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Category Archives: Archive
Canon Portal Memorial Lecture.
Canon Portal Memorial Lecture.
On Wednesday 26th October 2022 Benevolent TI Mark Lodge, in Cheshire, hosted The Second Canon Portal Memorial Lecture, in Stockport.
Right Worshipful Brother Gary Raymond Horstman, Provincial Grand Master of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Cheshire was delighted to be accompanied by his team pictured here.
The lecture entitled ‘The first Royal Mark Mason’ is an account of the life and masonic career of Prince Leopold and was delivered by Worshipful Brother Dr Rod Taylor, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire (Brighouse Lodge No 753)
This was a very important occasion for the Province of Cheshire and The lecture was extremely well received by all those present.
Picture here are the Lodge Members, including The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire David Victor Dyson, The Provincial Active Offices and Grand Officers.
George Portal was Grand Master from 1869-1873 and the driving force behind the formation of the Mark Benevolent Fund, in 1868.
Mark Benevolent Fund Cheshire Festival 2024 up coming Events.
Mark Benevolent Fund Cheshire Festival 2024 up coming Events.
The Relevance of Mark Masonry
Today we would like to bring to you some information regarding “The Relevance of Mark Masonry & How its practiced and recognised in Scotland”
On the 17th September 2022, the Lodge of Dunblane no. IX will celebrate their 325th anniversary, albeit 2 years late due to the pandemic restrictions, which will be attended by a number of Cheshire Craft and indeed Mark masons, and to mark the occasion the lodge have produced a commemorative token, as shown below, which clearly is in the design of a Mark penny.
Of course in Scotland, and other constitutions around the world, the Mark degree is worked as a ceremony in its own right in a Craft lodge, as of course is the Royal Arch degree, with the degree of a Mark man being worked immediately after the fellowcraft degree, and that of Mark Master after the Master Masons degree, before exaltation into the Royal Arch degree, again under the workings of a Craft lodge.
Of course, under English constitution it is worked separately, but the historic link and relevance of the Mark degree as part of the rounded knowledge of a Master Mason is still available to all, albeit not automatically as in other Constitutions.
However, in whatever guise we practice the degree, it’s clear that the Magic of the Mark knows no borders.
To find out more, or enquire about joining this interesting and friendly degree, and further advance your knowledge of Freemasonry, please email us at membership@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk or go to forms.gle/6WEjdwRyuK7cMxXs9
150 Years of The Province of Cheshire
150 Years of The Province of Cheshire
Although the shrouded history of Operative Mark Masonry begins much earlier, this story has its outset in September 1769, where we find the first written record of any working of a speculative Mark degree, when at a newly chartered Royal Arch Chapter, known as the Chapter of Friendship, held at the George Tavern in Portsmouth, the famous Thomas Dunckerley, son of the Prince of Wales (later King George II), Provincial Grand Master.
“Up to 1872, there had been no Provincial Grand Mark Lodge for the Province of Cheshire. The consecration of the Stamford Mark Lodge No. 148 in March 1872, now meeting at Sale, brought the number of Mark Lodges in Cheshire at the time, to four, the other three being Ashton District at Dukinfield, Benevolent No. 67 (now Benevolent TI) at Stockport, and Fidelity Mark No.31 at Birkenhead. With the addition of North Wales, it was deemed desirable by several eminent Mark Master Masons, that a Provincial Grand Lodge should be established for the area of Cheshire and North Wales. on 5th April 1873 therefore, through the united exertions of Brothers Bulkeley Hughes, W. Romaine Callender (who we mentioned earlier as the Mark Provincial Grand Master in Lancashire), J. Chadwick, Lt. Col Wilkinson, J. A. Birch, and Richard Newhouse, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Cheshire and North Wales was Instituted and Consecrated under the command of The first Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. The Hon. Wilbraham Egerton (later Earl Egerton of Tatton). W. Bro Newhouse was appointed as the first Provincial Grand Secretary (and indeed, he held the same position in Craft).
The combined Province separated in 1880 and The Province of Cheshire as we know it today, was born.
Mark Masons Step in as Blood Bike is stolen and vandalised and purchase a New Bike.
Mark Masons Step in as Blood Bike is stolen and vandalised and purchase a New Bike.
The Mark Benevolent Fund has agreed to fund the purchase of a New Blood Bike at a cost of £18,801.
One of the Manchester Blood Bikes was stolen from a volunteer’s house and vandalised. The bike has been able to be repaired to such an extent to allow it to get back on the road. The bike however has over 85,000 miles on the clock and is at such a point in its working life that they would be looking to retire it.
So Mark Masons from Cheshire and Lancashire are purchasing a New Blood Bike for them at £18,801
The Mark Master Masons’ Maul Challenge
Introducing The Mark Master Masons’ Maul Challenge.
To make a challenge or for more information please send an enquiry to membership@cheshiremarkmasons.
Treasure Hunt on Sunday 21st August
We are holding a Treasure Hunt on Sunday 21st August supporting the 2024 Festival.
Starting in Waverton and finishing at Whitby Club, Ellesmere Port this is sure to be a great and fun event, so make sure you book in early.
Nicks’ Wild 2024 Challenge
Nicks’ Wild 2024 Challenge
Our Provincial Grand Charity Steward Nick Wild is planning to walk a total of 2024 miles in support of the Cheshire 2024 festival.
Nick will be walking the hills in England and Wales and the mountains and glens of Scotland, and you’re invited to support him by sponsoring him on his fantastic challenge
Cheshire Cats
Introducing “Cheshire Cats” a team of Mark Masons who are available to visit Mark and RAM lodges and support by taking an office or perhaps a presentation if so required.
For more information please send an enquiry to membership@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk