Leyland Mark Lodge No 1002
Chorley Masonic Hall, Cunliffe St, Chorley. Thursday Sept 14th 2023
To Celebrate 60 years in Mark Masonry
for W.Bro. Roy Turner PGSD
 
A wonderful meeting to look forward to tonight, just thinking about it and what does it mean, 60 years as a Mark Mason, before which he obviously had joined the craft to become a Master Mason which enables us all to join the Magic of the Mark.
Lets start at the beginning and you know where that is, yes the on ramp for the M60 well surprise, surprise, straight up and into lane one, did my usual lane jumping to get to the outside which is where you have to be until you get past the turning for the M62 and all the usual chaos which you can see on the overhead bridge. A couple of miles further on then worked my way across to join the M61 which for the first time ever was clear all the way to junction 8 and on to Cunliffe St, past the never-ending roundabouts and speed cameras, but no hold ups. Went along the street past the Hall, crossed into the small car park and was just about to feed the parking meter when Neil (the Lodge Secretary) arrived and said no, no, that’s not necessary just press the button, get a ticket and Bobs your uncle, he did explain how it worked and of course he was quite right.
Ah well I guess I must be getting old!
Made my way to the Hall and found a nice comfy seat to pass the time away, It is just like a Tardis, from the outside nothing very exciting but once inside it’s another story, it always appears very clean and in good order, a superb welcoming entrance, a first class Temple, a very pleasant dining room complete with a well-stocked bar, once you climb the stairs it just seems to go on forever, another large function room complete with dance floor, board rooms and several other meeting rooms, it certainly gets my vote as being excellent.
Time past by quickly and before to long Lodge members and visitors alike began arriving from all over the Province, with the usual genuine handshakes and greetings which we associate with the Mark, a few gathered around the bar (for coffee of course) sharing lots of stories and laughter and looking forward to this special meeting.
Our Provincial D.C. W.Bro. Arthur Robinson gathered some of the Acting officers together for a small practice which is needed to escort and present our PGM into the meeting. On time at 6pm the meeting commenced with the Acting W.M. Richard Elsdon asking the Secretary to read a dispensation allowing the meeting to take place once this was done all the other items on the summons were dealt with, up to the item regarding the 60th Celebration, the knocks were given on the door and the Prov D.C. announced the entry of the PGM W.Bro. Keith Alan Beardmore accompanied by Acting Grand, Provincial Grand and Grand Officers, he was welcomed into the meeting by the W.M. on behalf of all present and offered the Gavel, which he said that on this occasion he would be delighted to accept.
Keith asked for the celebrant to be placed in the WM’s chair before going to the West and delivering a very interesting and heartfelt story of the life and times of W.Bro. Roy Turner PGSD, who was Advanced in 1963.The Provincial Secretary W.Bro. Mike Pinckard was pleased to read out both the Grand Lodge and Prov Grand Lodge 60 years Certificate’s. Another surprise was to follow when Keith was delighted to present Roy with a very rare Jewel, the Provincial Order of Merit, you could see that the recipient was quite overwhelmed, but he did manage to say a few words of thanks and said he would respond further at the Festive Board.
Following a collection for the Charities, the PGM accompanied with Roy and the Grand officers retired from the meeting who then made their way to the dining room so that a few pictures could be taken to commemorate the occasion.
Once the meeting concluded everyone made their way to the dining room and once everyone had charged their glasses took up their allotted seats for the Social Board, an excellent meal was served to all by the very efficient and friendly staff. The usual toasts and responses followed and all to soon another great night was over in this our much-loved Mark Degree.

If you’re not yet a member of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree, just ask your Mark Secretary to point you in the right direction, you won’t be disappointed.

 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. PGJD.
Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Meeting is at the Savoy Hotel, Queens Parade, Blackpool next Tues 20th