Mark Masons Remember at Hindle
 
Regardless of the dreadful weather, we had upwards of 12 Hindley Masons braving the wind and rain to participate in the Remembrance parade and to witness the laying of the Mark poppy wreath.
“We will not forget”
“Freemasonry in the community at work”
Additionally, Mark Masons and future Mark Masons meeting at Hindley Masonic Hall went one step further this year to demonstrate what freemasonry in the community should be about. A warm and welcoming Hindley Masonic Hall was opened before and after the Remembrance parade, to welcome Political leaders / Police / veterans / friends and family / members of the public to a welcoming cuppa and a piece of Cake. It was an unqualified success, and we aim to replicate this into the future for Remembrance Sunday.
“Warm and Welcoming Hindley MH”
The warmth of Hindly MH had to be left behind however, to join hundreds of others participating in the parade. Such is the importance of Remembrance Day at Hindley, that even in the wet and cold of a dreadful day, members of the public turned out in great numbers in their wet weather gear and sporting their umbrellas to watch the parade make its way to the cenotaph within the grounds of St. Peter’s Church sited on the main Hindley crossroads.
“Gathering of the Clans”
After prayers and the playing of the last post, the onlookers immaculately observed 2 minutes silence before the laying of wreaths. The Seargent Major called out the individual organisations to lay their wreaths, and, quite high in the pecking order, Mark Masons of Hindley were invited to place their wreath. Brother Keith Woodall of Red Rose Mark Lodge proudly stepped forward on this occasion to undertake this important duty.
“Brother Keith Woodall of Red Rose Mark Lodge proudly laying the Mark Poppy Wreath”
Following a rousing rendition of God Save the King, the ceremony concluded, with quite a few participants returning to Hindley MH to dry out.
 
Mark Masons at Hindley are proud to have paid their respects to those who have fallen in the 1st / 2nd world wars and the conflicts of more recent times. We remembered them and will not forget their sacrifice.
 
Words by Ray Pye and pictures by Chris Alexander