• 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

.

November 2019 Volume 2 Issue 21

Mark my Words

Mark Provincial Team....

The Mark Convocation on March 14th 2020 to be held at the York Racecourse the Provincial Grand Master will invest the new Provincial Team as detailed below

Inside this issue:

Provincial Promotions Diary Dates RAM News 50 years a Mark Man MBF Donation Mark Charity Around the Festive Board Alexanra RAM A Champion The Jinnah News from the past Keystone Draw

2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 8 8

Caption results 8

THE

NEWSLETTER OF

THE “FRIENDLY

DEGREE”

Senior Warden Peter William Nesbitt Beverlac 281 Junior Warden John Trevor Black Farmers 1784 Master Overseer Steven James Bisby Brough 1170 Senior Overseer Malvin Sharpless Humber 182 Junior Overseer John White Star in the East 95 Chaplain Maurice Hatton Streonshalh 337 Treasurer James Valentine Johnson Victory 1588 Registrar Thomas James Spinks Fitzwilliam 277 Secretary Geoffrey Nicholson Minerva 12TI D. of Ceremonies Ronald Leonard Campbell Streonshalh 337 Almoner John David Jennings Fitzwilliam 277 Charity Steward William Stephen Hawkes Alexandra 803 Inspect. of Works Christopher Bond Lefevre De La Pole 329 Sword Bearer Donald William Cook Victory 1588 Dep. Chaplain Andrew Nicholas Lawton Cleveland 1040 Dep. Secretary Allan Williams Cleveland 1040 Dep. D of Ceremonies Leslie Arthur Richings Beverlac 281 Senior Deacon John William Hallett Victory 1588 Senior Deacon Charles Rhodes Abbot Hugh 1640 Junior Deacon Robert Hartley Star in the East 95 Junior Deacon John Clive Wilkinson Sykes 1830 Asst. Chaplain an Leslie Sugarman L. of St. Andrew 1130 Asst. Secretary Duncan Roger Kilbride Abbot Hugh 1640 Asst. D of Ceremonies Stephen Cox Humber 182 Asst. D of Ceremonies Stephen James Kearns Thesaurus 782 Organist Robert Edwin Stannard Victory 1588 Standard Bearer Timothy George Harris Minerva 12TI Asst. Standard Bearer Barry Richardson Cleveland 1040 Inner Guard Robert Howard Newman Londesborough 291 Steward Raymond Clark Middlesbrough 276 Steward Paul Vincent Brown Alexandra 803 Steward Michael Gerald Bashford Saltburn 1532 Steward Gary Steven Halliday Farmers 1784 Tyler Kenneth Raymond Lawn York TI

THE PROVINCIAL TEAM FOR 2020-21

Details of the Provincial First Appointments Past Rank and Promotions for 2020 - 21 are detailed on Page 2.

Page 2 Mark my Words

PROVINCIAL PROMOTIONS AND 1ST APPOINTMENTS 2020-21

‘Deserving

Their

Promotions’

The Provincial Promotions and 1st Appointments to be Invested at the Mark Convocation on March 14th 2020 are as follows.........

‘Some

Important

Dates’

DATES OF SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND OTHER MARK FUNCTIONS

Dates for your 2019 diaries....

‘Fish and Chip supper’ at Driffield on 25th February.

‘Night of Eastern Promise’ at The Jinnah on 17th March.

Combined Church Service on 19th April at Welburn Church.

‘Mark Ladies evening’ at York Racecourse on 2nd May.

‘Greek Night’ at Howden Lodge on 16th May.

‘Mark Summer Fayre at Pickering on July 11th.

‘Summer BBQ’ at Barmby Moor on 5th September.

‘Southern Family Lunch’ at Beverley Road Masonic Hall on 20th Sept.

‘Gourmet Evening’ at Scarborough Tec. College on 15th October.

‘Northern Sunday Lunch’ November 2020 (exact Date TBC) Stokesley.

