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Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons East Lancashire The News |
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| Royal Ark Mariner Grand Appointments 2011 |
| Congratulations to the Brethren who were appointed to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank and who were invested by the Pro Grand Master at the Grand Lodge Meeting on the 13th December. | ||
 Alan William Baxendale Keep 911 |
 David Keith Combes Progress 1577 |
 Philip Julian Conn Lancastrians 689 |
 Keith Michael Harrison Perseverance 403 |
 John William Hudson Gawthorpe 1014 |
 Roger John Perks Keep 911 |
| The Investiture meeting was held at Great Queens Street and the Provincial Grand Master and the Recipients of Grand Rank were well supported with over 40 brethren from East Lancashire making the journey to London. | ||
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There was time on the morning before the meeting to visit some of the sites around London and W Bro Fraser McCord, seen here on the right, arranged for a group to tour the museum at the Royal College of Surgeons. The visit was very interesting and we found out a lot of interesting facts about the development of surgical techniques and procedures. The meeting was followed by a meal in the Connaught Rooms, with the return train back to Manchester leaving at 9pm. |
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| Grand Lodge September 2011 |
| On 13th September the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent presided over the meeting of The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons at Great Queen Street, London. During the meeting he invested the new Pro Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Benjamin Addy, Deputy Grand Master R. W. Bro. Michael Herbert and Assistant Grand Master R. W. Bro. Keith Emmerson. 38 East Lancashire Mark Master Masons made the trip to London |
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| The new Pro Grand Master is an East Lancashire Mark Mason and is seen here being congratulated by the Provincial Grand Master Keith Schofield |
| The Grand Master addressed the meeting following the investiture, a copy of his speech is contained below; |
| "Brethren, it is that time of year, when I can take pleasure in welcoming you back after the summer break, although I am afraid that I use the word "summer" this year rather more loosely than I would normally. However, it is the start of another new Masonic Year and I have no doubt that you are fully refreshed for the season which lies ahead. Since we met in June, the one hundred and forty-third Anniversary Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund has been held in the Province of North Wales. More specifically it was held in the seaside town of Llandudno on Saturday 2nd July under the Chairmanship of R. W. Bro. Gareth Williams, the Provincial Grand Master. It was a truly impressive occasion raising the magnificent sum of £630,738 for which I offer him and his generous Province our hearty congratulations and our very grateful thanks. Today has seen the investiture of a new Pro Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Assistant Grand Master in the persons of M. W. Bro. Benjamin Addy, R. W. Bro. Michael Herbert and R. W. Bro. Keith Emmerson. I have every confidence in their abilities to promulgate to the brethren the very special fellowship and happiness that members of our Order share and I wish them every success in their new roles. It is now a matter of the greatest importance that I express my admiration for our retiring Pro Grand Master, M. W. Bro. John Hale who for twenty-one years was a Ruler in our Order and held a very special place in our hearts. In the eleven years that he was Pro Grand Master he represented me on very many occasions, not only in this country, but also abroad and he rightly became a much loved and revered figure for the sterling work he did and the friendly and dignified way in which he did it. He will be sorely missed and I wish him a long and happy retirement. However, his retirement will be the first stage of my endeavour to reduce the age profile of the Rulers of the Mark and to show to our membership that promotion to the highest level is perfectly possible for all and is based upon ability and not age. I have discussed this initiative with the Rulers I installed today and I am delighted to say that they are in complete agreement with my approach. We must also remember that we are in an era where less and less young men are coming into Freemasonry generally and I believe it to be important that we show that our Order can appeal to like minded Masons regardless of age. Brethren, our September Communication is normally very short but today has been a special day and has been somewhat longer than usual. As I am sure that you are all looking forward to the refreshment that now follows I will, therefore, simply close my remarks by thanking you all for such a splendid turnout today and by wishing you all a very happy and successful year in which to further extend the tradition of our Order." |
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The Brethren assembled in the Connaught Rooms to dine before travelling back to Manchester by train.  |
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| The Provincial Grand Master circulating around the East Lancashire tables during the meal | |
| The Second Provincial Weekend Away - Chester |
| Provincial Weekend Away - Chester |
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| The 2011 Provincial Away Weekend was held over Friday the 5th and Saturday the 6th August when the Provincial Grand Master accompanied by 54 members and their partners travelled to Chester staying at the Queen Hotel just outside the City Centre. |
| Friday Evening We assembled on the Italian Terrace at 7:30pm for a wine reception prior to dinner in the Bacchus Suite Suite at 8:00pm which was to be followed by dancing. |
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 The Bacchus Suite with the dance floor ready for action |
