The Sesqui – Centenary
24th May 2022
of Preston Lodge of Mark Masters. No. 143
The Masonic Hall, Saul Street, Preston. PR12QU
 
Now I know I’m always saying when I start my report “here’s looking forward to a special meeting tonight” what can I say about this one, “Hands up anyone who has attended a Lodge celebrating a history of 150 years”, even more unlikely is the fact that this is a Mark Master Masons Lodge.
PGM & Bro. Derek Arthur Upton the PGM for the Channel Islands
Set off early as usual, crawled up the on ramp to the M60, flew past the M62 junction (not really) and joined the M61, kept going no major hold ups unless you count the fact that most of it is restricted to 50 mph. Have to use the Sat Nav when I get to Preston I’m afraid, even though I have been there many times I seem to drive round in circles until I spot the courts, bingo, now I know where I am. Being early I managed to get across the major road works at the back of the hall to the shopping centre and settled down with an excellent cup of coffee.
Returned to the hall in good time and was delighted to see many members of the Provincial Team and old friends, all were buzzing with the special occasion ahead, soon practise began under the watchful eye of the Prov D.C. W.Bro. Arthur Robinson who along with his Deputy and Asst DC’s. was putting the Team through their paces.
The meeting started right on time at 6.30pm and following some general housekeeping items the R.W. PGM Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore entered accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand officers and what a surprise he was also accompanied by the R.W. PGM for the Channel Islands Bro. Derek Arthur Upton. They were welcomed into the meeting by the W.M. W.Bro. Howard Lythgoe who offered the gavel to Keith, which on this special occasion he said he would accept it for a short time, he requested that the special Warrant / Certificate from Grand Lodge be presented and read aloud for all present to hear before being passed to the W.M. for safe keeping. Further surprises were to come Keith asked for VW Bro. D. K. Richardson PGJO to be presented and had much pleasure in placing the new lapel pin on his jacket to mark his 50 years as a Mason, following this I think the biggest surprise of the evening was when Keith asked for the W.M. to be presented to him, he had much pleasure in promoting him to PPrGSD, Howard was delighted.
Wow I thought some great surprises there, but more was to come, the W.M. was delighted to present Keith with two cheques on behalf of the Lodge members, the first was for the West Lanc’s Mark Charity Fund in the wonderful amount of £430, the second cheque was for Sparkle Trust in the sum of £1000, to which our PGM said that the West Lanc’s Mark Province were pleased to double that donation by adding another £1000 to this worthy charity. What is Sparkle you may ask, well in this Mark Lodge is the very person who can give you all the answers, he is Bro. Chris Upton who has not been a Freemason for too long but has the heart of a Mason in this Preston Mark he is the I.G. but outside of Masonry he is the Head Teacher of Tarleton Community Primary School.
He created the Charity after seeing how devastated all the teachers, students and parents were especially as one of their own young students had died in the attack on the Manchester Arena. He also saw how intrusive the press was on the parents and even waiting at the school gates, it weighed heavy on his mind and from his concerns for the welfare of the children and parents he decided something had to be done. With help from another Mason and parents slowly the charity was born.
Please go to sparklebean.co.uk/who-are-we or just go to West Lanc’s Mark site where you will find a full article on the Charity. Well done to Preston Mark and our Mark Province for their support. There is also an excellent book written by Chris entitled “Searching for the Sparkle” reviewed by David Walliams who said it’s an incredibly moving account of the loss of the pupil from Chris’s school, Saffie-Rose Roussos, the youngest victim of the bombing and is a powerful read.
Then it was time for not one but two Provincial Grand Masters to retire from the Lodge, now have you ever seen that before, accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand officers. After the meeting was closed everybody returned for the usual photo shoot then made their way to get some liquid refreshment before taking up their allotted places at the Festive Board. Once everyone was seated an excellent meal was served by the friendly and efficient staff, then it was time for some first-class Toasts and responses, the only thing I can’t remember was did the PGM give us one of his tall stories?
Now  it was time to go and as is usual everyone said their goodbyes with genuine handshakes of friendship, made my way back to the M61 couldn’t believe it no hold ups, spoke too soon, not far from the Trafford Centre the motorway disappeared, closed yet again, it’s a good job I know my way around that area, arrived home, comfy chair, a glass of Laphroaig and thoughts of yet another great night at a Mark Lodge.
Here's looking forward to my next Mark / RAM meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet not forgetting of course that next week it is Grand Lodge, which is always a great day out, Mark Well.
Words and pictures Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No. 1173