PROMOTIONS PPGSW Leslie Race Alverton 845 Robert A. Richardson Streonshalh 337 PPGJW Keith Roberts Middlesbrough 276 Roy Newton L. of St. Andrew 1130 Martin Armes Beacon Centenary 1583 Ronald Hare Victory 1588 Andrew J. Joy Abbot Hugh 1640 Richard T. Megginson Sykes 1830 PPGMO Kenneth R. Lawn York TI Allan Williams Cleveland 1040 PPGSO William McGregor Cleveland 1040 PPGJO Ian D. Storey Minerva 12TI Martin T. Elwick Middlesbrough 276 Stanley McEwan De La Pole 329 R. William Lamb Farmers 1784 PPGReg. Michael D. Dodge St. Cuthbert’s 743 Michael L. East Thesaurus 782 PPGSwdB. Michael J. Townend St. Cuthbert’s 743 PPGSD J. Christopher Bird Minerva 12TI PPGJD Daniel H. Betts Minerva 12TI Kevin R. Lyons Beverlac 281 Brian Daragon L. of St. Andrew 1130 .

1st APPOINTMENTS PAST RANK. PPGSD Andrew J. Tannahill Fitzwilliam 277

G. Godfrey Peel Thesaurus 782

Nicholas C. Vary Lord Bolton 785

Ronald Williamson Alverton 845

O.J. Bob Burrows St. Peter’s 1008

PPGJD Roger H. Armstrong Redcar 804

PPGStd.B. John D. Haigh Minerva 12TI

Ian S. Midgley Brough 1170

Mark my Words Page 3

Once again Brethren the Travelling Porphyry Stone has been presented to Allertonshire RAM who have had the most Brethren dining at the RAM Anual Meeting this year. To enable the Stone to progress through the Province the rules have had an additional feature applied to its conditions last year. Please remember Brethren that the Stone is now able to be taken by the Worshipful Commander holding the Stone to another Lodge within two months of receiving it and present it to the WC of the Lodge under ‘Any Other Business’ on their Summons. The WC of Allertonshire RAM now has the option of visiting seven Lodges, namely; Middlesbrough RAM on 25th November Minerva RAM on 26th November. (Installation) Rydale RAM on 28th November. (Installation) The Beacon Centenary RAM on 6th December Howdenshire RAM on 13th January. (Installation) St Peter’s RAM on 15th January. (Installation) Minerva RAM on 28th January Your Scribes are receiving notification of all movements by means of a new ‘Travelling Porphyry Stone’ Flier which will keep you in touch with the movements around the Province and the Lodges that could be challenged at any time. It could be you Brethren............

.......................................................................................................................................

Please note Brother Royal Ark Mariners. The Annual Meeting held in Scarborough next Year is at a later date, just for one year, due to previously booked events at the Spa Complex. Our meeting will be held on November 21st 2020

The Provincial Grand Master announced at the RAM Special Meeting that he had been very keen over the years to be able to offer a Jewel to deserving Brethren in the Province, very similar to the one designed by our friends in the West Yorkshire Province. Having made the Grand Masters Royal Ark Council Aware of his wishes our PGM used the West Yorkshire design when presenting a special award, designated the ‘Provincial Grand Masters Distinguished Service Award’, to deserving Brethren in the Province. At the RAM Annual Meeting the PGM presented his first two awards to W.Bros. Ian Murdoch and Reg Marton as shown in the picture above. These Brethren are very well know throughout the Province and will now be able to proudly wear their DSA Jewel throughout the Province.

RAM NEWS

‘The Porphyry

Stone

Is

Travelling’

‘A

Later

Date’

‘Two

Deserving

Brethren’

Page 4 Mark my Words

A ROYAL ARK MARINER OF DISTINCTION

‘An

Amazing

50

Years;

In 1966 England won the Football World Cup and in that year a young man asked his Father if he could become a Freemason like him. The father said he could become a Mason and that his Grandfather would Propose him and he would Second him, but only if he asked his Grandad first and “You’ll have to ask him properly”. That was the way it was in those days.

Thus started the Masonic career of V. W. Bro. Francis George Woolgrove.

He went on to become one of the most recognised Brother in our Province and was the Mark Deputy Provincial Grand Master for 10 years from 1997 to 2007.

