Grand Mark Lodge – London 11th March 2025
 
A Grand Day out for the Mark Masons of the Province of West Lancashire was held on 11th March 2025. They joined the many hundreds of Mark Masons from other Provinces at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, for the quarterly communication of Grand Mark Lodge.
The meeting was the annual review and celebration of the Mark Benevolent Fund and was a chance for those present to see and hear how all the money raised by Mark Masons has benefited others less fortunate.

The meeting was presided over by MWBro John Prizeman, Pro GM in his own inimitable style!
A brief synopsis of the MBF was given including its history and inception under the leadership of Reverend George Raymond Portal, MA (1827 – 1889). The MBF operates under the principle of:
  • Bis dat qui citoi dat (He gives twice who gives promptly)
The Lodge was called off and approximately 50 or so non-Masonic guests were invited into Grand Lodge to see and hear a report on the activities of the MBF and the use of the funds money.
In 2024, the MBF made 72 grants to local Charities, Provinces, Districts and other worthy orgnisations and 8 grants to our own members and their families throughout England & Wales.
  • Total £2,155,495
 This included
  • £52,573 to North West Air Ambulance
  • £20,314 to North West Blood Bikes
Included in the grants to worthy causes by Provinces, was £27,693 given by the Province of West Lancashire.
The meeting was closed and everybody, including the non-Masonic guests, retired to the Grand Connaught Rooms for dinner, entertaining conversation and a good deal of banter.
A great day was had by the West Lancs Mark Masons!
 
Words and pictures by Tony Cross