Ken Perkins celebrates 50 years as a Mark Mason
   
Warrington Mark Lodge was the venue for this very special celebration by W Bro Ken Perkins, P G Std B, and he was joined by not only his own Lodge members and guests, but also by the Provincial Grand Master and his Team.
W Bro Ken Perkins P G Std B
 Ken looks forward to the celebration with
 
Gordon Archer & Steve Ward!

Two Team members were especially pleased to see the gathering from all around the Province, as they are members of this Lodge, and the Team - Gordon Archer, who has been all around the Province as Prov D G Std Bearer, and Steve Ward, PrGStwd who is still recovering from his leg injury - it was good to see he is on the mend.  

Acting Officers David Kemp,
The Team on parade!
Steve Clarke & Wally Atcheson
  
Ronnie Angell PrGJD from Jubilee Mark Lodge in Cumbria had again travelled for well over 2 hours to be with us - commitment indeed!
A Grand gathering to celebrate with Ken Perkins
 Geoff Cattrall, Jack Forsyth, the PGM,
 
Walter Balmer & Graham Halsall
The PGM took the Chair of the Lodge, and after having introduced his Team to the Lodge, immediately got onto the main event, as Ken was placed to his right, in pride of place. Peter Connolly then gave us a great insight into Ken's life, who was born in 1925 and has served 60 years in the Craft (2012), and now 50 years in the Mark degree.
Graham Halsall, Peter Connolly, Ken Perkins,
The Lodge gathers to honour 50 years for Ken!
IPM Christopher Cullen & Ian Nairn
  
In 1944 Ken served in the Royal Navy, looking after the guns on HMS Nelson. In 1949 Ken moved to the Atomic Energy Authority, and moved on to work at Sellafield, marrying his wife Joan in that year. Ken has 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.  Ken chipped in that for his 80th birthday, he went gliding at Buxton, and that he took the controls for half an hour! He has enjoyed walking & caravans, as well as being Mark Warden of the Province in 1979, serving 25 years as secretary of Warrington Mark lodge, and becoming a Grand Officer in 1991. He was delighted to be mad an honorary member of the Lodge.
Giles, Peter & Graham discuss gluttony over dinner -
The meal was wonderful
is it a sin?
 
Geoffrey Lee, our hardworking Provincial Secretary, then read both the Provincial and Grand certificates recognising the 50 years service which Ken has given, and our celebrant was lead out of Lodge by Peter Connolly, to take part in a really memorable festive board. 
Geoffrey Lee, David Emmerson and Arthur Robinson
The PGM and IPM toast our celebrant
Tom Prince, Jack Forsyth,
The company was fantastic
Special Rep Eric Drinkwater & Ian Nairn
  
Ian Nairn proposed the toast to Peter Connolly, with his usual flair and humour, and the PGM responded to loud applause. Then it was the turn of Christopher Cullen, the IPM, to propose the toast to the health of Ken Perkins. Chris reminded us that Ken served as secretary for 25 years, and has always helped the brethren, holding the Lodge together at times, and that he will be a hard act to follow. He passed on the warm wishes of those present and absent, and spoke of the respect, esteem and high regard which the Lodge feels for Ken.
The room rises to celebrate 50 years with Ken
Ken Perkins responds to his toast superbly!
Then it was the turn of Ken, our celebrant!  He spoke of how humble he felt after the proceedings, and thanked the PGM and his Team for coming. He spoke of joining Mark, and his Lodge, and actually sang us a little song, which was wonderful!  He finished to a standing ovation, and long applause - how apt in recognition of 50 years of service to our wonderful Mark Degree.
Peter Connolly collects the flowers for Lynne
 Lynne Connolly and Tegwen Drinkwater
 
came to support and congratulate Ken
Words and pictures by Giles Berkley.