Furness RAM Elevation
 
It was somewhat of a change for Ron Hiseman to be welcomed aboard the Ark at Furness RAM Lodge No 375 as in his working life. Rather than floating on the flooded waters, he had been used to descending below the surface as a member of the submarine service.
David Baker, Paul Johnson, Ron Hiseman and David Shaw
Ron has recently been appointed as secretary to The Furness Mark Lodge No 36 and he has already indicated that he will take on that role at Furness RAM at the next installation meeting to replace present incumbent Kieron Mullan who will be stepping down as scribe. A very useful and welcome addition to the crew indeed.
The ceremony at Ulverston Masonic Hall was undertaken in fine style by Worshipful Commander Paul Johnson.
Circumstances meant that some officers were unable to be present but fortunately the lodge was able to draw upon the vast experience of three members in the shape of Alan Jones as senior warden, Bill Joughin as junior deacon and Peter Quirk as warder to fill their places.
Bill Joughon, Alan Jones and Peter Quirk
In his first outing as senior deacon David Shaw performed his part well as he guided Jon through the ceremony.
The steps were explained by senior warden David Baker, another submariner who had been a boatmate with Ron on one submarine and met up with him again when they were both working on the submarines being built in the Royal Dock of Barrow in Furness.
Nigel Higginson (guardian), Ron Hiseman and Kieron Mullan
Kieron Mullan climbed from behind the scribe’s desk to explain the signs whilst Alan was called into action to deliver the working tools of the degree.
 
There will be an elevation at the next meeting with a candidate having been proposed on the evening.
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear