The PGM’s Reception, a Wonderful Evening

The Provincial Grand Masters Reception

Click Here to watch the after dinner speech

With thanks to W Bro Brian McCormack for this report

Friday 17th April, a total of 102 brethren and wives/partners/guests, sat down to a wonderful evening. Each of us enjoyed a delicious three course m
eal, accompanied by wines, which flowed almost as freely as the conversation. Laughter was constant, easy gathered by the good choices around the room and it was clear that by the volume and tempo, we were all very much having a superb time.
We were delighted to host Lee Shergold, from Bridge For Young People, who gave us an update on the work of that Newbury based charity and how our donations has helped to support the lives of the young patrons they assist. A very moving presentation when you hear of the journeys some of our young adults take as they start the next chapter of their lives.
One of the highlights is the raffle and we were inundated with prizes, over 50 in total. This generosity led to us raising, via the raffle, a fabulous total of £815.20. I know, where did the 20p come from and did that person claim one fifth of a prize?
This total surpassed that of last year and I am even incredibly grateful for the support brethren give BeMBA. However, that wasn’t the final total. I was humbled by one brother who asked me if they could top up that total to £1000. As this was a personal donation, not part of the raffle, we were able to see our BeMBA QR code and claim the gift aid taking the total to £231.25. Our final total is, therefore, £1046.25.
We would like to say a huge Thank You to W Bro Paul Tomlinson for the tremendous work behind the scenes organising this wonderful event.
Another wonderful social and charitable evening for the thriving Mark province of Berkshire. More exciting events to follow.

Newsletter from Mark Masons Hall – 2nd April

Read the latest news from Mark Masons Hall by clicking HERE

Berkshire well represented at Surrey Provincial meeting

The Annual Surrey Provincial Mark meeting held at Croydon on Saturday 21st March was the usual great occasion and Berkshire brethren were out in force to support our neighbouring Province.

The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Graham Seeman and W.Bro. David Reeves, the Provincial Grand Junior Warden, were the official representatives, but they were joined by many other Berkshire brethren.

The picture shows (l to r) W.Bro. Paul Ackland-Snow, P.A.G.D.C.; W.Bro. Anthony Howlett-Bolton, G.S.D.; W.Bro. Kevin Dodd, P.Prov.G.J.W.; W. Bro. David Emonds, W.Bro. David Reeves, Prov.G.J.W. and Bro. John de Lara.

The strong turnout from Berkshire just might have had something to with the fact that our own V.W.Bro Steve Berkshire, P.G.J.O was being Installed as an Assitant Provincial Grand Master for Surrey!  Congratulations to Steve and many thanks to the visiting Berkshire brethren for their support.

The Make Your Mark Club Committee

Contact the Make Your Mark Club,

Email: MakeYourMark@berksmark.org.uk

Your club committee

Chair: Graham Thornton

Secretary: Paul Tomlinson

Provincial Executive Liaison: Jim Payen

Member: Brian McCormack

Member: Grant Goddard

Member: Kevin Dodd

The MYM Club is a sub committee of the Provincial Communications Team and is overseen by The Provincial Communications Officer, Mark Davis.

Outstanding Installation meeting at Caduceus Lodge of MMM

The Installation meeting of the Caduceus Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1631 was not only an impressive Mark ceremony but a feast of Berkshire masonry in general.

The new Master, W.Bro. Marcus Hilsdon was Installed in an exemplary manner by the outgoing Master W.Bro. David Jarvis, who is also the Insptector General for Berkshire in the Ancient and Accepted Rite (also known as Rose Croix).  The meeting was attended by both the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, two Past Provincial Grand Masters and the Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master.  We also welcomed the Provincial Grand Master for Wiltshire to ‘mark’ the fact that the new Worshipful Master is also in the Chair of a Wiltshire Mark Lodge.

The Berkshire Craft hierarchy were also out in force.  The Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Anthonhy Howlett-Bolton, Grand Senior Deacon, took over as lodge Secretary, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Mark Heppelthwaite, was appointed Junior Deacon and the Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Matt Walker, was appointed Junior Overseer.

The meeting was followed by a delicious Festive Board after which all the customary toasts were duly honoured with suitable responses.

A happy, convivial and successful meeting which emphasised everything that is best in Freemasonry.

PGM’s Address to Provincial RAM Assembly

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.

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.