Furness Celebrates
 
In what must be a unique event the latest meeting of Furness Mark Lodge No 36 witnessed the advancement of a candidate followed by the celebration of a 50th anniversary in the order.
 
Matty Woods was the latest recruit to the lodge whilst Brian Davey was celebrating the milestone of his 50th year of membership.
David Winder, Giles Berkley, Keith Beardmore, Brian Davey,
Graham Benson, Geoffrey Lee, John Bicknell and Eric Hart
It was apparent prior to the meeting that it was going to be an enjoyable evening as the buzz from the chatter, as the members and visitors enjoyed a welcoming cup of tea and biscuits, filled the air.
 
PGM Keith Beardmore was present with a team of provincial officers. These included his deputy Geoffrey Lee and assistants Giles Berkley and John Bicknell along with secretary Andrew Dickson. These dignitaries together with many other grand and acting provincial grand officers were under the watchful eye of provincial director of ceremonies Arthur Robinson who was assisted in keeping control by Tony Farrar and John Dean.
 
The provincial representation also included senior warden David Winder and junior warden Eric Hart.
Brian’s wish was to mark his golden jubilee by taking part in a ceremony of advancement.
 
Before the main business of the evening there were administrative matters to be dealt with. A ballot for members to be advanced took place in respect of   Matty Woods, Steve Harris and Tom Shankland. The ballot proved favourable along with a ballot to make David Dryden a joining member.
The working Provincial grand officers
Present incumbent Graham Benson, who has had an abridged year in office, was declared Master Elect for the ensuing year.
 
The evening also marked the end of the era with Dave Shaw becoming treasurer elect, a big step up from the stewards’ bench but a challenge he is looking forward to taking on. He will be replacing John Myers who has been an outstanding servant of Furness Mark Lodge for many years.
 
The administrative work of the meeting having been undertaken Arthur entered the room to announce the presence of the PGM who then processed into the room with the other distinguished guests.
The Grand officers
The usual welcome was extended to the PGM by WM Graham.
 
The next business was to advance Matty. He was well guided throughout the ceremony by Ian Cottam who was acting as senior deacon with a few days’ notice. He did an excellent job.
 
The first part of the ceremony was in the care of Graham who performed admirably. At that part of the ceremony where the candidate and deacons retire Brian took to the chair. As the PGM observed “he has still got it” as he went about the middle part of the ceremony displaying all the attributes which mark him out as a ritualist of great renown. It was a pleasure to observe and listen to.
 
Following the investment of Matty with his badge and jewel John Parrott took to the floor to continue the ceremony to its conclusion in fine style. He was assisted by Jon Reed who rose from the stewards’ bench to present the working tools in a faultless manner. Both men later received well earned praise for the quality of their work.
Tom Shankland, Matty Woods, Steve Harris, Keith Beardmore and David Dryden
Graham welcomed Matty as a member of the lodge before Keith welcomed him to the order.
 
Our newly advanced brother safely ensconced in a chair it was time to make a bit of a fuss of Brian.
He was, as he had requested, briefly addressed by the PGM. It was obvious from their interaction that their friendship goes back over many years. Brian had served as Special Representative under three PGMs the last one being Keith.
 
After the shorter than usual, but nonetheless very sincere, tribute to Brian from Keith the provincial secretary read the citations awarded to the celebrant by Grand Mark Lodge and the Province of West Lancashire. After being presented with the certificates by Keith the floor was Brian’s. He thanked Keith and added some observations in his own very eloquent manner.
Keith Beardmore, Brian Davey and Graham Benson
He took the time to welcome Matty and pointed out to him “there will not be many occasions when a brother is advanced in front of the Provincial Grand Master, his deputy, two assistants, the provincial secretary, the senior and junior wardens and the provincial director of ceremonies. I am sure when you look back in years to come you will realise what a special occasion this was.”
 
To mark the occasion Brian presented Keith with a cheque for £360 in favour of the West Lancashire Mark Charity.
Members of Furness Mark with the celebrant
As he returned to his seat the heartfelt acclamation directed at Brian was loud and sustained.
Following the meeting it was time to re-assemble downstairs and enjoy the company of each other at the festive board.
 
Amongst the 57 people in attendance were provincial organist David Tattersall who had added some welcome melody to proceedings. He is also the WM of Garnett Mark Lodge and was joined by fellow masters Chris Butterfield of Morecambe Mark Lodge, Harry Kilgour of Jubilee Mark Lodge, Alan Eastham of Philadelphia Mark Lodge and your northern correspondent who is in the chair of Walton Mark Lodge.
 
In responding to the toast to his health Keith reflected on what had been an outstanding and thoroughly enjoyable ceremony.
Harry Kilgour, Chris Butterfield and David Tattersall
The toast to the celebrant was undertaken by his friend and lodge secretary Kieron Mullan. In response Brian gave a moving explanation as to why the Mark degree meant so much to him. Once again, the applause rang out long and hard for this very popular and accomplished Mark mason. As a token of esteem Graham presented Brian with a rather choice bottle of Rioja.
 
The toast to the newly advanced brother, Matty, was given by his uncle and lodge junior warden Dennis Laird. Watching on were the two other candidates who had been successfully balloted for on the evening. With another candidate in the pipeline next year will be a busy one.
This year Furness Mark Lodge will be celebrating 150 years of Mark masonry. It is still very much a flourishing lodge and very enjoyable evenings like this one will ensure that people will continue to want to enjoy what it has to offer.
Word and Pictures Courtesy of Dave Sear