warwickshiremark

ABBA Tribute Black Tie Ball and Fun Casino - Saturday 25th February

All proceeds to the 2012 Festival

This will be the third and final major event organised by the Mark Social Committee in support of the 2012 Festival. The Chinese Ball was fantastic and the Rockin Berries were brilliant, but this will be the biggest and best yet! The Reunion Group are the ultimate ABBA tribute Band and tickets are selling fast. Don't miss out, BOOK NOW.

Full details and an application form are here.   posted 6 Jan 2012

Adding the fizz and leading the nation!

by W Bro James Langley

On a previous occasion, I have dilated, in a slightly tongue in cheek manner, on the excellence of the travel and refreshment arrangements when Warwickshire Mark Masons attend Grand Lodge Meetings.

On the 13th December, a party of two dozen Warwickshire Royal Ark Mariners attended the Annual Assembly, where five of our Brethren received Grand Rank. This was not a sufficient number to require a complete carriage but did allow the opportunity to watch the facial expressions of other travellers. Their amazement, as we feasted, in our accustomed fashion, and with wonderful organisation to get the refreshments distributed was well worth watching. We all offer our very sincere thanks to Karen who had obviously spent a great deal of time preparing the wonderful food.

This has now become established as 'the way Warwickshire does things', an expected norm but, on this trip a fellow traveller made an interesting observation. In attending Grand Lodge, you certainly do meet Mark Masons from every Province in the country and yet you never come across one who reports anything like the classic approach from which we benefit. The arrangements made seem to range from getting to London on your lonesome, arranging your own small travel parties, group bookings of train tickets through to arranging a coach. I'm sure that in any travel party there will be those who arrange to bring an element of liquid and even solid refreshment but nobody ever reports anything quite like the arrangements that we have and have come to regard as quite normal.

I've not been around long enough to appreciate just who initiated this wonderful approach to group travel to these meetings but both they, and those who have played any part in perpetuating them, deserve our very sincere thanks. It's something which helps an already pleasurable day to develop into a real delight and it helps make even stronger, those ties which bond us together.

Like many of you, I have just received a marketing flier about a trip on the British Pullman which includes service of food and drink of extremely high quality as the train chugs through the English countryside.

I think it's quite a tribute that they have modelled an entire business on the Warwickshire Mark and Royal Ark Mariner excursions to London!

  posted 6 Jan 2012

Grand Warwickshire

W Bro James Langley tells the following remarkable story:

Having joined the party travelling to London, W Bro James Langley was moved to put pen to paper, and writes:

"Warwickshire is a rather wonderful Mark Province for many reasons but, on the day of the Annual Investiture Meeting of Mark Grand Lodge in Freemasons' Hall at Great Queen Street, it really does come into its own.

Imagine if you will, being a Mark Mason in a Province closer to the capital; you'd doubtless make your own way to the city, probably alone but perhaps with a couple of pals. By contrast, if you were a member in a very northern Province you would have to get up in the middle of the night, make your way, probably in the dark, to some distant station and sit for hours on an exceedingly long train journey.

In Warwickshire of course it's very different. By dint of a wonderful foresight, our Province is so arranged that the main line train stops at four stations, all in locations which are blessed with nearby Masonic meeting rooms. Warwickshire, again as the result of excellent strategic planning, is about an hour and a half train journey from London - precisely the amount of time necessary to partake of a perfect repast.

With these two factors in mind, our Province has, by remarkably skilful recruitment, arranged that its membership includes several brethren who have great catering and organisational skills, or at least access to them. Consequently, as soon as the train gets going, the Warwickshire contingent is served a splendid array of fine food as we take a glass or two of champagne during our journey to Euston.

During the journey, one is inevitably reminded of that wonderful poem written by WH Auden, which as I recall, goes something like this:

This is the Mark Train, crossing the border
Bringing regalia and men of the order

Men who are rich, men who are poor
Most having done great work on the floor

Men from the east, men from the west
All decked out in Mark Mason's best

Coventry passes, Rugby does too
Now we're assembling a bit of a crew

Out with the food and out with the wine,
All looking happy and all feeing fine

Arriving in Watford, now getting near,
Only just time for one last cup of cheer

The train stops at Euston, we all tumble out,
Onlookers wonder what 'tis all about

A bit tongue in cheek, I know but the great thing about our day out is that the travelling time involved really is perfect to warrant special travel arrangements and thus the great fellowship we enjoy at our peripatetic festive board. This travel is a great part of a wonderful day and the enjoyment starts as soon as we board the train.