His Mark Advancement into St Peter’s Mark Lodge in 1969 and was so impressive that he joined the York Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners the following year, however, Frank said, “I was Elevated into York RAM in the worst Ceremony I have ever seen. There were only seventeen Members attending. One of the Deacons threw himself under a train, and committed suicide after the meeting. Another Member had a heart attack at the news. The Worshipful Commander was foreign, and whilst he knew the Ritual, he could not speak English! Brother Fred Smith, who had joined a Royal Ark Mariner’s Lodge at Hoyle Court, West Yorkshire, persuaded me to visit his RAM Lodge the next week. I didn’t recognise the Ceremony, and immediately asked to join their Lodge. Next Meeting, when I was getting balloted, the Candidate was Keith Trott, and I have been very close to him ever since”.

Frank has since achieved Grand Ranks in Craft, Chapter, Mark, RAM, Red Cross etc. in his Masonic Career. He is a Founder Member of three Mark Lodges and is Hon. Member of 9 Lodges. He has loved his involvement in all the Degrees and is particularly proud of serving as DC for the Eboracum Chapte.r for 26 years and the fact that he was Prov.SW in the Mark in 1985 and was Prov.JW in the Craft in 1990. Don Davidson, was the SW, and they got on so well, that they always went to the Lodges together.

In 1997 George Cooper then the PGM, made Frank Dep PGM with the resignation of Frederick Arthur Smith, and following the death of George Cooper in 2004 he was made DPGM in Charge. The PGM position then went to Eric Roy Gore-Browne, who did the signal honour of having him as his Deputy PGM. In 2007 he retired, but not before the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons made him acting Junior Overseer.

It was therefore appropriate that he was honoured for his 50 years of Mark Membership at the meeting of St Peter’s Mark on 4th November. The Meeting was filled with 67 Grand, Provincial Officers and Lodge Brethren. The PGM arranged for the presentation of his 50 years Certificate to be carried out in an unusual method. He started by giving a short history of Frank’s Masonic career and this was followed up by RW Bros Fred Smith and Brian Batty and VW Bro David Crofts and Tony Burke all giving accounts of their involvement and exploits with Frank over the years in this Province as well as in the West Yorkshire Province.

Frank has the last word for all his friends; “Now since my Stroke two years ago, I sit on the top shelf, and complain about the standard of Ritual!! “Never would have got away with that in my day.” Brethren, I don’t really mean it – it’s like banking - you will get a lot of interest each day if you put your back into it!! Mark Well Brethren.”

‘A

Generous

Gift’

MBF FUND DONATION LIFELITES has received an incredible Donation of £141,423 from the Mark Benevolent Fund which will change the lives of thousands of life-limited and disabled children across the Country. Lifelites donates assistive technology to over 10,000 life-limited and disabled children in hospices across the coun-try, and this vital funding will support a brand new project being launched by the charity this – the Tech Trunk. The Tech Trunk is a solution for Hospice at Home services across the country that deliver palliative and respite care for children out in the community. The portable trunks enable hospice staff to take the Lifelites technology with them wherever they go, giving children access to life-changing technology in their own home. The trunks will include accessible, portable technology such as a Virtual Reality Headset, specialist iPads, games consoles and an Eyegaze, which enables children to use a computer just with the movement of their eyes. All of this technology gives these children the opportunity to play, be creative, control something for themselves and com-municate, for as long as it is possible. Simone Enefer-Doy, Chief Executive of Lifelites, said: ‘Our small team works tirelessly to raise the funds we so desperately need, and to have this unbelievably generous gift from the Mark Benevolent Fund is a complete game-changer for Lifelites. It will help us provide technology to thousands of children across the country, children. Every moment is precious, and thanks to this donation we can help these children make the most of every second.

Frank with the PGM and R.W.Bro. Brian Batty PPGM of West Yorkshire Province who received HIS 50 year award on

11th November at the Brighouse Lodge.

