West Lancs Mark visit the MBF Festival 2026 |
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| Our Provincial Grand Master, Keith Beardmore led a team of intrepid travellers to the 158th Mark Benevolent Fund Festival at the Old Thorns Hotel & Resort in Hampshire. The resort has a golf course, spa, several restaurants and of course 2 huge event suites. | |
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Keith & June Beardmore with Marion Lee |
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| The Festival celebration started on Friday night, with a buffet and some great entertainment, including the Selsey Shanty Men, a wonderful group of singers, mainly wearing knitted jumpers and caps, and three young men who crooned their way into our ladies hearts! It was wonderful to all get back together in the summer, with our Ladies, and support the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight and their PGM George Deakin, in their magnificent support of the MBF. | |
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| Geoff Lee in deep conversation with Sandra Berkley | |
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Keith, June, Marion and Tegwen |
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| The day dawned on Saturday with high temperatures, and high spirits. A hearty breakfast was had by all, and some then went shopping, some went sight-seeing, and one couple just stayed around the hotel to rest up for the evening ahead. (No names) | |
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Giles, keith & June enjoying the evening |
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| The Sea Shanty Men entertained us all | |
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Geoff Lee and Eric Drinkwater |
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| It was soon time to all gather in the Grand Ballroom with an alleged attendance of around 500! The food was delicious and the atmosphere and company were superb. We were treated to some wonderful music during the meal from the Royal Marines Association Band, with some real brass band battles between the participants. | |
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Sandra Berkley and Marion Lee |
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| Keith Beardmore and June at the formal dinner | |
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Giles & Sandra enjoying the evening |
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| The time for the big announcement was soon with us. George Deakin thanked all the members of the Province and all the other supporters who had helped raise the money over many years, to make the Festival such a success. | |
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Kevin & Karen Chicken |
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| Ian Clark from the MBF spoke to thank the Province, and Dan Heath our Grand Secretary then took to the stage, detailing the wonderful support from the Mark and RAM Lodges of the Province, backed by the Craft Province, and many other Mark Provinces, including of course West Lancashire. | |
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| Geoff & Penny Bury | |
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Geoff & Marion Lee |
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| In a key announcement it was revealed that a portion of the proceeds amounting to £311,107 will directly fund a new vessel for the Hamble Lifeboat station, to be named ‘The John Prizeman’ in honour of our much-loved and highly respected late Pro Grand Master. | |
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Eric & Tegwen Drinkwater |
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Dan Heath was his usual entertaining and humorous self, and he then called George Deakin to his side for the announcement of the final figure. The whole audience erupted into spontaneous applause at such a wonderful figure. |
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| Jimmy and Geraldene Rogers | |
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Rob and Lynda Allman |
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| The evening then continued, as England danced around the defence of France, with dancing in the Gatsby Suite until midnight, to the sounds of Paul, as Elton John. A great event in support of a great Charity, the MBF. | |
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Sandra with Geoff Nicholson, Dep of N&E Yorks |
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| The next MBF Festival is in Warwickshire, from the 2nd to the 4th of July 2027 in Birmingham, and I have no doubt West Lancs Mark will be there in good numbers. | |
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The magnificent total |
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| Our next West Lancashire MBF Festival is in 2038, which will be here all too soon! | |
You can see the Festival Results on the pdf download here! |
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| Pictures and words by Giles Berkley |
