Mark Masons hit the streets of London for Charity!!

What a fantastic team effort, as always, we are delighted to see our very own Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire W Bro Brian McCormack involved in this wonderful fundraising event.

On 16 May, a team from Mark Province of London set off to visit the London cabmen’s shelters, spread all over London, in aid of the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund in their 150th anniversary.

The 4-man team led up by R.W.Bro. David Ashbolt P.ProvG.M. and consisting of W.Bro. Marios Styliandes A.Prov.G.M., W.Bros Stacy Harman and Brian McCormack (Provincial Charity Stewards) headed off on an unusually sunny day from the St John’s Wood shelter – the oldest functioning shelter in London. Before we set off, we had the honour of being allowed inside the shelter, with the permission of the Trustees, which is normally strictly reserved for licenced taxi drivers only.
The team managed to catch a lift off the Widows Sons on the first leg, with the bikers turning up in numbers to support the challenge and whisked the team to the second shelter of the day, where we were met with what was the common theme of the day – a big smile and appreciation for what the Mark Province of London was doing for the shelters.
After a quick photo, we headed off to the next shelter where David and Marios were given a mop and bucket for a cleaning job! Once the floors were mopped, we the made our way across London, battling the traffic any way we could. After taxi rides, walking and pulling Marios around in a wheelchair – due to him trying to get the sympathy vote – the team marched on ticking off each visit as we went.
With a long day under our belts, lots of photos, fun and stories from all the shelter’s operators, the team finished off the challenge with quick dart over to Mark Masons’ Hall, where we were met by our Provincial Grand Master and the Trustees of the CSF and sat down to a celebratory meal by the team at MMH

Berkshire Mark Freemasons donate to Wessex House

A wonderful donation from Berkshire Mark Master Masons 

May 14th I was back in my mother Mark Province to attend a ribbon cutting at Wessex House. W. Bro. Bob Watson, our Provincial Grand Almoner & BeMBA secretary, and I, were representing BeMBA to present a cheque, for £3100, to The Bridge – help for young people. It’s always a pleasure to accompany Bob whose great fun to be with and is very committed to supporting our chosen recipients.

Wessex House is a newly refurbished building, providing live in accommodation for 7 young people who are transitioning from foster care, or homelessness, into adult life.

The photos show one of the flats. These flats are immaculately decorated and the electrical appliances, in each, were purchased using our donation.

The ribbon was cut by Pandora Christie, a Heart FM DJ, whose own back story is why she empathises with the aspirations of The Bridge. From the day she was born, she was in and out of care as her mother had a variety of personal issues leaving her, at times unable to care for Pandora.

To complicate matters, her mother died when Pandora was 9 and resulted in Pandora going into full time foster care. At that time nothing like Wessex House existed. When Pandora heard of it’s work she immediately got involved in supporting & promoting it.

Today was a fitting day for her to officially open it.

Brethren, on behalf of Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire & Berkshire Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Freemasons, can I thank you all for allowing BeMBA to support such an important charity. Across Berkshire, The Bridge now has the ability to support 19 young adults and this is, in part, down to you. Once again you have enabled our relatively small charity to make a huge difference, you can all be very proud of how you’ve all helped.

I hope this gives you all a better appreciation of the importance your assistance is.

My sincere & fraternal thanks,

Brian

W Bro Brian McCormack

Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Mark Master Masons of Berkshire.

Provincial Charity Steward hits the streets of London!!

Posted on behalf of our wonderful Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire

Today, 4 Mark Master Masons, David Ashbolt, Marios Stylianados, Stacy Harman & myself, will be yomping around London, to visit the remaining Cabmens shelters to raise funds for their upkeep. This is a 22 mile trip ending at MMH. This is a final shout out to anyone/lodge that would like to donate on the link below. Any, and all, donations will be very much appreciated.
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/…/cabmens-shelter-challenge-1

The Provincial Grand Masters’ Reception and Dinner – An event not to be missed!

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.

The latest from Erlegh Mark Lodge 1627

The latest from Erlegh Mark Lodge 1627

 

Fresh on the back of an advancement ceremony in September, Erlegh Mark Lodge 1627 the Province’s Saturday Lodge held another successful meeting on Saturday 16th November where they were pleased to advance a new member Bro Peter Emerton and welcome a joining member Brother Graham Strood.

The ceremony of advancement was carried out by the Worshipful Master W Bro Dave West who was ably assisted by the officers of the lodge along with some guests who were pleased to fill a few offices.

All in all a great afternoon enjoyed by all – pictured are W Bro Dave with Bro’s Pete and Graham and the rest of the officers and guests. The lodge now look forward to their Installation Meeting on 22nd March where Bro Jim Owens will take the chair for the first time, all visitors will be made most welcome.

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.