Prescot Mark Lodge - an excellent Advancement Ceremony
   
Prescot Mark Lodge already has their very own Assistant PGM as a member, in the person of Michael Clarke, so when they were short of a Senior Deacon for a ceremony, who else should offer, but the PGM Peter Connolly himself! He was also accompanied by both of the Provincial Wardens, and Steve Clarke, the Deputy Sword Bearer, all there to support Peter Connolly, Michael Clarke, and the Lodge.
Michael Clarke, Lionel Gornall & Eric Drinkwater
 Eric Drinkwater & Dave Emmerson
 
shown the sword by Steve Clarke
IPM David Fairclough stood in for the WM, Bro Paton, who was unavoidably detained. On a cruise......we did not feel at all sorry for him! The business of the Lodge was conducted by David, who then handed over to Norman Stringfellow for the ceremony of advancement for Bro Michael Hession. As Norman is the SD of the Lodge, a substitute was needed, and the PGM stood in, with George Wood standing in as JD. George was only advanced at the previous meeting, so this was a steep learning curve. Peter Connolly could be heard guiding George before the meeting, and helping him through the perambulations.
Prescot Mark Lodge with new Mark man
Norman Stringfellow, Bro Michael Hession,
Michael Hession
Steve Clarke, and David Fairclough
Norman Stringfellow did a first class job from the Chair, and the candidate Michael Hession was advanced in fine style. Richard Wilson stood in as SW, and did a great job, not only in this capacity, but also responding on behalf of the visitors at the festive board, where he thanked the WM for the practise as SW, and praised Norman for a great job. He also mentioned the IG, Gratton Bishop, who was only attending his third meeting as a Mark man.
Peter Connolly & Steve Clarke
Acting SD Peter Connolly, the candidate,
guard the new Mark man
and acting JD George Wood
As IPM, David Fairclough thanked our hard-working PGM for attending this meeting, his second of the day, after Unity Mark Lodge at lunchtime. The PGM responded by welcoming Michael Hession into the Degree, and informed us that this was the first time he had sung the MMM chant. He also praised Norman Stringfellow, who did the ceremony in its entirety, including the working tools, in an amazing performance. Eric Drinkwater and David Fairclough are both to be honoured at Grand Lodge in June - both are to be Past Grand Overseer, Very Worshipful Brothers. The news was greeted with loud applause.
The Provincial Wardens
Michael Hession, Norman Stringfellow
surround the latest Mark man
& Eric Drinkwater
In conclusion Peter thanked his Provincial DC, Davis Emmerson, his Wardens Giles Berkley & Peter Hegarty, Deputy Sword Bearer Steve Clarke, and ProvSD designate Jim Weaver, Lodge DC who also acted as Provincial Deputy DC.
Norman Stringfellow proposed the Toast to his candidate Michael Hession. When he told Michael how friendly the Degree was, he decided to join! Michael responded by saying that he had wanted to laugh throughout the ceremony, but managed to restrain himself. He thanked everyone for a great time.  
Peter's hair caught fire at the festive board!
Michael Hession responds to his toast
Richard Wilson, WM of Mark No 65, stood in as SW
    The PGM with IG Gratton Bishop at his 3rd meeting!
So another Mark man was advanced, and we all had a wonderful time at Prescot Mark Lodge.
Words & Pictures by Giles Berkley