Chorlton Mark Lodge. No.394.   “125 Years Not Out”
 
27th November 2013
 
Ceremony of Re Dedication performed by our RW PGM Bro Peter Connolly.  
 
Today was a momentous landmark in Mark Masonry, Chorlton Mark was having a Special Birthday, the Lodge was Consecrated on 31st October 1888, and yes I know it’s hard to believe but yes “1888”.
 
Chorlton WM / Graham Rudd & Phil Rampling wait in aticipation
On the 19th September 1888 seven brethren met at the Bears Paw Restaurant, Liverpool and unanimously decided, it was very desirable that a Mark Master Masons Lodge should be held at Chorlton-Cum-Hardy. Now you may wonder how/why would Masons in Liverpool want this new  Mark Lodge to be based in Chorlton, there is a clue,  Masonically speaking, the most notable of the brethren was Bro.William Goodacre, Headmaster of Talbot House School, Old Trafford who at that time was the Provincial Grand Secretary of West Lancashire in the Craft from 1884 – 1918. Bro Goodacre had a hand in the birth of several Lodges certainly in the Chorlton area, he was the Consecrating Master of Royal Protector Lodge (Craft) in 1911 and was immediately made an Honorary member. Where did he reside, I think we can assume it was local to the area!!
 
Items as used for the Dedication
A Petition to Grand Lodge was granted and the Lodge was consecrated on the 31st October 1888 at the Masonic Hall, High Lane, Chorlton, by the R.W.Prov.Grand Master Rt. Hon. The Earl of Lathom. After the opening of the Lodge, a dispensation was read and sixteen brethren were advanced to the degree of Mark Master Mason. The Worshipful Master Bro. H. Marshall, was no doubt very busy that evening.       A unique ceremony, but not unknown at this time.
 
David Barraclough SW / PGM / David Durling WM / Denis Tierney JW
The Summonses during this period contained the times of trains from Central Station Manchester, and from Chorlton, tea (Social Board) was taken before the meeting at 6-30pm and the Lodge was tyled at 7-15pm. In 1930 Chorlton and Eccles Mark Lodges hosted the Provincial Grand Lodge at Stretford Town Hall. Cost of the meal was 10/6 including wine however there was a note to show that there was a loss of £4-17-10d on dinner due to excess wines and spirits being consumed.
 
Prov SW / Lodge SW / PGM / WM / JW / Prov JW
You see even back then the Mark Degree lived up to its name of being the “Friendly, Happy Degree”
 
Prov JW / PGM / Prov SW
That’s the 125 year history in a nutshell, that’s a very small nutshell of course, now let’s get back to the Re-Consecration meeting, the Brethren began to gather at around 4.40pm and were greeted in the warm surroundings of Urmston Masonic Hall with Tea and cakes, and of course something a little stronger if required, meanwhile the Provincial Team were being put through their paces in the Lodge room by their excellent leader W.Bro.David Emerson the Prov DC. 
 
Asst PGM / Dep PGM / WM / Special Rep / Asst PGM
The Lodge opened on time at 5.30pm, a Dispensation was read out to allow for this special meeting, minutes read and confirmed and that was it as far as usual business was concerned, at this point the RW PGM Bro Peter Connolly entered the Lodge accompanied by his Dep PGM, two Asst PGM’s, 3 Acting Grand Officers, 3 Special Mark Reps 15 Grand Officers and no less than 25 members of the Prov Team.             
A truly Grand site.  (Pardon the Pun)
Brethren of Chorlton Mark Lodge
PGM with his DC David Emmerson
Mark the Chef ready with Tea & Cakes
 
The gavel was offered to Peter by the WM Bro.David Durling who on this occasion accepted it and claimed the WM’s chair for the Ceremony, Prov officers were then placed in their offices similar to a Provincial Meeting.  Due salutations were then given to the PGM his Deputy and Assistants.
 
Bar Manager and Nigel. (Jack of all trades)
The Chief has arrived.
 
Brethren what followed was a wonderful Ceremony under the guidance of the PGM, one which I and most others present have never witnessed before and one which will stay in our memories for many years to come. I will not try and describe the proceedings here but will say that should you ever get the chance to see a Re-Dedication Ceremony make every effort to attend, you will not be disappointed.
 
PGM and Chorlton WM.David Durling
The busy bar
 PGM with one of West Lancs Senior Mark
 
Masons 94 years young Tony Johnson PGJD
Following this special Ceremony the PGM retired from the Lodge accompanied by Grand officers and his Provincial Team, he did however wait for a considerable time in full regalia with his team whilst the rest of the Lodge housekeeping was done so that a photographic record could be taken of this one off occasion. (Who knows these could be viewed at the 150th or even the 200th Meeting.          
(Maybe just maybe some of us won’t be here to see them!!)
What a Team. 2 x Asst PGM's & the Dep PGM.
All enjoying the Festive Board
Following the photo shoot everyone present gathered in the dining room to be greeted at the bar by Bar Manager Sue & the ever smiling Nigel where a large selection of wines, spirits and beers is always available, having made their choices and filled their glasses upwards of 70 Mark Masons sat down at the Social Board and enjoyed a wonderful meal created by Mark the Chef and served up with accompanying wine by his pleasant, friendly and efficient staff.
Following the meal we all saluted the usual toasts and were treated to some very interesting and heartfelt speeches, the night was passing fast but nobody moved which tells you how much we were enjoying each others company, alas all things must come to an end and towards the hour of 11pm the Tyler’s toast was called for, another memorable Mark Masons evening was ended.
The great serving staff ready for action
 
Our thanks go out to W.Bro.Graham T.Bailey GStdB, PPrGSO, Secretary of Chorlton Mark Lodge for the hours of effort he along with others from the Lodge must have put into making this once in a lifetime meeting such a great success, along with this I’m sure we all wish Graham a complete  recovery back to health following his recent serious illness.
 
The Chef & his staff are toasted by all present for their excellent service
 
Brethren the Spirit of Christmas is upon us along with that good feeling people in general seem to take on board in December, we as Mark Masons have that special spirit all year round generated towards each other by our priceless leader RW PGM Peter Connolly, truly a one of a kind and always a pleasure to be in his company.
 
All at Chorlton Mark Lodge send Sincere Greetings to You and Yours for a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year, here’s to the next 125 years.
 
Did you notice the lack of any assistance today from Tom & Snoopy as it only takes 5 minutes to get to Urmston Masonic Hall but I can tell you they are not happy !!  I just wonder what tricks and where they will take me to on my next Mark outing.!!
 
1941 The Lodge moved to a New Masonic Hall on Edge Lane Chorlton.
1944 The Lodge became a Keystone Lodge on 3rd December.
1953 Eleven members of the Lodge became founders of Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge.
1988 The Centenary meeting took place on the 31st October.
2005 The Lodge moved to its present venue of Urmston Masonic Hall.
2007 February, The Lodge was honoured by the first visit of R.W. Prov. Grand Master
Bro. Peter Connolly, having been Installed in January 2007.
MARK WELL.
Austin N.Fletcher. PPrAGDC.