Mark my Words A NEW MARK LODGE THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDLY DEGREE. Inside this issue: Garden Party. Mark Benevolent Committee. RAM News.

Transcription

1 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDLY DEGREE Volume 2 Issue 12 September 2017 The Newsletter for the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees Features on Social Events Chit-chat around the Province Readers letters News from Lodges Members contributions Jokes Inside this issue: Garden Party Mark Benevolent Committee RAM News MBF News Ladies Night 5 Pickering Changes 5 Convocation News Family Lunch Travelling Keystone A Change to our Rulers... On Tuesday 27th June 2017 at the Masonic Hall, St Saviourgate, York, W Bro. Clive Copley, Grand Senior Deacon, was appointed as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Bob Clancey opened a Provincial Meeting, under the banner of The Beacon Centenary Mark Lodge 1588, to install our new Dep.PGM. A very large contingent of Grand and Provincial Officers were in attendance. This was followed by the re-forming of the Provincial Secretariate with promotions for W Bro. Bill Glanville to Provincial Secretary, W.Bro. Geoff Nicholson to Deputy Prov. Secretary, and introduced W.Bro. Allan Williams who is the Assistant Prov. Secretary. A Splendid festive Board was exceptionally well attended by around 100 Brethren. A NEW MARK LODGE Left to right W.Bro. Clive Copley. R.W.Bro. D. Bob Clancey. W.Bro. Paul D Barham Deputy PGM PGM APGM In our Province we have specific Mark Lodges covering Farmers and Brethren who have been in Public Service. Some 6 years ago our PGM along with R.W.Bro. Keith Hodgson, PGM of Cumberland and Westmorland, V.W.Bro. Mervyn Wilson Past Dep. PGM of East Lancashire, and V.W.Bro. Stephen Holt P.Assist.PGM, discussed forming a Rugby Mark Lodge for Brethren who had participated in the Sport. It was the mainly due to the work of Mervin Wilson and Stephen Hall, that the Rugby Mark Lodge was duly formed two years ago and now meets in the wonderful Masonic Hall in Rochdale. Our PGM, together with W. Bro. Stephen Priestley, who also has Rugby origins, were appointed Junior Warden and Senior Deacon respectively at the Consecration. Brethren from as far as Manchester, Workington, Preston and many of the Northern Mark Provinces, joined the Lodge, making a total of 31 Founding Brethren. This year the PGM was Installed into the Worshipful Masters Chair in Rochdale on the 29th June and over 30 Brethren from this Province attended the meeting bringing the numbers attending to over 100. Stephen is now the Master Overseer. It is a particular quirk of this lodge that they play away once during the year to the Province of the WM so the PGM decided to hold his away meeting in York at Castlegate House at the end of August, Once again the Lodge was overflowing with 115 Brethren in the Temple and a full compliment of 112 Dining. The Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge takes complete charge of the Meeting and the Festive Board. As the Referee he issues Yellow and Red Cards to any Brethren causing problems, giving him cheek or making mistakes! His Whistle certainly stops the Festivities!!. These are a great meetings to attend Brethren if you want to be involved in something very different in the Mark Degree. The next stage in their development is a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire..

2 Page 2 SUMMER FAYRE A very successful Mark Summer Fayre was held at Pickering on Saturday 15th July and was successful in achieving an improvement in both numbers attending and takings. The figures for the Charity takings presented at the dinner in the evening were 5, compared to 4, taken last year. Family Fun Day General view of the stalls and Motor Bikes on the day. Our Charity funds many great projects Your Editor believes this picture could become an entry into a Caption Competition. Do you agree Brethren?... The Kids had fun The Adults had fun as well! Supportive And Caring Environment MARK BENEVOLENT COMMITTEE At the meeting of the Mark Benevolent Committee in February one of the Charitable Donations agreed was for 500 to be given to the KTS Academy at Brotton,which is near Saltburn by the Sea, for a soft playroom refurbishment. The Academy is a specialist Education provider for pupils aged 3 to 19 with special education needs. High staffing levels ensure excellent care, guidance and support for each child, which increases year on year based upon the complexity and the needs of the children. The aim of the Academy is to create a supportive and caring environment for children and young people from across the Redcar and Cleveland Borough, as well as surrounding boroughs. Pupils are admitted throughout the year on an individual basis, via referrals from the local authority The application for this Donation was made by Tom Baillie, Charity Steward, at the suggestion of Barry Richardson, WM, both of Cleveland Mark Lodge No 1040.

