Aeon Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1312.
 
Ceremony of Advancement
 
Thursday 25th April 2013. Wellington Park, Leyland.
 
Sky clear, not too cold and no rain as we set off North (Tom & I) to Leyland for today’s meeting, oops spoke too soon on approaching Bolton here comes the rain. Tom was behaving; all was fine with the world especially as I went sailing past the junction for Leyland because I was listening intently to “Kindnapped” on Radio 4 Extra. Ok I thought not too big a disaster and I was early, turned off at junction 9, Tom recalculated and kindly directed me through the gates of a large trucking company.!!
 
 
The Prov Team awaiting instructions
The Warrant of the Lodge.
 
Just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she said “I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore”  I realised I wasn’t at Wellington Park, no matter got there eventually well before time albeit from a totally different direction.
The Brethren began to arrive for this Regular Lodge Meeting which had a special edge due to the visit of the PGM Peter Connolly and his Team. The usual warm greetings were exchanged and news passed from all the far reaching areas of the Province, like Ulverston and Urmston !!
 
         
 
David & Ken giving their usual pep talk.        The Prov Team with Candidate
 
It was really nice for all the Provincial Team to meet up with the Craft Mason Bro John Pilling from Asshaw Lodge No. 6849 who was being advanced at the meeting to the Degree of a Mark Master Mason, he has recently retired after 41 years as a BT Engineer, enjoys gardening, DIY and if pushed on football favours Blackburn, (he actually told me on the quiet that he knows the other fan), he was really looking forward to joining the Mark.
 
 
 
'The Team 2012'
 
The Lodge was opened on time and whilst the Provincial Team waited outside they got together for an end of year group photograph, which included another nice touch as is usual in this Degree, they were joined by the main man of the evening the Candidate.
 
   
 

PGM, Standard Bearers & Sword Bearer, PGM,Wardens & Standard Bearers, The Three Prov Overseers. 
 
The time arrived for the RW PGM Bro Peter Connolly to enter accompanied by acting Grand and Provincial Officers, the appropriate greetings were given and exchanged and the Lodge settled down for the main business of the evening the advancement of Bro Pilling.
 
   
 
Left to Right: Ken Boon, David Emerson, David Bell, Rod Bennison, John Pilling & Mike Beesley, webmaster
 
The ceremony itself was carried out in fine style by the WM Stewart Seddon assisted in no small part by W.Bro.William Cordiner (Chaplain) with the Tools being presented and explained by W.Bro Christopher Wild.(Secretary). The PGM even got in on the act completing the ceremony in fine style.
 
 
Time for a drink before the meal
 
Following the conclusion of the Advancement the WM asked the PGM if he would kindly present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro.Michael Lord, in his inimitable style Peter volunteered the Deputy PGM Keith Beardmore to present it who in turn invited the Asst PGM Ian Nairn to do it in his stead!! Much laughter followed when the PGM suggested that Geoffrey Lee, the Provincial Secretary had gone quite pale as he would have been the next in line for the presentation. 
 
 
Doug tells a tale!
 Dave Winder chats to Mike Beesley during
the meal.Dave will be appointed Asst. PGM
in the Craft in May
All in all a great meeting and a credit to all concerned, on speaking to the Candidate later he said he was highly delighted to have joined the Mark Degree and really enjoyed the ceremony.
 
A delicious meal followed which included Black Pudding and Lamb shank, accompanied by wine, served up by the always attentative staff at Wellington Park. the usual Toasts being  given, speeches  delivered and that was it, all over too soon, here’s to the next one.
 
The drive back to Urmston was most unusual, because I can’t recall anything happening, it wasn’t even raining, if you’re not a member of this great “Friendly Degree” why not come and join us, here’s to our next meeting. 
 
Mark Well.

Austin N. Fletcher. ProvAsstGDC.          (Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No 1173)