News Archive
Warwickshire Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons
A compendium of older items of news.
The latest issue of the Provincial Mark Newsletter
is
available
here.
Mrs Pam Sanders has asked us to let you know that a total of £1,160 was sent to Cancer Research in memory of W Bro Chris Sanders. She is most grateful to all who donated, and also wishes to thank all those who have supported her and the family during their bereavement. posted 12 May 2009
Funeral of W Bro Rodney Pitham
Following the sad news of the sudden death, on Sunday 26th April, of W Bro Rodney Pitham, PAGDC, the Provincial Grand DC for the Mark Province of Worcestershire and a Past Master of the Silhill Lodge of MMMs No 972, we can now let you know that his funeral will be held on Tuesday 5th May at St James the Great Church, at the junction of Stratford Road and Church Road, Shirley B90 2AX. The service will be at 2.00pm, followed by a private cremation for family only.
Family flowers only, but donations are invited in memory of Rodney to the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Fund (WMBF). Charity Office, 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 9SB. (cheques payable to WMBF).
We understand that in his will W Bro Rodney asked that no black ties or dark suits be worn.
Refreshments will be available afterwards at the Solihull Masonic Temple, Warwick Road, Knowle. posted 5 May 2009
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of W Bro Rodney Pitham, PAGDC, on Sunday 26th April at the age of only 64 years.
W Bro Rodney was well known to us all as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft, and a very active Information Officer. However, he was also a very committed and enthusiastic Mark Mason. He was Master of the Silhill Lodge of MMM No 972 in 2003 and again in 2004.
In the Mark Province of Worcestershire, W Bro Rodney was an extremely competent and helpful Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies where his legal training provided him with an eye for detail.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, but our thoughts must be with his family at this time. posted 27 Apr 2009
The Funeral Service for RW Bro Stanley Lates will be held at St Alphege Church, Church Hill Road, Solihull B91 3RQ, on Monday 6th April 2009 at 2.00pm, followed by a private cremation.
Donations in memory may be made to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, c/o the Charity Office, 2 Stirling Road, Birmingham B16 9SB, or to the Parkinson’s Disease Society, c/o Thomas Bragg & Sons, 562 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 4AY.
Family flowers only please. posted 31 Mar 2009
Appointments and Promotions in Grand Rank
We are pleased to announce that the MW Grand Master is to appoint or promote the following brethren of the Province in Grand Rank. These will be conferred at the Meeting of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons on Tuesday 9th June 2009.
First Appointments:
- W Bro David H Liddington, P Prov GSW to PAGDC
- W Bro Philip Gough, P Prov GJW to PAGDC
- W Bro William (Bill) J Watts, P Prov GJW to PGStB
Promotions:
- W Bro Allan D Morris, PGSD to PGJO
- W Bro Michael D Arnold, PGSD to PGJO (recommended by Staffordshire & Shropshire)
- W Bro Spencer T E Fenn, PGJD to PGJO
- W Bro Anthony R Rudell, PAGDC to PGSD
- W Bro Roger S Mac, PAGDC, Dep Prov GM Designate to PGSD
- W Bro Andrew C Sweeney, PGStwd to GJD
We congratulate them all on their well deserved honours. As usual, the Social Committee will be organising group transport down to London on the 9th June for brethren who wish to share this special day. All Mark Masons are welcome to attend Mark Grand Lodge, which is held in the splendour of Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street. We always enjoy a very convivial day out with our Warwickshire Brethren. For further details call W Bro Peter R Harrison on 01543 262853 or email him via peter@windmillhouse.net. Full details will be included in the calendar when finalised. posted 28 Mar 2009
Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters Lodge No 1400
The forthcoming meeting of the Lodge on Thursday 30th April 2009 will be another milestone in the history of the province.
As well as W Bro Spencer T E Fenn being installed as Master of this important Lodge, those attending will be privileged to witness the appointment, investiture and installation of W Bro Roger S Mac as our Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
A copy of the summons, with details of those to be balloted for as joining members and a reply slip including the festive board menu can be obtained by e.mailing the Secretary, W Bro Mike Saxon: mikesaxon@3castles.nildram.co.uk.
All Mark Masons are welcome to attend meetings of this Lodge and it would make this meeting even more special if we have your company. posted 28 Mar 2009
The lifeboat featured in last year's Newsletter arrived at Angel on Wednesday. For latest details go to: http://www.anglelifeboat.org/news%20page.htm posted 28 Mar 2009
It is with regret that we must inform you that R W Bro Stanley Alan Lates, PGSW passed away during the morning of Sunday 22nd March at home.