My most sincere thanks to the organisers, the chefs and the stewards!"

The selection of photos certainly reflect James' feelings! They include a picture of W Bro Tom Gray, who was celebrating his 80th birthday that day, and the eminent Warwickshire "Chain Gang" members present.

  posted 8 Jul 2011

Would you believe it?

W Bro James Langley tells the following remarkable story:

"I could hardly believe what I was looking at. Surely it couldn't be right? How could I not have known this before? And yet, it really had to be correct; it was there before me in black and white.

During my year as Provincial Steward, I had determined to visit at least one Mark Lodge in every Temple where Mark Masonry was conducted in the Warwickshire Province. Pretty much my last visit was to be to the Vesey Lodge of MMM 757. I had planned to visit on 26th October. I had my summons to hand but, like many of us, had paid it no heed other than to check date and time and quickly see what work was to be undertaken.

A couple of days before my planned visit, I received notice of my assignment as a Visiting Provincial Officer for the 2010 to 2011 season. Providence had allotted me to Vesey Lodge and I would attend my first meeting in this role in January 2011.

Having looked carefully at the Honours Boards outside, I entered the Lodge room, sat down and started to read, far more carefully, the summons. On turning to the list of Past Masters, I noted a name or two which I felt I should know; JL Tomey, H Newton, TEL Startin, AE Terry and RCD Henderson. If any bells rang it could only be that they were names my father had mentioned to me and that could only mean that they were associates of his father. Then I saw it, '1934 - Isaac G Langley' - my grandfather, a man I never knew as his death preceded my birth by some years. I had not even known that he was involved in Mark Masonry.

As soon as I got home, I opened up my family spreadsheet to find that W Bro Isaac died on 4th December 1940. He died pretty much as a result of the efforts of the Luftwaffe to destroy the manufacturing capability of the West Midlands in that November. He was a sick man and at the time he really needed to be in hospital, they were full with casualties from the bombing raids. As was common in those days in these cases, he and my grandmother took up residence with their eldest son and his wife in Moor Hall Drive where the dining room was given over and re-arranged to accommodate them.

This meant that the first visit I would make to Vesey Lodge as their Visiting Provincial Officer would be in January 2011, seventy years to the meeting after someone would have delivered the Eulogy for my grandfather.

What an amazing set of coincidences. That I should have been assigned to my grandfather's Lodge was quirky, that the timing could be so perfect was quite surreal but further surprises awaited me.

In the middle of January, and unprompted, my cousin called to see me. He carried a package and to be fair, I correctly guessed what it contained; it was of course my grandfather's regalia. It included his Provincial Mark Collar and Apron, the latter bearing the badge of the office I currently hold - that of the Provincial Registrar.

My visit to Vesey Lodge a few days later saw me wearing grandfather's apron and collar with my current jewel. It hasn't been worn for seventy years and it's quite tired with age but I wore it with a great sense of pride. Upon examining the Book of Declarations, I found that Isaac Langley was the very first candidate for Advancement in Vesey Lodge. That evening, a new candidate was Advanced and I was asked to stand in as the Junior Warden and it felt as if a loop became closed.

Ian Fleming titled a chapter in the book Goldfinger, 'Nothing propinks like propinquity' and he's right for truth certainly is stranger than fiction!"

  posted 12 Apr 2011

Spring Newsletter Hits the Streets

See news articles, events and reports in our Spring Newsletter, which is included in the Warwickshire Freemason magazine mailed to every Craft freemason in the Province. A copy can be seen here.   posted 31 Mar 2011

Grand Ranks Announced

Our congratulations go to the following brethren for their appointment/promotion in Mark Grand Lodge. Their investiture will take place in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011, see the What's On page for details of arrangements for the organised trip, which will be updated as details are finalised.

