A Grand Day Out at Mark Grand Lodge. Tuesday 8th March 2022
 
Looking forward to the visit for a few weeks and it was here at last, set off early for Piccadilly Station, got to White City and that was it, road blocked as far as the eye could see. It’s the main road into Manchester from Altrincham and Cheshire, what with building works and the ridiculous cones everywhere to create Cycle Lanes which reduces the main artery road down to one lane, where are the cycles when you see one that is, on the pavements as usual !!  Luckily I know the territory and scraped across three lanes at the roundabout and headed towards Hulme and Moss Side, made the station with about 5 minutes to spare, jumped on board to find a guy sat in my seat with all his gear laid out, lap top, headphones, coffee quite comfy, “oh is this your seat” Yes I replied, up he gets packs all his equipment up and disappeared !!  He obviously wasn’t even in the right coach, what is the human race coming too.
Thank goodness the rest of the trip was perfect, jumped into a taxi at Euston, guess what the driver was a Mason, he dropped me right at the door, how much I asked, he said Brother just call it a fiver and have a great meeting. Brilliant set me up for the rest of the day, how nice was that.
Once I walk through the huge doors of the Temple I can’t help but find the view inspiring, the ceiling is magnificent, as are the all the door surrounds, the Grand Masters chair and pedestal along with the Wardens chairs of office are breath taking.
Right on time the meeting commenced starting with a Grand Parade of Mark Acting officers and dignitaries from all over the country and beyond, Italy, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nigeria, Germany    including of course our very own PGM R.W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore to escort the Pro Grand Master M.W. Raymond John Smith who was presiding on this occasion.
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It wasn’t the longest meeting ever but nevertheless it was very enjoyable, especially the address by the Pro Grand Master who before closing thanked everyone for their attendance. As usual all too soon it was over and we all made our way to the bar in the Connaught Rooms for some liquid refreshments before taking up the allotted seats for the Festive Board. A full table for West Lanc’s, we sat down to a decent meal in good company and great conversation, then it was time to go, made my way to the end of Great Queen St where nearly every bus goes to Euston, showed my Manchester Bus Pass and that was it, only took ten minutes and I was sat waiting for the gate to open, three hours later and I was home enjoying a glass of Laphroaig and looking back on a pleasant day.     
As I’ve said before if you’ve never made the trip to Mark Grand Lodge add it to your to do list you won’t be disappointed, here’s to the next Magic Mark Meeting to see my friends and those I have yet to meet, Mark Well.
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher, PGJD.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge No.3471