Distinguished Deacons for Tuscan Advancement
 
Tuscan Mark Lodge, No 1099 held their first meeting of the season on 20th October at Liverpool Masonic Hall.  The main item of business on the summons was a double advancement.  These would be the first advancements that the Lodge had carried out in 12 years!
Distinguished Deacons
With visitors filling most of the offices chairs and WBro Sandy Kean standing in as Worshipful Master the meeting got underway. The acting Tyler, WBro Steve Lyon gave the knock on the door and the first part of the ceremony was underway.
Peter, Mike & Sandy
The candidates, Bros, John Williams and Jonathan Edwards entered and were met in the proper manner, before being handed over to the Deacons who were RWBro Peter Connolly, Past Provincial Grand Master who was acting as the Senior Deacon and WBro Mike Pinckard, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, the acting Junior Deacon.  These must have been the most Distinguished Deacons in the Province.
During the first part of the ceremony the candidates were also introduced to WBro Kevin Chicken, Provincial Grand Secretary, acting Register of Marks.  In the second part of the ceremony the candidates were individually introduced to acting Overseers, WBro Brian Bothroyd, who also presented working tools to the candidates.  WBro Neil Pedder, and WBro Steve Walls,   WBro Sandy Kean had worked a very enjoyable ceremony and this was rounded off with RWBro Peter Connolly giving the Conclusion.
Peter, Jonathan Edwards, Sandy, John Williams with Mike
Before Bros, John Williams and Jonathan Edwards took their seats in the Lodge, WBro Steve Walls, who is the PGM’s Special Rep for the Liverpool Mark welcomed them both in to the Mark Degree and presented them with a letter of welcome from the PGM which included a money off voucher for Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting to held 15th April 2026.   John and Jonathan were also welcomed by WBro Mike Pinckard and RWBro Peter Connolly. 
 
It was great to see Peter conducting the Senior Deacon role with his usual fire and enthusiasm and Mike joining in with the same enthusiasm.   Both candidates appreciated having Peter and Mike taking part in the ceremony and thoroughly enjoyed their welcome into Mark Masonry.
 
Congratulations must go to Sandy for not only an enjoyable ceremony under difficult circumstances, but for pulling the whole meeting together in his role as the Lodge secretary.  Sandy the human dynamo had also managed to invite two non-Mark Masons to the festive board.
The Team
We wish John and Jonathan many happy years in the Mark Degree and hope that this will be the first of many Advancement ceremonies for Tuscan Mark Lodge.
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell.