On Friday 23rd May, a very special and unique meeting for Northumberland and Berwick upon Tweed Lodge of Mark Masters Time Immemorial took place in the impressive Temple at Ashington Masonic Hall under the authority of its ‘Travelling Warrant’. On this occasion, Lodge Kelso & Tweed No. 58 of the Scottish Constitution accepted the invitation to attend the meeting and demonstrate the Scottish Mark Degree – an historic occasion believed to be the first in their 324-year history, that they had worked a degree under a Sister Constitution!
Lodge Kelso and Tweed was formed in 2011 by the amalgamation of two Lodges in Kelso – The Lodge of Kelso No. 58 (founded in 1701) and The Tweed Lodge of Kelso No. 261 (founded in 1816) – and is one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in Scotland and the Borders.
After Northumberland & Berwick Lodge had been opened by W. Bro. John Spearman, IPM, and his officers, the Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Ray Walton, along with his substantial Provincial Team, were welcomed to the meeting on the occasion of this, their Provincial Visit. The Lodge was then called off and fourteen Brethren from Lodge Kelso & Tweed entered and assumed their respective offices.
The meeting continued by being opened by the Master of Lodge Kelso & Tweed, Bro. Graeme Forsyth, following the customary Scottish Craft Lodge format. The Gavel was then passed to Bro. Bill Heaney PM, WJW who assumed the Chair as Mark Master. Bro. Tom Weatherston was subsequently advanced to the Honourable Degree of Mark Master by the Degree Team in a superb display of Masonic Ritual. Bro. Tom was then formally welcomed and presented to the assembled Brethren.
Upon completion of the ceremony, the Master, Bro. Graeme Forsyth, congratulated Bro. Bill Heaney PM and the Degree Team on their excellent work. He then returned the Lodge to W. Bro. John Spearman and thanked him for the opportunity to demonstrate the Scottish Mark Degree. As a token of appreciation, he presented him with two Mark Tokens from the two former Kelso Lodges – the Lodge of Kelso No. 58 and Tweed Lodge of Kelso No.261.
W. Bro. John then called the Lodge on and before closing the Lodge, fraternal greetings were exchanged. The Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Ray Walton praised the Degree Team for their exemplary work which was enjoyed by all present. A response was given by Bro. Andrew Forsyth PM on behalf of Lodge Kelso and Tweed No. 58, and in his capacity as Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders, also offered fraternal greetings from the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Following the meeting, seventy Brethren enjoyed an excellent buffet in the Festive Board, accompanied by toasts and salutations befitting the occasion. In response to the toast to the newly advanced Brother, Bro. Weatherston expressed his gratitude and said how much he had enjoyed the evening in such a splendid setting. A highlight of the Festive Board was the popular ‘Numbers Raffle’ conducted by W. Bro. George Tuck which raised the magnificent sum of over £300!
Grateful thanks to Ashington Mark Lodge No. 890 for the use of their equipment and to Ashington Masonic Hall and its staff for helping to make this such a fantastic night. Also thanks to Bros. John Murray and Gareth Davies for all their hard work in organizing the evening.
Another wonderful evening of ‘Mark Magic’ enjoyed by all present.
