Furness Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.36
Fairfield Masonic Hall, Fairfield Lane, Barrow in Furness
Celebration of 150 Years
2nd October 1872 to 6th October 2022
“The Magic of the Mark”
 
What can you say, this is a 200-mile round trip to a Lodge Meeting, not just any old Masonic Meeting for two reasons, it’s a milestone for Furness Mark and of course as always the  Magic of the Mark makes it all worthwhile to meet up with the genuine friends you make along the way in this special Degree.
Set off early as usual, up the on ramp to the M60, three lanes full as usual but at least they were all moving, just. On to the M61, then the M6 before taking the A590, which goes all the way to Ulverston and on to Barrow in Furness, a great road in the daylight that is!!
Turned into the large car park surrounded by very pleasant lawns and trees, started as usual to have a nosy around but I found the doors appeared to be locked, after all l was about three hours early, I thought I know what I’ll do, phone my good friend Kieron who is the Secretary, he answered but then I thought he sounds a bit weird, I soon found out why, he was peeping over a fence at the back of the car park, he lives there!!  We exchanged greetings and he said just knock on the door they know you are coming; I’ve got to pick up the Dep G Sec from the station and I’ll be there soon.
Once inside we were greeted by a very pleasant lady who offered us tea, coffee and some chocolate biscuits, we found some nice comfy seats overlooking the gardens, before yes, you’ve guest it going for a mooch round. Really well-kept building, plenty of various sized meeting rooms and robing rooms, a first- class bar and a huge dining room with some superb, unusual lighting fitted in the ceiling.
Back to the meeting it started on time at 6pm and after several business items had been dealt with the PGM RW Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore entered the Lodge accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers. The gavel was offered to Keith by the WM Bro. Graham Benson who on this occasion said he would accept it for a short time, the 150th Celebration now began at a pace, a prayer was offered by the G Chaplain before a Sesqui Centenary Warrant was presented to the WM for display in the Lodge room, alongside this VW Bro. John Bicknell APGM was pleased to present a Provincial Certificate to also mark the occasion.  On this special evening it didn’t stop there, W.Bro. Brian Davey PGJO gave some fabulous stories which have taken place during the past 150 years, including the falling down trousers, he did also point out that it wasn’t true that he was one of the founders, loud acclaim followed.
As is usual on such occasions special Jewels had been created and the WM asked if Keith would kindly assist him to present them to all the Lodge members present, he said he would be delighted to carry out that honour. One more surprise, our PGM asked for W.Bro. Harry Moore to be presented and on doing so, he was delighted to Promote Harry to the high honour of PPrGJW of the Province, needless to say his smile said it all, now that’s something that doesn’t happen very often but then again not many Provinces are lucky enough to have a PGM like ours.
 
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On closing the meeting everyone made their way downstairs to get some liquid refreshments and enjoyed lots of chat with Mark Masons from all over the county, before taking up their allotted seats at the Festive Board. Along side the PGM and WM it was a great pleasure to have W. Bro. Dan Heath DepGSec with us, what a very pleasant chap. A first class meal was served up by the very pleasant Hall staff including a huge salad which had been ordered by one of our Asst PGM’s Giles Berkley, what a shame that the rest of us had to do with a very tasty excellent steak pie, gravy, mash and vegetables followed by ice cream and fresh fruit, a Royal feast. (perhaps next time Giles)
Following on from the meal the usual speeches and responses were all well received, and Brian Davey was thanked once again for his interesting and funny stories during the long history of this fine old Mark Lodge.
It’s amazing but in the next few days there is another Lodge celebrating another 150 years of existence, which I am really looking forward to, Rose and Thistle Mark No.158 from Wigan.
Thanks to my lifelong friend W.Bro. Kieran Mullen PAGDC, Secretary of the Lodge for his fine organisation of the event, which was spot on, here’s looking forward to the next meeting to see even more friends and those I have yet to meet in this “The Magic of the Mark.”
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark. No.1173