Scorton Recruit
 
I left Wyreside at Garstang following the meeting of Scorton Mark Lodge No 1103 with a smile on my face and the satisfying contentment of an evening well spent.
Lodge D.C. Les Newlands, secretary Martin Swarbrick and treasurer Mark Astbury
On this occasion it was not just the great company and the good food that led to this pleasurable feeling. And as I was driving it definitely wasn’t the drink!
 
The agenda for the meeting was quite brief and did not require much in the way of ritual but nonetheless it was a most fruitful meeting.
Martin Slater of Darwen Mark Lodge East Lancs., Jim Richards, Peter Quirk both of Jubilee Mark
and WM Frank Hogarth
Scorton Mark has been losing more members than it is recruiting. For some time they have been looking at hosting a presentation about the degree for non-Mark Masons delivered by DPGM Giles Berkley.
 
WM Frank Hogarth along with secretary Martin Swarbrick and other past masters decided to hold a meeting on a Sunday morning to discuss the situation. The letter sent out by Martin about the meeting did not flinch from stating the severity of the situation. Those attending were urged to bring a list of names that would attend the planned presentation. Some names were already being muted as potential members.
The rallying call from Martin worked far better than could be hoped for as the dozen members arriving at the meeting did not just bring the names of those who might pop along to a presentation, but a list of candidates who were eager to join Scorton Mark.
The members at refreshment
At the subsequent lodge meeting a ballot for four members, three having been proposed by letter, proved favourable. In addition there were propositions for advancement in respect of another four candidates with two more still to come.
 
What an absolute delight to hear. Double advancements and extra meetings are now the new topic of conversation.
 
The lodge have also looked at when they meet. They are intending to move their March meeting to June so that the members can travel in daylight. Two of their four meetings will now take place on lighter nights. The November meeting they hope to move to December so that they can have a Christmas celebration.
 
A pat on the back is richly deserved for all concerned in not only grasping the nettle and taking steps to recruit members for the lodge but on taking the step of changing meeting dates the better to meet the needs of their members.
 
Once again the yoga class in the dining room meant we had to eat in the bar. And, I have to report, it was as great a success as last time with the smaller room and access to the bar making everything more convivial.
The delicious chicken curry added to the enjoyment of the whole evening.
 
Words and pictures courtesy of Dave Sear