The Brethren of Warwickshire Mark Lodges have been well rewarded. Some of these were recommended by our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, whilst some were recommendations from another Province or District where our Brethren also subscribe. Others, mainly the very high ranks, are selected by Grand Lodge itself.

VW Bro Michael Guest PGSO, a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master and member of Temperance Lodge 629, is to be promoted to Grand Junior Warden, thus becoming a RW Bro.

W Bro Michael J Poole PGJD, of Thomas Arthur Wood Lodge 1737, Coventry Lodge 1811, Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818 and Cyril Batham Lodge 1844, is to be promoted to Grand Senior Overseer, thus becoming a VW Bro.

W Bro Eric J Rymer, of Charity Lodge 430 and Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818 continues as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies

W Bro Simon Wensley, of Bedford Lodge 115, Shakespeare Lodge 40TI, Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818 and Mancetter Lodge 1883, our Provincial Grand Almoner, it to be appointed Assistant Grand Standard Bearer

W Bro Michael J Baker, Provincial Grand Senior Warden in 2007 and a member of St Martin's Lodge 959, Progress Lodge 1746 and Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818, is to be appointed Grand Steward

VW Bro Frank R Shelley PGJO was a very long standing Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, from 1982 to 1992, and is a member of Progress Lodge 1746 and Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818. He is to be promoted to Past Grand Master Overseer

W Bro Geoffrey Carr Hooker PGSD, Honorary Member of Hertford Military Lodge 408 and a member of WIMM Lodge No 1400, is to be promoted to Past Grand Master Overseer, thus becoming a VW Bro.

W Bro H Gordon Capstick PGSD is a member of Shakespeare Lodge 40TI and Thomas Arthur Wood Lodge 1737. He was Advanced in 1957 into Wickett Lodge in London, but has been a staunch supporter of Warwickshire Lodges for over 30 years now and is to be promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer, thus becoming a VW Bro.

W Bro Roger S Mac PGSD, our Deputy Provincial Grand Master and a member of The Harry Wilson Lodge 1574 and Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818, is to be promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer, thus becoming a VW Bro.

W Bro Brian FG Stapley PAGDC, is a member of Holte Lodge 1041. He is also the District Grand Treasurer of Spain and is to be promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer, thus becoming a VW Bro.

W Bro David F Macey, PProvGSW, our Provincial Grand Master in the Craft, is a Past Master of Howe Lodge TI and Athol Lodge 174, as well as a member of Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818. He is to be appointed to Past Grand Senior Deacon

W Bro Derek J Griffin PAGDC, our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and a member of Shakespeare Lodge 40TI, Machen Lodge 698, Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818 and Cyril Batham Lodge 1844, is to be promoted to Past Grand Junior Deacon

W Bro Victor W Keene MBE, PAGSwdB, who has been our highly respected Provincial Chaplain for a number of years, and is a member of Seymour Lodge 606 and Coventry Lodge 1811, is to be promoted to Past Grand Junior Deacon

W Bro Howard W Jenkins, PProvGSW, is a member of Holte Lodge 1041 and Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818. He was a ProvGJO in 2004 and subsequently a ProvGSW of our neighbouring province of Staffordshire & Shropshire. He will be appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

W Bro Melville T Mason, PProvGSW, was our Provincial Grand Junior Warden in 2007. Now living in Shropshire, he is a member of WIMM No 1400. He is to be appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

W Bro Dr Maxwell C Pipe was a ProvGJW of Staffordshire and Shropshire, but became a founder of our own Mancetter Lodge 1883. He is to be appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

W Bro Hugh R Thomson, PProvGSW, is our hard working Provincial Grand Charity Steward and Secretary of the Mark benevolent Fund. A member of Seymour Lodge 606, he is to be appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

W Bro Julius Axel Burgheim, a past member of Concord Lodge 735, currently a Past Commander of Concord Lodge RAM 735, has been a very active member of the District Grand Lodge of Germany and is to be appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer

W Bro Thomas W Gray, PProvGReg is a member of Concord Lodge 735, Central Keystone Lodge 744, Progress Lodge 1746 and Ronald Albutt Lodge 1818. Having also been very active in Worcestershire they recommended him for grand rank, and he is to be appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer (on his birthday!)

