Furness RAM welcome Terry
The latest meeting of Furness RAM Lodge No 375 at Ulverston Masonic Hall saw Terry Pearson elevated into the order by Worshipful Commander Paul Johnson.
Paul Johnson and Terry Pearson
Paul has earned a reputation as an excellent ritualist and showed why that is merited as he performed an outstanding ceremony.
Alan Jones, Kieron Mullan, Paul Johnson, Terry Pearsona and David Baker
Alan Jones presented the working tools of the degree whilst Terry’s proposer, Kieron Mullan, gave an explanation of the signs. Senior warden David Baker undertook the demonstration of the steps. All played their part well in what was a very enjoyable ceremony.
David Shaw and Steve Ellershaw
Conducting Terry through the ceremony were senior deacon David Shaw, who is the treasurer of The Furness Mark, and Steve Ellershaw who is the IPM of Jubilee Mark.
 
Afterwards a simple but tasty supper of pie and peas proved very popular.
 
Those of you who have travelled to the northern territory may have noticed the end of the Ulverston Canal as you enter the town. The canal is only two kilometres long and was opened in 1796. It is said to have been the shortest, deepest, broadest and straightest canal in the country being 15 feet deep and 66 feet in breadth. It was designed by the same engineer who was responsible for Waterloo Bridge. It was built to allow sea going ships to access Ulverston from Morecambe Bay for cargoes of copper, slate and linen. It fell into disuse with the opening of the Royal Port of Barrow and the advent of the Furness Railway in 1846.
The canal looking towards the A590
At the seaward end of the canal is  the Bay Horse Hotel which acted as a resting place for those who had traversed the sands of Morecambe by horse drawn coach in earlier times.
The old pier at the seaward end of the canal
The canal is now a haven for wildlife and offers a pleasant walk.
 
Consider this as your daily advancement in non-masonic knowledge!
 
Words and pictures by Dave Sear