Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge.No.1173. |
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24th February 2014 |
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| To all Mark Masons who were not able to attend this special meeting I can only say you missed a superb evening, one that will never be forgotten by those of us who were there, we were the lucky ones. | |
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Back Row: PGM. WM. Special Rep Chris McNab. Graham Bailey GStdB. |
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Front Row Candidates. Peter Harding & Robert Murphy |
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| My precious Mark Lodge was just about on its knees, falling numbers and nobody getting any younger it was coming to the point where decisions had to be made, what happened? | |
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Members from FSE & Chorlton Marks |
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| Due to watching the driving enthusiasm and love for this Degree from our PGM RW Peter Connolly we refused to surrender, with sustained effort we recruited six new Candidates and three Joining members, one of which was the PGM’s Special Rep for this area W.Bro. Chris McNab who immediately on hearing of our efforts put his name forward to became a Joining member also. | |
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PGM with Candidates. PGM Peter Harding. Robert Murphy |
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| During my year as one of the PGM’s Team of Acting Officers I soon realised why everybody has such great love and respect for the person he is, nobody is ever left out, he treats everybody with the same respect and tries always to make everybody feel that they are very important to the Degree. During one of my many conversations with him he did say that he was delighted that we were to carry on and that if we needed help he would come on a private visit and take the office of SD. Did I ever think he would, perhaps not, when you consider how much time and effort he gives to the Mark and RAM Degree’s along with his long suffering wife who gives him so much support. | |
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PGM with Candidates. Peter Harding & Robert Murphy |
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| On being given the date for the meeting he didn’t hesitate to confirm that he would come along and as promised would take up the office of SD, not only did he come along but he was supported by members of the Provincial Team and several Grand Officers, including W.Bro’s Graham Bailey GStdB, Chris McNab PGSD, Gareth Jones PAGDC and last but not least it was a pleasure to have W.Bro. Mike Beesley with us who does all the great work in keeping the Mark Web site running, full of interesting items for us all to view. | |
| To make the meeting even more memorable W.Bro. Dave Emmerson the Prov DC had offered to take the office of JD and W.Bro. Ken Boon the Prov DGDC who had travelled all the way from Barrow-in-Furness carried out the duties of Lodge DC for the evening. | |
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WM.Bro.Tim Burns. PPrGSD |
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| All was now ready, as we gathered genuine happy greetings were shared as is usual from the members of this happy, friendly degree and then it was time, the Lodge was duly opened on time and after some house-keeping the PGM entered accompanied with the Grand and Provincial Officers to be greeted by the WM, Bro Tim Burns PPrGSD on behalf of all present. | |
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DC as WM Dave Emmerson |
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| Now this was to be a Big Ceremony and we had a big man with a big heart sat in the WM’s chair, it soon became obvious that the WM must have studied for this Advancement for hours and hours, he must have gone to bed with the Ritual and woke up with it, he was word perfect. | |
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Ken Boone & Lodge Treasurer W.Bro.Mike Nicholson PPrJGW |
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| On being invited by the WM to take up the office of SD, the PGM Peter said he would be delighted to accept, he removed his chain of office and replaced it with the SD’s collar, this was followed by the Prov DC taking up the office of JD. | |
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PGM with Gordon Archer Prov.A.G.Std.B. and Bob Dickenson, Prov.G.Reg. |
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| The Ceremony then continued and was faultless, in my role of SW I will never forget the moment I was asked by the SD (PGM) with that sparkle in his eye to ”SP+++ H++” SP+++ H++) a magic moment. | |
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PGM. WM. DC with Flowers presented by WM |
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| The two Candidates W.Bro. Peter Harding and W.Bro. Robert Murphy were duly Advanced in to the Degree of Mark Master Mason in as fine a ceremony as I have ever witnessed, one that I’m sure will stay with them forever. At the appropriate time the PGM retired from the Lodge accompanied with the members of the Provincial Team and Grand Officers, you could feel the satisfaction from all present in what had taken place on this special night, here’s to the next one, two more Candidates. |
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| The work being done the Lodge was closed and all the Brethren made their way to the very pleasant dining room for a quick drink or two before taking their places for an excellent meal from the Chef Mark Rainsford served up by his very attentive staff. | |
| Well there we have it one of the best nights I have ever spent since becoming a Mason, several speeches followed the meal which were well received, the new Mark Masons thanked everyone for the warm welcome received and how much they had enjoyed the Ceremony. The PGM congratulated Tim the WM and his officers and wished them, the Candidates and the Lodge the very best for the future which now looked bright, very bright indeed. | |
| Time to go our separate ways again, other Mark Lodges had supported this meeting with members from Chorlton, Cloister and Eccles Mark, in this degree we don’t go rushing for the doors, we chat and say how much we have all enjoyed each others company and look forward to our next meeting wherever it may be and wish a safe journey home to all parts of the Province and beyond. | |
| For me it was all over too soon, Mark Well | |
Austin N.Fletcher. |
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