3 Page 3 RAM NEWS The Brethren of Allertonshire RAM attended the Special Meeting in Scarborough last November and claimed the Porphyry Stone once again. No Lodge has challenged Allertonshire at any of their meetings this year prior to the issue of this Newsletter, If they had, they would have had the privilege to present the Stone to the PGM at the Annual RAM Meeting in Scarborough on Nov. 4th. So it may be left to Allertonshire to present the Stone once again. They could also receive it back again if they again attend the meeting in large numbers!! Allertonshire s next meeting following the The Porphyry Stone November meeting is in is on 7th Nov, just three days after! Any Worshipful Commander can plan a raid on the Porphyry Stone and take it back to his Lodge and display it with pride. PLEASE, ALL COMMANDERS, MAKE A CHALLENGE!!!!!!! It s a beautiful Stone. You will be assured of a great meeting at the Thirsk Masonic Hall and you can be sure that the Lodge will be very well attended on the evening. - The PGM is pleased to announce that at the Special Meeting in Scarborough on November 4th he will be awarding the following Promotions to Provincial RAM Grand Rank to these Brethren: Charles William Maltby Hull RAM 182 Phillip Clive Ellenor Middlesbrough RAM 276 Michael Joseph Roache Allertonshire RAM 845 Alec Norris Wilson Allertonshire RAM 856 John Victor Thompson Alexandra RAM 803 Ian Barry Gregson Scarborough RAM 95 Maurice Hatton The Beacon Centenary RAM 1583 The details of the meeting in Scarborough at The Spa are out and you should send in your meal forms to the Secretariat to book your meal as soon as possible. The Spa management have promised to give us a good time and are ready to give us a warm welcome. Please be aware that the Parking in Scarborough needs careful consideration. There is Parking at the Spa itself but this is to be limited to Disabled drivers. The Parking on the road leading to the Spa is usually full on a Saturday. This leaves the Underground Car Park at the Valley Bridge. The costs are 4 up to 3 hours and 6.50 up to 6 hours, thereafter it will cost With this in mind it is suggested that the Seamer Road Park and Ride on the A64 is a very good option. The bus will take you to the Valley Bridge roundabout which is about 300 yards from the Spa and your Partner can stay on the bus for one stop and get off at the Palm Court Hotel near the Town centre. Seamer Road Park and Ride costs 2.40 return (or 1.20 with concession) the buses run every 15 minutes Mrs Rose Clancey is organising tea at the Palm Court Hotel for the ladies and a Coach is being laid on to take them to the Spa whilst we are in our meeting. - And now for the light-hearted bits... Noah called God; Yes god said Noah; I would like you build me an Ark, said God. Like the last one? said Noah; No said God, This one has to have twenty decks Twenty decks! said Noah!; Yes twenty decks said God; OK said Noah And do you want it filling with animals like last time? ; No said God, I want it filling full of fish Fish? said Noah! Fish said God, In particular Carp; Carp? said Noah; Carp said God, Ok said Noah, Just one thing, why do want it full of Carp? I have always fancied a Multi-Story-Carp-Ark said God" - There is this Guy out at sea in a small boat in rough weather and it overturns, as he's bobbing about a Lifeboat appears, and asked if he needed help, he said its ok, I am a Royal Ark Mariner, God will look after me, and refused their help. After a short while a helicopter flies overhead and lowers a rope and again the guy says its ok, I am a Royal Ark Mariner, God will look after me, the guy refuses their help. Shortly after he drowns, as he is met by God at the Pearly Gates he says I thought you would look after me, after all I am a Royal Ark Mariner! "God said I sent you a lifeboat and a helicopter what They Have Had It For A Year! Well Deserved Promotion Car Parking Details The Lighthearted Bit

