Berkshire’s First Provincial Mark / Royal Ark Mariner Newsletter
Dear Brethren,
I hope this email finds you all well.
I am delighted to include below the link to our first Provincial Newsletter. I hope you enjoy this first issue. Your communications team are working hard to make this newsletter as informative as possible. To do this we need your help and input. Please send through all information, news and general articles for inclusion. Our members will appreciate hearing your news!! Content can be emailed to berksmarkcomms@gmail.com
Please click on the following link to view your newsletter, click HERE.
Enjoy and Mark Well!
Sincerely and fraternally
Mark Davis
Provincial Communications Officer
E: berksmarkpco@gmail.com
www.berksmark.org.uk
Provincial Grand Master’s Address to Provincial Grand Lodge
Provincial Grand Lodge Booklet 2024
Dear Brethren,
I hope this email finds you all well and looking forward to the forthcoming new Mark Masonic year.
On behalf of our Provincial Grand Secretary W Bro Huw Hopkin P.G.J.D, please find below a link to the Provincial Booklet containing reports etc to be adopted at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on 12th September.
We look forward to welcoming you all to this very special event.
Sincerely and Fraternally
Mark Davis
Provincial Communications Officer
Provincial Grand Lodge 2024 – All Mark Masons are welcome to attend
Cranley Lodge of MMM 1616 – Installation – Tuesday 14th May 2024
With thanks to W Bro Jim Sampins for his report on this weeks Cranley Lodge of MMM 1616 – Installation – Tuesday 14th May 2024
Taking a brief sojourn from my duties in the Royal Arch, I was honoured and delighted to Install W Bro Norman Birkitt as the 39th Worshipful Master of the Cranley Lodge of Mark Master Masons 1616 on Tuesday 14th May.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable meeting, graced by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons – Berkshire, and he was accompanied by several Provincial Grand Officers including the ProvGSW W Bro Julian Pacey.
It was particularly nice to see my personal guest W Bro Paul Ackland Snow PAGDC working for his supper, and once again wielding his DC wand as the acting ProvGDC. W Bro Norman invested his officers impeccably, and W Bro Brian McCormack ProvGChStwd, in his usual inimitable style, gave an immaculate explanation of the working tools.
The evening was topped by a superb festive board in the Windsor Guildhall, preceded by a Champagne reception, and the five course dinner was accompanied by superb (and copious) wines and port, carefully selected by W Bro Guy Barlow PAGDC.
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.
The Provincial Grand Master’s Reception and Dinner
With thanks to W Bro Brian McCormack for his report
Friday night The Berkshire Mark Masons, and their partners, enjoyed an excellent evening at the annual Provincial Grand Masters Reception and Dinner.
The event was held at Sindlesham Court, whose staff looked after the 105 attendees, in a very professional manner. The menu consisted of either Chefs Prawn Cocktail or Medley of Melon Cocktail, Coq au Vin with minted potatoes & seasonal veg or strudel of leek, cherry tomatoes & goats cheese & cheese platter or ice cream. All three courses were delicious and a credit to the chefs.
The evening was filled with a lively buzz as we caught up with one another. The raffle raised a magnificent £700 which will allow BeMBA continue to support local charities & brethren alike.
Credit must go to the members of the executive who worked tirelessly, in the background to pull together another superb fundraising event. These events are the social jewel in the Mark calendar so roll on 2025 when the Magic of the Mark will shine again.
Caduceus Lodge of MMM – 4th March 2024
Caducius Lodge of MMM – 4th March 2024
Caducius Lodge of MMM – 4th March 2024. In the presence of the RW Provincial Grand Master Graham Seeman and the Provincial Officers of the year, we witnessed a splendid Installation of W.Bro David Briggs by W. Bro Raymond Cochrane, in what can only be described as a wonderful ceremony that was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The PGM also presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Brother Richard Williams. Afterwards we dined in fine style where the normal toasts were observed.
Valentia Lodge of MMM No.623. A Triple Celebration!!
Valentia Lodge of MMM No.623
It was an evening of great celebration at Valentia Lodge of MMM No.623 on 28th February where we saw the PGM, RW Bro. Graham Seeman present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Peter Dresser. The Advancement of Bro Jason Ayers done in fine style by the Worshipful Master David Barber ably supported by the Lodge Officers. The PGM then presented a certificate to W. Bro David Loyd-Langston in celebration and recognition of his 50 years in Mark Masonry, on the 51st anniversary to the very day of his Advancement into Valentia Lodge of MMM. A very rare and special event indeed. We then enjoyed a splendid and affable Festive Board. A fine evening for sure, and will be remembered for years to come!