• 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

.

March 2020 Volume 2 Issue 22

Mark my Words

2020 Mark Convocation....

Our Provincial Mark Convocation on March 14th at the York Racecourse is attracting a great deal of interest throughout the other Mark Provinces. The presence of up to 12 Provincial Grand Masters from other Mark Provinces is quite normal but this year we are about to receive a visit from an additional nine Provincial Grand Masters plus the Past Deputy Grand Master R.W.Bro. Kieth Emmerson an Honorary member of the both Farmers and Ridings Installed Commanders Lodges. The presence of these Brethren at our Convocation is a tribute to the support our PGM gives to Provinces throughout the Country during the year and they are eagerly waiting for a first class Yorkshire welcome at our meeting. Such are the expectations of these brethren that they are to be accompanied by many other Brethren from their Provinces. Lets give them a real Yorkshire welcome Brethren and show them how we support our Provincial Grand Master in this Province……

Inside this issue:

Beverlac Charity Provincial Charity Summer Fayre RAM News Around The Festive Boards Mark Charity in Action 50 year Presenta-tion News from the Past Keystone Club A Cycling Event Caption Competition

2 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5

THE

NEWSLETTER OF

THE “FRIENDLY

DEGREE”

FOR FANS OF GOLFING

R. W. Bro. D. R. (Bob) Clancey Provincial Grand Master

The Wardens Golf Tournament is on the 3rd June and is this year to be held at the Forest of Galtres Golf Club, Moor Lane, Wigginton, York YO32 2RF’ The format will be full handicap and teams of four if possible and all for a cost of £39. As well as a round of Golf this also includes a Bacon Roll on arrival and a two course meal at the end. The event is open to all Mark Masons and Craft Masons. For further details please contact the organiser Gordon Turner on either email at gordonturner73@gmail.com or on Tel No. 07801884595.

Page 2 Mark my Words

BEVERLAC CAROL SERVICE HITS THE TARGET….

‘An

Amazing

50

Years;

The Beverlac Keystone Mark Lodge 281 held its annual service of nine lessons and carols on the 15th December 2019 at All Saints Church in Hessle, East Yorkshire. This year’s chosen charity was the Hull Sailors Children’s Society which, although based in Hull, provides national help for the widows and orphans of those lost at sea. The service was attended by the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Mr. Stephen Larard, JP, MBE together with the Mayor of Hessle and other local dignitaries. It was supported by the North Ferriby Ladies Choir and the Infant Choir of All Saints Church of England who performed and melted the hearts of all the ladies present with ‘Away in a Manager’. The carols and lessons were sponsored by various Lodges and individuals which added to the collection and tea, coffee and biscuits were provided by the ‘Glanville Catering Company’! The target was £1000, and this has been reached and will be donated to the Society, a very worthy cause. A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who donated and also to All Saints Church and its vicar the Rev. Gemma Turner. Very nice to see the Church of England and Mark Masonry working together.

Peter Nesbitt

‘A

Worthy

Cause’

MARK SUMMER FAYRE 2020

The 2020 Mark Summer Fayre is to be held on 11 th July at the Cricket Ground, Pickering. The Committee has been fortunate to again arrange for the Stape Silver Band to attend due to the fantastic donation from an anonymous donor. The Cricket Club have this year volunteered to publicise the event on their website and it would be featured on Pickering Community Facebook page, so it is hoped that many local people will attend this year. Posters and tickets are being delivered to all Lodge Charity Stewards and the they have been urged to actively push the Lodge commitment and not just sell tickets. Please support your Charity Stewards Brethren and come up with ideas to raise money for your Lodge or Charity and have fun on the day responding to this worthy cause.

Brethren. Did you know that only 1% of Lodge members took advantage of the Gift Aid scheme and the benefits of regular Standing Order payments into the Lodge Charity Account?? Please consider these benefits. At their recent meeting all Lodge Charity Stewards were urged to get their members thinking about the local charities they would like the Province to support through payments from the Benevolent Fund The 6th Tranche of the ‘5 year Charity programme’ was approved at the February meeting…….. Northdale Horticulture £1,000 Carer’s Together £1,000 Humber Rescue £1,000 Yorkshire Guides £1,000 Proposals for one-off grants had been circulated in respect of 3 registered charities: St Anne’s Special School, Welton £2,000 Mires Beck Nursery, North Cave £1000 Information on Driffield Agricultural Society’s Children’s Education Day in May was delivered late for the meeting but as the Committee had previously supported this charity a grant of £1,000 was confirmed.