W Bro David T Hopkins, long serving Secretary of The Harry Wilson Lodge 1574 and Founder of Mancetter Lodge 1883, is our very hard working Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary and is to be appointed Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer

There will again be an organised trip to London on the 7th June. See the What's On page for information (details will be updated as they unfold).

Our hearty congratulations also go to those brethren who are to be honoured with preferment in Grand Rank at the Craft Annual Investiture meeting at Great Queen Street on 27th April. Full details can be seen on the Craft news page (posted 18 March)   posted 31 Mar 2011

Hat Trick

W Bro Bob Ballard is in the Chairs of Peace and Unity Craft, Royal Arch and Mark all at the same time. He is the first to do this, and will be the last since the Craft Lodge is soon to hand in its warrant.   posted 29 Mar 2011

Sun Shines on WIMM

The Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters' Lodge Ladies' Festival Weekend held at the Haven Hotel, Sandbanks, Poole, was bound to be a tremendous success, having been fully booked several weeks prior to the event. W Bro Vernon Munton tells us of the enjoyable time had by all:

"The weekend was blessed with wonderful weather and I was even able to take a swim in the outdoor pool (well it was heated!) By late on the Friday afternoon most people had arrived and the bar area was pretty busy with old friendships being renewed. We all enjoyed an excellent buffet meal in the evening and the wide choice of starters was particularly impressive - judging by the noise in the restaurant everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Vernon Munton (2nd from left) enjoying a cold beer in Poole

Saturday dawned bright and clear and in the sun and out of the breeze, shirtsleeves were the order of the day. Many masons were strolling along the beach and some even had their trouser legs rolled up! The pubs in Poole around the harbour were busy with holiday makers taking in the first real sunshine of the year and we were no exception. Cold beer on a warm day is always very welcome. We walked along the harbour trying to find a boat worth less than a million pounds and eventually we were successful - the man was rowing it out to his proper boat!

WM Brian Price and Maggie (seated) with their family

Saturday evening found us all dressed up in DJ's or Tuxedos and the ladies looking good in all their finery. Worshipful Master Brian and his wife Maggie received us in the lounge area and then we enjoyed an excellent three course meal with close attention from the table stewards. The table decorations consisted of a present inside a box which held down the balloons floating above each table and these table decorations were the Ladies Table Prizes, being allocated by one of the ladies drawing a name tag at random from the table stewards' trouser pocket - now why would that cause so much hilarity?

The Ladies Table Prize was an antique Poole pottery marmalade pot and a jar of homemade marmalade prepared by Maggie. All the Ladies were presented with a gift of a decorative Renee Mackintosh Pen, which was greatly appreciated by them. Dancing continued until 12.30am following which most of us were ready for a good night's rest.

Sunday morning breakfast was time for tearful farewells and the previous night's gift was found to be particularly appropriate because the hotel ran out of marmalade - you couldn't make it up!"

  posted 29 Mar 2011

A Great Night to Remember

The Mark Social Committee are holding another of their spectacular events, devoted entirely to supporting the 2012 Festival. All masons, their families and friends are invited to attend.

This is a fabulous Black Tie Ball starring the legendary Rockin' Berries classic comedy showband, before they commence their 50th Anniversary tour around the Midlands.

Following the same pattern as the Chinese Valentines Ball, with great entertainment, dancing and a fun Casino, the Ball will be held at the Clarendon Suites, Edgbaston, again enjoying the excellent standards provided. The Ball is fully endorsed by the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro David Macey, who hopes that as many Lodges as possible will support the event, as all proceeds will be donated to the Festival.

The date is Saturday 29th January 2011, full details and a booking form can be downloaded here.   posted 16 Jan 2011

90 Years Young

The Senior Past Commander of Silhill Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners 972, W Bro Ewart Percival James RAMGR (pictured left), a sprightly 90 years young, was presented with a 50 year RAM Grand Lodge Service Certificate by W Bro Roger S Mac, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, in a most informative and interesting manner.

