MARK MASTER MASONS AND ROYAL ARK MARINERS

William Romaine Callender Lodge of Mark Masters No 136

On Tuesday 4 October 2011 the lodge held a re-dedication meeting to celebrate the coming together of the two Mark lodges in Bury viz  Alfred 136 and Callender 123 to be named the William Romaine Callender Lodge of Mark Masters No 136.   The Worshipful Master, Bro Peter D Moots, and the members of the Lodge welcomed the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Keith Partington Schofield, GMRAC who carried out the ceremony with a Provincial delegation.  A most enjoyable and convivial social board followed which was attended by 72 brethren.   The formation of the William Romaine Callender Lodge should ensure the future growth of Mark Masonry in Bury with a current membership of 35 and with a good prospect of further candidates into this, as it is known, the 'friendly degree'.

WBro Keith Schofield, PJGD, raises £36,000 for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre

The Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree, WBro Keith Schofield PJGD,has raised an incredible £36,000 for a cancer care centre by embarking on a Himalayan trek in memory of his late wife. Keith spent a year preparing for the trek in India with 19 other fund-raisers.

Many East Lancashire Brethren will remember Keith’s wife Brenda, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia cancer in 2003. She was treated at the Yorkshire Cancer Centre, at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, but sadly passed away last September.
Keith said,” I undertook this challenge as a personal commitment to Yorkshire Cancer Centre in memory of my wife Brenda. She faced her illness with amazing courage and her death has left a huge hole in my life. Brenda knew I was undertaking the challenge as I started training before she died. She was very supportive and I think she would have been proud. It was incredibly tough but I found this challenge has given me more personal satisfaction than anything I have ever done. Travelling to India and meeting the people I did, who were content to live on next to nothing, was an eye-opening experience. I would go back again tomorrow”.

Together, the team raised £70,500 for the centre, which treats more than 1,500 patients daily.
The 12-day adventure included a five-day trek in the Himalayan foothills near Dharamsala in Northern India, tackling a rocky ascent to a glacier at an altitude of 3,200m, as well as facing many other challenges including a chaotic overnight train, unseasonal hot weather and spicy curries twice a day! Keith thanked his friends, colleagues and fellow Freemasons, who helped him raise £36,000 for the centre. Also on the trek was Bro Kevin Pickering, a member of Pendle Lodge
Keith will be taking on another challenge to raise money for the centre in November, cycling along the River Nile in Egypt.

Francis Regis Baxendale
1941 - 2011

Mark Masonry in East Lancashire suffered another blow with the death on April 18th, 2011, of the Provincial Secretary for the Mark Degree, Frank Baxendale. Frank, aged 69 years, died peacefully in hospital. A celebration of his life took place at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary The Virgin, Blackburn, at 1.30pm on Thursday 28th April 2011.

Francis was born on 23rd September 1941, the first son of Doris and Bernard Joseph Baxendale, brother to Alan.  He first went to school just around the corner from his Exeter Street home at Emmanuel Primary School; from here he moved on to Blakey Moor Boys’ School, where he was the last Head Boy. He was one of the first boys to win the Thwaites’ Scholarship, which saw him spend 6 weeks in America; fortunately for us all he did not stay.

On completing his time at school, he started his working life at Walpamur Paint -  Crown Paints - as a Paint Chemist. From here he moved to Lancashire County Council, where he worked as Assistant County Treasurer - Data processing - until his retirement.

During his busy time above he still managed to go back to College at night, and became a Town Councillor. Frank married Miriam Luker on 8th December 1962. He was proud father to Christina, Frank, Gillian and Andrew and a doting grandfather to Ben, Angela, Tim, Adam, Rebecca, Jason, Gillian and Zac. He was a respected and long-serving Governor at a number of local Blackburn schools, including John Rigby, St Bede’s, Newton Bluecoats, St Aidan’s Primary, Wensley Fold Primary and St Wilfrid’s High School in Blackburn, St. Mary’s Eccleston and St Peter’s in Chorley.

The service at Blackburn Cathedral was a warm and moving event. The large congregation were in good voice for the three hymns - “The King of Love my Shepherd is”, “Make Me a Channel of your Peace” and “Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven”. Gillian, Franks second daughter gave a reading and Christina, eldest daughter gave the Eulogy with Angela speaking on behalf of the grandchildren. The very fitting address was delivered by the Dean of Blackburn, The Very Rev’d Christopher Armstrong.

