Discover The Mark
Would you be interested in the Mark Degree?
Here is your chance, an informal meeting and presentation from our Executive. An opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the fourth step in Freemasonry.
No “hard sell”, join at a time that is right for you.
We hope to see you there!
November’s Newsletter from Mark Masons Hall
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.
PGM’s Address to Provincial Grand Lodge
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.
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.
Donation to Bracknell Rugby Football Club
Donation to Bracknell RFC
The Berkshire Mark Benevolent Association (BeMBA) have recently donated £200 to Bracknell Rugby Football Club and as a result contributed to the purchase of a new kit for the U14 team.
We look forward to watching the team win many games wearing the kit and wish them all the very best of luck!!
Charity is at the heart of every Berkshire Mark/Royal Ark Mariner Freemason, we continue to provide much support for local charities and national projects.
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.