The presentation outlined not only Ewart's Masonic career, but also his many years in business following his apprenticeship with the Wolsey Engineering Company at Ward End, Birmingham. This included a period working with other Engineering companies which included the famous Birmingham Small Arms (BSA). One very illuminating revelation was that during the War Years, Ewart was one of the Engineers who worked with Frank (later Sir Frank) Whittle on his now famous Jet Engine. When this was announced, an audible gasp of surprise went around the Lodge, with the comment - "he certainly kept that quiet!".

Later, at the Festive Board, Ewart was presented with two bottles of 25 year old whisky, which he will undoubtedly in due course enjoy drinking at home.   posted 10 Apr 2010

Grand Ranks 2010

We are pleased to announce that the following members of the Mark province are to be appointed to, or promoted in, Grand rank at the investiture meeting at Great Queen Street on 8th June:

First Appointments:

• Kenneth L Downes, Assistant Grand Inner Guard
• Barrie J Dolphin, Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
• Olaf Dankert, Past Grand Standard Bearer
• John L Overton, Past Grand Standard Bearer

Promotions:

• Richard V Wallis
  from Past Grand Master Overseer to Grand Junior Warden
• Eric J Rymer
  from Past Grand Steward to Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies
• John B Hardy
  from Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to Past Grand Senior Deacon
• Michael Spencer
  from Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to Past Grand Senior Deacon
• Fred Stewart
  from Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to Past Grand Senior Deacon
• Colin Bryan
  from Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies to Past Grand Junior Deacon
• Peter J Wellings
  from Past Grand Steward to Past Grand Junior Deacon
• John Searson
  from Past Grand Standard Bearer to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

There will again be an organised trip to London on the 8th June. See the What's On page for information (details will be updated as they unfold).

Our hearty congratulations also go to those brethren who are to be honoured with preferment in Grand Rank at the Craft Annual Investiture meeting at Great Queen Street on 28th April.

First appointments are being awarded to W Bros Philip Hall, Garry Malpas and Anthony Newby, with W Bro Tom Seekings receiving promotion. Full details can be seen on the Craft news page.   posted 27 Mar 2010

Support Team Supports

At the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge last year the Provincial Grand Master announced the formation of the Lodge Support Team set up and organised by W Bro Roger Sargent (pictured) to lend a helping hand to those Mark and RAM Lodges which may appreciate it.

The team comprises enthusiastic Mark and RAM Masons who are willing, at reasonable notice, and at their own expense, to attend Lodges in need of help, either just to boost numbers, or more likely to take an office when a vacancy occurs for whatever reason. Members of the team therefore have a good knowledge of the ritual.

One of the team's recent visits was to The Harry Wilson Royal Ark Mariner Lodge 1574, at the Installation of their new Commander, W Bro Jack Chetwynd, a lovely 78 year old man and mason. The picture includes Jack (on the right of W Bro Roger Mac, Deputy Provincial Grand Master & Presiding Officer), W Bro Roger Sargent, W P Cdr Graham Humphries (the installing Commander), and W P Cdr David Hopkins, the hard working Scribe of the Lodge, together with eight well known faces of the support team.

The evening was a great success, a happy, friendly atmosphere pervading throughout, with the work being carried out to the highest standard. Both the Presiding Officer and the Worshipful Commander thanked the Provincial Support Team for their attendance, and if all evenings are to be as enjoyable, Roger is eagerly awaiting the next request for help!

If you would like to join the team, please let Roger know. Full details and an application form can be seen on the Contacts page under the Support Team button.

Tel: 01530 273971 Email: sargentrw@btinternet.com   posted 3 Mar 2010

Fantastic Night at the Ball

More than 220 guests attended the spectacular Chinese Valentines Ball at Stirling Road organized by the Warwickshire Mark Social Committee, raising over £2,000 for the 2012 Festival Appeal. A full report can be seen in the latest Mark newsletter together with details of a variety of events including the Prestonian Lecture and Annual Meeting, as well as the forthcoming programme of events.   posted 3 Mar 2010

Per Ardua Ad Dignitatem Meritam

"Through difficulties to a deserved status - the confluence of the Craft and the Mark" was the title of the Grand Stewards' Lecture for 2009, delivered by RW Bro Dr Roeinton BF Khambatta, PProvGM (London) at their meeting in July.

