Cleveleys Rededication

On Wednesday the 6th of April, our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother Peter Connolly carried out his very first Mark Lodge Rededication Ceremony.

He was joined at Cleveleys Masonic Hall by his Deputy PrGM Tony Harrison, his Asst PrGM's Keith Beardmore and Michael Clarke, along with his Wardens, W.Bros Eric Picton and David Rotheram, and many Acting Officers of the Province. In all, over 80 Mark Masons attended to show their support, not only to Cleveleys Mark Lodge, but also to the Provincial Team.

 

Cleveleys
Cleveleys No surprise then, that the WM, Bro John Whitley was nervous! Neither he, nor I would wager, anyone else in the room, had seen this Ceremony before. It was therefore with a slight sigh of relief that the Lodge was handed over to the Provincial Team, superbly orchestrated by David Emmerson (our new Provincial DC after this season) and Ray Pye, his assistant at this event.

There was a real air of expectancy as our Provincial Grand Master took hold of liberal amounts of corn, and proceeded to spill some of it on the floor of the Lodge – no wonder Lynne does not let him near the kitchen. He made up for this by liberally coating the corn in oil and wine, and then incurring a potentially huge dry-cleaning bill, by covering the members of Cleveleys Lodge in salt. Nigella Lawson would have been so proud!
The Ceremony was however carried out with a solemnity and ritual that will leave a lasting impression on all who attended. The sight of our PrGM, perambulating around the Lodge, with his 2 Wardens at his side made a fine spectacle. Peter Connolly advised that this was his first opportunity to carry out such a ceremony in Mark, and having consecrated a Rams Lodge at Preston a short time earlier, he felt especially privileged, as he will probably not get the chance to do any Lodge Centenary or Bi-Centenary celebrations during his time as Provincial Grand Master. Cleveleys
Cleveleys The Festive Board had a real party atmosphere, as this meeting also coincided with the 41st Annual Festival of the Blackpool & District Association of Mark Lodges. Peter Connolly sat very still at the Festive Board, for about 5 minutes… and then proceeded to do his customary tour of the room, greeting the Brethren personally. The move from Fleetwood to Cleveleys for the Lodge was universally proclaimed as a great move forward, as there were no Mark Lodges meeting at Cleveleys, and two at Fleetwood. The move will benefit both Lodges, and the Mark Degree in this area will no doubt be strengthened as a result, with a larger catchment area for each of them. Cleveleys Lodge, as the name suggests, was formed at Cleveleys, and this is a welcome return home for them. The Lodge presented a cheque in the sum of £1176 to the Provincial Grand Master for Mark Charities, which he gratefully received, thanking the Lodge and praising their efforts.
Cleveleys

Cleveleys
Cleveleys

Cleveleys
Cleveleys
Cleveleys