New Temple Mark Lodge No. 1438 |
The 2nd Central Lancashire Mark Festival. Thursday 17th December 2015 |
| Well here we go again another great meeting to look forward to, Opel out of his house, switch on Tom and Snoopy, let’s go. Arrived at the M60 expecting the usual 10 minute wait to even get up the ramp, a Christmas miracle nothing there, I wondered have I stepped back in time before everyone and a dog owned cars, no, off I set into the new motorway lightening speed limit of 50 MPH. I did set off early to make sure I could hopefully get a parking space somewhere near to Cunliffe House, the Masonic Hall in Chorley, well I arrived at 3.45 for a start time of 6pm, no hold ups, free flowing all the way, amazing!! |
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| Outside Entrance |
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Cunliffe Hall Sign |
| I parked at the end of the street where the hall is situated I thought to myself this is too good to be true, it was, signs all along the street said one hour parking with no returns for one hour and ending at five, oh oh, not to worry I’ll put my invisible cloak over the car and come back later. Arriving at the entrance I pressed the intercom, the door opened and I was given the usual happy greeting from a Mark Brother and welcomed inside by the WM from Lawrence Mark Lodge who said he was just off home to change. |
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| Inside Entrance |
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Dining Room awaits |
| I found the atmosphere inside warm and friendly as I began to nosy around as usual, it wasn’t long before a member of the hall staff came and asked me if I would like a coffee which I gladly accepted. The entrance sported a fabulous real 12’ Christmas Fir Tree, another could be found in the dining room along with excellent Festive Decorations, obviously some time and thought has been put in by the Hall management. |
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| Lodge awaits |
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WM’s Chair |
| Before too long members of the Provincial Team began to arrive making their way up stairs to the Lodge room to make preparations for this special Festival Meeting, as always under the expert guidance of W.Bro.Dave (don’t leave your wands in the Lodge room) Emmerson ProvGDC along with the ProvDepGDC and ProvAsstGDC’s. Time was passing so I thought I had better go outside and see if there was any sign of those friendly Parking Officer types about, checked my screen no ticket as yet, I decided the best plan was to sit in the car until it clicked past five o’clock, surely I couldn’t get booked then. |
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| Warrant |
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Marks |
| Made my way back to the Hall and found everyone having a friendly chat around the bar area, before too long everyone was called to take their places in the PGM’s escort, the Lodge was opened on time with the usual housekeeping taking place, this being done RW Bro.Keith Alan Beardmore Prov Grand Master entered the Lodge accompanied by his Provincial Team and upwards of 20 Grand Officers a magnificent spectacle. The PGM was welcomed into the Lodge by the WM Stewart Preston PPrGMO and as his right was offered the gavel which on this occasion he accepted. The usual salutes were given to the PGM and the rest of the high ranking officers and was followed by Keith’s resume of all his Provincial Officers which always gives great pleasure to the members of his team. |
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| A Happy DC |
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Hard working Lodge Treasurer |
| Soon it was time for the highlight of the evening, the Lodge was called off so as to admit three Craft Masons who were welcomed for the presentation which was to be given by members of New Temple Lodge “A Working Tracing Board” Everyone sat back in anticipation as W.Bro. Paul Renton gave an introduction to proceedings, using a projector and some atmospheric music before each section the team consisting of VW Bro.Paul Snape, Richard Higson ProvGJD, David Hooley PPrGJW, Bro.Iain Wilson and Bro. Michael Allen gave a wonderful explanation of many items from the Mark Degree Tracing Board. On completion they were given rapturous applause and thanked by both the PGM and the WM for all the effort which had obviously been put in to the presentation. |
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| Unusual View Through Wicket |
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Paul Renton Prepares |
| The Lodge was called back on to work including the Craft Masons who were invited to stay in the meeting on this occasion, after all this is “The Friendly Degree”. (and besides that we hadn’t had the collection for Charities yet, only kidding) |
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| John checking us in |
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Standard’s & Sword |
| When called upon by the Prov DC the PGM accompanied by Grand Officers and members of his Provincial Team retired from the Lodge, not to go downstairs to the welcoming dining room but to wait patiently until all the Lodge business was completed and closed so that photographs could be taken of the participants in the evenings events. (The PGM is now well aware of a much repeated sentence “Just one more”) |
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| A Collection of DC’s |
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Prov Asst PGM’s |
| Before too long the Brethren after charging their glasses took up their places in the well appointed dining room all dressed up in its Christmas splendour, an excellent meal was served by the very pleasant and efficient staff, (including my favourite Xmas Pud). It was a joy to be in the company around me some of whom I had never met before, exchanging stories and memories of times gone by. |
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| WM Etc |
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WM & More |
| Usual toasts and responses were well under way when surprise, surprise a sledge burst through the doors pulled by what I think was a dodgy six foot Mouse, and a Snowman pushing it with a somewhat large person on board, big white beard and dressed in Red and White, I was politely informed by a member from New Temple that this was in fact a new rank, the Past Provincial Grand Santa Clause. As I went forward to take a few snaps I’m sure he was growing in size, he set off with his helpers going all around the Dining Room presenting every brother with a miniature Famous Grouse, now isn’t that just an excellent touch to what had already been a great night. |
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| WM & Prov Wardens |
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Secretariat |
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| PGM Chats before Dinner |
| There it was another Mark Meeting over all too soon, the goodbyes done best wishes passed for Christmas and the New Year and of course the saying we give to each other in most degrees “Here’s to our next Merry Meeting”, in this degree we really mean it. |
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Dep PGM Toasts the PGM |
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| Toast from the Craft PGM Tony Harrison |
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PGM & Dep.PGM are told a joke by the ProvMO |
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| Out into the night air, quite mild, no rain, no snow and no ticket on my car, brilliant, Tom and Snoopy guided me home in a flash as I sat there warm and contented recalling what had been yet another great night in “The Friendly Degree” |
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Santa Arrives |
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| Santa Pose |
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PGM on Santas Knee |
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| Santa & Happy Top Table |
| Wishing You and Yours A Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year, if you would like further information about joining us in this degree which is led from the front by a very caring PGM Keith Beardmore who inspires us all, a man of the people, do it now, contact the Mark Provincial site who will only be too happy to pass on any contact numbers you may require. |
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Santa & Tony Harrison |
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| Santas Gift |
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PGM & WM |
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| Flower Time |
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David Rotheram Chairman of the CLAMS |
| Mark Well. |
| Austin N.Fletcher. ProvGJO. |
| Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge. No.1173 |
| Further update on Chuchy the cat, he is doing well after his Op, as to his brother Tiny, he is still crackers!! |
