September Quarterly 2024
 
For a good number of years now, the September quarterly communication of Grand Mark Lodge has been used to Promote those Grand Officers who have continued to work hard and support the Mark Degree.
Alan Forster with Keith Beardmore and John Forster
2024 was no exception and early in the morning, many mebers fro the North West awoke to read an email telling them that their trains had been cancelled. Due to a train failure the previous night some units weren't available and those that were running hadn't been into the depot for cleaning and re stocking of the refreshment car.
 
Mark Masons decended on the various railway stations on route to catch either earlier or later trains in the quest to get into town in time for the meeting, the trains they caught, at least in my case, were very full to say the least, but credit to all concerned, they were at least clean, evenin if we were restricted to as few as four toilets in an eleven car set.
Alan Forster with John Forster
Amongst the intrepid travellers from West Lancs Mark was our Provincial Grand Master, Keith Beardmore GMRAC, his Deputy Giles Berkley, Past Deputy, Geoff Lee along with members of the executive including Kevin Chicken (Grand Steward) and several of the recipients of ranks on the day.
 
I'm glad to say that on this occasion Avanti managed to get its precious cargo into Euston with only a short delay.
The Pro Grand Master, M.W.Bro. John Herbert Prizeman, opened the Grand Lodge on time and steered the buisness in a most efficient and seamless manner towards the main focus of the meeting, the promotions in Grand Rank.
 
The Province was honoured by the promotion of VW Bro Douglas John Forster to Past Grand Senior Overseer and W. Bro. Alan Foster to the rank of Past Grand Senior Deacon. Both of whom were present to receive their promotions in person.
Follwoing the meeting the Brethren retire tp the Grand Conaught Rooms for the Banquet leaving just a little time for a quick photo call.
 
Then the journey home, in my case early due to yet another cancelled train.
 
Words by Mike Beesley and pictures courtesy of Keith Beardmore and Mike Pinckard