Following the private committal at Pleasington Cemetery, the family returned to greet Frank's friends at Clayton Masonic Hall.

New Ambulance for Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue

The Mountain Rescue Team in Rossendale and Pendle were thrilled to receive a brand new Land Rover Discovery Ambulance. It was a part of the 100th Celebration of the forming of the East Lancashire  Province of Mark Master Masons . It was one of the THREE Ambulances presented to the MR Teams that cover East Lancashire, the other two being Bolton MRT and the Oldham MRT.
These vehicles were a part of the total sum of £210, 000 donated  by the Mark Master Masons of East Lancashire, through the ELMBF, to local Charities as a part of the celebration.
The presentations of the other two vehicles are to be made in the first days of May.

The fully equipped ambulance – worth £40,000 – will help the team rescue people across the West Pennines and Lancashire.
The group showed off their vehicle at an open day on Saturday 19th March 2011 where visitors were able to meet the volunteers and learn about their activities.
The event was disrupted however, when the rescue team were called out to search for a 43-year-old man, who after two hours of searching turned up safe and sound.
Volunteer John Parish said that the Land Rover was used for the first time this week, adding “The Ambulance is Pukka” We are really pleased and grateful to the Freemasons for the donation.
More information about how to get involved or to donated can be obtained by contacting John on 01706 229315 or Email newsbase@rpmrt.org.uk

Two of the ambulances being used by the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team

We sadly lost RWBro Fred Kemp, Past Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of East Lancashire, to the Grand Lodge above. A  private committal took place at Pleasington followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at St Silas Church on Friday 18 Feb 2011; the latter was tremendously supported by family, friends and Masonic colleagues. It was a lovely service and the family gave a most moving tribute to Fred. His two grandsons came to the microphone - the elder grandson spoke lovingly of his granddad and the younger read out a poem he had written that was greeted with applause.

The sermon was given by the Rev. Brian Stevenson who Fred was very instrumental in bringing to St. Silus Church from Low Moor in Clitheroe.

Fred had made a huge impact on many of people's lives.  Fred’s love of all things Masonic was very apparent his primary interest in the Mark Degree was obvious to all. The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Keith Schofield, read a lesson prior to the sermon - 1 Corinthians 13 - this was expanded upon during his sermon.

The service ended with our very own Masonic Closing Hymn.

The church was filled to capacity and the “overflow” chapel had to be used for seating, many stood at the rear of the Chuirch, for this proper celebration of Fred’s life. He would have enjoyed it enormously!

Fred served the Mark Province as Provincial Grand Master for a remarkable 10 years, from 1993 to 2003. Prior to this he served as Deputy Provincial Grand Master from 1987 and Assistant Provincial Grand Master from 1983. He contribution to the Mark, RAM and other Orders was well recognised across the Province and further afield. Fred will be sadly missed by many who loved him.

RWBro Kemp at the celebration of 50 years of his Royal Arch membership in 2010
accompanied by the MEGSupt and the 2nd and 3rd Provincial Grand Principals in the Royal Arch.

100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

"Strong in faith and freedom..."

Saturday 2nd October 2010 saw a magnificent evening in the History of the Mark Province of East Lancashire, when a Celebration Dinner was held in the Penine Suite at the Last Drop Village in Bolton. Following a lively wine reception the brethren, ladies and guests dined on East Lancashire Tart, Roast Rib Eye of Lancashire Beef, Chocolate Truffle Tort and a selection of sumptuous accompaniments. The toast to the Province was made by RWBro Peter Connolly, Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Master Mason Province of West Lancashire.

In his response the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Keith Partington Schofield, GMRAC, noted the 'reams of paper' that Peter had used for his toast, whereas his response he had managed to get onto the back of a place card :-). "There are many reasons why men join Freemasonry and if you ask then from most you may not get a definitive answer. Here we joined the Mark for friendship, companionship, and to be together with close friends. Tonight I have delegated well - Trevor, Kevin and co have done a superb job (applause++++).
I have had much support from people here tonight during this last week - love and friendship. I would not be here tonight if it wasn't for my two girls who have been rocks, together with the wonderful support of their boys."

Throughout dinner we were entertained by the Harpist - Anna Christensen and later everyone let their hair down on the dance floor to "Fabbalicious" - an ABBA tribute band. Finishing the evening the Bolton Hoover Band gave a short but fantastic Last Night of the Proms concert, finishing with Rule Brittania and Land of Hope and Glory, which of course had the whole patrotic crowd up on the chairs with their flags waving - what a super evening.

