A Special MARK WEEKEND 26TH - 28TH SEPTEMBER 2008

A party of over 30 Mark Master Masons and their ladies met at the Barcelo Park Hotel Cheltenham to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Mark Masonry in the Province of Nottinghamshire. The idea originated with the Provincial Grand Master who wished to mark this important historic anniversary with a social event and he, along with the Provincial Grand Secretary, looked at a number of suitable venues in which to celebrate the occasion.

Once the early fog on the Friday morning had cleared it was then cloudless skies and on the way to Cheltenham a number of the party took the opportunity to visit a number of well known villages in the Cotswolds in ideal conditions.

The Friday evening was an informal event with a dinner and a chance to have time to meet other Masonic guests and their ladies everyone agreeing that it was a most pleasant occasion.

Following breakfast on the Saturday the weather again proved excellent and the party had the whole day to themselves some of the ladies electing to go shopping in Cheltenharn whilst others travelled further a field visiting tourist attractions in the area. During the day a number of brethren and their ladies who had unfortunately been unable to be at the Friday evening function arrived at the hotel to join us for the dinner.

Saturday evening was a formal occasion when R.W.Bro. Michael Gutteridge accompanied by W. Bro. Terry Ward the Deputy P.G.M. and their Ladies joined the rest of the group for a celebration dinner which was followed by dancing (for those who could still manage it ! !.)

In his closing remarks R.W.Bro. Michael thanked all those who had joined him for the weekend and hoped that they had enjoyed both the venue and the chance to soçialise with the rest of the group. He particularly thanked W.Bro. Peter Ball for all his efforts in making the neccessary arrangements to ensure a successful time, and W. Bro. Philip Marshall for keeping everyone in order.

On behalf of all present R. W.Bro. R. Geoffrey Bradley thanked the Provincial Grand Master and his team for arranging a truly memorable weekend and hoped it may be repeated in future years.