A new Master for The Old Rectory Lodge
This week Old Rectory Lodge held its installation meeting attended by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire and a team of Provincial Officers.
A wonderful ceremony was performed by various members of the Lodge, it was a pleasure to see Bro Patrick O’Neil Brown take the chair for the first time.
Following the meeting, members and guests enjoyed a lovely meal in the new catering facilities adjacent to the Lodge room.
A visit to Leopold Mark Lodge
With thanks to W Bro Paul Tomlinson, one of our Communications Team roving reporters for his report on this week’s meeting of Leopold Mark Lodge.
The meeting of Leopold Mark Lodge Monday evening where the brethren were enlightened by a lecture regarding the “History and Meaning of parts of the Mark Ritual”, delivered by Brother Hopkins which was interesting if you have not heard it before. Also, Bro Todor was finally presented with his long-awaited Grand Lodge Certificate! The festive board was an enjoyable two-course meal with plenty of banter If you have never visited Leopold Mark Lodge, add it to your diary, it’s an enjoyable night and take your ritual book as you may get a job…
A wonderful Installation with The Friendship and Care Lodge
With thanks to our Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire for this report.
Tuesday evening Friendship & Care lodge held their installation meeting as W. Bro. Lionel Higgins installed his successor, Master Elect Leslie Taylor.
Whilst being a member, the lodge enjoys having PPGM R. W. Bro. Richard Oliver at their meetings, an honour for any lodge.
The lodge was further graced with three Grand Officers. As this was an installation, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V. W. Bro James Payen attended accompanied by a retinue of active Provincial Grand Officers.
The installation was conducted in a superb & sincere manner, with the right touch of levity which added to the atmosphere we all enjoyed.
Friendship & Care lodge can be rightly proud of the quality of the ceremony and the attached photos clearly demonstrate how much everyone enjoyed this evening.
With the lodge in a new pair of safe hands it can look forward to the year ahead
Windsor Castle Lodge hosts another excellent meeting
With thanks to Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire for another fine report.
On Wednesday 20th November, Windsor Castle Lodge enjoyed a double ceremony, an Installation and an advancement.
These ceremonies were marked by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Masons R.W. Bro. Graham Seeman who was accompanied by a retinue of active Provincial Grand Officers.
The installation ceremony was a shortened version as the W.M. W. Bro Martin Woodall, was continuing in the chair for a second year. The ceremony was conducted in a very professional manner, by the DC, who oversaw proceedings efficiently. The addresses were delivered with the sincerity they deserve with the PGM delivering the address to the brethren in his usual impressive manner.
The evening moved to the advancement ceremony which was superb, the advancee receiving an excellent advancement. It was clear that all officers had put in a lot of hard work, in learning their roles. The WM stood out as the most impressive and had clearly put in many hours to ensure the advancee received an excellent ceremony.
Pangbourne Lodge gains another new member!!
With thanks to W Bro Adie Lovell for his report on last nights meeting of Pangbourne Lodge No 1094
This evening the Magic of the Mark shone through.
We were treated to a fantastic ceremony of advancement. Led by W Bro John Jenkins who set the scene by advancing Bro Andrew Gardiner. Ably assisted by his officers. With standout performances by W Bro Lindsay Maskelnand and Phillip Damant. Not to be out done Bro Simon Williams delivered the working tools in a faultless manner.
We were also graced with the presence of our new Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire who presented us all a delightful rendition of the in conclusion part of the ceremony followed up with a superb explanation of the Grand Lodge certificate to Bro Toby Cottrel.
To say we had fun was an understatement.
Thank you all for you magnificent contributions.
Royal Ark Mariner Assembly – Berkshire
Last night we held our Royal Ark Mariner Provincial assembly. A well attended meeting held at the lovely Windsor Masonic Hall.
Meet the new Deputy Provincial Grand Master
James Etienne Payen (Jim) was Initiated into Freemasonry on the16th April 1984 in Rupert Patterson Lodge No: 3646 meeting at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street. He is a Lewis and his uncle was in the Chair and his father took him round as Junior Deacon. Truly a family affair.
He was Exalted into Chapter in February 1986 in the Temple Of Twickenham Chapter no: 7829 meeting at Cole Court in Twickenham, Middlesex. On that evening his father was Principal Sojourner. Another family affair!
On the 12th July 1988 Jim was Advanced into the Hungerford Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No: 1342 in Newbury in this Province and served as Master in 2003 and again in 2023. He was Elevated into the Porchester Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No: 27, also in Newbury, on 7th February 2007, serving as Commander in 2009.
Jim is also a member of the Order of Royal and Select Masters in Wantage Council No: 282 which he greatly enjoys as it links the Mark, Craft and Chapter together. As part of that Order Jim was Anointed in the Order of the Silver Trowel on 11th January 2022.
In his business life, Jim has been employed in the General Insurance Industry since 1984, starting in motor insurance, then moving to Commercial Insurance where he became a Branch Manager and soon afterwards the Area Manager for Bennetts Insurance. In 2007 he joined insurance brokers Heath Lambert in their IT department as an Application Specialist. Heath Lambert were acquired by Arthur J Gallagher in 2011 where he still works, and since 2018 he has been involved in Mergers and Acquisitions where he leads a team of 50 people completing IT integrations for companies Gallagher have bought all over the EMEA region.
Jim is married to Julia and has a son, Luke, who works at Aldermaston and a daughter, Sophie, who is completing her training as a midwife in Norwich.
In this Mark Province, Jim served in the active rank of Provincial Grand Junior Warden in 2009, received Grand Rank in 2012, and has been our Provincial Grand Treasurer since 2019.