During his lecture, RW Bro Khambatta guided the audience through the fascinating journey of Mark Masonry from its early recorded days in the mid eighteenth century right through to the present day.

Pictured above are RW Bro Dr Roeinton Khambatta (left) with the present Warwickshire PGM RW Bro David Rawlins.

The Mark degrees were originally conferred within Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters, and still are in Scotland, Ireland and other parts of the world. The growth of popularity in England during the nineteenth century gave rise to considerable activity at the highest levels in Masonic politics of the day, including an attempt to bring the Mark into mainstream freemasonry in 1856. This was partly to put an end to what some perceived as an encroachment of territory, and partly to appease those who felt the Mark should be an integral part of regular Masonry, in the same way as was the Royal Arch. But this was defeated on a technicality, in all probability to the great relief of committed Mark masons who did not wish to see the degree submerged.

Within just three weeks the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was formed, with Lord Leigh, who was the then Craft Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire, becoming the first Grand Master.

The inevitable controversy which followed initially rumbled on for quite some time, but progress was made, with the Grand Lodge of Ireland recognising the Mark and others following suit, in particular the Grand Lodge of Scotland which agreed to stop issuing its own Mark certificates to English candidates. Great efforts to achieve continued harmony were made by the Earl of Kintore, and followed through by his successor as Grand Master, the Prince of Wales, throughout the rest of the nineteenth century. These included aligning Mark Provinces and Districts with those of the Craft, and falling back on the Craft Constitutions in the event that any issue was not covered by the Mark Constitutions. Indeed, the first toast at Mark Lodges was for some time "The Queen and the Craft".

Although the United Grand Lodge of England never formally recognised the Mark, the membership of both Grand Lodges has always been intertwined. Every Grand Secretary of UGLE has been a Mark Mason, as have many other very senior members of the Craft. Finally, at the momentous occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons held at the Royal Albert Hall in 2006, the Grand Masters of both the Craft (HRH The Duke of Kent) and the Mark (HRH Prince Michael of Kent) stood together, as brothers in blood, and brothers in Masonry.

A printed copy of the lecture will be available shortly.   posted 4 Aug 2009

'Mark Mason' Lifeboat Named and Dedicated

On 5th June, Provincial leaders from throughout England and Wales, including our Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro David Rawlins and Denise and the Deputy PGM, W Bro Roger Mac and Freda, (pictured left) joined in the celebrations in Pembrokeshire as Angle's new Tamar class lifeboat was named 'Mark Mason' by the Grand Master MW Bro HRH Prince Michael of Kent. The lifeboat was funded from a £1.6M donation from Grand Mark Lodge and by RNLI supporters in Pembrokeshire who donated over £400,000.

The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries including RNLI Chairman Admiral Lord Boyce, who accepted the new lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI Council. A service of dedication was led by the Team Vicar of Angle Parish Church, the Reverend Matthew Dobbs, and included music by Pembroke Silver Brass Band and Pembroke Choir.

Pictured is the MW Grand Master HRH Prince Michael of Kent at the helm of 'Mark Mason'.

The lifeboat was declared operational on 23 March 2009 and had already proved her worth prior to the naming ceremony, having launched on five rescue missions prior to then. Call-outs included escorting a fishing vessel taking on water, assisting a power boat with engine problems, searching for two missing boys and investigating a sighting of red flare.

Further details and photos can be seen on www.anglelifeboat.org.   posted 4 Aug 2009

50th Anniversary in Silhill

On Thursday 26th March 2009, VW Bro Ewart Percival James, PGJO, PProvGSW, celebrated his 50th year in Mark Masonry, having been Advanced into Silhill Lodge MMMs 972 in March 1959. To mark the occasion the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro David JF Rawlins was in attendance together with 26 Active Provincial Officers, 25 members of the Lodge and 15 visitors, making in all a grand total of 67 Brethren. There was also a very well performed Advancement ceremony, adding to the enjoyment of this auspicious occasion.

