Fylde Mark Lodge welcomes Mike as its newest member
   
Peter Green and his team welcomed Mike Wigham, PPrGSuptWks, a member of Craft lodge Ashlar Lodge No 5154, as the lodge’s newest member in what was Peter’s penultimate meeting as master of Fylde Mark Lodge No 296.
 
Fylde Mark has many distinguished brethren in its ranks who can call Fylde Mark their Mark mother lodge; none more so than PrGM Keith Beardmore who after another busy day in high office,  having previously been at another Mark meeting earlier, had dashed back especially to see the advancement ceremony.
Peter Green (left) is congratulated on a job well done during his year by Keith Beardmore.
Keith, the other members of the lodge and their visitors had a memorable evening which began with the advancement ceremony itself and continued to a very enjoyable festive board afterwards.
 
Peter Green has during his mastership helped the lodge add several new members to its ranks. The evening’s ceremony involved several members of the team in what was a very cosmopolitan display with Yorkshireman Peter taking the lead role, Scot Bob McGown, PGSD, explaining the signs of the Degree to Mike Wigham and fellow Scot, Chaplain Hugh Clarke, PPrGJD, reading from scripture. Lancashire lad Robert Arrand very ably explained the working tools.
New member Mike Wigham is welcomed to Fylde Mark by Peter Green and Keith Beardmore.
Keith Beardmore almost got involved in the ceremony too when he was offered the gavel but politely declined saying that Peter and his fellow members had worked too hard at practice for him to steal their thunder.
 
That practice very obviously paid off and Mike was advanced to the Mark Degree in grand style and had his work approved, despite the age old machinations of the Overseers.
“Three such as we” (okay that’s from a different degree!)
Peter Green (centre) greets visiting masters Bob Boal, Wyre Mark and Jimmy Rogers, Cleveleys Mark.
Also during the evening SW Bill Snell was declared as the WM designate and the very experienced Bill Ainsworth retained the office as treasurer.
 
Fylde Mark is facing a busy year ahead with the lodge’s installation being the next item in their calendar and on April 28 2016 the lodge will be hosting the prestigious Blackpool and Fylde Festival which will  be held at Adelaide Street Masonic Hall in Blackpool, the 46th such festival to be held.
Peter Green thanks his lodge members most sincerely for their support.
At festive board Peter took the opportunity to thank all of the members of the lodge for their support during his year as master.
 
Following a toast by his proposer Rick Clarke, Mike Wigham said how much he had enjoyed himself, had expected no less and looked forward to playing his part at Fylde Mark Lodge.
 
The PrGM’s Special Representative John Forster in his address at festive board told Mike he could read all about the Mark Degree as well as the evening’s happenings at Fylde Mark on the Degree’s excellent website.
 
Article and Photgraphs Courtesy of Bob Boal