Surprise visitor to Newton Mark 18/05/26
 
Newton Mark Lodge No 1003 met for their last meeting of the season on Monday 18 May at Bryn Mason Hall.  The main item of business was an advancement ceremony.  The Worshipful Master, WBro Andy Hall opened the meeting and carried out the first items of business of the summons and this included a successful ballot for Bro James Den Kaat.  The Lodge waited in anticipation for the knock on the door to announce the candidate.  When the knock did come it was instead an unexpected request; the Inner Guard informed the Master, that the Tyler wished to speak to the DC?
James Dee Kaat and Arthur
All eyes now turned to the DC, VWBro Arthur Robinson, who promptly retired to attend to the request.  An air of expectancy now filled the room awaiting the return of VWBro Robinson.   WBro Andy Hall, who was like a coiled spring ready to get on with the ceremony sat waiting to find out what was the problem outside the door?    The DC returned and gave the surprise announcement that VWBro Geoff Bury; Assistant Provincial Grand Master stood without and demanded entry.  This was a huge surprise to all attending the meeting as the APGM was not scheduled to be attending the meeting. 
Geoff Bury, James Dee Kaat & Arthur 
VWBro Geoff Bury entered accompanied by his Deacons; WBro Frank Heath and WBro Steve Thackrah.   VWBro Geoff Bury was greeted by WBro Andy Hall, who then offered him the gavel.  VWBro Geoff Bury returned the gavel saying that his surprise visit was to allow him to just and sit and watch an advancement ceremony.   VWBro Arthur Robinson then gave the salutations to the APGM, followed by those to VWBro Ian Nairn, PAPGM.   With everyone again sitting comfortably, it was time for the knock on the door, and this time it was the one to start the advancement ceremony.   Bro James Den Kaat was met in due fashion, before being handed over to the acting Senior Deacon, VWBro Ian Nairn. 
Geoff, James, Arthur & Andy 
Ian took on the role with his usual flair and sparkle and there were other outstanding performances.  WBro John Askew, stand-in Junior Overseer, received many well deserved plaudits for his interpretation of the role.  WBro Bob Duff presented the Working Tools.  Even VWBro Geoff Bury joined in to collect his wages.   However the quality of the ceremony was all down to the hard work put in by the all members taking part, and especially by WBro Andy Hall.   Words such as, faultless; excellent and outstanding; could have been used to describe Andy’s ceremony and deservedly so.    It was, confident, measured and above all enjoyable.  At the end of the ceremony, WBro Andy McMath, the PGM’s Deputy Special Rep for the Wigan group of Mark Lodges welcomed Bro James into the Mark Degree in West Lancs and presented him with a letter of welcome from the PGM. 
Frank Heath and Steve Thackrah join in
James was also welcomed by VWBro Geoff Bury.  During the risings another new candidate was proposed so the will be some work for the IPM, WBro Lucas Kelly to do in October, when the Master is on, another holiday.  When the Lodge was closed it was time for dinner.  It was an outstanding night and well deserving of a visit from the Assistant Provincial Grand Master.  The hard work put in by WBro Andy Hall and all the members of the Lodge who took part in the ceremony paid off. 
Ian Nairn gets in on the act
It gave Bro James Den Kaat a memorable night and as James said in response to his toast,” It was the best Mark ceremony he had ever seen.”  We wish Bro James Den Kaat many happy years in our degree and we also wish all the members of Newton Mark Lodge a great summer.
 
Geoff, James & Ian
 
Words and pictures by Derek Gaskell