Ronnie celebrates 50 years as a Mark Man |
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| Thursday the 12th March 2015 saw the brethren assemble at Ormskirk Masonic Hall for the meeting of Ormskirk Mark Lodge No 734. The special occasion was that tonight the main business was to honour W.Bro. Ronnie Goodyear on attaining 50years in the Order. | |
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Brian and Ronnie relax outside the Lodge |
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| Ronnie, not stranger to anniversaries, has already celebrated his 60th in Craft and Royal Arch, and is also very active in, Ark Mariners, Red Cross and Knight Templar. He occupies the office of Tyler or the equivalent in almost every Lodge he is a member of, and I strongly suspect some he isn’t! | |
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Keith keeps the troupes entertained |
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| The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Keith Beardmore, Provincial Wardens, Arthur Robinson and Tony Farrar, Provincial Secretary, Geoffrey Lee, Brian Molyneux, Special Representative and James Sutton Charnock had assembled to make this day special for Ronnie. | |
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The Master, Mark Holloway, Ronnie Goodyear, P.Prov.G.S.W. and Deputy PGM Keith Beardmore |
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| As the procession entered the Lodge Room, under the direction of the provincial DC, Dave Emmerson, assisted by Acting Deputy, David Bell, Ronnie was flanked by two Grand Chains, Steve Walls G.A.D.C. and Mike Beesley G.Stwd. (it could have looked as though he had no choice in the matter)! | |
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Steve, Ronnie, Keith and Mike |
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| Ronnie was escorted to his seat in the East and the Worshipful Master, Mark Holloway, surrendered the gavel to the Deputy PGM, who willingly accepted and occupied the chair. Not for long however, for he called upon the Provincial DC to present Ronnie to him. Ronnie was placed in the Masters Chair and Keith made his way to the west whereupon he commenced the address to the brethren. | |
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| Arthur Robinson Prov.SW, Geoff Lee, Prov. Sec.Dave Emmerson, Prov DC, Ronnie Goodyear and | |
David Bell, Acting Deputy DC, Tony Farrar, Prov. JW and Neil Brown Acting ADC |
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| Keith touched on a long and interesting review of Ronnie’s life so far, no stone was left unturned. Clearly all present were left with the impression that Ronnie was a bit of a ‘rum lad’. | |
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The VW and Grand Officers with Ronnie |
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| Following his delivery Keith called upon Geoff Lee to read the two certificates from Province and Grand Mark Lodge. Keith then reoccupied the chair, but only for a moment, for he greeted Ronnie in front of the pedestal and promoted him to the rank of P.Prov.G.S.W. The assembled brethren greeted this with acclaim. |
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Keith networks prior to the meal |
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| The Worshipful Master reoccupied the chair and following the first rising the Deputy escorted Ronnie from the Lodge Room. At the festive board, Ronnie regaled us with tales of his antics in life around Mawdesley and Rufford Villages where he had grown up and work all his life, apart from a time at Leyland Motors, where it took him 20years to shut it down! |
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Mark proposes the toast to Ronnie's health |
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| Ronnie is a prolific fund raiser in the Ormskirk Group and no order is immune from being presented with one or two tins to fill at the festive boards. He is responsible for raising in excess of £4,000 in recent years, and long may it continue. | |
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And Ronnie Replies |
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| Ronnie was presented with a cheque for £100 in respect of Rosemere in addition to chocolates and an orchid to take home, (not too sure who is having what here)! | |
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Flowers for June |
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| A raffle and collection on the night raised a further £250. | |
| Well done Ronnie, you have marked well. | |
| Words and pictures by Mike Beesley | |