The fabulous birthday cakes shown in the photographs were made my Muriel and Miriam - and a fabulous job they did too - one sponge, one fruit - both exquisite - I should know, I sampled them (Ed.).

The Mark Province of East Lancashire came into being on 26 September 1910. It was in 1856 that English Mark Masons established their own Grand Mark Lodge, and the two existing Mark Ceremonies were combined into one. Since then it has been conferred in Mark, rather than Craft, Lodges. There are 41 Provinces in England and Wales, as well we 25 worldwide Districts. There are over 1600 Mark Lodges and the Grand Master is HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

The Province of Lancashire was formed in 1870 and was the 17th Province. Later it was split into East and West Lancashire. The first Eastern Provincial Grand Master was RWBro the Earl of Derby. Then, the number of Mark Lodges was 17 with 4 RAM Lodges. Today the membership is 1700 in 60 Mark Lodges and 35 RAM Lodges. The Province stretches from the Cumbria and Yorkshire borders in the North and East, along the route of the A6 in the West, to the Cheshire border in the South.

The Centenary year has been busy - dedication of the Mark Centenary Banner, new Provincial tie, new Centenary Jewel, new Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Banner and a donation of £200,000 presented to 6 local Charities at the recent Fellowship Family Fun Day at Middleton.

The Provincial Grand Master thanks everyone for their support and enthusiasm for the Mark Degree, and especially for this Celebration Dinner, the culmination of our centenary celebrations.

Mark Master Masons of East Lancashire

A charity Brass Band concert by the famous Wingates Brass Band will take place at the Albert Halls, Bolton on Sunday 6th March 2011.

The concert is in aid of Masonic and non Masonic charities.

  Tickets and further information can be obtained from WBro Jack Levene at j@jacklev.com or by contacting him on 07967 177447

You can also purchase tickets direct from the Albert Halls - 01204 334400

view the website at: http://www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk/

The band - one of the oldest and most famous brass bands in the country is based in the village of Westhoughton, Bolton.

Brief History of Wingates

The Band was formed in 1873 by the members of the Bible Class of Wingates Independent Methodist Church, in response to a challenge thrown down by the members of the Westhoughton Old Band, which had existed since 1858, to develop brass band music in the region.

It was in 1891 that the band signed its first professional conductor, William Rimmer from Southport. William was one of the all-time 'giants' of the British band movement.  By the turn of the century he had transformed Wingates into an outfit amongst the finest in the land.  In 1906 the band achieved the 'double' of British Open and British national Champions.  This was repeated again in 1907, a feat known as the 'double double' which has only once been emulated since then in the 1970s by the world famous Black Dyke Mills Band.

In 1910 half the band's members and senior committee personnel were lost in the Pretoria pit disaster, one of the worst in British mining history which claimed the lives of 344 men and boys, numbering cornet players, trombone players and horn players.

Since the 1900s Wingates has been regarded as one of the elite bands in Britain and by many as amongst the very best bands during the life of the band movement.

Mark Master Masons of East Lancashire

Celebration of Brenda's life

A celebration of Brenda's life was held on Thursday 30th September 2010 at 13.15 in St Michaels and All Angel, Foulridge, BB8 7PY. It was the family wish that everyone was welcome to attend for refreshments after the service, at the Stone Trough Inn Kelbrook BB18 6XY, and attend they did. The day was a celebration of the life of Brenda, and not a memoriam. Accordingly, people attended wearing bright colours and not black. Brenda was an exceptional lady and throughout her life always looked towards the positive things and that is how the family wish to have her remembered.

We are certain that all Mark Masons thought of Keith, his devoted daughters Helen and Andrea, their husbands Paul and “Barge” and their grandchildren Serren, James and Zac and included them in their thoughts and prayers at this most sad time of their lives.

Mark

Mark Masons Ladies Evening Saturday 12th December 2009

Worshipful Masters & their wives hosted their third Joint Ladies Evening at the Adelaide Suite, Adelaide Street, Accrington. The evenings celebrations started with a superb 5 course dinner prepared by Barbara Peters culminating in a vintage performance by Brian Howe, a superb vocalist. More than £400 was raised for local charities.

Standing left to right:
Jack Aston, Ken Bentley, Duncan Holmes & Tom Haworth
Seated left to right
Christine Aston, Margaret Bentley, Mary Holmes & Janet Haworth

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