SMILES EVERYWHERE ON THE BIG DAY
   
Mark Fun Day report
 
Smiles were the order of the day on the 5th July at St. Savours, Bamber Bridge, for the Mark Fun Day and this showed on the faces of the many children who enjoyed a terrific day of rides, bouncy castle, slides, train rides and bungee jumping as well as quieter things to do such as holding birds of prey and or enjoying an ice cream cornet.
Look at the smiles on the children’s faces just before the ‘Kids Zone’ ride starts
The Mark Province of West Lancashire
The weather turned out fine despite really heavy downpours the night before and an uncertain forecast for the day and as usual the event was very well organised by its committee of Graham and Pauline Halsall, Stuart Cowburn, Lynn Connolly, Gloria Higson, Liz and David Bell and Colin Mills and of course our intrepid Provincial Grand Master, Peter Connolly, who always takes a back seat at this event and it is rumoured that he was seen several times leisurely strolling around the grounds keeping himself to himself and at one point during the afternoon was even seen erecting a small chair for his grandson Ben on the school playing field, some said with difficulty but we don’t know if that’s true!.
Peter puts up the chair for Ben, with Graham Halsall looking on in amusement
Peter and grandson Adam put up the pendants at the train ride, before the start
The day started at 12 noon and families started to turn up in good numbers around lunchtime. Perhaps not the huge crowds we had last year but nevertheless a good number and enough to make the day a great event. The advantage of this was that the children were able to get straight onto the rides without having to queue, which as parents well know is a big advantage sometimes. The day ran smoothly with no major hitches and was a credit to the team.
Lots to do on the field 
The train sets off
This year we had someone who appeared to be no less than a Grand Officer of the Craft serving burgers and sausages at the food stall in the guise of Tony Shaw, who somehow had acquired a rather unusual apron. We are not sure just yet whether his promotion to high rank is authentic, but we do know that the he produced some excellent burgers and sausage together with ‘Provincial Chief Cook and Bottle Washer’ Andy Baker, ably assisted by Stuart Cowburn.
Just what some people will do to get promotion!!
Inside the school hall there was the food counter ably supervised by Liz and David Bell providing excellent food for those perhaps less fond of sausage and burgers and super display of home jam at a bargain price of £1.50 a jar. “Looks like jam and toast for breakfast for the next few weeks” I heard someone say.
Jam and more Jam
Also in the Hall was the stall set up by Joe O’Brien of Wyre Mark Lodge who was selling Mark Degree ‘goodies’ along with his wife Susan who displayed a wonderful selection of handmade soft toys and other items. Many of the soft toys will be raffled off and presented at the Mark Children’ Christmas Party at Leyland Masonic Hall on Sunday 14th December, 2014. (Put the date in your diary)
Jo’s stall with Mark ‘goodies’ and the handmade soft toys
Jo suitably attired for the occasion
Peter was taking a rest in the school hall with his grandson Ben when Bob McGowan turned up with some of his superb homemade sausage rolls and Peter couldn’t resist introducing Ben to these culinary delights.
Ben says “This is good”
Bob McGowan enjoys one of his own sausage rolls.
I was lucky and proud to have two of my grandchildren with me, over on holiday from Norway, Nikolai age 13 and Meya age 11, who absolutely loved the day and have already asked if they can come back again next year!! Their Dad and I couldn’t keep them off the bungee jumps or away from the birds of prey stall.
Nikolai with the Harris Hawk.
Meya with her present, a toy owl.

The Barn Owl Bill Charitable Trust – Owl and Bird rescue Centre from Leyland provided a display of Owls and an American bird of prey an Harris Hawk, one of the fastest birds of prey in the world. Children and visitors were allowed to hold the owls and the hawk, which were tethered on a glove and much to their delight allowed to gently stroke them. This display proved to be very popular and a big thanks go to the barn Owl Charitable Bill Trust who stood in at the last minute.
In the school yard we were entertained by the Pemberton Old and Wigan DW Band who played a good selection of music which everyone enjoyed.
Pemberton Old and Wigan DW Band stay in the shade
The committee were supported by the senior officers of the Mark Province, Keith Beardmore, DPGM, Michael Clarke and Ian Nairn, APGM’s and Arthur Robinson, Provincial Senior Warden. Keith was spotted in the kitchen in the school hall suitably attired and we are led to believe acting as a very able kitchen porter.
Keith Beardmore, Are you being Served?
All four were later caught on the playing fields having a high level conference about the merits of plastic hammers and the various methods of using them. Confidentiality prevents me from disclosing the results of their deliberations. But the photographs probably give a clue.
The four wise men
“Shall I”
“No. This is how you do it.”
Does anybody know this man? Unconfirmed reports say he is known as ‘Bob’
Paul and Sylvia Ledson, with grandchildren Ben, Katie and Lucy enjoy a break
Mia Kelly daughter of Lucas Kelly of Newton Mark enjoys the bungee
Mylii, Paul Snape’s granddaughter on the bungee
“Now this is what I call fun.”
“Tiger on the loose”
"All done”
Ben in his boat
Peter and Ben Ride Out
Keith Butters 'em up
Dave Bell with all that Temptation!
Fred takes a well earned break
 
See you all and more of you next year
Article Courtesy of Fred Lomax,
Photographs Courtesy of Fred Lomax, Adam Waggott, DavidBell and Mike Beesley