More than 300 Freemasons, friends and family have helped to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Mark degree in Lincolnshire – and boost the Grand Master’s Keystone Fund with a £20,000 donation to support charities around the world.
Amongst the guests were the Pro Grand Master John Herbert Prizeman, his Deputy Francis Charles Spencer, and Assistant Grand Master Prof Denovan Keith Wilson, who heard Lincolnshire’s Mark PGM Stephen Hallberg say reaching the anniversary was a momentous occasion. He said achievement of 150 years of continuous working was a great testament to the will, support, and endeavour of many Mark Masons over many generations.
He invited guests to consider what life would have been like for those attending meetings. “Think of the challenges the members must have had just to get to the lodge itself,” he said. “Transport consisted of steam trains, horse drawn carts, or buses, earliest versions of the bicycle and simply walking – hence the need at the time for Moonlight Lodges meeting when the Moon was full to give them illumination on their journey to and from their Lodge.”
The celebration at Lincolnshire Showground’s Epic Centre marked 150 years of brotherhood, charity, and friendship, strengthening the bonds of friendship among the members. It was a night to remember, a night that would be cherished in Lincolnshire Mark Masonry for generations.
An audience of Freemasons, their partners, family, and friends were treated to a first class meal and entertainment provided by violinist Steve Clarke and his daughter Julia, and the vocal talents of Gary Williams.