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Chester Dinner Dance Menn A timbale of finest smoked salmon and prawn set on an orange and dill dressing **** Seared breast of chicken with porcini and oyster mushrooms with Madeira and thyme infused jus **** Raspberry and white chocolate Crème Brulèe caramel glazed with shortbread fingers |
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Around the tables  |
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Let the dancing commence! |  |
 There were variations on the Jive, the Watusi, and Hitch Hiking, the Twist and even some Line dancing! |
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 The red and green disco lights made for some unusual effects but the ladies soon got their act together, the line dancing was quite coordinated at the end |
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 The Deputy PGM was in good form and Hazel was still dancing like an Egyptian |
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| Mama Mia, here we go again, just like watching the film.  |
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| Saturday Was left for everyone to enjoy the day at their leisure and pursue activities as a group or individually On Saturday everyone was given the opportunity spend the day at leisure or pursue activities as a group or individually. There were plenty of activities to occupy our time the open top bus and the cruise along the river were popular and others ventured out and about around the shops in the City Centre. Apparently there were a few bargains to be had and a couple of suits and shirts found their way to the hotel..  |
| At 7:45pm everyone assemble in the Cocktail Bar prior to leaving by coach at 8:15pm for dinner at the Con Vivia restaurant, Everyone had chosen their meals beforehand so there was no waiting we returned to the Hotel at at 11.30pm for a night cap |
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| Everyone agreed that the weekend had been enjoyable. The Provincial Grand Master, Keith Schofield has decided that we will be doing it again in Liverpool next year and we are in the process of organizing the event We hope that you are able to join him for that weekend. |
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| Provincial Grand Lodge June 2011 |
| Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Bolton Town Hall on the 1st June 2011. The meal following the meeting was attended by 266 Brethren, including 24 Distinguished Guests and 10 Visiting PGM’s |
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The Provincial Grand Master Toasts another successful Provincial Meeting and raises a glass with W Bro Bill Porter  |
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There was plenty of time to relax and enjoy a glass of wine and chat during the meal |
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The Senior Warden W. Bro Malcolm McCarthy who proposed the toast to the Provincial Grand Master |  |
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and the Junior Warden W. Bro David Biggs who proposed the toast to the Deputy, Assistants and Provincial Officers |  |
| W Bro Mark Davis, The Provincial Charity Steward |  |
| Grand Lodge June 2011 |
| On the 7th June 78 East Lancashire Mark Masons accompanied the Provincial Grand Master in travelling down to Great Queen Street, London to attend the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons. |
| Following the Meeting everyone gathered at the Grand Connaught Rooms to dine. |  |
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W Bro Royce Batters, the President of the Board of Grand Stewards |
The Pro Grand Master responded to the toast, during Grand lodge he informed the meeting that he would be standing down at the September Meeting, he will be succeeded by the Deputy Grand Master, Ben Addy |
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The Provincial Grand Master with The Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro Jeffery Huddart who now becomes a Past Grand Junior Deacon and Royce Batters who was the President of the Board of Grand Stewards 2010-11 |
| Kinship Meeting at Wike Lodge Radcliffe |
| Wike Lodge of Mark Master Masons hosted a Kinship meeting on the 13th April at Radcliffe Masonic Hall,The Provincial Grand Master attended accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stephen Holt
and a Provincial Deputation. The meeting was attended by over 60 Brethren including 20 visiting Craft Masons from local Lodges. The PGM took the chair of the Lodge with the Provincial Wardens and Inner Guard also taking office. He introduced the individual Provincial Officers of the year who were accompanying him; it was a reduced number as several officers were attending a 65th Celebration in Clayton with the Deputy PGM. Following the closing of the lodge the Officers remained in position. The Craft Masons were admitted and the PGM welcomed them and gave them an introduction to the Mark Degree. |
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| This was followed by a presentation by W Bro Trevor Parvin covering the history, development and organisation of the degree, the charitable activities of the East Lancs Mark Benevolent Fund and the social events organised throughout the year by the Mark Fellowship. |
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The various offices in the Lodge and Mark regalia were also explained along with the relationship with the Royal Ark Mariner Degree. | |
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| The PGM then took the floor and answered a series of questions from the visiting Craft brethren before retiring from the lodge room accompanied by the Provincial Deputation. |
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| At the Social Board the PGM addressed the Brethren, thanking them for their attendance and for making the evening a successful and enjoyable event. |
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| Grand and Provincial Officers Reception |
