Essex Enthroned Commanders and
Essex Installed Mark Masters Lodges, No.1044
Both the Essex Enthroned Commanders and Installed Mark Masters Lodges are always well attended with most of their 255 Members each in attendance at the September meetings. On this occasion, however, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, they were both reduced to 30 members that could attend either meeting. This, apparently, caused a few sleepless nights for both the Secretarial and Ceremonial teams in trying to juggle those who were needed to and those who wanted to attend as well as how the Ceremonies needed to be adapted and where officers could be seated. That said, on the day there was a plan! The Royal Ark Mariner was to see the Installation of its new Commander and the Mark to see the Installation of a new Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Master as well as of its new Worshipful Master. The meetings were held at Saxon Hall, where the help from the Management was, once again, first class in assisting in making the venue a Covid secure location and ensuring that social distancing rules were observed at all times.
Essex Enthroned Commanders
The Royal Ark Mariner Degree is, as you will know, based around the story of the "global" disaster of the biblical flood and the manner of Noah's salvation in the Ark. This meeting, in some strange irony, saw the members in their own "Ark of Safety" from the trials and tribulations of life. Unfortunately the current Commander, W.Bro. John Stannard, was unable to attend and W.Bro. Mark Reeve, APGM, stepped in as Installing Commander (no mean feat as he was also to be the Installing master in EIMM). At the same time, W.Bro. Vince Bull stepped in as DC and, although as ProvDepGDC he was to take the office on later, he had only been present at one Installation previously, his own!
Despite the dramatic reduction in numbers, the meeting was conducted with warmth, accurate ritual and the sense of intimate friendship so characteristic of the Degree.
W.Bro. Barry Coombes was installed as Commander., the address was given by W.Bro. Mark Reeve and the officers appointed. It was, all in all, an excellent meeting and one that will be a talking point in the Lodge history. With the Lodge closed, the Temple received its cleansing "fogging" and the furniture rearranged to accommodate a Mark meeting.
Essex Installed Mark Masters
With the Lodge opened and furniture moved to accommodate the Provincial Grand Master and his escort, the ProvGDC announced the presence of the PGM and that he demanded admission. A full procession of Acting Officers entered and the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Terence D. Sheern, was received to acclaim.
The PGM took the Chair of the Lodge and requested his Officers to assist him in the two Installation Ceremonies. The PGM addressed the Lodge on the purpose of the meeting as well as giving thanks to V.W. Bro. Richard Bowyer, PGJO, the outgoing DPGM for all his years of support as below.
The ProvGDC, having ascertained that W.Bro. John Finlay, PAGDC and DPGM Designate, was in attendance he was escorted into the meeting, Obligated, Invested, Installed, Proclaimed and saluted as Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
The ProvDepGDC then proceeded to escort W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, PGJD and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Designate into the meeting, where he was Obligated, Invested, Installed, Proclaimed and Saluted as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
Both Ceremonies were discharged in superb fashion and credit goes to the Ceremonial Team for producing the Ceremony in "interesting" times.
Once the PGM had completed the Ceremony, the Lodge was returned to V.W.Bro. Mark Reeves. As befits an APGM and a Past ProvGDC, he then proceeded to Install his successor, W.Bro. Derek Manister, PGSwdB, in a first class Ceremony.
V.W.Bro. Mark also delivered the Address to the Master with our new APGM, W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, delivering the Address to the Brethren.
A most excellent time was had by all who attended this "historic" meeting, it will be remembered by all who attended. Once the meeting was finished, the Brethren retired to the bar for some socially distanced refreshments.
Essex Enthroned Commanders
The Royal Ark Mariner Degree is, as you will know, based around the story of the "global" disaster of the biblical flood and the manner of Noah's salvation in the Ark. This meeting, in some strange irony, saw the members in their own "Ark of Safety" from the trials and tribulations of life. Unfortunately the current Commander, W.Bro. John Stannard, was unable to attend and W.Bro. Mark Reeve, APGM, stepped in as Installing Commander (no mean feat as he was also to be the Installing master in EIMM). At the same time, W.Bro. Vince Bull stepped in as DC and, although as ProvDepGDC he was to take the office on later, he had only been present at one Installation previously, his own!
Despite the dramatic reduction in numbers, the meeting was conducted with warmth, accurate ritual and the sense of intimate friendship so characteristic of the Degree.
W.Bro. Barry Coombes was installed as Commander., the address was given by W.Bro. Mark Reeve and the officers appointed. It was, all in all, an excellent meeting and one that will be a talking point in the Lodge history. With the Lodge closed, the Temple received its cleansing "fogging" and the furniture rearranged to accommodate a Mark meeting.
Essex Installed Mark Masters
With the Lodge opened and furniture moved to accommodate the Provincial Grand Master and his escort, the ProvGDC announced the presence of the PGM and that he demanded admission. A full procession of Acting Officers entered and the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Terence D. Sheern, was received to acclaim.
The PGM took the Chair of the Lodge and requested his Officers to assist him in the two Installation Ceremonies. The PGM addressed the Lodge on the purpose of the meeting as well as giving thanks to V.W. Bro. Richard Bowyer, PGJO, the outgoing DPGM for all his years of support as below.
The ProvGDC, having ascertained that W.Bro. John Finlay, PAGDC and DPGM Designate, was in attendance he was escorted into the meeting, Obligated, Invested, Installed, Proclaimed and saluted as Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
The ProvDepGDC then proceeded to escort W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, PGJD and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Designate into the meeting, where he was Obligated, Invested, Installed, Proclaimed and Saluted as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
Both Ceremonies were discharged in superb fashion and credit goes to the Ceremonial Team for producing the Ceremony in "interesting" times.
Once the PGM had completed the Ceremony, the Lodge was returned to V.W.Bro. Mark Reeves. As befits an APGM and a Past ProvGDC, he then proceeded to Install his successor, W.Bro. Derek Manister, PGSwdB, in a first class Ceremony.
V.W.Bro. Mark also delivered the Address to the Master with our new APGM, W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, delivering the Address to the Brethren.
A most excellent time was had by all who attended this "historic" meeting, it will be remembered by all who attended. Once the meeting was finished, the Brethren retired to the bar for some socially distanced refreshments.
Address by the Provincial Grand Master
Brethren, firstly I thank you for attending this meeting today under these difficult conditions. This is an important day for the Province, and I did not want to it go by without holding this meeting if possible. I think we owe it both to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Designate and to the Assistant Provincial Grand Master Designate to have a full Installation rather than letting them take office in the default manner. I trust that by holding this meeting they will, like you, recall it with fond memories and in the annals of time we will all earn a beer or two telling the story of how we were part of an Installation meeting wearing masks and shields!
Brethren, before I install both W.Bro’s. John and Richard I trust their appointments meet with your approval. They have both worked tirelessly both visibly and behind the scenes on behalf of you all and the Province in general and have given me first class support in particular.
For those of you who read my address contained in our PGL booklet you will have seen what I said about my outgoing Deputy, V.W.Bro. Richard Bowyer. Richard has been an acting officer in the Province for over 14 years in one role or another, and, to be honest,
I could not have asked for a better, more hard working and knowledgeable Deputy. What Richard does not know about the administrative workings of the Province is not worth knowing. He has tried to keep me on the straight and narrow and not allowing me to get to carried away by offering good, honest, and helpful advice. As well as all that, he was instrumental in the as implementation of the awareness evenings, representing me and the Province on many visits around our Lodges as well as further field in many parts of the Country.
I know Richard was disappointed when I asked him to stand down but, as I have always said, the only way others can experience high office is for those in it to move aside. We have had many a beer and laughs together along the way and I am sure that will continue. Richard has also agreed to remain active behind the scenes for me.
So, once again, and in public, I want to sincerely thank V.W.Bro Richard for his service, his help and support. Richard, genuinely, “thank you!”
Brethren today has, and will be, a long day so it is my intention to continue with the Ceremonies without further ado.
Brethren, before I install both W.Bro’s. John and Richard I trust their appointments meet with your approval. They have both worked tirelessly both visibly and behind the scenes on behalf of you all and the Province in general and have given me first class support in particular.
For those of you who read my address contained in our PGL booklet you will have seen what I said about my outgoing Deputy, V.W.Bro. Richard Bowyer. Richard has been an acting officer in the Province for over 14 years in one role or another, and, to be honest,
I could not have asked for a better, more hard working and knowledgeable Deputy. What Richard does not know about the administrative workings of the Province is not worth knowing. He has tried to keep me on the straight and narrow and not allowing me to get to carried away by offering good, honest, and helpful advice. As well as all that, he was instrumental in the as implementation of the awareness evenings, representing me and the Province on many visits around our Lodges as well as further field in many parts of the Country.
I know Richard was disappointed when I asked him to stand down but, as I have always said, the only way others can experience high office is for those in it to move aside. We have had many a beer and laughs together along the way and I am sure that will continue. Richard has also agreed to remain active behind the scenes for me.
So, once again, and in public, I want to sincerely thank V.W.Bro Richard for his service, his help and support. Richard, genuinely, “thank you!”
Brethren today has, and will be, a long day so it is my intention to continue with the Ceremonies without further ado.
The new Executive (please note, this has been photoshopped to group the Brethren closer)
Royal Ark Mariner Members with the PGM and newly Installed Commander Barry Coombes (2nd left front row)
Members of EIMM Lodge, the PGM, newly Installed DGPM John Finlay (2nd from R front row) & APGM Richard Goodwin (1st R front row) with Derek Manister, WM EIMM (1st L front row)
