Meeting of Centurion Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 1804 on Tuesday 20th July 2021,
at Rochford Masonic Hall
at Rochford Masonic Hall
The Centurion Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 1804, met at the Rochford Masonic Centre this Tuesday, 20th July and became the first Mark Lodge in Essex to meet post-restrictions. Along with the administrative business required, the meeting was to be the Advancement of a new member.
The Centurion Lodge has recently undergone a few membership problems and is starting to recover. That said, there were a restricted number of members able to attend including the current Master, W.Bro. Ray Mitchell who, now resident in France, was still unable to travel to the UK. With an appeal made to the Ritual Support Team, many senior members of the Province made themselves available as follows:
|
IPM
SW JW MO SO JO Chaplain DC SD JD IG |
W.Bro. Richard Goodwin
W. Bro. Michael West W.Bro. Robert Sandy W.Bro. Len Abrahams W.Bro. Roy Kaye W.Bro. David Wilson W.Bro. Emlyn Carter W.Bro. John Finlay R.W.Bro. Terence Sheern W.Bro. Chris Race W.Bro. Steve Joslin |
PGJD, APGM
ProvGDC PProvGJO PGStB, PProvGMO PGStwd, ProvGAlm PProvGSwdB (& APGP Royal Arch) PGStB, PProvGJW PAGDC, DPGM PGM PAGDC, PProvGMO PProvAGDC |
With W.Bro. Charles Lowry, PGJD, ProvGOrg providing musical accompaniment.
As we are sure you will agree, all in all an impressive list! There were also a significant number of guests looking forward to a full and enjoyable evening.
With the Lodge opened promptly, the required dispensation was read and W.Bro. John Finlay, as Director of Ceremonies, proclaimed W.Bro. Ray Mitchell as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. W.Bro. Arthur Millman was elected as Treasurer for the same year and W.Bro. Terry Birdseye Master Elect for the ensuing year.
So, the administrative business having been concluded, the Advancement of Bro. Mark Dredge went ahead in fine style and with excellent ritual. The Masters Chair was taken by V.W.Bro. David Garston, PGJO, PProvGMO who maintained his relaxed, competent, and capable style.
The Senior Deacon seemed to know his stuff, the Master Overseeer was on excellent form and suitably chastising! There was an excellent explanation of the Signs of the Degree given by W.Bro. Chris Race. All in all the Ceremony was carried out in an excellent and fully competent manner to the delight of the candidate and all the members and guests.
Thanks must also go to V.W.Bro, David Embling, PGJO, PProvGsec, for all his efforts in bringing the meeting together and to W.Bro. Vince Bull, ProvDepGDC for coordinating the Provincial assistance.
With the work done and the Lodge closed, the brethren retired to the newly refurnished bar for a well-earned drink on what was a very warm day and 35 brethren sat down to dine for the first meal at Rochford with their new caterers which proved to be a great success. Newly Advanced Bro. Mark, who is a member of the same Royal Arch Chapter as the PGM, specifically wanted to join a Lodge that was in need of members, is keen to make his mark in Centurion and was delighted with the Ceremony and its symbolism, thanked everyone who took part at the meeting for making his evening very enjoyable.
With the Lodge opened promptly, the required dispensation was read and W.Bro. John Finlay, as Director of Ceremonies, proclaimed W.Bro. Ray Mitchell as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. W.Bro. Arthur Millman was elected as Treasurer for the same year and W.Bro. Terry Birdseye Master Elect for the ensuing year.
So, the administrative business having been concluded, the Advancement of Bro. Mark Dredge went ahead in fine style and with excellent ritual. The Masters Chair was taken by V.W.Bro. David Garston, PGJO, PProvGMO who maintained his relaxed, competent, and capable style.
The Senior Deacon seemed to know his stuff, the Master Overseeer was on excellent form and suitably chastising! There was an excellent explanation of the Signs of the Degree given by W.Bro. Chris Race. All in all the Ceremony was carried out in an excellent and fully competent manner to the delight of the candidate and all the members and guests.
Thanks must also go to V.W.Bro, David Embling, PGJO, PProvGsec, for all his efforts in bringing the meeting together and to W.Bro. Vince Bull, ProvDepGDC for coordinating the Provincial assistance.
With the work done and the Lodge closed, the brethren retired to the newly refurnished bar for a well-earned drink on what was a very warm day and 35 brethren sat down to dine for the first meal at Rochford with their new caterers which proved to be a great success. Newly Advanced Bro. Mark, who is a member of the same Royal Arch Chapter as the PGM, specifically wanted to join a Lodge that was in need of members, is keen to make his mark in Centurion and was delighted with the Ceremony and its symbolism, thanked everyone who took part at the meeting for making his evening very enjoyable.
Bro. Mark Dredge with the Advancing Master, V.W. Bro. David Garston
Bro. Mark Dredge with the evenings Senior Deacon, R.W.Bro. Terence Sheern, PGM
Members, guests and the officers of the night (W.Bro. Geoff Newman was the other side of the camera!)