| Grand and Provincial Officers Reception at Smithills Coaching House Bolton The Annual Reception for the officers appointed and promoted at the East Lancashire Provincial Meeting in Bolton and the Grand Mark Lodge Meeting in London in June 2010 and those invested with Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Rank in November and Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank at Grand Lodge in London in December, was held at Smithills Coaching House Bolton on the 17th April. |
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| The weather was warm and sunny and everyone took the opportunity to gather in the courtyard with their complimentary drink. |
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 There were 80 dining and everyone got together for a group photo before going in for the meal |
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| There was a wide choice of starters and main courses on the menu, accompanied by a choice of red or white wine. The puddings were really tempting if you could find a corner to fit one in, some people actually managed a trip to the cheese board as well! To finish here was a choice of port, brandy or liqueurs to go with the coffee. |
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| The Provincial Grand Master said a few words at the end of the meal, thanking everyone for coming and Trevor Parvin for arranging the meal and everything that goes into making the afternoon a success including the sunshine. |
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| 3rd Charity Banquet |
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| The 3rd Mark Charity Banquet was held at Audenshaw Masonic Hall on the 8th April. |
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There was time to enjoy a glass of bubbly or orange juice at the reception before the meal and catch up with all the gossip. |
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W Bro Nolan Morrison welcomed everyone and reminded them that there were some splendid prizes in the raffle to be drawn later in the evening, including a LCD TV. The meal then got underway |
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| Bro Darren Allardyce provided the musical accompaniment during the meal |  |
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| The Provincial Grand Master proposed the Loyal Toast |  |
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The evening continued with songs from soprano Aimee Toshney, MA (Hons) who was accompanied by pianist Elin Rees, Bmus (Hons) Aimee and Elin appeared by kind permission of the Royal Northern College of Music where they are both continuing their musical studies. |
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| Aimee has sung at various venues around the world and is at present doing post graduate studies in performance. Elin has performed as a soloist and accompanist from a young age and is studying for a Masters Degree |
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The PGM drew the raffle assisted by WBro Stan Bibby, before bringing the evening to a close by thanking WBro Morrison and his team for organising the Banquet and ensuring everything ran smoothly. He thanked everyone for their attendance and the contribution they had made to our Provincial Charities. |
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| Brass Band Concert Albert Halls Bolton |
The Provincial Charity Steward Jack Leverne, organised a Brass Band Concert by The Wingates Brass Band to raise funds for the East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund. The event took place in the Albert Halls at Bolton on the 6th March. The Wingates Band are one of the foremost Brass Bands in the Country, they were formed in 1873 and have won many honours and prestigious accolades over the years. They travel around the world attending competitions and events and have many talented musicians in their ranks. The programme for the evening included the Classics, the Beatles, and some composed by Band members. There were also solos performed by Solo Cornet, Andrew MacDonald, Euphonium, Lewis Musson, Soprano Cornet, Clint Miller The programme ended with the 1812 Overture complete with cannons and climatic chiming bells. We couldn’t let them go without an encore which came in the shape of Riverdance. The PGM thanked Jack and his team for the effort that they had put into the event and said how much he had enjoyed the music and the evening. |
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| The audience take their seats and the band take to the stage |
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| Musical Director David Thornton |
| The evening got under way with the Overture from William Tell by Rossini |
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| The audience appreciated the solo performances of Glorious Fountain by Principal Cornet Andrew MacDonald, M.A. (Dist.) and the Toreadors Song from Carmen by Solo Euphonium Lewis Musson |
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There was a solo from Soprano Cornet Clint Miller |
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There was a bit of a crush in the bar during the Interlude but everyone managed to get back to their seats in time for the second half of the performance |
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The Percussion section who provided the cannons and fireworks for the 1812 Overture
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| A Bands eye view of the conductor |
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| We couldn’t let them go without an encore which came in the shape of Riverdance. The PGM thanked Jack and his team for the effort that they had put into organising and promoting the event and said how much he had enjoyed the music and the evening. |
| 9th Mark Masters Annual Dinner |
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| 2011 Mark Masters and Royal Ark Mariner Commanders |
| The 9th Mark Masters Dinner was held on the Friday the 18th March at Farnworth Masonic Hall.
