Category Archives: Latest News

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS update August 2025

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Dear Sir and Brother,

We hope you’re enjoying the summer break and looking forward to the resumption of the Masonic season in September.

As you may be aware, the province has been actively working on several initiatives to grow our membership. We’re pleased to report that from September to September, our numbers have increased by 22, comprising 7 in the Mark degree and 15 in the Royal Ark Mariner.

We’ve also seen a healthy number of advancements (35) and elevations (24) during this period. While these results are encouraging, we recognise that not all Lodges are experiencing the same growth.

If your Lodge would like to explore how these initiatives, or any additional support from the province, could benefit you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can contact us at membership@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk or speak with a member of our Provincial team, who will be happy to assist.

Membership Initiatives

We offer a range of existing and new initiatives designed to help Lodges attract new members.
Here are some of the key options:

Presentations

1. Open Evening with Open-Door Team Presentation
A great way to introduce suitably qualified non-Mark Masons to the degree by highlighting its
traditional links with the Craft and Royal Arch.

 2.  “Adoniram and His Place in Freemasonry” Presentation
Delivered through your Royal Arch Chapter, this talk explores the connections between the orders
and can help raise awareness and interest. 

3. RAM Presentation in a Mark Lodge
A similar presentation tailored for Royal Ark Mariner Lodges, available for delivery on a suitable
evening.

To arrange any of these presentations, please contact us
at membership@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk.

ASK a Potential Candidate

1.  Gold Card Initiative
Introduced in 2023, the ASK campaign has shown promising results. The new Mark Gold Cards
are proving especially effective for starting conversations with potential candidates.
These are available on request from our Mark Leaders.
2.  RAM Boarding Pass
Similar in concept to the Gold Card, this tool is ideal for approaching Mark Masons who have yet to join the Royal Ark Mariner degree. Available from early September via our leadership team.

Social Media & Digital Outreach

For our younger brethren, a strong online presence is increasingly vital. Positive use of social
media helps raise awareness and promote both the Mark and RAM degrees.

Launching this September, we’re introducing a new series of short interviews titled “A Mark
Minute.”

These videos will highlight various aspects of the degrees and support our membership initiatives.
Keep an eye on our social media platforms for updates.

Support for Lodges
The province is here to support Lodges seeking guidance or assistance in achieving self-sustainability, especially during challenging times.
If your Lodge would like to discuss membership strategies or explore available options, please contact me directly at markapgm@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk.
Additionally, the Cheshire Cats team are available to assist with ritual work or officer support. They can be reached via our membership email.

Get Involved
If you’re interested in participating in any of these initiatives, including joining the Cheshire Cats, please get in touch.
We’d be delighted to welcome you into what is becoming a vibrant and successful team.

Yours sincerely and fraternally,

Worshipful Brother John David Miller

Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

A Mid-Summer Nights Team (visit)

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On Wednesday 22nd July, The Cheshire Mark team, led by our Provincial Grand Master Gary Horstman, travelled to the masonic Hall at Dukinfield, to attend and support the Benjamin Addy RAM lodge, and the slightly later meeting Ashton and District Lodges.


At the Ben Addy RAM meeting, which met before the Mark at 5 pm, the lodge Commander Steve Headdock, assisted by our Craft PGM David Dyson, and Mark APGM John Miller, elevated the Local area Royal Arch APGP, Ian Bailey in a fine ceremony that was witnessed by the 40 or so present, which was in turn a great example of the respect and mutual support enjoyed between the orders in Cheshire.


Following the RAM meeting, there was a quick change around, and the Ashton and District Lodge of Mark Master Masons TI (One of the constitutions oldest Mark Lodges) then met, essentially for a business meeting, but with our Provincial Grand Master being called upon to present a Grand Lodge certificate to the lodge’s newest member, Bro Simon Truswell.


The Brethren then retired to what was an excellent festive board which was enjoyed by all present, and at which we also celebrated the recent Birthday of our DPGM Derek Walsh, with our PGM leading the best wishes and singing.

If you would like to discover more about the Magic of the Mark in Dukinfield, please contact us at membership@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk, and we will put you in touch with the Local Mark and indeed RAM lodges.

The end of a drought at Tarporley RAM

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While the period of warm weather continues across the Constitution, it was a case of “making hay while the sun shines” at Tarporley RAM, (which meets in the splendid setting of the Cheshire plains at Willington Hall,) when the Lodge not only welcomed two high profile joining members in Steve Simpson and Mike Steggles, but also ended a drought of new candidates, by elevating Bro Stephen Kinsey into the lodge in an excellent ceremony conducted by Worshipful Commander Phil Johnson and his team.
 
Remarkably, the Commander then proceeded to install his successor, Bro David Bailey, again in a flawless manner witnessed by our PGM and his team, who had accompanied the Representative Kevin Atherton to the meeting.
 
Whilst we may expect the weather to turn inclement in the near future, at least the future of Tarporley RAM lodge is looking secure.

A family affair at Wallasey Mark Lodge

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Wednesday 26th March saw our APGM and a strong team of Grand and Provincial officers attend the Wallasey Mark Lodge,known locally as the 600, to witness an excellent advancement ceremony of Michael Roberts performed by his uncle  Derek as Master, and Father Trevor as Chaplain.
Bro Michael became the 4th advancee into Wallasey Mark in the last two years, and with most of the officers being none past masters the lodges looks forward to a healthy future.
However, as a technical glitch meant that we were unable to hold a traditional festive board, we toasted the newly advanced brother, with all the visitors promising to return in September for Dave McGaws 30th celebration in the friendly degree