The Rose and Thistle Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 158 |
Sesquicentenary 1872 – 2022 |
The Masonic Hall, Chapel Street, Pemberton |
12th October 2022 |
| Another great and special night to look forward to, not so far to go this time, set off early as usual, didn’t even make it up the on ramp to the M60 this time, there’s a new master plan from the Highways Dept, traffic lights, I kid you not, at the top of the ramp we now have some nice new lights which let two cars through at a time.!! No, I’m not kidding, what another brilliant idea probably from the same genius that came up with Smart Motorways! |
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| Ah well if they keep coming up with these great ideas I’m going to have to set off in the morning, my usual rant over let’s get on with the meeting. Once we got going it was a pretty good trip until we found ourselves in a back alley, after peeping through the fence I guessed that the hall was in fact on the other side and had a large car park, soon found the entrance, got my bag out, and just to make me feel at home it was pouring! |
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| Once inside went for my usual mooch about to find what a really nice building it was, lots of space and rooms to get changed in, there was a table laid out with cups, milk and sugar and a really pleasant chap serving up tea and coffee. Before too long members and guests started arriving, I found our own PGM Bro. RW Bro. Keith Beardmore in company with a special guest for this once only meeting, RW Bro. Prof. Donovan K Wilson Asst Grand Master and the Dep.G.D.C. W.Bro. Andy Brown, along with our own Dep PGM VW Bro. Geoffrey Lee, Asst PGM W.Bro. Giles Berkley, VW Bro. John Bicknell and last but not least W.Bro. Mike Pinckhard the Prov Grand Secretary. This gave me the opportunity to get a couple of pictures before the meeting started. |
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| The meeting opened on time at 6pm and following some Lodge housekeeping the PGM Keith entered accompanied by Acting Grand and Provincial Grand Officers, the WM W.Bro. J.E. Champney G.I.G. (Chesh) welcomed the PGM and offered him the gavel which he said he would accept for a short time. Following on from the knocks on the door the Asst G M RW Bro. Prof Denovan K Wilson entered accompanied by the Dep G D.C. Andy Brown and was greeted on behalf of the W.M. and all those present by Keith. Once seated due salutations were given to the distinguished guests including Peter Connolly P.Pr.G.M. who was in attendance. |
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| Many surprises were to follow, the first one came when the PGM asked for W.Bro. Norman Meadows P.Prov.G.Insp.Wks. (Charity Steward) to be presented, due to his outstanding service to the Lodge and others he had much pleasure in promoting him to PPrGJW, apparently he is a brother who is never stuck for words but on this occasion, he was speechless. Keith was delighted to also present Lodge Secretary W.Bro. Derek Todd P Prov GSW with the very special Royal Ark Mariner Ambassadors Jewel for his excellent work in promoting that degree. |
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| W.Bro. Mike Pinckard G Steward read out the original Warrant of the Lodge, he then read out the Sesquicentenary Warrant Certificate, this was presented to the Asst G. Master who in turn had much pleasure in presenting it to the WM for safe keeping. A short history was given by W.Bro. Ian Dawson the SW, in fine style, I’ll own up here to relocating a copy of the Lodge History (as we used to say in the Police) it sounded much better than “nicking it.” The W. M. asked if the Asst G.M would honour the Lodge by presenting the members with the special Jewels which had been created to mark the occasion, he said he would be delighted, along with help from the PGM and the W.M. all the members lined up, every one of them had a big smile and I’m sure would always remember this special night in their own Mark Lodge and wear their jewel with pride. |
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| A collection was then taken for the Charities before the Asst Grand Master. retired from the meeting accompanied by the Dep Grand D.C. Andy Brown. The Prov G Sec Mike Pinckard was then requested to read out the Provincial 150 Years Certificate to mark the occasion before handing it to the Prov D.C. W.Bro. Arthur Robinson who in turn handed it to Keith for presentation to the Lodge. Our PGM thanked everyone for their attendance and making this a night to remember, W.Bro Derek Todd P Prov GSW got special mention for his hard work in making all the arrangements run smoothly. |
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| The PGM R. W. Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore then retired from the Lodge accompanied by Acting Grand and Prov Grand Officers, a few pictures were taken outside until the meeting ended, all then made their way to the dining room with the usual happy chat and stories from all over the Province, after picking up some liquid refreshment, everyone took up their allotted seats for the Festive Board. The distinguished guests were then welcomed to take up their places, a first-class meal was served up by the excellent and friendly hall staff. Several speeches were given including some more stories about the Lodges 150 years, the journey to where the Lodge is at now all started with a letter from Bro. Brockbank written on Christmas Eve 1856. |
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| All too soon the evening drew to a close, everyone said their goodbyes with the usual genuine handshakes and stepped outside into the cold night air, at least the rain had stopped, what a pleasure it was to have the Asst Grand Master, and our own PGM at the meeting along with the other distinguished Brethren, good memories to keep us warm on the trip home, here’s to the next meeting to see old friends and those I have yet to meet, fingers crossed now that the motorways are all open for a change. |
The Magic of the Mark |
| Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher, PGJD |
| Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge, No. 1173 - Mark Well |