4 Page 4 MBF APPLICATION NEWS Durham and North Yorkshire Provinces had a new Yamaha FJR 1300 "Blood Bike" donated, at the Durham Provincial meeting in June, by the Mark Benevolent Fund, after Martin Dixon JNR made an application for a grant to the MBF. His father, also called Martin Dixon, was killed riding as a volunteer blood bike rider. Gift In Loving Memory Anthony Finnegan (pictured) is a Stockton Craft Freemason did not stay for dinner as he had to leave with the bike to commence duty on his Blood Bike at 7pm in the Teesside area. Martin accepted the guest invite for dinner. He is the 25 year old son of Martin Dixon SNR who was killed on blood bike duty in Hartlepool last Autumn. Martin Dixon Jnr. said The Northumbria Blood Bike 'Mark Master Mason' was positioned in the bike escort Martin Dixon Jnr, and Anthony Finnegan with the PGM s of Durham and North and East Yorkshire and WBro. Denovan Wilson PGM of the Craft in Durham. a t h i s f a t h e r s f u n e r a l. The core business of the Blood Bike Volunteers is the delivery of urgently required supplies of blood products to subscribing hospitals when other methods of transport are either prohibitively expensive, unavailable or inappropriate. This is usually because of some form of emergency, be it a serious accident, problem pregnancy or unscheduled referral for operation. In addition the volunteers collect these products and deliver them to handover points from where their colleagues in other regional groups take them on to hospitals in their own areas. Dog Enjoying Life DOGS FOR GOOD Darren Coleman the MBF Charities and Communications Coordinator has recently reported an update from a Charity supported by MBF. I am delighted to let you know that our Mark Benevolent Fund Sponsored puppy is doing very well. She is enjoying life with puppy socialiser Pauline and her family in Oxfordshire, who reports that Suzie is growing fast and always full of fun and mischief. The Trustees of the Mark Benevolent Fund made a grant to the Dogs for Good charity to fund the 2 year training plan for a puppy to become a fully-fledged assistance dog for a child with physical disabilities. In 2004 the charity became the first in the UK to train assistance dogs for this purpose. Suzie is now learning fast. For the first six months Pauline, her socialiser, has focused on getting Suzie into a consistent routine to help her develop in areas such as house training, learning to be left alone, and basic obedience. Pauline spends time socialising Suzie around lots of people and animals, and together, they will visit as many different places as possible. Suzie is a lively and spirited puppy who wants to be everyone s friend and is always keen to please. She s a quick learner, only needing to practice a command two or three times before she realises what she needs to do. Over the next few months, Pauline will concentrate on transferring the training they have completed at home, or in puppy classes, to real life situations and environments. This Charity has many projects in action at any time and trains dogs for all situations. If you are interested in finding more about the Charity and its principles and its Sponsored dogs then please see the details on their Web site

5 Page 5 MARK LADIES NIGHT A record number of Brethren attended the Mark Ladies Night at the York Racecourse in June. The evening combined a great meal and Dancing to follow with a fine Tombola organised by Steven and Jane Priestley. Organisers Steven Cox and Malvin Sharpless of the Mark Social Committee Our Main Social Evening Some pictures of the revellers It has been suggested that all Mark Worshipful Masters could consider using next years event for their own personal Mark Lodge Ladies nights. The Committee would organise the event in total and ensure that the Lodge members sit together with their WM and his Lady. Details are still in the planning stages but consideration is being given to the entrance of the Lodge WM and brethren and the general decoration of each table for the Lodge. Worshipful Masters: this could be your opportunity to organise (or have organised for you) a Ladies' Night for your Lodge members and their ladies in the beautiful surroundings of the Racecourse at York. If you want to have a say in the organisation of this event please contact Malvin Sharpless and discuss your plans or requirements. Please contact Malvin, the Social Committee Secretary on Tel JOAN SAYS GOODBYE TO PICKERING At the Meeting of The Combined Services Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1949 held on Tuesday 29th August at Pickering Masonic Hall, Joan Pickering (Yes, that's really her name! ) said her final "Goodbye". Joan has catered for all the Lodges using the Hall for the past 18 years and has become very well known and respected to the Brethren who attend there, for the quality of her Meals and the high standard of her service. To make your mouths water the penultimate last Dinner Joan made for us was; Minestrone Soup followed by Ham with new Potatoes, Peas, Cauliflower Cheese and a Medley of Roast Mediterranean Vegetables, then a Sherry Trifle and ending with Coffee Cheese and Biscuits. At the end of this most enjoyable Meal Joan was called from her kitchen duties and the acting Master for the evening, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Neil Woodward, presented Joan with a bouquet of flowers and a retirement gift in the form of a cheque for 150 from the Lodge. Joan responded by saying how much she had enjoyed her time at the Hall and getting to know so many of those who attended there. Wilf Elliott Bouquet Of Flowers And A Cheque

