Philadelphia RAM and Mark  30th October 2023
 
The link between the Mark and Royal Ark Mariners degrees is no closer demonstrated than by Philadelphia Mark and RAM 1646 when they hold their meetings on the same day and venue. They cement the bond further by sharing their festive board and making it a little special.
Some of the attendees at the RAM meeting
On Monday 30th October, the brethren of the RAM gathered at Ashlar House, Preston for a 4.30pm start. The Commander Alan Eastham opened the Lodge assisted by Tony Shaw as Junior Warden and Alan Fairhurst as Senior Warden. The Scribe Bob Norris and Treasurer John Sarti provided the admin and the affair was directed by the ADC, Derek Horrocks.
 
It was to be a business meeting in essence, but that is a simple analogy and they invested officers who couldn’t attend the previous meeting and admitted two joining members before electing Jim Richards as Commander elect, John Sarti as Treasurer, David Rotheram and Tony Shaw as auditors.
Commander Alan Eastham with Mike Pinckard
The Provincial Secretary, Mike Pinckard then presented a thought-provoking paper on recruiting membership both in the RAM and Mark degrees and invited those present to consider their own attitude and approach to the subject. The brethren, appreciating Mike’s input thanked him with acclaim.
 
Not content with their progress thus far they went on to propose no less than five joining members for the next meeting, I think they must have been listening Mike!
 
The administrative matters were concluded, the Lodge closed and brethren retired downstairs waiting for Mark meeting to start.
 
At 6.30 the members and guests of the Mark Lodge found their places in the Lodge room which had been transformed into the Mark setting by the DC Bill Swindlehurst.
The Chains with Master, Master Elect and Prov Sec and ADC's
The Master, David Robinson opened the Lodge assisted by David Johnson as Senior Warden and Gowan O'Hagan as Junior Warden.
 
As soon as the Lodge was opened the secretary Tony Thackery read out an apology from the RW Provincial Grand Master. Keith Beardmore, who didn’t wish to pass on his chest infection to those attending. His duties he delegated to his Deputy, Giles Berkley who was ably assisted by the two Assistant’s Geoff Bury and David Winder.
 
Again, the focus of the meeting was administration and following the approval of the minutes five new members were balloted for and admitted into the Lodge.
 
We quickly moved on to elect Andrew Wiltshire as Master and Bill Bruce as Treasurer.
 
The remaining business was transacted and the Lodge closed.
Giles with Andrew and Alan
We then retired to the Dinning room where we were served a four-course special meal which we assisted on it's way with wine and port. The tea and coffee finished it all off nicely.
 
Following the usual speeches, we all set off on our various routes to all parts of the Province, North South East and West in cool evening air.
 
Philadelphia Mark and RAM are open to all Masters and Past Masters of Mark Lodges along with Commanders and Past Commanders of Ark Mariners Lodges respectively. You should consider joining these special Lodges which is made easy when you contact the relevant Secretary or Scribe.
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Words and pictures Mike Beesley Webmaster Festive Board Photo's courtesy of Tony Cross