The Provincial Grand Master presenting VW Bro Ewart James with his 50 year certificate

When presenting our worthy Brother with his Certificate, the PGM made reference to Ewart's unstinting service not only to the Lodge in general, but also to the Office of Almoner in particular which he had held for many years, resulting in Silhill Lodge being one of the highest contributors to the Warwickshire Mark Fund of Benevolence. Details of his business and private life were also mentioned which proved very interesting.

In conclusion the PGM gave details of events that had occurred in 1959, when Ewart was Advanced. Harold McMillan was Prime Minister - he whose election slogan was "You have never had it so good", Sir Winston Churchill's house was burgled - property was stolen amounting to £10,000. The Mini Car was rolling off the Production lines at a cost of £500 and Petrol cost 5 shillings (25p) a gallon (5p a litre).

The Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Eric J Rymer, GStwd, called the Brethren to Order, and VW Bro Ewart was duly saluted, which he suitably acknowledged.

Later at the Festive Board, Ewart was presented with a Wallet containing a sum of money which had been contributed by the Brethren of Silhill Lodge.   posted 29 Jul 2009

New Commander at the Helm

The Warwickshire Installed Commanders' Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No 1400 had a splendid meeting when W Bro J Stephen Wright, our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was installed into the Commanders' Chair, followed by the dedication of a new banner for the Lodge. The beautiful, triangular banner was designed by Worshipful Past Commanders Roy Tidmarsh and Bill Podmore and embroidered by Mrs Anne Hall. It really is a delightful banner and can be viewed in Lodge Room 3 at Stirling Road. Our new Provincial Chaplain, W Bro Victor Keen delivered a truly inspiring oration which was heartily received by those present.

At the Festive Board, our Provincial Grand Master revealed the names of those Brethren who will be appointed to be Provincial Principal Officers at the Annual Meeting in November:

• W Bro Cliff Bull as Senior Warden
• W Bro Cedric Stiles as Junior Warden
• W Bro Ted Belcher as Master Overseer
• W Bro Malcolm Kinder as Senior Overseer
• W Bro Vernon Munton as Junior Overseer

Our hearty congratulations go to these worthy brethren, and we wish them every enjoyment during their year in office.   posted 9 Jun 2009

New Deputy PGM makes his Mark

The Mark Province of Warwickshire has a new Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Roger S Mac, who is well known throughout Warwickshire and beyond as a Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft, as well as for his tireless work in helping bring about the improvements at Stirling Road. He has now accepted yet another challenge on which to focus his seemingly limitless energy and expertise, in which we all wish him every success and enjoyment.

He was Appointed, Invested and Installed as Deputy Provincial Grand Master by RW Bro David Rawlins, Provincial Grand Master, at the recent meeting of the Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters Lodge No 1400. The ceremony, held in the Main Temple at Stirling Road, was attended by over 150 enthusiastic Mark Masons from Warwickshire and other Provinces. Many more had expressed their regret that they could not be present on this historic occasion, but sent Roger their very best wishes.

The Provincial Grand Master took the Chair of the Lodge, and W Bro Roger was admitted to a loud fanfare on the organ, with enthusiastic applause from all present. He was escorted by six brethren representing his Lodge and Provincial links, and, in acknowledgement of the high esteem in which he is held, these included RW Bro Michael J Price, CBE, the Craft Provincial Grand Master for Warwickshire, and RW Bro Tony Morris, Provincial Grand Master for the Mark Province of Leicestershire and Rutland.

The ceremony went without a hitch, and at the end Roger was duly Proclaimed by the Director of Ceremonies, and was saluted for the first time as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Mark Province of Warwickshire. There will be many more opportunities to salute him as he performs his official duties in and around the Province in the years to come.

The meeting also included the Installation of W Bro Spencer T Fenn as Worshipful Master, who gave a most interesting presentation about the background and discussions with various parties culminating with the acquisition of our present London headquarters, Mark Masons' Hall, in St James's Street.   posted 9 Jun 2009