W.Bro. Paul Busby, ProvGSec
Q. In your opinion what is the most important part of being a member of the Mark Degree?
A. As with all Masonic Orders I find the camaraderie of being with like-minded people doing something together that
we all enjoy important.
Q. What do you get the most enjoyment from in Mark Masonry?
A. As with all Masonic Orders, the meeting and socialising with others.
Q. What made you decide to join the Mark Degree?
A. That’s an easy one! I joined the Mark Degree because a number of those in my Craft Lodge were discussing this
"other order" and, being the inquisitive type, I asked about it and someone produced a piece of paper and said "sign this"
and the rest as they say is history, mind you the Claret & Blue Apron nearly put me off as it wouldn’t have been my first
choice of colours (We think he is not a West Ham fan then!).
Q. There's the well-known saying "it was never like this in my day ". How have things changed since you were Advanced?
A. I'm a relative "newcomer" having been in the Mark Degree only a few years in comparison to some I wouldn’t
be best placed to answer that with any sincerity. When I joined the Mark Degree I was reasonably ignorant to what
was going on within the Province and beyond. I think the biggest recent change is “Awareness” we are trying to ensure that
Master Masons are aware of what our Degree has to offer them.
Q. Apart from Freemasonry, what do you do to relax?
A. My first passion is reading and not having had a television for ten years (really!) has enabled me to do plenty of that.
I thought when I retire that I would be able to improve my Golfing Handicap and getting out on the fabulous Rivers and
Canals for some serious coarse fishing here in Lincolnshire.
Q. It's been said that Mark Masonry is not real masonry, what are your views?
A. The only people that would say that are those who haven't joined Mark and found what we have to offer,
I think there may be a little bit of Order envy/rivalry there?
Q. If you could change anything in the Mark Degree what would it be?
A. I'm not sure I would change anything.
Q. How do you describe the Mark Degree to others when recommending it?
A. Anyone that I ask to join this degree I have known for some time and you can tell whether it will suit them or
that they will enjoy it, it's not a fail-safe method though!!
Q. What one thing do you like about the Mark Degree?
A. The Mark Degree enabled me access to other Masonic Orders the same as the Royal Arch has. I don’t think it is that
easy to single out the importance of any one thing in any Masonic Order.
Q. What one thing do you think could be done to promote the Mark Degree more?
A. I know this is a masonically "hot potato", but I wish we could get permission to advertise the Degree as the
Royal Arch are allowed within our Craft Lodges. We all have much to offer to members and not all Orders are
suitable for everyone.
Q. Do you think the Mark Degree in general is going in the right direction and why?
A. We are definitely moving in the right direction, because the Province is trying, like introducing theme Lodges.
We must move with the times and also offer what people want. The Executive are now more approachable to
the rank and file or lay brethren and that helps enormously .
A. As with all Masonic Orders I find the camaraderie of being with like-minded people doing something together that
we all enjoy important.
Q. What do you get the most enjoyment from in Mark Masonry?
A. As with all Masonic Orders, the meeting and socialising with others.
Q. What made you decide to join the Mark Degree?
A. That’s an easy one! I joined the Mark Degree because a number of those in my Craft Lodge were discussing this
"other order" and, being the inquisitive type, I asked about it and someone produced a piece of paper and said "sign this"
and the rest as they say is history, mind you the Claret & Blue Apron nearly put me off as it wouldn’t have been my first
choice of colours (We think he is not a West Ham fan then!).
Q. There's the well-known saying "it was never like this in my day ". How have things changed since you were Advanced?
A. I'm a relative "newcomer" having been in the Mark Degree only a few years in comparison to some I wouldn’t
be best placed to answer that with any sincerity. When I joined the Mark Degree I was reasonably ignorant to what
was going on within the Province and beyond. I think the biggest recent change is “Awareness” we are trying to ensure that
Master Masons are aware of what our Degree has to offer them.
Q. Apart from Freemasonry, what do you do to relax?
A. My first passion is reading and not having had a television for ten years (really!) has enabled me to do plenty of that.
I thought when I retire that I would be able to improve my Golfing Handicap and getting out on the fabulous Rivers and
Canals for some serious coarse fishing here in Lincolnshire.
Q. It's been said that Mark Masonry is not real masonry, what are your views?
A. The only people that would say that are those who haven't joined Mark and found what we have to offer,
I think there may be a little bit of Order envy/rivalry there?
Q. If you could change anything in the Mark Degree what would it be?
A. I'm not sure I would change anything.
Q. How do you describe the Mark Degree to others when recommending it?
A. Anyone that I ask to join this degree I have known for some time and you can tell whether it will suit them or
that they will enjoy it, it's not a fail-safe method though!!
Q. What one thing do you like about the Mark Degree?
A. The Mark Degree enabled me access to other Masonic Orders the same as the Royal Arch has. I don’t think it is that
easy to single out the importance of any one thing in any Masonic Order.
Q. What one thing do you think could be done to promote the Mark Degree more?
A. I know this is a masonically "hot potato", but I wish we could get permission to advertise the Degree as the
Royal Arch are allowed within our Craft Lodges. We all have much to offer to members and not all Orders are
suitable for everyone.
Q. Do you think the Mark Degree in general is going in the right direction and why?
A. We are definitely moving in the right direction, because the Province is trying, like introducing theme Lodges.
We must move with the times and also offer what people want. The Executive are now more approachable to
the rank and file or lay brethren and that helps enormously .