Mark my Words Page 5

Following an successful appeal from W. Bro. Francis Cammish of Londesborough Mark Lodge to the Provincial Mark Charities the Provincial Grand Master called on the Charity “The Little Foot Trust” in Scarborough to present them with a cheque for £1000 to enable them to, once again, take a group of under privileged children away for a holiday. The value of our donation was a complete surprise to the Trust and will enable them to take a larger number from Scarborough to London for a cultural / educational and fun holiday next year. “Thank you so much it is truly a fantastic amount of money and we cannot thank you all enough. We are absolutely thrilled to bits and to be honest it helps us all so much to ensure the children have the most amazing time in London in February” said Jackie.

MARK CHARITY AT WORK

‘The

Sea

Cadets’

A HIGH LEVEL “THANK YOU” FROM THE ROYAL NAVY

At the recent awards parade at TS Iron Duke in Hull Vice Admiral R. G. Cooling CB, past Commander of the carrier HMS Illustrious and former Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of Staff to NATO high command paid tribute to the Mark Provincial Charity Committee. Thanking them for the donation which has enabled six cadets to experience time at sea with the Royal Navy training ship he said. “Thank you for all you have done. These young people are our future”.

Never a truer word was said. Peter Nesbitt

Vice Admiral Cooling CB and W.Bro. Peter Nesbitt PPGSO

with the Cadets who have been chosen for the trip.

A brief note The Sea Cadets at TS Duke train children to 17 years old when many of them join the Royal Navy or the Royal Marines. The Royal Navy makes places for 6 Cadets from Hull to go to sea on a full 5 day trip to Europe, behaving like full time service personnel. The donation from Provincial Mark Charities has enabled these Cadets to be selected.

The PGM presenting the cheque to Jackie Link.

‘A

Complete

Surprise’

AROUND THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVE BOARDS How did Mary and Joseph know Jesus' weight when he was born? They had a weigh in a manger!

Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.

What is Frosty the Snowman's favourite song? Freeze a jolly good fellow.

My neighbour put up his Christmas lights today. I bet he's upset that I beat him to it. I put mine up three years ago!

What did Santa sing when he went down the chimney? "Chestnuts roasting over an open fire..."

Happy Christmas Brethren………..Editor.

‘Happy

Christmas’

Page 6 Mark my Words

A 25 YEAR OLD RAM LODGE

‘Deservi

‘oooarhhh

Wins again’

A GRAND CHAMPION

Following the success of showing their sheep at the

Mark Summer Fayre, four days later, Trevor Black

(Farmers No 1784) and his wife Pat entered into four

classes at Driffield show.

They won all of the four classes and the championship

itself.

The picture shows their champion ewe with the trophy

that they have now won on four separate occasions.

The Alexandra Lodge of RAM was formed as a direct result of a ‘George Cooper suggestion’ ( “I think Hornsea should have a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge”). Very subtle!!! The Alexandra Lodge of Mark Master Masons, undertook a general discussion in the bar (as you do) and with existing members of Minerva and Scarborough RAM they we soon had enough members to enable proper discussion on the formation of their own Ark. All founding Officers purchased and donated the Collars and Jewells. The Pedestals, Sceptres etc were crafted and donated by Ernie McGeagh, Roger Booker and Roger Parker. Les Wilcock made and donated an Ark and Norman Sheffield donated the Honours Board. On that day the Consecrating Officers were …………...

RW Bro. George Alfred Cooper. PGM W. Bro. Frederick Arthur Smith. Dep.PGM (his last consecration as Dep. PGM and he acted as Consecrating Officer) W. Bro. D.W. Etherington. Assist.PGM W. Bro. J.F. Beavers was the Prov. DC. 75 brethren were present and W.Bro. William Joseph Mumby was installed as the first Commander There are one or two different practices within the Lodge. They have an Anchor; which is in the charge of The SW and is placed upon his pedestal for the meeting and then carried into the festive board. This was the Idea of Graham Fenwick who donated it and wrote the ritual to

be used when transferring responsibility to the incoming SW. They also use pound coins when balloting for candidates! This came about as a result of being unable to find the balloting balls on the occasion of their first ballot. The monies now going to the Lodge Almoners fund. Another addition is when explaining the nine steps they include ‘CONTEMPLATION’ as the fourth step. The idea for this was given and was explained by W.Bro. Francis G. Woolgrove.

