A Double Deputies night
With thanks to W Bro Paul Wilding for this report.
Great to see the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire Jim Payen Installed as MEZ ( after only 39 years in the Royal Arch) of Hope Chapter at Newbury Masonic Centre. The visiting executive officer was The Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Province of Berkshire.
The Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire along with the Past PGM took active parts in the ceremony, and a number of Berkshire Mark Masons were there to support Jim. So: if you are in the Mark, but not in the Royal Arch – OR vice versa – why not take inspiration from this mutual support across Orders and join the other Order?
Provincial Calling Notice 2025
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.
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.
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 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.