Category Archives: 2024 Festival

Double Diamond really hits the spot for Cheshire

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On Saturday, July 6th, the Mark Province of Cheshire held their Festival Banquet at the Concorde Suite, Manchester Airport, marking the culmination of 7 years of fundraising for the Mark Benevolent Fund. Over 460 guests enjoyed the event, which took place under the iconic Concorde Alpha Charlie, once the flagship of British Airways, making it a memorable evening in the province’s history.

The Provincial Grand Master was pleasantly surprised to hear that the province had raised enough funds for every Mark Lodge and each of Cheshire’s Royal Ark Mariners lodges to achieve Diamond Patron status, making it a “Double Diamond” Province – the first in the Constitution. The Provincial Grand Master was presented with the respective collarettes to mark this achievement.

During the event, a festival jewel dating back to 1934, worn by George VI before he became King when he was a Provincial Grand Master, was presented to the Current Festival President. This jewel was transferred to the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Oxfordshire at the end of the Festive board, as they enter the final year of their festival culminating in July 2025.

The evening’s biggest surprise was the announcement of the total funds raised over the 7 years of fundraising, which amounted to a staggering £1,158,150. This amount exceeded the expectations of the Festival Team and left the Provincial Grand Master stunned. He expressed his gratitude to the team members for their efforts in achieving this magnificent total.

As the Province of Cheshire passes on the collarette to the Province of Oxfordshire, they take some time to reflect on a job well done and look forward to supporting the Cheshire Craft 2027 Festival.

Mark Masons Step in as Blood Bike is stolen and vandalised and purchase a New Bike.

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Mark Masons Step in as Blood Bike is stolen and vandalised and purchase a New Bike.

The Mark Benevolent Fund has agreed to fund the purchase of a New Blood Bike at a cost of £18,801.

One of the Manchester Blood Bikes was stolen from a volunteer’s house and vandalised. The bike has been able to be repaired to such an extent to allow it to get back on the road. The bike however has over 85,000 miles on the clock and is at such a point in its working life that they would be looking to retire it.

So Mark Masons from Cheshire and Lancashire are purchasing a New Blood Bike for them at £18,801

Treasure Hunt on Sunday 21st August

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We are holding a Treasure Hunt on Sunday 21st August supporting the 2024 Festival.

Starting in Waverton and finishing at Whitby Club, Ellesmere Port this is sure to be a great and fun event, so make sure you book in early.

Nicks’ Wild 2024 Challenge

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Nicks’ Wild 2024 Challenge

Our Provincial Grand Charity Steward Nick Wild is planning to walk a total of 2024 miles in support of the Cheshire 2024 festival.

Nick will be walking the hills in England and Wales and the mountains and glens of Scotland, and you’re invited to support him by sponsoring him on his fantastic challenge

www.justgiving.com/2024walk

 

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Cheshire Freemason Mike Ross and Mark APGM John Miller were pleased to visit Neo Community who hearing about the humanitarian aid planned and organised by Mike Ross, wished to assist by donating essential food and supplies for the Ukrainian orphanage that is being supported.

The Team, which sets off in a few days, were further boosted by a generous donation of £50​ towards the Mark Benevolent fund, who have already donated £10,000 to buy the mini bus, by a member of the public Tom Hobbs,​ who was visiting Neo Community, and heard of the endeavour, and wished to support it.

Kayak Challenge Total Raised £15,000.00

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Kayak Challenge – the final word

On behalf of the Organising team, and indeed the Charities, may I thank everyone who has supported and donated to the event which has just raised the magnificent sum of £15,000.00, for the Mark Benevolent Fund, and our 2024 Festival.


This is over and beyond everyone’s expectations, and just goes to show what can be achieved when a group of Masons from across the province, work together as a team in support of a worthy cause.

We look forward to your support and hopefully participation on several inclusive events we have planned during the remainder of the festival (and beyond), when we can once again demonstrate “the magic of the Mark”.

John Miller
APGM and Deputy Festival Chairman

Mark Benevolent Fund- helping those in need

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Mark Benevolent Fund- helping those in need

During their recent trip to provide humanitarian aid to the Ukraine by supplying much needed Ambulances and medical supplies to the Ukraine, which was partially funded by the Mark Benevolent Fund, Cheshire Mark Mason Mike Ross visited an orphanage in Chernivtsi, and was struck by their plight, and need for a minibus to transport the children to the nearest hospital some 30 miles away, and if needs be, to assist with any future evacuation that may be required.

Mike was so moved by their need and the conditions they faced, that he promised to do what he could on his return, and immediately started a new appeal to purchase a suitable minibus, and again taking Humanitarian aid and supplies to deliver it as soon as possible to where it was urgently required.

Following a further request for aid from the Mark Benevolent fund, he was overwhelmed to have quickly received a further grant of £10,000.00 towards the costs of providing the minibus, the target for which has now been met, with any excess funds going to providing suitable supplies for the orphanage in question.

Mike is now rapidly making arrangements to put his plan into action, and hopes to again make the journey into the Ukraine, in the next week or two, and we look forward to news on his progress.

Royal and Select Masters Cheshire and the Marches presented a cheque for £500 towards The 2024 Cheshire Mark Festival

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On Saturday, the 28 May 2022 at the Annual General Meeting of the order of Royal & Select Masters, the Head of the order Bryan Hughes decided to have a collection in support of the Mark 2024 Festival, a fantastic amount of £500.00 was donated by the companions present and a cheque was presented to our PGM on the day.

Once again brethren, this shows what can be achieved when the orders work together and that the members of each order will come together to support each other.

We as Mark Men should continue to support the other orders as they have supported us.

Nick’s Challenge to walk 2024 miles in support of our Mark Benevolent Fund Festival 2024

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Nick Wild our Provincial Grand Charity Steward has set myself a challenge to walk 2024 miles in support of our Mark Benevolent Fund Festival 2024.

He hopes to achieve this by walking in the Peak District Cheshire ,Derbyshire and Staffordshire Dark and White peaks starting on 4thJune 2022 and complete by 4th June 2024

The first walks being in Scotland mountains first 2 weeks in June 22

All his walks will be tracked and we can follow is progress via our website and Social Media.

We hope to be able if anyone wishes to join me if suitably equipped to walk 12+ miles in one go including the accents and descents.

We will post photos on each walk to show how lovely the area we live in and make all of you to get out walking