Declaration and Advancement at The Furness
 
Records from Furness Abbey dating back to 1292 mention a grange at Biggar on the Isle of Walney. Nowadays the central part of the island is well inhabited but Biggar still maintains its identity as an independent rural community.
Pictured; are the less senior lodge members with David Grove in the foreground.
On the left front row is Tony Cassells with David Shaw on the left of the rear row
From this location emerged David Grove the latest recruit to the ranks of The Furness Mark Lodge No 36.
 
The first part of the advancement ceremony was undertaken by WM Dennis Laird BEM. Dennis and David are both known to imbibe an occasional glass of ale in the Queens Arms, Biggar, albeit proud Walneyite Dennis has to travel to the village from elsewhere on the island. The premises have existed as a beer house since at least 1753 and now also serve as the local office for the recruitment of Freemasons!
 
As is the accepted custom of the lodge the work of the WM was shared between a trio of Brethren with Brian Davey being called into action to deliver that part following the obligation. After the newly advanced Brother was invested with the badge and jewel of the order your Northern correspondent conducted the rest of the work. Brian and I are both members of David’s craft lodge and it was felt appropriate that we played a part to make it more personal for him. I was David’s proposer into Mark Masonry with IPM Darren Stainton, also from the same craft lodge being his seconder.
Dennis Laird, David Sear, David Grove, Darren Stainton and Brian Davey
Circumstance also dictated that I was called into action as D.C. on the evening. I can report that I was basically made redundant in that role such was the quality of the work from all involved.
 
The evening also witnessed senior warden Anthony Charles Cassells (affectionately known as Little Tony) being declared master elect for the ensuing year. Over the years Tony has given superb service to the running of Barrow Masonic Hall, has been a key figure in the annual boxing tournament which raises a tremendous amount for charity and is a very well-known character amongst the freemasons of Furness.
Fighting off all the competition to be declared once more as treasurer was David Shaw. David has not yet been through the chair of the lodge having volunteered his services from the stewards’ bench several years ago when a new treasurer was required to be appointed. He has taken to the role in fine style.
Seated David Cooksey and Bill Joughin, standing Brian Davey, Peter Quirk and Bill Glassey
There was the usual buzz of good conversation and fellowship at the meal following the meeting. It was not a grand menu but a simple supper of vegetable soup and sandwiches with some accompanying chips. It went down very well.
 
The next meeting is the installation. As is inevitably the case at The Furness there will be those present at the festive board who are not Mark Master Masons including at least two of whom will be advanced in the next season.
 
Words and pictures courtesy of Dave Sear