| Constitution Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 949 |
| Constitution Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 949 Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of East Lancashire 75th ANNIVERSARY HISTORY |
| The completion of the first 75 years, and the beginning of the count down to our Centenary Celebrations has dawned brightly for Constitution Mark, with a visit by the APGM, WBro Jeffrey Huddart for the Installation of the current WM, Christopher Michael Wildman. This acquaintance was renewed at the 75th Anniversary Celebration on Monday 14th March 2011 in Bridge Street, Manchester. When in the company of almost 40 Brethren a digest of the Lodge History was delivered by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro Jeffrey Huddart, accompanied by representatives of the Provincial Team. He expressed the best wishes of all present that Constitution Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 949, have in the coming years every success and as much reward and benefit as their predecessors have enjoyed. Constitution Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 949 was consecrated on 25th November 1935 at the Freemasons’ Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester, by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro FW Broadbent, PGOv(Eng), and the Oration delivered by the Consecrating Chaplain, the Bishop Middleton, Bro Rt Rev’d CW Wilson MA ProvGChap. Proposals for Membership were received at the Consecration meeting, and a resolution to become a Keystone Lodge, (which was surpassed many times, becoming a Keystone Decuple Lodge in the fullness of time), on 14th January 1936, the first Regular Meeting took place at Bridge Street, where the Lodge has resided happily ever since. However, in one form or another, with meting times varying from 1.45pm to 5.00pm, the Lodge continued to function. Of course, World War II had ramifications on this Lodge, and notes in the Minutes Book bear this out; the Minutes of 8th September 1942 report the death of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Air Commodore HRH the Duke of Kent, on 25th August. Apologies are received from WBro W Wolfson, ‘who has joined his Majesty’s Forces’, and Bro Capt. RF Cartwright, ‘whose air-graf from the Middle East was read by the Secretary’ on a number of occasions. A rider attached to the Installation Summons of 1944 read.... The Founders wish all Brethren to note that certain re-adjustments will be necessary in the list of Officers. The Brethren whose names have been omitted owing to their inability to take Office, due to the prevailing conditions, will be given every consideration and their seniority in the list of Officers recognised when times become normal and circumstances permit. The Lodge recorded that on 12th January 1954, Provincial Grand Master RWBro the Rev’d Canon JW Taylor, took the Chair for an Advancement. He then, at the Installation on the same evening, delivered the Address to the Brethren. During the dog days of the Sixties and the start of the Seventies, inflation began to bite, and Fees increased in a startling manner; on 14th March, 1967, Annual Subscription rose by 45%, the Joining Fee by 100%, and the Advancement Fee by 150%. By January, 1974, the Joining Fee had risen by another 50%. On 12th November, 1985, the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Constitution Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 949 were held, as the Lodge proudly celebrated one hundred and ninety four Advancements into Mark Masonry. Sixty nine Mark Masons attended, along with the then Provincial Grand Master. RWBro G Gray, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Fred Whewell, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Fred Kemp, and a Provincial Delegation were received into the Lodge, with the Provincial Grand Master assuming the Chair of Adoniram, and the ProvGSW and ProvGJW their respective chairs. In his address, RWBro Gray gave a retrospect of the first fifty years of Constitution, and the celebrations in the Lodge were made complete with the promotion of WBro Ivor Harris to the rank of PProvGSW. The Social Board which followed comprised of Salmon Pate with Melon Balls, Celery Soup with Peas, Lemon Sorbet, Poached Halibut Mornay with Grapes, Boulangerie Potatoes and Vichy Carrots, Festival Pudding with Custard, the Cheese Board, and Coffee & Mints, all washed down with finest Muscadet |
| Happy Memories of the 75th Anniversary Celebration |
 |