Garston and Liverpool Mark Llandudno Weekend 10th - 12th February 2012

The Mark Masons of the Garston and Liverpool Groups sponsored yet another successful West Lancs Mark Masons Weekend Away.  This took place on Friday 10th. to Sunday 12th. February 2012.  By popular request and for the third year, the event took place at the Chatsworth Hotel on the seafront at Llandudno.  The week end was honoured by the attendance of  the R.W. Prov. Grand Master Bro Peter Connolly and his wife Lynne.

Friday evening after dinner entertainment was hosted by our genial compère, Tommy McLaughlin presenting the popular well known Sarah Lowe who sang an assortment of songs from the  “Rocky Horror Show.”  This was followed by Karaoke and dancing through to midnight.

          Saturday was Fancy Dress Night when a brave and daring assortment of “Romans” showed off their splendid finery as the photographs show.  The fancy dress theme was in support of the main event of the evening, the stage play entitled “When in Rome.”  The play performed by our Mark Thespians  was received with acclaim and much laughter.

The three winning  categories in the Fancy Dress were: the Blake family, Sid,  wife Evelyn his wife and daughter Diane; The Cockerell boys, Ryan and Bradley and Marie Smith.  As the photograph shows, they were dressed in beautifully home made outfits.  Well done to all of them!

The free Weekend Draw for two to be take during the summer, generously donated by the Chatsworth  was  won by Andrew Chatterton.

          The weekend concluded with Sunday lunch, the weather having been cool with periods of sunshine.  Over 130 people attended and thanks are again due to the organisers W.Bro's Colin Svensen and Tom McLaughlin  and to their wives Ann and Margaret respectively for their support.  Thanks are also due to our Thespians  namely Bernard Ashley, Colin Svensen, Tom McLaughlin, Hughie O'Neal, Jack Parker and Steve Lyon  for a great performance of their acting parts in  “When in Rome,” to Wayne Cockrell the stage manager, to Isabel and Fred Hunter and Dave Mairs the singing chorus and finally to Barry Elman the script writer.

The proceeds of the event approaching £ 2750.00  will be used to provide much needed equipment to “The Lily Centre” in Liverpool.   This is a voluntary organisation (outside the NHS) providing self-help, comfort and support to breast cancer sufferers.   www.lilycentre@btopenworld.com  The presentation will be announced in due course together with a full report.

          Next year the happy Mark Weekend will commence on Friday 15th February 2013 again at the Chatsworth.  For those brave and enthusiastic dresser-upers the theme will be  “The Roaring Twenties.”