A Past Provincial Grand Master of the Craft, and Past Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch, R W Bro Stanley had been a Mark Mason for 59 years, having been Advanced into Concord Lodge of MMMs No 735 in October 1949. Her was also a Royal Ark Mariner of 40 years standing.
We will all have fond memories of R W Bro Stanley and will miss his presence with us. Our sympathies go to Rosemary and the family. posted 23 Mar 2009
W Bro John Edward (Jack) Smith, PProvGSW, has hit the local headlines in Stratford upon Avon, having achieved the magnificent age of 100. See the press cutting here.
He was Advanced into Shakespeare Lodge of MMMs 40 TI on 11th October 1960, and became WM in 1974. He was appointed PProvGReg in 1976, promoted to PProvGJW in 1981 and PProvGSW in 1993.
John was Elevated into Shakespeare Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No 40 on 8th October 1963, but it appears he didn't enjoy it and resigned in 1967.
He was made an Honorary Member of Shakespeare Mark in 2004. Well done Jack, and just keep eating well! posted 3 Mar 2009
We are delighted to inform you that RW Bro David J F Rawlins, our Provincial Grand Master, has been pleased to appoint W Bro Roger S Mac, PAGDC, to be his Deputy Provincial Grand Master. He will be installed into this Office at the meeting of the Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters Lodge No 1400 on Thursday 30th April.
Advanced into The Harry Wilson Lodge of MMMs No 1574, Roger has been a stalwart of that Lodge for many years, as well as a member of WIMMs Lodge No 1400 and a Founder of the Ronald Albutt Lodge No 1818. He has served the Province in the active offices of Steward, Registrar, ADC and Master Overseer and, having been promoted to the rank of P Prov GSW in 2003, was appointed to the rank of PAGDC in 2004.
As a Royal Ark Mariner, Roger was Elevated into Rugby Lodge of RAM No 776 and seven months later became a Founder of The Harry Wilson Lodge of RAM No 1574. He was appointed to Prov RAM GR in 2004.
Roger is a Mark Mason to the core and has for many years supported our Provincial Mark events. With Freda at his side, he will be found at most social events, rolling up his sleeves and helping wherever needed.
We heartily congratulate Roger on his appointment, and offer every best wish for a happy time in this important office. posted 22 Feb 2009
On a cold and sunny afternoon, many memories of warmth and sincerity prevailed at the funeral of our Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Christopher Owen Sanders. Chris had fought the fight and led the battle against his ill-health for quite some time.
The Service, conducted by Canon Salt, was held in a packed Crematorium, filled by family, friends and Brethren, who heard about Chris’s life and personality, including his love of country pursuits, his family and his masonry. By a remarkable co-incidence a bright and perfect rainbow appeared beyond the panoramic windows, a fitting memory for everyone to cherish.
Chris’s contribution, support and efforts towards developing many aspects of Freemasonry, in particular the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees, are and will continue to be legendary.
Our sincerest sympathies are extended to Pam and the family, who appeared relaxed, relieved and thankful at the after proceedings at Hillscourt Conference Centre. posted 17 Feb 2009
The second edition of “Welcome to the Mark” has now been published, and is incorporated in the first edition of the new-style, glossy, Craft Newsletter, distributed to all Masons in Warwickshire. It carries reports and pictures about the £3 million donation given by Mark Masons to the National Osteoporosis Society, our Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Mark Lodge, the Social Committee programme and events, and the magnificent demonstration given at the January meeting of Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters’ Lodge.
A copy of the PGM’s address to the Annual Meeting can be seen here.
The Social Committee are very pleased to have supported the Province by paying for the distinctive new portrait of the PGM, and to have provided funding to encourage support for the Lodge of Instruction Festival whereby all new Mark Master Masons advanced within the past 12 months are invited to attend completely free of charge. Application forms for this, and other events, can be downloaded from the Calendar page.
Click here to read “Welcome to the Mark”. posted 17 Feb 2009
A group of Mark Masons from Derbyshire are in the process of founding a Mark Scout Lodge, meeting three times each year in different Provinces. They are holding a meeting of Founders on Saturday 21st February, in Derbyshire. Full details can be found here. posted 17 Feb 2009
Charity Lodge MMM No. 430 hosted the Worcestershire Provincial Demonstration Team, who gave a magnificent presentation of the Mark Degree Tracing Board, with 3-D props of each and every one of the working tools and symbols incorporated within it. Very cleverly, each model has a small aide memoir attached to it, just to keep the members of the team on course.
At the meeting, the new portrait of our PGM RW Bro David Rawlins, seen here with WM Anthony Fine (on the left), which was artfully painted by W Bro Roy Tidmarsh, was officially unveiled, and received with acclaim by all present.
posted 17 Feb 2009
