Isthmian Mark Master Masons Lodge No. 891 Reponement
Wednesday 13th of October 2021 was a gloriously sunny day in Southend and a good day for an early start to witness the rebirth of an Essex Mark Lodge that had fallen into darkness in 12 years previously. The Isthmian Mark Lodge had handed back it’s Warrant in May of 2009 and was the only Essex Mark Lodge to remain closed.
The Brethren of Essex had had an early start for the Provincial officers, Lodge Petitioners, the PGM as the Reponement Officer and his full team began their practice session at 0730 hours at Saxon Hall.
After rehearsals coffee and bacon rolls were served in the bar to a select few that had risen early to make this day a success, which denied a few the opportunity of a rather enjoyable pre- Reponement snack.
The meeting commenced at 1000 hours with nearly 100 Mark Men in attendance from across the Province and a contingent from Belgium who had travelled to see this Combined Services Lodge in action.
The Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern processed into the Temple to much applause and he took the Chair, selected his Assisting officers and opened the Lodge. The PGM welcomed everyone, explained the purpose of the day and handed over to the Provincial Grand Chaplain, W. Bro. Roger Smith who gave a brief history of the Lodge as part of his Oration.
The Provincial Grand Secretary read the Warrant of the Isthmian Combined Services Lodge, the Petitioners were arranged before the PGM and the Ceremony of Reponement was carried out, to bring this Lodge back to light with a new purpose, that of catering for those Brothers who are volunteer, Retired or Serving members of the Emergency, Civil, Crown or Public Services.
With the Ceremony complete the PGM then handed over to the Deputy PGM, W. Bro. John Finlay to Install as the first Master of the Reponed Lodge, W.Bro. Pierre Waddoups, PAGDC and the Past Provincial Grand Secretary of the Province.
The Ceremony of Installation was carried out in a faultless manner with the Working Tools presented by the DPGM; the Address to the W.M by APGM V.W.Bro. Mark Reeve; to the Wardens by W.Bro. Ray Mckerron as Provincial Grand Senior Warden; the Overseers by W.Bro. Barry Coombes as the Acting Junior Warden and the Brethren by W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, APGM.
The Worshipful Master then proceeded to Install his Officers in fine form, with his Son, W. Bro. Geoff Waddoups as the Secretary, who was the originator of the idea to bring this Lodge back to life. Once the Installation ceremony was complete, the Lodge was called off for a comfort break and back on again to conduct a Double Advancement with Brothers John Mansfield and Jack Holmstock the first Advancees into this Reponed Lodge.
It was a first class Ceremony as befitted such an occasion and at its conclusion there was a special mention to Brothers Robert Selwyn and Adam Taylor who carried out their roles to an exceptional standard as the Master Overseer and Junior Deacon respectively.
The meeting was closed in fine form at 1330 hours and the Brethren then retired to the Festive Board, where fine food and good company was in abundance.
The Toast to the newly Installed Worshipful Master was given by the PGM and presented the Lodge with the original triangle from their Royal Ark Mariner Lodge that had been found in a cupboard at Chingford Masonic Centre. The Isthmian Combined Services RAM is to be Reponed in 2022 and the PGM looked forward to seeing it in place on that occasion.
He then went on to present some personal gifts to the Lodge. Unfortunately the Charity Steward wasn’t present so the PGM presented them to the Lodge Secretary Geoff Waddoups in the form of Policeman’s and Fireman’s hat to be used for the charity collections. He then presented Geoff with a first aid box for him to keep his paperwork in.
Pierre thanked the PGM for his kind words and the gifts and paid a special tribute to his Son, Geoff for being the driving force in bringing the Lodge back to life and that he was under no illusion as to who was in charge!! And he was looking forward to the Reponement of the RAM Lodge next year in Chingford.
Pierre then went on to present the PGM with a cheque for £475 for the Essex 2030 Festival Fund which was greatly received.
The Brethren parted company having met up with old friends and made new ones, a reminder that amongst Mark Men you will always find a friend.
The Brethren of Essex had had an early start for the Provincial officers, Lodge Petitioners, the PGM as the Reponement Officer and his full team began their practice session at 0730 hours at Saxon Hall.
After rehearsals coffee and bacon rolls were served in the bar to a select few that had risen early to make this day a success, which denied a few the opportunity of a rather enjoyable pre- Reponement snack.
The meeting commenced at 1000 hours with nearly 100 Mark Men in attendance from across the Province and a contingent from Belgium who had travelled to see this Combined Services Lodge in action.
The Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern processed into the Temple to much applause and he took the Chair, selected his Assisting officers and opened the Lodge. The PGM welcomed everyone, explained the purpose of the day and handed over to the Provincial Grand Chaplain, W. Bro. Roger Smith who gave a brief history of the Lodge as part of his Oration.
The Provincial Grand Secretary read the Warrant of the Isthmian Combined Services Lodge, the Petitioners were arranged before the PGM and the Ceremony of Reponement was carried out, to bring this Lodge back to light with a new purpose, that of catering for those Brothers who are volunteer, Retired or Serving members of the Emergency, Civil, Crown or Public Services.
With the Ceremony complete the PGM then handed over to the Deputy PGM, W. Bro. John Finlay to Install as the first Master of the Reponed Lodge, W.Bro. Pierre Waddoups, PAGDC and the Past Provincial Grand Secretary of the Province.
The Ceremony of Installation was carried out in a faultless manner with the Working Tools presented by the DPGM; the Address to the W.M by APGM V.W.Bro. Mark Reeve; to the Wardens by W.Bro. Ray Mckerron as Provincial Grand Senior Warden; the Overseers by W.Bro. Barry Coombes as the Acting Junior Warden and the Brethren by W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, APGM.
The Worshipful Master then proceeded to Install his Officers in fine form, with his Son, W. Bro. Geoff Waddoups as the Secretary, who was the originator of the idea to bring this Lodge back to life. Once the Installation ceremony was complete, the Lodge was called off for a comfort break and back on again to conduct a Double Advancement with Brothers John Mansfield and Jack Holmstock the first Advancees into this Reponed Lodge.
It was a first class Ceremony as befitted such an occasion and at its conclusion there was a special mention to Brothers Robert Selwyn and Adam Taylor who carried out their roles to an exceptional standard as the Master Overseer and Junior Deacon respectively.
The meeting was closed in fine form at 1330 hours and the Brethren then retired to the Festive Board, where fine food and good company was in abundance.
The Toast to the newly Installed Worshipful Master was given by the PGM and presented the Lodge with the original triangle from their Royal Ark Mariner Lodge that had been found in a cupboard at Chingford Masonic Centre. The Isthmian Combined Services RAM is to be Reponed in 2022 and the PGM looked forward to seeing it in place on that occasion.
He then went on to present some personal gifts to the Lodge. Unfortunately the Charity Steward wasn’t present so the PGM presented them to the Lodge Secretary Geoff Waddoups in the form of Policeman’s and Fireman’s hat to be used for the charity collections. He then presented Geoff with a first aid box for him to keep his paperwork in.
Pierre thanked the PGM for his kind words and the gifts and paid a special tribute to his Son, Geoff for being the driving force in bringing the Lodge back to life and that he was under no illusion as to who was in charge!! And he was looking forward to the Reponement of the RAM Lodge next year in Chingford.
Pierre then went on to present the PGM with a cheque for £475 for the Essex 2030 Festival Fund which was greatly received.
The Brethren parted company having met up with old friends and made new ones, a reminder that amongst Mark Men you will always find a friend.
