The Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe was the perfect backdrop for the presentation of a charitable cheque from the Mark Benevolent Fund to the Devon Blood Bikes charity. The cheque was presented to assist them in purchasing a new resource for their organisation. V.W.Bro. John P. Clendinning, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, was delighted to present the cheque from the M.B.F. to Mark Anstis, who is the team leader of West Devon Branch of the Blood Bikes. The cheque for the sum of £18,289.00, will enable them to purchase a new BMW 1200cc motorcycle. This bike will then be seen out and about providing a free out of hours transport service for essential medical supplies such as blood, plasma, platelets and pathology samples to hospitals and hospices throughout Devon and beyond. The M.B.F. have made a total grant to the Blood Bike charity of £750,000, which has been spread throughout the country. This is a wonderful example of the work the M.B.F. do for all Mark Masons and their communities, not only locally in Devonshire, but also around the country.

The Essex Mark Zipline event started on Friday, 20 June with marathon journeys to Llanberis in the shadows of Snowdonia in North Wales. Personally, it took us 8.5 hours travelling, including a few stops to stretch our legs. Arriving at 18.30 we were greeted by many of the others in our party, all sharing similar horror stories of accident strewn and delayed journeys. A lovely evening meal for 52 diners was rounded off with an address by our Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. John Finlay. The non-members amongst us learnt about the Mark Benevolent Fund and its founder, and witnessed the presentation to five of our ladies of M.B.F jewels in recognition of their contributions to the Charity. The M.B.F. was personally represented by Linda Read and Millie Pilson from Mark Masons Hall. Millie was one of the
jewel recipients. This was followed by the presentation of a Diamond M.B.F. collarette to yours truly. Something of an honour and a surprise as I never expected it. Saturday morning and the main event arrived after a hot and stuffy night with little sleep for most of us. Whether it was the excitement or genuine stuffiness I know not, but a hearty hotel
breakfast beckoned and raised the spirits of the team. We congregated outside of the hotel in our Essex Mark Zipwire ‘25 tee shirts and set off in convoy for the Zip World adventure in, and over, Penryn Quarry. Twenty gallant flyers, in various states of preparedness and nervousness, assembled at the Zip line reception for our briefings, and to be strapped, rather tightly, into our harnesses. Lots of banter and nervy jokes ensued as we were all prepared for our adventure, which was to start with a small Zip line trial, to give us confidence.

This was soon completed through pouring rain! Rain in Wales? how unusual! As we each completed the test run, we gathered in the back of an ancient military truck which was to carry us up to the top of the quarry for Velocity - “The Big One”. We swapped stories about our test run and were buffeted and battered as the truck climbed slowly up and out of the quarry. Each of us expressed our admiration for different members of the team, each of us with differing accounts of how to stop at the end of the zip line! The M.B.F.’s Linda Read, who had bravely stepped in to take over from an injured participant, was my personal hero. No advance planning nor warning but Linda stepped up to this challenge. Having finally reached the peak of the truck’s endeavours; we duly disembarked and were instructed to stand on white spots on the floor. No time to wonder what was happening, no time to back out, no time to blame the idiot who first suggested this crazy fundraiser. Before I knew it the first four fliers were away, and I was being called to the start point platform to
lay down and be strapped in. As I laid there wondering if it was too late to ask to get off, I heard someone say “safety checks complete” a sort of “chocks away” signal, and then, what sounded like a Welsh 3-2-1 countdown. Then I was off.
Fantastic! Exhilarating! Thrilling! Frightening! What else can I say. Nine months of hard work and planning by Pete Maloney and Dave Todd had culminated in my 55 second, 100 mph, unforgettable moment. And then it was over!
The trek from the finishing platform to the viewing gallery, where friends and family were waiting, was probably the hardest part of our day! As the adrenaline subsided after returning to the hotel, we settled to enjoy the second evening meal in the restaurant. Stories and memories were exchanged and pictures viewed. We were then informed by the
ProvG.M. that our fundraising efforts had been successful in raising over £38,700 so far. The final figure will not be known until our last sponsorship payments come in. Our most grateful thanks go to our many friends and sponsors, the Lodges, both Mark, R.A.M. and Craft as well as Chapters and groups from many of the Masonic orders, from our
personal friends and family, the biggest thank you possible. You gave us the reason to overcome our fears and trepidations, £38,700 of them!