The Worshipful Masters of the Mark Lodges and the Royal Ark Mariner Commanders in the Province are invited to bring along their partners. This year there were 106 dining, the evening started at 7pm when all the Masters and Commanders gathered for a group photograph with the Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy and assistant Grand Masters. They then joined their partners for a five course diner.  The Provincial Grand Master speaking after the meal commented on the way the event, which is held at a different hall each year has grown and said he hadn’t realised we were now on our 9th Dinner. |
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| Around the Tables |
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| 100th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner 2nd October 2010 The Pennine Suite The Last Drop Hotel Bolton |
| The Mark Province of East Lancashire celebrated it’s Centenary with a dinner at the Last Drop Hotel Bolton on the 2nd of October 2010. The Provinces of East and West Lancashire came into being on the 28th September 1910 when the original Lancashire Province was divided. 270 Guests attended including 12 from the Province of West Lancashire who held their celebrations in Southport in June. |
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| The Evening commenced at 7:00pm with a Wine Reception where Guests were welcomed by the Stewards who were dressed in Regency costume, a nod towards the period around the time of the origin of Mark Masonry in Lancashire |
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The Provincial Grand Master welcomes everyone to the 100th Anniversary Celebration |
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| During the meal Harpist Anna Christensen provided musical accompaniment. |
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| The menu for the evening was; East Lancashire Tart Warm tart filled with bacon, black pudding and Lancashire cheese, Beetroot relish Roast Rib Eye of Lancashire Beef Rich onion and ale gravy, homemade thyme pudding Chocolate Truffle Torte Cappuccino and hazelnut ice cream Farmhouse Cheese and Biscuits Fresh grapes and celery Freshly Brewed Coffee And chocolate mints |
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| The Lady Stewards circulating. The Provincial Grand Master explaining to Carol Reaney that he didn’t know how to dance a minuet, but if they did something by Meat Loaf he might be tempted. |
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| Toasts |
| W Bro Peter Connolly, The Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire proposed the toast
“The 100th Anniversary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons East Lancashire” |
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| He also presented the Provincial Grand Master with a donation for the “Trek India” which he will be undertaking next May. Bro Keith Schofield Provincial Grand Master responded |
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| Adding that he hoped that everyone had enjoyed the meal and that we should now settle back and enjoy the entertainment. |
| The Entertainment |
| Entertainment by Fabbalicious an ABBA tribute group who managed to get the dance floor full with a selection of Hits including Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen |
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The Lady Stewards gave a demonstration of formation dancing, Regency Style |
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| Several of the guests were celebrating Special Occasions. | |
| The Birthdays include | |
| Susan Higgins |  |
| Joanne Heggarty who had just celebrated her 60th |  |
| Joe Smith who will be 91 later this month |  |
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| The Anniversaries |
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Mark and Yvonne Davies celebrated their 29th Wedding anniversary |
| George and Wendy Higgins were celebrating their 19th |  |
| Congratulation also to our Assistant Provincial Grand Master Steven Holt and Jennifer Shaw who will be getting married on the 15th. |
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The Bolton Hoover Brass Band then staged a Last night of the Proms Concert conducted by Trevor Halliwell |
| They opened with the Dambusters March |  |
| and had everyone on their feet and singing along with a selection which included; Ticket to Ride Jerusalem Rule Britannia The Radetzky March |
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and Finally Land of Hope and Glory, |
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which the Master of Ceremonies decided we could do better so he made us do 3 encores, |
