Fresh Faces at Furness
 
7th November 2013
November saw some 40 members and visitors witness the advancement of Darren Stainton into Furness Mark Lodge No 36.
WM Ian Cottam was assisted by Keiron Mullan and Brian Davey in delivering a delightful ceremony. Afterwards Darren, who is a self employed joiner, remarked, “I’d been invited as a guest to the installation festive board where I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and company, it encouraged me to become a member.”
left to right, are; Keiron Mullan, Darren Stainton, Ian Cottam and Brian Davey
The central feature of the lodge banner, which is shown in the photograph, is a representation of Furness Abbey. That is obviously quite appropriate but the appearance of a thistle underneath the red rose is not so readily understood. Two of the illuminated warrants on the wall are the lodge warrant from 1872 and the centenary warrant. The other however is the warrant awarded to the lodge in its original incarnation when it was consecrated under the Scottish constitution in 1870 as Furness Mark Lodge No 24, hence the signification of the national flower of Scotland on the banner of an English lodge.
left to right are; Chris Gray and John Shepherd
Among the numerous visitors on the evening was John Shepherd WM of Jubilee Mark Lodge No 375 together with fellow Jubilee member Chris Gray who was himself advanced only 6 days previously.

Article and photographs courtest of Dave Sear