Pangbourne Lodge 1094 ends the year on a high!!

**Pangbourne Lodge 1094 ends the year on a high!!**

A fantastic evening was enjoyed by all attending last nights meeting of Pangbourne Lodge. Members, visitors and guests enjoyed a wonderful ceremony to watch the Advancement Bro Toby Cottrell. Following the meeting, all attending enjoyed a delicious meal and the wonderful atmosphere that is known as “The Magic of The Mark”.

Berkshire pays a visit to Oxfordshire’s Provincial Meeting

With thanks to W Bro Brian McCormack for his report on his visit to Oxfordshire Freemasons Mark Provincial Meeting.
Last Thursday, May 9th, a Posse of Berkshire Mark Masons, attended the Annual Provincial Meeting of Oxford. The Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire, accompanied by VW Bro Mike Sanders & W Bros. Jim Payen, Huw Hopkin, Ted Lewis, Phil Damant & myself, descended upon the Bicester Hotel, golf & spa resort to support our historically very close neighbour.
A mid afternoon start was preceded by a reception of tea or coffee and some biscuits with the meeting commencing at 3pm. Berkshire is always well represented, indeed, the PGM of Oxford, RW Bro. Ian Watson Wright, on welcoming distinguished guests, described our attendance as more of an invasion, given we had the largest attendance of any Province.
The highlight was the installation of a new DPGM VW Bro. Adrian Hadley Barlow a fitting appointment in my opinion. It was a precursor to our own Annual Meeting when we too will install a new DPGM, an exciting event for any province.
The meeting concluded and we sat down to a largely pleasant festive board. Once again, Mark Masonry put on a marvellous display of the friendly spirit of our degree.
Brethren, please consider attending one of these provincial meetings. Being an active provincial offer isn’t the single qualification to attend. Let it be known you wish to and provided numbers we will support it, and you pay for your own meal, you’d be very welcome.
The bonds built across the provinces enriches the Masonic experience, one, I’m certain you’ll very much enjoy. Roll on Bristol, this Saturday.

Our Provincial Visit to The Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Mark Master Masons.

With thanks to W Bro Brian McCormack for this report on his visit to the Provincial meeting of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Mark Master Masons.

 

Today, seven brethren, V.W. Bro. Michael Sanders, accompanied by W. Bro’s Huw Hopkin, Ted Lewis, Laurence Riel, Kevin Dodd, Philip Damant and Brian McCormack, attended the Annual Provincial Meeting of Hampshire & Isle of Wight, held in the Guildhall in Portsmouth. Over 300 attended to celebrate their Sesquicentenary year and were treated to a fantastic reception. It was very fitting that a Past Provincial Grand Master was in attendance in the person of none other than the Pro. Grand Master John Herbert Prizeman, who was PGM between 2007 and 2016.
A wonderful potted history was presented, filled with interesting & amusing facts about the Province. This was followed by the investiture of the officers for the year but, the highlight was a field promotion which was conferred by the Pro.G.M. The official part over, brethren retired for the VIP drinks reception then the festive board. Over £1100 was raised at the annual “heads & tails” where the prize was a cake baked by Gerry Gangadean.
I came second, which, in reality, is first last, and missed out on a delicious rum infused iced cake. Indeed, there’s so much rum in Gerry’s cakes, they’re more Jamaican than Bob Marley.
The day ended all too soon and brethren, from numerous provinces headed home, having enjoyed a typically brilliant event. This is my third visit but certainly not my last. Brethren of Berkshire, consider attending and help us win the title of the largest number of Provincial Officers to attend. Whilst we had 7, Dorset claimed the gold medal with 8. Let’s right that “wrong” with a larger number next year. I can highly recommend it.
Everyone who attended received a wonderful goody bag containing a book, detailing part of the history of the Province, other keepsakes the best of which was a double sided coin to commemorate this wonderful anniversary.

Fundraising for London’s Air Ambulance

Charity is at the heart of every Freemason, it is what we do!

Our Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro Tim Spriggs is raising money for a very worthy cause. London’s Air Ambulance.
Here is Tim’s message….
Metropolitan Grand Lodge’s cornerstone support of the ‘Up Against Time’ appeal is paving the way for the replacement of London’s Air Ambulances, which provide vital trauma responses throughout the capital. Wednesday 17th April will see me and a group of Metropolitan Masons take the plunge with a mass ‘de-bearding’, hopefully shaving years off of appearances and raising a bumper amount for this worthy cause!
Having met several people who are only here today because of this charities ability to deliver an advanced trauma team to London’s most critically injured patients , I couldn’t say no to getting involved in raising funds to help replace the two air ambulances that are going out of service.
Not only am I attached to my beard, but I’m especially attached to avoiding the daily hassle of shaving!
Support us in supporting all those who live in, work or visit our capital, and give generously to see me back in a clean-shaven state! That’s right…if you’ve complained about my beard, now is your chance to make a change…
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/…/the-great-metropolitan…