Scorton Lodge of Mark Master Masons. No.1103
The Masonic Hall, Wyrebank, Garstang.  Thursday 29th February 2024
An Advancement Honoured by the presence of the PGM R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore
 
Here we go again another Mark Meeting to look forward to, no surprises this time though, the on ramp to the M60 was back to normal, slow going up and then the long crawl to get over the high-level bridge before getting on to the M61, eventually joined the M6, then onwards no more hold ups which is pretty good for a change. Made it to Jnc 32 and came off to join the A6 which takes you all the way to the Hall, a fabulous location, a great looking building alongside the Lancaster Canal and the river Wyre, always lots of boats tied up to add even more character, especially if the sun happens to show itself.
Before too long there seemed to be Mark Masons everywhere, greeting each other and sharing their stories from all over the Province, whilst the Acting Provincial officers were being put through their paces by W.Bro. Tony Farrer. The meeting started on time at 6pm and following several housekeeping items had been dealt with the PGM R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers entered, the W.M. Bro. Frank Hogarth welcomed Keith on behalf of everyone present and offered him the Gavel, Keith said that on this occasion he would like to accept it a little later so as to introduce the Prov Team who accompanied him because he knew that that Bro. Hogarth was keen to carry out the ceremony.
I’m sure that the Initiate for Advancement Bro. Michael Shuttleworth wouldn’t realise until later how special his evening was when becoming a Mark Mason to have the PGM and members of the Prov Team present, soon the WM invited W.Bro. Stuart Mowbray PGStdB the Lodge Almoner to assist him by taking the Chair of Adoniram. It now continued at a pace and another surprise came which I have never seen before was when the PGM, accompanied by the Dep PGM, and the two Asst PGM’s  joined the que to receive their  reward (wages) for work done, brilliant.
W.Bro. Mowbray presented the Working Tools to the new member along with the Book of Constitutions and the Lodge Bye Laws before handing back control to the W.M. Bro. Frank Hogarth, who just got his breath back before being congratulated by the PGM Keith on the outstanding ceremony carried out by himself, the officers of the Lodge and special mention for the outstanding contribution by W.Bro. Stuart Mowbray PGStdB  Having taken up the gavel Keith introduced the members of the Team to everyone present and gave his personal congratulations to Michael the newest member to join us in the “Magic of the Mark”.
Having handed the gavel back to the W.M. it was now time for our PGM to retire from the meeting accompanied by Grand and Prov Grand Officers, proceedings for the Ceremony were assisted by four visitors from different Mark Lodges, Garnett, Jubilee, Morecambe and Furness, also of note was why are there four Gavels on the W.M.’s pedestal, I did ask the question and was told that they had all been presented by other Lodges to mark the occasions of Scorton being a Keystone Lodge “Quadruple” Quota, Grand Patron of the Lodge of Mark Masons Fund of Benevolence. 
The meeting having ended everyone returned for the usual photos to be taken to record the occasion before making their way downstairs for some liquid refreshment before taking up their allotted seats for the Festive Board. Unfortunately, on this occasion I had to retire from the meeting, but I have been reliably informed that an excellent meal was served by the very friendly and attentive Hall staff, the traditional Toasts were given along with some excellent responses.
As usual all good things must come to an end, everybody said their goodbyes along with genuine handshakes of friendship we are used to in the Mark Degree, I’m sure the new member Bro. Shuttleworth will long remember this special evening, here’s to the next meeting wherever it may be in the Province to see old friends and those I have yet to meet. Not yet a member of the colourful Royal Ark Mariner Degree just ask your secretary to point you in the right direction then come along and join us.
A Date to Note. Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Mark Lodge will be held once again at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on the 2nd May 2024.   
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. FSE N0.1173