Full Provincial Team Visit to Windsor Castle Lodge
It was a special night at Windsor Castle Lodge of Mark Master Masons when the R.W. Provincial Grand Master brought his full Provincial team for an official visit, complete with sword and standard. This historic lodge, founded in 1898, meets right next to the walls of the castle itself and over the years has had many members of the Royal Household in its ranks.
The lodge, led by the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Ed George put on a superb demonstration of the Advancement ceremony, with one of the Provincial team acting acting as candidate. The photograph shows the Provincial Team with the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Graham Seeman.
Afterwards, all those present retired to the Bexley Arms for a sumptuous four course Festive Board and all then made their way home having enjoyed a superb evening of Mark Masonry and companionship. The Magic of the Mark weaving its spell once again.
Porchester Mark No 27 are on top form!!
Old Rectory Lodge – An Exciting New Year Ahead!!
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!
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.
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 visit to Leopold Mark Lodge
With thanks to W Bro Paul Tomlinson, one of our Communications Team roving reporters for his report on this week’s meeting of Leopold Mark Lodge.
The meeting of Leopold Mark Lodge Monday evening where the brethren were enlightened by a lecture regarding the “History and Meaning of parts of the Mark Ritual”, delivered by Brother Hopkins which was interesting if you have not heard it before. Also, Bro Todor was finally presented with his long-awaited Grand Lodge Certificate! The festive board was an enjoyable two-course meal with plenty of banter If you have never visited Leopold Mark Lodge, add it to your diary, it’s an enjoyable night and take your ritual book as you may get a job…
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.