Ferryhill Mark Lodge hosted the 11th annual Wardens Dinner. This special occasion helps celebrate all the acting Wardens who have been appointed to the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Durham.
The event was instigated by the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Croft in 2011 when he asked the retiring Junior Warden, John Dodds to take on the task. The first was held in 2012 and John has organised them ever since with the help of John Nye. The event in 2020 was the moment many will remember when our previous PGM, Denny Wilson called a halt to activities due to Covid. The 2021 Wardens Dinner was also a casualty of the Covid pandemic.
The event is held on the March meeting of the Ferryhill Mark Lodge and the Provincial Grand Master and his deputation are welcomed to the Lodge. Thereafter, all the current and past Wardens who are able to attend are announced and welcomed into the Lodge. There were 28 Wardens attending covering the years from 1997 to the present day.
The Provincial Grand Master, David Hanson then had the pleasure of investing 21 brethren with their Durham 2029 Festival Jewels. He thanked them for their overwhelming support and joked, “I hope we don’t run out!”. The Worshipful Master, David Thompson then presented a £500 cheque on behalf of the Lodge to go towards the 2029 Festival. To the delight of the Festival Team, John Dodds made a presentation of £1000 to the Festival from the Durham Mark Social Committee Fund.
After the formalities, everyone retired to the dining room for the Wardens Dinner, after collecting drinks of course! The event is a sell-out, as has been the case for a few years.
It was also wonderful to see three newly advanced Mark Masons attend the Wardens Dinner. They were from the recently amalgamated Darlington Steadfast Lodge and were brought by Don Marshall. In the picture (l to r) are Don Marshall, Ian McMillan, David Hanson, Corey Irons and Paul Harrison.
John Hargate, Senior Warden in 2007 gave a very entertaining response to the Visitor’s Toast. He thanked the Masonic equivalent of Ant & Dec, John Dodds and John Nye for organising the event. He welcomed the initiative for all Masonic Orders to work more closely and how this can only lead to greater enjoyment.
The Provincial Grand Master and the Festival Team were in for another treat when Graham Wharton presented yet another cheque. This was the proceeds from the sale of the home made jams, chutneys and honey he has sold at Lodges around the Province. He presented a cheque for £300 which represents the surplus from 600 jars sold in Mark or Mariner Lodges.
A fantastic evening and one which the PGM refers to as ‘the jewel in the crown’.