MARK PROVINCIAL CHARITY DECISIONS

‘Your

Mark

Charity’

Mark my Words Page 3

The Worshipful Commander of St Peters RAM, W Bro Peter Bebb, decided that having held the Porphyry Stone for a month it was time to break out from York and surprise another RAM Lodge. Braving the affects of Storms Dennis and Ciara he breeched the walls of the City and the flooded waters of the river Ouse, accompanied by W Bro Brian Flint IPC, Bro Rod Cressey SW, Bro Duncan R Kilbride JW and Bro Terry Cook on Monday 24th February they travelled to the North of the Province. The Brethren of Middlesbrough RAM Lodge No 276 were completely unaware that this attack was to take place but their WC, W. Bro. David Roach welcomed them with a hearty welcome. The members of both Lodges had a splendid Festive Board and a most pleasant evening. Stand by all Worshipful Commander’s, Middlesbrough RAM may come from the North and pay you a visit!!

ROYAL ARK MARINER NEWS

‘A

Small

Saucer

Whirl’

‘A

Quintet

Musical

Ensemble’

MARK CHARITY IN ACTION

The KTS Academy is based in Brotton, Cleveland, their aim is to create a supportive and caring environment for children and young people from across Redcar and Cleveland Borough, as well as

surrounding boroughs. It has 160 pupils and over 100 teaching and support staff, to ensure that all pupils receive excellent care via specially trained staff in nursing, physiotherapy,

occupational therapy and speech therapy, Bro, Lee Richardson the Charity Steward of Cleveland Mark Lodge presented a petition to the Charity Meeting at Connought Court in February following his contact with Miss Potter of KTS, who is also the daughter of Cleveland Marks Bro. Steven Potter. She has been given a small area on the site of the school to develop a specialist play area that will

benefit the whole school and is looking for finance to purchase the playground items. The aim of the Charity 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. At the meeting the Mark Charity Committee a grant of £1000 was approved towards the purchase of the

playground items. Bro. Richardson said “this is a superb school and a deserving Charity and I have personally supported this charity numerous times and had the pleasure of attending one of their assemblies, I am so pleased that the Mark Charity has been able to support them and the

excellent work they do”.

‘A

Complete

Surprise’

AROUND THE FESTIVE BOARDS A man walks into a bar and orders ten double whiskeys. He drinks each one down as the barman pours them, until the barman asks, “Are you alright, why are you drinking so fast?” “You’d drink fast if you had what I’ve got” says the man. “Why? What have you got?” asks the barman. “About twenty pence”

In the surgery of an expensive, private dentist the patient asks, “Doctor, how much do you charge to remove a tooth?” “Two hundred pounds, sir.” “Two hundred pounds for half a minute’s work, that’s outrageous!” “If sir would prefer, I could remove it very slowly”

‘A

Moments

Fun’

W Bro John Joy P.A.G.St.B has been presented with his 50 year membership Certificate of the Mark Order at his home. Unfortunately John suffered a fall at his home earlier in the year, when he suffered a fractured Pelvis, which led to further medical issues. It was originally planned for the certificate to presented at the Installation meeting of St Cuthbert’s Mark Lodge on the 3rd. March 2020. John has very comprehensive list of Masonic activities and has been involved for a significant portion of his Mark masonry with St Cuthbert’s Lodge from March 1970 and as a founder Member of Abbot Hugh of Selby Lodge, becoming the Master in 1988. He was also a founder Member of the Hoveden Mark Lodge in 1991, becoming their Master in 1996. Not only did he hold positions in these Lodges he also Joined John Ashton Wade in 1983.

After a conversation with his son W Bro Andrew Joy it was hoped that due to the severe immobilising medical condition of John that the Rulers may on this occasion present the Certificate at his home, This was discussed with the PGM who not only accepted to present the certificate, he advised that all three of the Rulers would attend. It was therefore arranged for a small delegation of members of Abbot Hugh Lodge – Namely W Bro Andrew Joy, W Bro William Chubb WM, Bro Paul Hanley, Bro David Morton, Bro David Hooper, W Bro Terry Cook and W Bro Duncan R Kilbride along with the three Rulers, to attend the presentation. To say that W Bro John Joy was overwhelmed was an understatement. he spoke about the occasion for days after and it has certainly boosted his spirits. John was delighted to present a cheque to the PGM for £500 to the Provincial Charity, £10 for every year he had been a Mark Man!!! A truly remarkable event and yet again emphasising the Mark as the FRIENDLY Degree.

Page 4 Mark my Words

A SPECIAL 50 YEAR PRESENTATION

‘50

Years

A

Mark

Man’

‘A

Delegation

Of

Friends’

Mark my Words

And finally……... Mark my Words

NEWS FROM THE PAST .