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If you enjoy Brass Band Music there will be a Concert in aid of the ELMBF on the 6th March at Bolton Town Hall click here for further details… |
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| The evening ended just after midnight and Everyone agreed that it had been a right good do! |
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| Kinship Meeting at Mossley Lodge |
| Mossley Lodge of Mark Master Masons hosted a Kinship meeting on the 8th November at Mossley Masonic Hall The meeting was attended by over 80 Brethren including 12 visiting Craft Masons from local Lodges. The Provincial Grand Master attended with a Provincial Deputation and took the chair of the Lodge with the Provincial Wardens and Inner Guard also taking office. The PGM introduced the individual Provincial Officers of the year who were accompanying him and then conducted the remaining lodge business. Following the closing of the lodge the Officers remained in position . The Craft Masons then entered and the PGM welcomed them and gave them an introduction to the Mark Degree. |
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| This was followed by a presentation by W Bro Trevor Parvin covering the history, development and organisation of the degree, the charitable activities of the East Lancs Mark Benevolent Fund and the social events organised by the Mark Fellowship. |
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| The various offices in the Lodge and Mark regalia were also explained |
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| The PGM then answered a series of questions from the visiting Craft brethren before retiring from the lodge room accompanied by the Provincial Deputation. |
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| At the Social Board the PGM addressed the Brethren, thanking them for their attendance and commenting on the conversations and the friendly atmosphere he had observed during the meal, that he felt had added to the relaxed mood throughout making it an enjoyable evening. |
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| The First Provincial Weekend Away |
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The first Provincial Weekend away took place over the weekend Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th of August.
We stayed at the Queens Hotel in the Centre of Leeds. The weekend started with a dinner dance in the hotel on the Friday night and then an Italian Meal at the Casa Mia on Saturday. |
| Friday Everyone met up in the Queens bar at 7:30pm for a wine reception prior to dinner in the Palm Court at 8:00pm The menu included Duo of Crab Terrine Garlic Pesto Stuffed Chicken Vanilla Crème Brulee Coffee & Orange Chocolates |
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And of course several glasses of red or white! |
| The DJ had everyone up dancing, Hazel and Ingrid “Dance like an Egyptian” The PGM also did a nice routine when he requested a Meatloaf song . |
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This could be the Hokey Cokey, the Twist or Line dancing but we were reliably informed it was the Time Warp |
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| The East Lancs Mark Formation Dancing Team perform New York, New York but sadly fail the audition for Britain's Got Talent. |
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| On Saturday everyone was given the opportunity spend the day at leisure or pursue activities as a group or individually. There were plenty of activities to occupy our time with some going to the Royal Armories Museum and others venturing out and about the City Centre. Several of the ladies decided that they would take their husbands wallets for some exercise and there were a few large shopping bags carried into the hotel at tea time! One group decided to meet up for lunch and about 20 gathered at in an old Victorian building besides the canal at the “Brassiere Blanc” one of the restaurants run by the well known Chef Raymond Blanc |
| On Saturday night we again assembled in the Queens Bar leaving at 7:30pm and made our way to the Casa Mia Italian restaurant for dinner, the meal was excellent with so many different plates of anti pasta and main courses. |  |
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| Everyone agreed that the weekend had been a resounding success. The Provincial Grand Master, Keith Schofield has decided that we will be doing it again next year and we are in the process of organizing another, along similar lines, for the weekend beginning Friday 5th August 2011 this time in Chester. We hope that you are able to join him for that weekend. |