivered by the Worshipful Master, with the Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Alan Fairhurst PAGDC  stepping into the chair to do the second part, all achieved in a really excellent manner, the working tools were explained by the Worshipful Master of Wyre Mark Lodge 754, Brother Tom Egan, in the same immaculate way the rest of the ceremony had been delivered.
APGM. Bro. Craig Scott Master of Fylde Mark 296,
James Rashid, Master Bispham with Norbreck Mark 886, W.M of Cleveleys Mark, Bro. Tom Egan,
Master of Wyre Mark 754, Stephen Thackrah, Master of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge 1446. PGM.  
 
After the double Advancements, the Provincial Grand Master was called upon to present and explain two Grand Lodge Certificates the first to Brother Russell Forsyth and the second to Bother Dr R. Duncan Smith who is the Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft for the Blackpool area.
 
After the 1st raising the P.G.M gave greetings to all present, and thanked the W.M. for such a proficient and polished ceremony and wished the brethren well for the coming year.
 
The Master of Fylde Mark Lodge, Bro. Craig Scott, on behalf of the four Visiting Masters and other visitors, congratulated the Master and his officers on all their work.
 
What a great Mark Meeting, a re-joining member, 2 new candidates, 2 Grand Lodge Certificates presented and to top it of the Provincial Grand Master and his Assistant arriving out of the blue to witness it all.
 
The festive board was the finishing touch, with a giant fish and chips and local cheese and biscuits to follow.
 
All this and I was still home for 10-00 pm. 
 
This can only be described as the MAGIC OF THE MARK. 
Words V. W. Bro. John Forster, pictures courtesy of W. Bro. Tony Thackrah.