They have had only one year since Consecration when a new member was not brought aboard their ark. It is a

very healthy, vibrant, successful and most of all, a happy unit. Submitted by W. Bro. Graham Fenwick.

The Grand Kashmiry Buffet at The Jinnah on the A64 between York and Malton is being organised again this year for the 15th March at 7.00pm. This event will appeal to those who would like to sample Indian food or those who are fully committed to enjoying this superb evening out with their friends and family eating food at superb value. Your evening starts with Popadoms and Pickles. This is followed by a selection of Appetisers brought to your table. The main course is entirely up to your tastes. There are 9 Indian meals to choose from the Buffet ranging from mild flavours to hot, plus 2 Vegetarian and a Fish dish. There is also a choice of Pilau Rice and Naan Breads. If your guest would like English food they can accommodate you. The evening finishes with a superb Raffle and all for a total of £14.50 per person. Please contact Gordon Dudley on gordon@gdudley.com and send your cheque (Payable to Mark Social Committee) the names of those attending and whom you would like to sit with, to 3 Bry Hills, Seamer, Scarborough. YO12 4QQ.

‘THE JINNAH’ IS HERE AGAIN

‘Nine

Meals

To

Choose’

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 Some of your Captions following the last edition of MMW.....

"Bill's correspondence course in 'How to be a Pervert' is starting to show dividends." "The well known Masonic pin up Miss Norma Stizt brought all her talents to the Summer Fayre" “Bill confirmed that it is a woman but regretted missing his appointment at Specsavers”

At the Special RAM meeting at Scarborough the Keystone Coordinator W. Bro. Malcolm Farrow announced the following winners of the Draw.

4 Winners took home a prize of £100 each.... J. Kettlewell. Beverlac 281 A. Mallory. Saltburn 1532 C. Bodsworth. Beverlac 281

F. A. Smith. St Peter’s 1008

You have to be in it to win it Brethren!!

Your Mark Newsletter was launched in 14 years ago. It’s name derived from an idea by V.W.Bro. David Crofts. This is just one of the entries selected from the January 2016th edition.

KEYSTONE DRAW

CONNOUGHT COURT SUMMER FAYRE

Calling all Mark Masons and their ladies. Your PGM needs YOU to help celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Mark Province of North and East Yorkshire. This premier event on Saturday 18th November 2006 will be a high quality evening of entertainment and gour-

met food within the Ebor Suite at York Racecourse The star of the evening is Shep Woolley a Folk Singer Stand-up comedian and Entertainer, he’s a stand-up comedian who writes great songs and parodies. He is equally at home in pub or club or onstage at the Albert Hall or the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He can sing a song or belt out

‘Long Tall Sally’.

An active member of the Comedians’ Golfing Society, he has performed all around the world and in all sorts of situations, from speaking after dinner in the company of HRH Prince Charles the Prince of Wales to a Thursday night bash for 300 oil men on DAS Island in the Arabian Gulf, and the

Women’s Institute at Leigh in Surrey. As an actor he has appeared in numerous television plays and films and has 8 long-playing albums to his

credit and a couple of minor hits. Not only has Shep the pedigree to offer us a great evening’s entertainment he is also a MARK MASTER

MASON.

In June the association of Friends of Connaught Court held its annual summer fayre to raise funds for the benefit of the residents. The friends are committed to spending £11,500 per annum for entertainment, trips etc and also to provide amenities and equipment for Residents to make their stay as pleasant as possible, an objective made ever more difficult by the onset of

dementia. The Summer Fayre is the main fund-raiser and this year raised £6,906 from flyer donations and

£4,484 by stallholders, a total of £11,390. The takings on the day of £4,484 were boosted tremendously by W.Bro David Jennings, the Provincial Almoner and his team of Almoners in both the Mark and the Royal Ark Mariners who raised £960. This is a magnificent sum of money which will make life so much more enjoyable. On behalf of the Committee and the Residents may I say a big THANK YOU.

Bruce E Lowis, Treasurer, Association of Friends of Connaught Court

A sight to gladden a Masons heart. Setting up a Cake Stall.