Saturday 23^rd November was the official launch of the Northumberland 2031 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival. This was celebrated in style by a dinner/dance held in the impressive Cheviot Suite at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Seaton Burn, and a wonderful time was had by all who attended.

The formal proceedings commenced with R. W. Bro. Ray Walton, Provincial Grand Master, welcoming everyone present and giving the reason for the occasion. He particularly mentioned our guest of honour, R. W. Bro. Archie Torrance, the President of the Mark Benevolent Fund and his wife. This was followed soon after by excellent food.

Once the meal had finished V. W. Bro Richard Northey, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, gave a brief insight into the Mark Benevolent Fund and its aims. He then introduced the guest of honour, R. W. Bro. Archie, to give us some of his thoughts and further expand on the work of the MBF.

There followed a raffle, with various prizes, drawn in aid of the MBF. This raised the magnificent sum of over £750. A wonderful effort! The formalities of the evening finished with R. W. Bro. Ray presenting a bottle of whisky to R. W. Bro. Archie and a bouquet of flowers to his wife.

Grateful thanks were given to everyone who attended to support the Launch Event, especially to R. W. Bro. Archie and his wife. Also, to a tremendous contingent of our friends and neighbours from the Mark Province of Durham led by R. W. Bro David Hanson, PGM.

Finally, thanks were given to Bro. John Murray and the rest of the secretariat for the tremendous amount of hard work put in to ensure that the evening went smoothly.

The night then concluded with dancing into the small hours.

Another wonderful Mark evening of good food, good chat and, above all, good friends.