Double Philly
 
There was a double header at Preston Masonic Hall as the meeting of Philadelphia Lodge of RAM Commanders was followed by the meeting of the lodge of installed Mark Masters bearing the same name.
Worshipful Commander Bill Swindlehurst was able to declare Alan Eastham, who was acting as inner guard on the day, as his successor for the ensuing year.
Tony Shaw, Bill Swindlehurst and Alan Eastham

The main business was the delivery of a paper entitled, “A brief history of the Secret Monitor or the Brotherhood of Jonathan and David”  by Tony Shaw. It was well received being both informative and interesting.
 
There was then a break as the room was stripped down and made ready for the Mark meeting.
Tony Thackrah, Bob Stafford, Craig Scott and Steven Thackrah
There was a change of regalia and a change of roles for many. Alan moved into the chair of Master whilst Bill took over the mantle of director of ceremonies. In what must be a somewhat unique situation the secretary is Tony Thackrah who is helped in that most important of roles by his son Steven.
PGM Keith Beardmore, his deputy Geoff Lee and assistant PGM Giles Berkley were amongst the attendees.
Two joining members were welcomed into the lodge on the evening in the persons of Bob Stafford and Craig Scott.
Derek Abbott, Alan Eastham and David Robinson
One of my fellow special representatives David Robinson was declared Master for the following year.
 
Once again there was to be the presentation of a paper to the lodge. In this case it was by Derek Abbott and was entitled “Why is there no official Scottish masonic tartan.” That question was the framework around which an excellent lecture provided a daily advancement in masonic knowledge. Two lectures on the same day but each completely different but equally enjoyable for the audience.
Giles Berkley, Alan Eastham, Keith Beardmore and Geoff Lee
One question I raised later was “why are the lodges called Philadelphia?” Now I know there are many classic scholars and persons of great intellect amongst the readers of this notable organ but alas I do not fit into that category. I asked one of the lodge founders Glyn Jackson Davies who pointed me in the right direction. The name itself is derived from the Greek philia meaning “to love” and adelphos meaning “brother” which when combined give us brotherly love. As well as the present city in the U.S.A. it is mentioned in the New Testament in the Book of Revelation as a place in Asia Minor with one of the seven churches. More information is available online!
 
After the meeting it was time to move from labour to refreshment. On this occasion it was decided to see how a four-course fine dining experience would be received. It has to be said that it went down well with the numbers significantly increased from the previous year’s attendance.
Good food and enjoyable company
As the RAM and Mark lodges attract their membership from throughout the province it was a pleasant change to sit with different company. Some known through other meetings and others new friends. What I can say is that if the other tables were as industrious as the one I was seated at solutions to most of the problems facing modern humanity will have been found! It was good craic and with excellent food made for a very pleasant evening.
Membership of Philadelphia RAM and Mark is open to all current and past masters of lodges in those degrees. So, if you qualify, want to broaden your breadth of acquaintances, and enjoy time spent with other decent folk consider filling out a Form P for the RAM and Mark lodges of brotherly love.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear