Edmund Taylor Royal Ark Mariners Lodge No. 296
Elevation meeting, Tuesday 18th February 2025 at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool
The Worshipful Commander, Bro. Barry Shaw, opened the Lodge at 18.30hrs.
Twenty-four mariners were present, including one joining member and the candidate for elevation.
Bro. David Kenworthy, a visiting commander; Semper Fidelis RAM No. 880 was also present.
RWPGM, a member of the Lodge, was at the Temperance Mark installation meeting at Woolton golf club on this occasion and could therefore not be present.
The Commander worked through the summons up to the ballot for Bro. Steve James as a joining member and Bro. John Edward Earnshaw to be elevated, a member of Fylde Mark Lodge No. 296. The ballot was taken and proved in favour of both. Bro. James was then welcomed into the Lodge by the Commander and presented with the by-laws.
An excellent Elevation ceremony was then carried out by the members of the Lodge, with Bro. Earnshaw guided around the Lodge floor by Bro. James Rashid (SD) and Bro. Dennis Askam (JD). Bro. Alan Barnes (SW) gave an explanation and demonstration of the steps.
WBro. Bob Bennett gave his customary excellent explanation of the working tools on completion of the ceremony.
Following the elevation, the Lodge business was worked through, including the presentation of a Grand Lodge certificate to Bro. Craig Scott, which was carried out in fine form by WBro. John Forster.
The Lodge was duly closed and the Brethren mustered in the bar area for an aperitif and onto the festive board, which was lively with good food, banter and good craic, which was enjoyed by all!
A Fylde Coast fiddle raffle was organised by Bro. Steve Smith, which raised £160 for Masonic Charities. A number of additional prizes for the raffle appeared from Bro. Roger Buckley’s magic plastic carrier bag which always appears to be full of bottles!
An excellent night aboard the Edmund Taylor Royal Ark Mariner Lodge was had by all!
 
Words and pictures by Tony Cross