Furness RAM Installation
 
The Furness Peninsula protrudes out into the Irish Sea with the Isle of Walney at its most westerly point. It is separated from the rest of the Mark Province of West Lancashire by Morecambe Bay and from Cumberland and Westmorland by the Duddon Estuary.
Geoff Bury, Bill Glassey, Ian Cottam and Harry Kilgour
It was therefore somewhat fitting then that Mort Richardson, the Worshipful Commander of Duddon RAM Lodge based at Millom in the province of Cumberland and Westmorland, and Paul Broadley, his opposite number in Morecambe RAM Lodge No 716, had both made their way round the dividing waters for the installation meeting of Furness RAM Lodge No 375 at Ulverston Masonic Hall in the heart of the Furness Peninsula.
David Rigby and John Dean
Principal guest on the evening was APGM Geoff Bury. Geoff is no stranger to Furness RAM, having been a frequent visitor for many years. On this occasion he was welcomed by outgoing Commander Bill Glassey.
The workers Kieron Mullan, Stuart Brackstone and Russ Greenhow
On hand to ensure due propriety was observed were David Rigby and John Dean from the director of ceremonies team.
Phil Watson, then front row Keith Beaumont, Alan Gregory, Peter Quirk, Alan Jones and Brian Davey
For the installation Bill requested Brian Davey and Alan Jones to occupy the chairs of, respectively, senior and junior warden with Peter Quirk taking the office of inner guard.
Duddon Mark members Paul Dixon, John Greenhalgh and Mort Richardson
Nigel Higginson, Paul Broadley and Rowly Saunders
Health issues have resulted in Bill not being as mobile as he once was and for the smooth running of the ceremony he called upon Ian Cottam to occupy the chair.
Not yet Royal Ark Mariners - Graham Lloyd and Joe Crabtree
Ian went about the business of installing Harry in fine style. Ian’s work was first class. His work was accurate, well-paced and sincerely delivered. Harry was later to observe that he found the ceremony, and particularly the inner working, a memorable and most enjoyable experience. Geoff commented that “it was excellent.”
Nigel Higginson, Steve Renney, Jim Richards, Joe Crabtree, Paul Johnston and Dave Baker
Lodge stalwart Alan Jones gave the address to the newly installed Commander. Whilst Geoff took to the floor to orate the exposition of the degree. Both pieces of work were well received and added to the enjoyment of the ceremony. Your northern correspondent gave the keystone jewel address.
Harry was able to re-invest Kieron Mullan as secretary, Russ Greenhow as treasurer and Stuart Brackstone as director of ceremonies ensuring he can call upon a wealth of experience in the key offices during his term at the helm of the lodge.
The diners
The harmonies on the evening were provided by lodge organist Geoffrey Waters and it was quite appropriate that the refrain of “somewhere over the rainbow” could be heard as the officers were being collared.
To mark the occasion Geoff was presented with a cheque for £375 in favour of the West Lancashire Mark Charity.
At the meal following there were present two Mark Masons who are not yet members of the RAM degree. With one candidate already awaiting elevation it could well be a calendar full of work for Harry.
There being several Masons gathered together the inevitable raffle was held. Lodge charity steward Jim Richards has a bright future having somehow arranged for Geoff to pull out his own number first so that the principal prize of a bottle of whisky went to the APGM! I can assure you that the resultant jeers and cries of “fix” were all light hearted.
The APGM departs
In addition to the whisky Geoff was also presented with a bouquet of flowers for his wife Penny.
Driving Geoff on the day was Paul Broadley. Also travelling with them from Morecambe was deputy special representative Alan Gregory. Alan was overheard to remark that if Paul was the chauffeur to the APGM his position must be that of close personal protection officer ready to throw himself in front of any attacks on the person of the APGM!!
All in all I have to report that it was a very successful evening with outstanding ceremonial work and wonderful companionship. It was a tremendous advert for the degree.
The Isle of Sodor (with acknowledgement to Amos Wolfe)
And finally. I am aware I have amongst my loyal readers several keen fans of the Thomas the Tank Engine series of books written by the Rev. W. Awdry. They will be indignantly exclaiming that it is the Isle of Sodor, where the stories are located, that is in fact the western point of the Furness Peninsula. Not Walney as I have stated in the opening paragraph. The attached map would appear to bear that out but I have to disappoint them by revealing that the Isle of Sodor does not really exist. The bridge from Barrow does indeed cross to Vickerstown on Walney but after that it is all just a product of the author’s imagination and the bulk of where Sodor is supposed to be is nowadays a giant wind farm.
 
Words and pictures courtesy of Dave Sear