A Two for One at Temperance Mark
 
Temperance Mark Lodge, No774 held a ‘Two for One’ meeting for their last meeting of the season. Let me explain. Temperance Mark Lodge normally have their Installation meeting in February, but due to illness the meeting had to be abandoned. This meant that there had to be an extra meeting or the Installation could be held at the next regular meeting; with dispensation.
Alan McGregor; WM, Doug Lace; Keith Lindsay
Fortunately, Temperance holds a meeting in April, but there was already an advancement ceremony planned for that meeting. No problems do the two ceremonies one after another even though it was a double advancement and so that is what happened. While the golfers were enjoying the afternoon sun at Woolton Golf Club on Tuesday 19th April outside, in the club house upstairs in the Masonic suite, members and visitors were getting ready for this unusual meeting. Representing the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, The Worshipful Master, was WBro Alan Fairhurst, PAGDC and also in attendance was WBro Steve Walls, PGSD, the PGM’s Special Rep and VWBro’s Eric Hughes and Derek Horrocks.
Alan Foster joins the candidates and WM, with Mike Cunliffe
WBro Mike Cunliffe opened the lodge at 5.00pm and then approved the minutes. Then the dispensation had to be read to hold the installation meeting. Then it was ballot time for two new members and a joining member. The ballot for all three proved favourable and the joining member WBro Len Hudson was admitted and he even got a job before the end of meeting. After the salutations had been given, it was time for the first round of musical chairs with WBro Cunliffe finding himself in the Senior Overseers chair. Others also picked chairs and this left WBro Derek Gaskell, PPrGJW, catching the last chair available which meant that he did the double advancement. Someone who had kept hold of his own chair was Bro Tommy Lunt the Inner Guard, who announced the two candidates, Bros Alan McGregor and Keith Lindsay and the first part of the ceremony, was underway.
Alan with Steve Walls and Keith with their welcome letters
The candidates were entered in the usual manner for Mark Masons before they were handed over to the deacons. Special guest star for the evening was WBro Alan Foster, PAGDC, in the starring role of Senior Deacon, accompanied by the lodge Junior Deacon Bro Steve Williams. The second part of the ceremony saw the candidates enter separately to meet the overseers who seemed in partially picky mood. Bro McGregor was dealt with first and was saved by WBro Foster when the Wardens got aggressive. In fact, he never even got a sweet! When Bro McGregor was finished with, (for that part of the ceremony); it was time to repeat the process for Bro Lindsey. Bro Lindsey faced the same frosty reception from the Overseers and Wardens and he never got a sweet either.
Alan Foster; Alan Fairhurst; Doug Lace; Mike Cunliffe; Steve Walls
WBro Foster’s charm was put to the test for a second time. On completion of the advancement ceremony Bros McGregor and Lindsey were welcomed into the Mark degree and congratulated by both WBro Alan Fairhurst and WBro Steve Walls. WBro Walls also presented the two candidates with a welcome letter from the PGM and given their invite to Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on 5th May at Blackpool. It was now time for the second round of musical chairs which saw WBro Mike Cunliffe retake the Master Chair but now as Installing Master and WBro Len Hudson got the Inner Guard’s chair. When all the moves had been completed; WBro Fred Hulse, PPrGSwdB, presented the Master Elect, Bro Doug Lace to WBro Mike Cunliffe for the benefit of Installation.
Past Provincial Wardens
WBro Cunliffe worked his way steadily through the ceremony and when in the chair, WBro Lace was then saluted by the assembled Worshipful Brethren. When the Brethren returned to the Lodge, WBro Gaskell, proclaimed WBro Doug Lace Master of the Temperance Mark Lodge. WBro Gaskell then presented the Working Tools not only to the Master but also to the two candidates. (The candidates had been presented with the working tools during their ceremony but not had the explanation.)  He then went on to present the Keystone Jewel to the Master. WBro Fred Hulse then gave a fine address to the Master. When all the officers had been appointed it was time for the special guest star WBro Alan Foster to give the address to the Wardens which was done in fine style. I think that he may have done it a few times before. At very short notice WBro Graham Sinden, PGStdB gave the address to the Overseers also in fine style. WBro Alan Fairhurst then stepped up and gave a first-class address to the brethren.
Len Hudson; Alan Foster; Doug Lace
 
With the Installation ceremony over WBro Alan Fairhurst brought the congratulations of the PGM to WBro Doug Lace on taking the chair for the first time and in what is the Lodge’s Centenary year. WBro Fairhurst also congratulated WBro Mike Cunliffe on the way he had installed WBro Lace. With the Lodge closed in due form it was then time for dinner. A double advancement and an Installation ceremony done in just under three hours and not being late for dinner must be regarded as successful night. At the festive board WBro Alan Fairhurst congratulated the Master on his own behalf and also congratulated WBro’s David Anderton and Steve Lyon on the Grand Rank promotions.
 
WBro Anderton is to be promoted to PGJO and WBro Lyon to PGJD these will take at the September meeting of Grand Lodge. WBro Fairhurst also mentioned how good it was to see that so many members of Temperance Mark Lodge are also members of Royal Ark Marines degree. He also reminded everyone about Provincial Grand Lodge on 5th May at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. WBro Doug Lace will have an interesting year with having the Lodge’s Centenary meeting on 20th of December. We wish WBro Len Hudson and Bros Alan McGregor and Keith Lindsay a long and happy association with Temperance Mark Lodge. We also wish the Worshipful Master and all the members of Temperance a good summer and a successful 2022/2023 season.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell