Tom in at The Furness
 
There was a further addition to the musical talent at The Furness Mark Lodge No 36 when retired fire officer Tom Shankland was advanced into the order.
Ian Cottam, Tom Shankland and Graham Benson
Tom, like his proposer junior deacon Steve Renney, is skilled in the art of getting a tune out of a set of bagpipes. Having been initially formed under the Royal Arch of Scotland in 1870, and proudly displaying a thistle on its banner to commemorate that link, The Furness Mark Lodge is an appropriate one for Tom whose accent provides evidence of his original home being north of Hadrian’s Wall.
Steve Renney, Jon Reed, Tom Shankland and Terry Pearso
The first part of the ceremony was undertaken by WM Graham Benson with Ian Cottam slipping seamlessly into the chair for the middle part of the ceremony. I chipped in with that part from the presentation of the jewel. Once again Jon Reed rose from the stewards’ bench to present the working tools of the order in impeccable fashion.
Some of the Cumberland and Westmorland contingent
Senior deacon Terry Pearson can take great pride in his work conducting Tom through the ceremony. In fact, all played their part well but special mention must go to senior overseer Tony Cassells who delivered his role in fine style, the Royal Shakespeare Company would be a fitting place for his talents!
 
As usual there were several visitors in attendance including a good contingent from Duddon Mark Lodge based at Millom in, as they keep telling us, the glorious province of Cumberland and Westmorland.
Tony Cassells and Darren Stainton
Following the formalities there was a simple but very tasty supper of meat and potato pie. The raffle on this occasion was in aid of the Almoner’s fund. The most sought-after prize was an excellent bottle of port donated by Tony. It was claimed by senior warden Darren Stainton who very sportingly let Tony have one last look at it, through tear-stained eyes, before he took it away.
 
A new admission to our order, a good ceremony and enjoyable company meant it was an evening well spent.
Words and pictures by Dave Sear