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.
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.
The Provincial Grand Masters’ Reception and Dinner – An event not to be missed!
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
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.
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.
Provincial Grand Master’s Address to Provincial Grand Lodge
Erlegh Lodge hit the ground running for their new Masonic year.
Erlegh Lodge of MMM 1627 held their September meeting on Saturday 14th September at Wokingham where Worshipful Master Dave West and his officers (with a little help from 3 visitors) advanced Brother Trevor Christian of Pangbourne Craft Lodge. All members and guests then enjoyed a “harmony” style buffet afterwards with good humour, good fun was had by all.
Brother Trevor remarked afterwards “I enjoyed the ceremony and the warm welcome, the ritual was unique and impressive, the humour involved did not detract from the message and I can tell Mark Masonry is my style of Masonry”.
Erlegh are now looking forward to their November meeting (Saturday 14th November) when they will be advancing another candidate and would welcome any visitors who would like join them.