Bispham with Norbreck Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 866 |
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| Friday 15th March 2024 at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool. | |
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| An emergency meeting convened to advance the candidate who should have been advanced in January 2024. Unfortunately, for a second time, the candidate, Bro. Philip Wortley, couldn’t make it. Hopefully third time lucky! | |
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| The business of the meeting was rapidly rearranged and on we went. | |
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| 19 Brethren were present, including WBro. Paul Smedley, WM Cleveleys Mark Lodge No 1176 and WBro. David Platt, WM Wyre Mark Lodge No 754, along with VWBro. Jimmy Rogers. WBro. Smedley also acted as MO for the night. | |
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| Two members of the Lodge stood in for the first time as deacons and did an excellent job: Bro. Nick Osborne and Bro. Malcolm Davis. | |
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The old guard were wheeled out as stand ins for the SW and JW; WBro. John Chapman PProvGJD and WBro. John Brumfield respectively, proving they still had what it takes. |
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| WBro. Alan Barnes acting as WM for the night opened the meeting and offered the gavel to WBro. Giles Berkley Dep PGM. | |
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| WBro. John Brumfield stepped in at the last minute to read a paper on the origins of Hiram Abiff and Adoniram. | |
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| The paper was well received by the Brethren. | |
| A Grand Lodge certificate was then presented to Bro. Gerard Maxwell, the candidate from January who was advanced at the last minute due to the March candidate being unable to attend in January (confused!). The certificate was eloquently explained by WBro. Berkley. | |
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| The Lodge was then closed by the WM and the Brethren adjourned to the bar and onto the festive board for an excellent meal accompanied by a great atmosphere and accompanying craic! | |
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| A Fylde fiddle was organized by WBro. Steve Smith and raised £102 for charity! | |
| A successful night snatched from the precipice of disaster was had and enjoyed by all! | |
| Words and pictures by Tony Cross |