6 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDLY DEGREE Brethren. Editorial or correspondence will be most welcome Editor G. J. Dudley 3 Bry Hills Seamer Scarborough North Yorkshire YO12 4QQ Phone: gordon@gdudley.com and finally.. IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES FOR MARK MEETINGS Brethren, due to unforeseen circumstances the date of the 2018 Convocation meeting at York Racecourse has been changed from the 3rd of March to the 10th of March. The change is due to an unfortunate clash of bookings at the racecourse and I have recently been made aware of another Masonic event also taking place on the 3rd of March. Please amend your diaries Bill Glanville ProvGSec. The next meeting of the Sir William Crosthwaite Grand Lodge Officers Lodge will be held on October 23rd and the venue will be the Masonic Hall, Hornsea. Will all Grand Officers of the Lodge please note and alter the details in their diaries. ANNUAL SOCIAL EVENT DETAILS Gordon Turner is organising the very popular Annual Northern Family Lunch on 15th October at the Masonic Hall, West Green, Stokesley under the banner of the Mark Social Committee. The Menu is; Luxury Pate and Toast Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding Or Vegetarian option Eton Mess Cheese and Biscuits Tea or Coffee The Price is held this year at 14 per person and if you would like to attend this Lunch please send your cheque to Gordon at 4, Wordsworth Vale, Middlesbrough, TS5 8PL making it payable to the Mark Social Committee Stokesley Masonic Hall MARK TRAVELLING KEYSTONE UPDATE On 5 th May 2017, 4 members of Thesaurus 782, including their W.M. Trevor Snowden, accompanied fellow member W. Bro Ken Eyre to Cleveland Mark Lodge No.1040 at Stokesley where he was to give a talk about his gun collection, together with the intention of claiming the Travelling Keystone. They found upon arrival that Middlesborough Mark Lodge No 276 were also there with the same number of visitors attending, who were also making a claim for the Keystone! There being a tie on the numbers of visiting Brethren from each Lodge, W.Bro. Barry Richardson, I.P.M, standing in as W.M. for his son W.Bro. Lee Richardson, who was detained in his daily avocation, made the decision that Thesaurus should take the Keystone. They had travelled furthest from Sutton on Hull in the south of the Province and in addition had had a tortuous journey having being diverted over the Cleveland Hills via Hawnby and Osmotherley due to road works at Chop Gate. One of their members suffered from travel sickness which, the Brethren claimed, W.Bro. Ken Eyre s driving did not help!! Despite the problems, a very good night was had by all and most Brethren were pleased that the Keystone will now attract visitors in the south of the Province. Photo shows the Keystone being presented by W. Bro. Barry Richardson to W.Bro. Trevor Snowden with other members of Thesaurus in attendance, from right to left, W.Bro s. Ken Eyre, Godfrey Peel, Vic Thompson and Bro. Steve Goddard (the travel sick one) on the far left. Vic Thompson. To all Mark Worshipful, Masters: If you want to claim the Keystone for your Lodge then please organise your gang to visit Thesaurus at Sutton on The Hull on 28th September or 28th October if it is not claimed.