Advancement at Scorton
 
The trip to Garstang, which is the worlds first Fairtrade town, for an emergency meeting of Scorton Mark Lodge No 1103 proved most worthwhile. On arrival many of the brethren took advantage of the splendid summer evening to enjoy some refreshment outside on the terrace overlooking the Lancaster canal before going upstairs to the meeting.
Frank Hogarth, Keith Beardmore, Peter Robinson and Dave Sear
Paul Broadley, Peter Taaffe and James Rashid
Peter Quirk and Jim Richards
West Lancashire PGM RW Bro Keith Beardmore GMRAC was in attendance and was able to witness a real team effort from the five lodges in the north of the province in advancing a candidate.
Ian Stokes and Geoff Bury
The team that carried out the advancement were of course led by WM Frank Hogarth. He was supported by Ian Stokes WM of Garnett Mark Lodge No 146 who acted as senior warden, my good self of The Furness Mark Lodge No 36 as master overseer with Peter Quirk and Jim Richards of Jubilee Mark Lodge No 375 acting as, respectively, senior and junior overseers.
WM Frank Hogarth
Provincial treasurer Peter Taaffe, provincial charity steward Paul Broadley, provincial ADC James Rashid and Morecambe WM Steve Plevey added further lustre to the occasion.
Les Newlands and Harry Robinson
Having gained admission Dr Peter Robinson, a retired G.P., was obligated by Frank who then handed over the reins to Alan Gregory of Morecambe Mark Lodge No 716 for the middle part of the ceremony. Your northern correspondent left the chair of master overseer to complete the ceremony with the working tools being presented by APGM Geoff Bury.
P.G.M.
The ceremony was enjoyed by all who took part or witnessed it but most importantly Peter later said he found the experience thoroughly enjoyable. He was later to venture to the organists chair to play the closing ode, a very useful addition to the lodge indeed.
Ian Stokes, Frank Hogarth and Steve Plevey
Michael Frankland and Robert Bradshaw who had been advanced at an emergency meeting in May were amongst those looking on. As there had been no toast to the newly advanced brothers at the May meeting lodge secretary Martin Swarbrick proposed a toast to the trio of Michael, Robert and Peter at the festive board. In replying Martin commented on much he had enjoyed his advancement and also the ceremony he had just witnessed. He is spreading the word to those who are not yet Mark masons about how thoroughly enjoyable the degree is.
Those in attendance
With more candidates on the horizon things are looking up for Scorton.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear