Double at The Furness
 
A very successful meeting of The Furness Mark Lodge No 36 saw three members added to its ranks.
Bernie McGeough, Elliot Haughin, Tony Cassells, Tony Jackson and Dave Baker
It was a pleasure to witness Keith Thompson re-join the lodge, following a ballot, after an absence of some years. He is a very welcome addition to the ranks.
 
Next up was a double advancement ceremony which saw Tony Jackson and Elliot Haughin advanced into the order. Tony is an active mason and is the group secretary in the craft. Elliot has not been in masonry for too long having discovered it when he returned to England after having worked for many years for Apple in Silicon Valley. He swapped the beaches of Monterey Bay for the shores of the Isle of Walney. They will both be assets to the lodge.
John Edward-Donnelly, Alan Hilton, Ian Cottam, Mike Cosgrove, Bernie McGeough and Jon Reed
They were very ably conducted through the ceremony by senior deacon Dave Baker and junior deacon Bernie McGeough. Being the first double ceremony in living memory at The Furness it posed different challenges for the deacons which they dealt with in good style.
 
WM Tony Cassells occupied the chair for the first part of the advancement before handing over to that doyen of ritualists Brian Davey for the middle part. Brian was assisted in conveying the signs etc. by deputy special representative Alan Gregory who had made the trip round from Morecambe. Junior overseer Jon Reed presented and explained the working tools of the degree. They all played their part well and gave an impressive performance.
Alan Gregory (Morecambe), Jim Richards (Jubilee), Ken Needham (Morecambe),
Quirk (Jubilee), Reg Wilkinson (WM Jubilee), Nick Baxter (Morecambe)
and Tom Shankland (Morecambe and The Furness)
Your northern correspondent undertook the last part of the ceremony following the two latest members being invested with the badge and jewel.
 
The wardens and overseers all added to the occasion but special mention must be made of master overseer Ian Cottam and junior warden Terry Pearson who both acted out their roles to great effect and the appreciation of the onlooking brethren.
Seated are John Greenhalgh, Paul Dixon and Mort Richardson (All Duddon),
standing Darren Stainton (Tyler), Terry Pearson (J. W.), and John Browne (Reg. of Marks).
Amongst those looking on were visiting Mark masons from Jubilee. Morecambe and Duddon in the province of Cumberland and Westmorland. The presence of visitors is always a joy and everyone seems to raise their game when they are present.
 
Certificates from Grand Mark Lodge were presented by Tony to David Grove and Mike Cosgrove.
 
The meal which followed was quite simple fare in the shape of steak and ale pie with chips. It was very well received and went down a treat.
 
Next up at The Furness is another double advancement with other potential candidates waiting in the wings.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear