Isthmian Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No.891
12 October 2022
Chingford

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​Wednesday 12 October marked the culmination of nearly 3 years of hard work for a team of dedicated and determined brethren, when the Isthmian Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner No. 891 was Reponed, having handed in its original warrant in 2009. The original Isthmian RAM had been Consecrated in 1960 and worked until the 18th of May 2009, when the members handed back the Warrant and the Lodge fell into darkness. In October of 2021, the Reponement of the Isthmian Combined Services Lodge of Mark Master Masons, to which the Isthmian RAM is moored was also Reponed. 
The Reponement ceremony was presided over by the Provincial Grand Master of Essex, R. W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern; ably assisted by his Deputy, W. Bro. John Finlay, and the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Tony Goater, the Provincial Grand Chaplain W. Bro. Roger Smith, and a number of other Provincial Grand Officers. There were 50 Royal Ark Mariners in attendance to witness this unique event. 
​Following the ceremony of Reponement, the Provincial Grand Master vacated the chair in favour of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. John Finlay, for the Installation of the Commander Designate, W. Bro. Geoff Waddoups as the first Commander of the newly Reponed Isthmian RAM; as the driving force behind the Reponement of both the Mark and RAM it only seemed right to the other petitioners that Geoff be honoured with being the first Commander of the RAM, in its new form. 
​After the Worshipful Commander had appointed and invested his officers, the Lodge readied itself to Elevate its first Candidate as Bro. Robert Selwyn. Bro. Rob was the only petitioner of the Isthmian Mark not in RAM when it was Reponed, so he was a natural first Elevatee for Isthmian RAM. The Elevation Ceremony was enjoyed by all and was conducted in an excellent and heartfelt manner by the Worshipful Commander, assisted by his father W. Bro. Pierre Waddoups, W. Bro. Chris Brown and the team of newly Installed officers of the Lodge.
​Finally, all that remained was to complete the remainder of the Lodge business and with a double Elevation organised for their February meeting, the Lodge has work to do. Those in attendance retired to a friendly and enjoyable Royal Ark Mariner festive board, which caused much amusement among the attendees when it came to the Fire! The Isthmian RAM is the 40th RAM Lodge in the Province to sit alongside the 50 Essex Mark Lodges. 
Posted 19/10/22