Mark my Words

Brethren. Editorial or correspondence

will be most welcome

Editor G. J. Dudley

3 Bry Hills Seamer

Scarborough North Yorkshire

YO12 4QQ

Phone: 01723 863374 or 07795 244383

E-mail: gordon@gdudley.com

CAPTION COMPETITION

Yet again Brethren our Provincial Director of Ceremonies is the star attraction in our Caption Competition for this Edition. Please send your entries to the Editor….

To all those members not participating in the Keystone Club, you are missing out. Did you know that 50% of all proceeds are paid out in prizes! The other 50% is allocated to the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge of MMM of North and East Yorkshire. Prize draws are carried out four times a year. Your Lodge has a Keystone representative who can be contacted for more details but if you would like to discuss this competition further or get information between Lodge meetings please contact the Keystone Club Organiser direct. He is Malcolm Farrow on m_farrow1@sky.com or on Tel No. 01904765970 who will give you all the details. YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT Brethren.

Your Mark Newsletter was launched in 14 years ago. This is just one of the entries selected from the April 2006 edition. for your interest.....

KEYSTONE CLUB

A GREAT CYCLING EVENT

Arthur Robinson is in the chair of the Middlesbrough RAM

Lodge No 276 at the age of 85 years. Arthur’s photo was in his WW2 uniform, which still fits

him!! Arthur produced a very good Newsletter under the pseudonym of ‘Nosbibora’ for many years and was

Secretary of the Middlesbrough Mark Lodge. Advanced to the Mark degree in 1973 and became WM in 1985. He served the Province well as the PPGJW in 1992 and was promoted to PPGSW in 1997 and

received Grand honours as PAGDC in 2000. It is a pleasure to include Arthur’s history in this Newsletter, not only for the interesting profile that Arthur presented during his Masonic career but surely any

Mason who can get into his uniform after 60 years

deserves the utmost respect!

———————————————————--

Congratulations to Fred Francis who reached his 50 years in Mark Masonry on 6th Dec 2005. At the December meeting Charles Clark our Prov. JW gave accolade to Fred on this magnificent achievement. Fred is to be presented with a special 50 years certificate at the Fitzwilliam Lodge No 277 Installation Meeting on 4th April 2006 when the Lodge has their 125th

anniversary. Fred is too shy to give us his photograph. Ed.

On June 20th 2020, a group of cyclists will begin to ride the perimeter of the Mark Province of West Yorkshire. Some will attempt it all and some just a section, or even part of a section. All will be contributing to a huge event which will be the major West Yorkshire Provincial fundraiser for 2020. The ride will start in Mirfield, West Yorkshire on the morning of June 20th and will take five days to complete. Consisting of nearly 400 miles and 22,000 ft of climbing it will be a real challenge and any support will be much appreciated. Calling at and actively looking for Lodges along the way, the route roughly follows parts of the perimeter of the Mark Province of West Yorkshire and extends into the sister Northern Provinces. The North and East Provincial Charity approved a Donation of £1000 towards this event at their meet-ing a few weeks ago. They are actively looking for a Lodge to form a Staging Post and rest area for the cyclists passing through our Province. Alverton Lodge at Bedale are giving it serious consideration.

SPECIAL EVENT ADVERTISEMENT ON NEXT PAGE…………………….

The Province is now selling used regalia from various Orders to supplement the PGM’s discretionary fund which is used for good causes. Brethren have the opportunity to buy all year round and not only at the Mark Convocation and RAM Assembly where the regalia will be on display, Duncan Kilbride is the contact point by email to dkilbride@btconnect.com

MENU

STARTER

Prawn Cocktail Terrine, Cucumber and

Tomato Relish, Char-grilled Sourdough.

or

Broccoli Veloute with Stilton

Croutons (V)

MAIN

Pancetta & Thyme Roast Breast of Chicken

Daughinoise Potatoes, presented with Cauliflower

Puree, Carrots and Tender Stem Broccoli, Madeira Jus,

Vegetarian Option.

Roast Butternut & Wild Mushroom Wellington, Creamed

Mash Potato

and Vegetarian Gravy served with seasonal Vegetables

DESSERT

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Fudge Sauce, Vanilla Pod Ice

Cream and Hazelnut Brittle.

Coffee, Tea or Infusions with Mints.

R. W. Bro. Bob Clancey, Provincial Grand Master and his Wife Rose, Invite you to the

M a r k P r ov i n c i a l L a d i e s E v e n i n g

MARK PROVINCIAL SOCIAL COMMITTEE

To be held at the Ebor Suite at York Racecourse

on Saturday 2nd May 2020 Dinner 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm. Carriages at 12.30 am

Contact Terry Cook,

the Organiser, on terrycook711@btinternet.com.

or fill in the Booking Forms on the Mark Web Site;

www.neyorksmark.com

Tickets £37.00 per person

Closing Date 22nd April 2020