Once again it was that time of year for The East Lancashire Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in The Craft. It’s always a great joy seeing those receiving Provincial rank for the first time or indeed receiving a promotion. What makes it more special, is not only do we see so many of our Mark Brothers in attendance, but many receiving honours as well. It’s fantastic how the two orders work in harmony in East Lancashire and ensure the Brethren are enjoying being members of both too. As a testament to our bond with each other, there was definitely a stand out moment for us during the afternoon. In fact, it seemed to take the whole room by surprise! Our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, John Hartley Smith, made the grandest of gestures, by presenting the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire a cheque for £50,000 towards their 2026 festival!! Cue sharp intakes of breath!
| “The Province of East Lancashire Freemasons periodically conduct a Festival to gather Funds for the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is the central Masonic Grant Giving Charity. I am proud, that as Mark Masons, we have supported this event donating £5000 every year from the East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund (ELMBF) our own Provincial Mark Charity. This year, I am delighted that we have been able to make an additional donation of £50,000, making the total amount of giving to £75,000. Mark Masonry is known as the Friendly Degree it emphasises brotherly love and relief to all, this donation embraces that ethos.” R.W.Bro. John Hartley Smith, Provincial Grand Master, East Lancashire Mark Masons |  |
As our Provincial Grand Master intimated, this is what we’re all about here in The Mark Degree. We know the money goes to a very worthy charity in the MCF. We know we also benefit by the grants received locally each year as well. Charity really is at the heart of what we do. Although a grand gesture, it’s not as grand as to how far that money will go to helping those who really need it. The partnership between the Masonic Charitable Foundation, The Mark Benevolent Fund and The East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund is as strong as it’s ever been.
| | “I was taken completely by surprise when R.W.Bro. John Smith presented me with a further donation for the EL 2026 Festival on behalf of East Lancashire Mark Master Masons at our Annual Meeting. I was astonished to see it was for the amount of £50,000 – which, added to the previous pledge, makes a total donation of £75,000. That is a wonderful and most generous donation, all the more so bearing in mind that most of the Brethren will have supported the Festival personally and through their Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters. I am very grateful to the RW Provincial Grand Master and Brethren. I am enormously proud of my fellow Mark Master Masons.” R.W.Bro. Robert Ian Frankl, Provincial Grand Master, East Lancashire |
A magical day in East Lancashire for both The Craft and The Mark. We’re already looking forward to many more meetings where we show the harmony and bond we have with each other.