Erlegh Lodge is on a roll!!

Erlegh Mark welcomed Bro. Nic Dima whom we advanced on the 15th November, pictured is WM Jim Owens and the team with Bro Nic to his left and Bro Andy Smith to his right, who received his Grand Lodge Certificate.
Erlegh is on the up, having advanced 4 new members over the last 4 regular meetings, with more in the pipeline, being the only Saturday Mark Lodge in the Province.
If you enjoy a Saturday meeting, Erlegh Lodge is well worth a visit!

Charity, Its what we do…

 

 

Our Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire and other members of our Province have been out selling poppies for the Royal British Legion.

The RBL is a charity who do amazing work, we are very happy to support them in all they do.

Its all happening at The Linden Acre Lodge!

On Tuesday, 14th October, W Bro John Ferguson was proclaimed WM of The Linden Acre Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1568 for a second year, members and visitors enjoyed a lecture on the Tracing Board with multiple members taking part in the lecture, including:
WM John Ferguson,
SW Ian Wharton,
JW Rt W Bro Peter Sands,
JO Bro Mickey Labana,
SO W Bro Steve Graesser,
SO W Bro Ian Osborne,
JD Bro David Samsome,
IG Bro Chris Young.
The Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire informed everyone that the tracing board was changed in the 19th century, at the same time the working changed from Latin to Hebrew. Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Grand Lode certificate to Bro Chris Young by the PGM.
All attending retired to enjoy a lovely meal and each other’s company. A great night was had by all.

Donation to Wargrave Bowling Club

Recently the Wargrave Bowling Club were pleased to welcome members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Berkshire who were representing The Mark Benevolent Fund, to formerly hand over their generous donation of £11,471 to fund a new lawn mower for the club. The new Dennis machine replaced a 30 year old mower that was completely worn out.
Chez Annetts of WBC explained “the machine we had was old and constantly requiring repair. Our green is maintained solely by our members, many of whom are in their later years. The old equipment did not allow us to keep the green to the high standard required for bowling, making the process so much harder. The new machine will help us reach the high quality expected of a bowling green assisting us to attract other clubs to play against, bringing in revenue and for our facilities to be open much longer for our members and anyone who would like to come and try the sport.”
Wargrave Bowling Club supports all ages of members and works hard to keep access to everyone who wants to play. Chez explained “we have members who have various physical disabilities, some who have had strokes and a few with dementia. We aim to support these members, helping them play as long as they feel able to. The social side of our club also allows all members and their families to continue to see friends and be supported in any way needed. We are a close knit group who look out for one another. It’s a wonderful environment to be part of with the added fun of a game of bowls as well!”
The Mark Benevolent Fund is the charity of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Mason, the third largest branch of Freemasonry. The fund was established in 1868 with the sole objective of providing immediate financial aid to eligible members of their close family, who may be in distress. In modern times this has been extended to helping those in need in communities across the provinces and districts across the globe.
Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire James Payen said “The MBF donates to many organisations large and small. We have in the past provided funding for Ambulances for St John Ambulance as well as supporting more local projects like wheelchair rugby. We believe the social element of Wargrave Bowling Club, as well as providing a sporting opportunity, is a highly prized part of the local community that brings together people of all ages and abilities and deserves our support.
The Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire Brian McCormack, the visit to Wargrave Bowling Club was emotional. His father Roy McCormack was heavily involved in the Northern Ireland Bowling Association and played for many years “It’s been a real treat coming to Wargrave today” he commented “I saw my father play Bowls regularly over many years, so to visit a bowling club and see the green and the community spirit and team it takes to run a club such as this, I am pleased we have been able to assist in securing the future of WBC into it’s centenary next year and beyond.”
President Marion Pope, Chairman Roger Prew and Head Groundsman George Hedges were on hand to receive the cheque and unveil the new machine, which was quickly put to work later that morning!
Pictured (Right to left) – George Hedges- Head Groundsman, James Payen DPGM Berkshire Mark, Roger Prew- Chairman, Marion Pope – President and Brian McCormack – Provincial Grand Charity Steward.

Leopold Mark Lodge install a familiar face into the chair.

A wonderful Installation meeting of Leopold Mark Lodge

 

W Bro David Green was installed into the chair for the Nth time (they have lost count ) by W Bro Huw Hopkin, witnessed by a good number of the active Provincial Officers of the year, including the Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire. It was a great meeting with plenty of laughter, the festive board was also very good.

Try to support this small lodge at their next meeting as they have a candidate to advance, you will be made most welcome.

This weeks newsletter from MMH

A big night for Provincial Deputies!!

A special evening for our Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire. VW Bro Jim E Payen will be installed into the chair of Hope Royal Arch Chapter this evening. The official visitor from the Berks Royal Arch executive will be Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Province of Berkshire. A rare treat to have two Provincial Deputies overseeing a Chapter at the same time. It demonstrates the close link we have with the Berkshire Royal Arch Province. A wonderful night ahead for all attending.

It was found at Pangbourne Mark Lodge

IT WAS FOUND ….. at Pangbourne Mark Lodge No 1094

With thanks to our Communications Team Roving Reporter, Scoop Cottrell.

The word got out that Pangbourne Mark was having an Advancement as only they can. So the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire, the past PGM Peter Sands, and the past DPGM Mike Sanders, plus several other Grand Officers felt it was so important that they must attend! They were accompanied by a host of acting Provincial Officers led by Ian Spence. They were treated to a superb advancement ceremony of Bro Nestor Orolloga ( PM of Victory lodge). In true Pangbourne tradition, the officers and members booed and hissed at all the right moments, the stone was eventually “Found” having made it most of the way round the Lodge without most noticing!

Credit to the WM Ian Braithwaite on his first ceremony as Master in front of such an illustrious audience ….. Lyndsey Maskell as SD in true Frank Sinatra fashion, “ Did it his way”. Then off to the festive board at Goring and Streatley golf club for a superb and “ lively” meal.

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

Royal Ark Mariners – A wonderful order!!

Our Royal Ark Mariner (RAM) lodges continue to thrive. The Royal Ark Mariner degree is a lovely degree and very different from every other order. We all know the connection between the Craft and Royal Arch Freemasonry. A similar connection exists between Mark Master Masons and Royal Ark Mariner Freemasons. Once you have become a Mark Master Mason, you are welcome to join any of our Royal Ark Mariner Lodges. It is a wonderful extension of your Mark membership. For further information, please click on the link below.
https://berksmark.org.uk/…/about-the-royal-ark-mariner…/