Scorton Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 1103
Installation 27th November 2025
V.W.Bro. Geoffry Michael Bury PGJO AProvGM in attendance
 
This was an Installation with a difference. Before the Installation, the Lodge held an Elevation Ceremony, not just for one candidate but for three candidates. The three candidates, Bro. Leslie Newlands, Bro. Peter  Robinson and Bro. Michael Frankland were ably conducted around the Lodge by the Senior Deacon Bro. Frank Hogarth, Junior Deacon Bro. Harry Robinson and Bro. Frank Heath from Morecambe RAM acting as the third Deacon. It was an excellent Elevation Ceremony carried out in a manner that made all three candidates feel fully involved. The W.C. W.Bro. Gowan  O’Hagan gave the explanation of the signs and W.Bro. Bob Bennett explained the working tools. At the end of the Elevation Ceremony the W.C. congratulated all three candidates and welcomed them into the Lodge.
VW.Bro. Geoffrey Bury AProv.GM. WC Martyn Swarbrick and W.Bro. Gowan O’Hagan
Candidate's Leslie Newlands, Michael Frankland and Peter Robinson with the Deacons Farnk Hogarth and Harry Robinson.
W.Bro. Tony Thackrah S.W. V.W.Bro. Geoffrey Bury AProv.GM   W.Bro. Martin Swarbrick W.C.
W.Bro. Gowan O'Hagan IPC and W.Bro. Frank Hogarth J.W.
The Mariners assembled
The W.C. then announced the next business which was to Install Bro. William Martin Swarbrick as the Worshipful Commander for the ensuing year. An Assembly of Installed Commanders was opened and W.Bro. Gowan O’Hagan W.C. Installed Bro. Swarbrick as the W.C. of Scorton Lodge No. 1103 for the ensuing year and gave the address to the W.C. V.W.Bro.. Geoffrey Bury AProv.GM gave the Exposition and greetings on behalf of the Prov. Grand Master.
Prov. Asst. D.C’s. W.Bro’s. John Dean and John Askew
Mariners at Dinner
At the festive board the friendship and enjoyment of the Royal Ark Mariners Degree was evident, with a generous raffle going to the Mark Masonic Blood Bikes.
 
Words and pictures by Alan Gregory