180 YEARS IN TWO WEEKS!

No Brethren, not a science-fiction film but the collective journeys of three Mark Men in Essex whom the Provincial Grand Master has had the pleasure to honour as their significant milestones have been reached and created tremendous distinction; all honoured by the P.G.M. in those two weeks!

The three Mark Men, V.W. Bro. Ray Clare 50yrs, W. Bro. Gordon Carpenter 60yrs & V.W. Bro. Alf Garner 70yrs, were all presented their Long Service Award Certificates by the P.G.M. – two of which were at their home addresses as unfortunately, health matters made travel difficult for the Brethren.
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V.W. Bro. Ray Clare
​50 years

V.W. Bro. Ray Clare was Advanced into St Katherines Lodge of MMM on 13 March 1976.  A day that began a long and illustrious career in the Order.
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Ray held many offices within the lodge and was eventually made an honorary member. A member of the Mark of True Friendship for 49 years. A member of this lodge (1044) for 42 years, serving as WM in 2001. First appointed to Provincial rank in 1984 as the Provincial Grand Standard Bearer, and now a V.W. Brother in the Order. A distinguished Mark career by any standards. Ray currently holds the rank of P.G.J.O. with the appellation of a V.W. Brother. A holder of R.A.M.G.R. Two more wonderful achievements in his Masonic career.
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But it would be remiss if Ray’s other achievements in Masonry were overlooked.
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Initiated in 1967, into Pitsea lodge, WM in 1978, lodge Secretary for 27 years! Now an Honorary member. Celebrated 50 years as a Freemason in 2017 and 60 years next year. Exalted into the Royal Arch in June 1975, so celebrated 50 years last year. A holder of Grand Rank in both.  A member of 17 of the Companion orders, and a holder of Grand Rank in 12.
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Currently the Prov. G.M. of the Royal Order of Scotland North Thames of which the picture above relates. In the past he has served as the head of the Allied Masonic degrees in Essex for seven years. The Provincial Grand Summus of the Scarlet Cord in Essex for a further seven years.

An incredible achievement, well done Ray!

W. Bro. Gordon Carpenter
​60 years

W. Bro. Gordon Carpenter achieved his 60yrs in the Order after Advancement into Chelmer Lodge of MMM on 13 April 1966.  Soon after becoming a Founder Member of Saxon Shore Lodge of MMM, being Installed as its’ Master some 7 years later.

In 1995 Gordon received his first Provincial Grand Rank being appointed as Prov.P.G.S.O.
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Into the RAM and Gordon achieved Prov.R.A.M.G.R. in 2009 some 34 years after being Elevated into the Order.

Back to the Mark degree and Gordon was promoted in the Golden Jubilee Year for Saxon Shore in 2016 to Prov.G.S.W., a great honour indeed.
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Gordon also has achieved distinction in Craft Freemasonry as P.Prov.J.G.W.
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V.W. Bro. Alf Garner
​70 years

V.W. Bro. Alf Garner completed a glorious 70 years in Mark Masonry on 16 March 2026 having been Advanced into the  Kafue Lodge No.1212 in Zambia.

Given Alf’s backstory it would again be very remiss not to include all elements of his rich, varied & successful Masonic journey.  A spritely 102 years young, Alf’s Masonic story began in Zambia.  We’ll take a walk with him on his journey.
Whilst Alf was proposed into freemasonry by his Father and meant to be initiated in the UK, he actually became a Freemason in Zambia where he was working as an engineer.
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He was initiated into Freemasonry in Jubilee Lodge No. 5582 in
Zambia on 6th April 1953.  On a return visit to the U.K. in 1955 he was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch in United Chapter No. 697 in Colchester, Essex on 1st June 1955 and he is still a subscribing member today! (70+
years in H.R.A. Masonry).
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Alf had a long and distinguished Masonic career in Zambia and was the District Grand Master between 1971 to 1979 of the District Grand Lodge of Zambia (English Constitution) having previously served as District Grand Secretary from the Districts inception – founded in 1967.
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He received a 70year certificate of membership in April 2023 from the Provincial Grand Master of the Craft in Essex, RW. Bro. Paul Tarrant and in July 2023 he received a telegram from the King on reaching his 100th Birthday.
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Also, during 2023 Alf received a 60year certificate from Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite (Rose Croix) and a 50 year certificate from the Royal Order of Scotland.

Such is Alf’s distinguished service to Freemasonry that he was Installed as Provincial Grand Master for the Province of East Anglia in the Royal Order of Scotland by the then Head of the Order the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine in Colchester in April 2007.
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He was advanced into the Mark Degree in Kafue Mark Lodge No.1212 on 16th March 1956 and holds the Mark Grand Rank of Past Grand Junior Overseer.  He was Prov.G.S.W. in 1991 and received Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in December 2000.
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Brethren, I’m sure we can feel truly humbled by the sheer depth of contribution, achievement & commitment to Freemasonry, Mark Masonry and the incredible number of charitable contributions on their each & individual basis’.
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Clearly, our Order has been the better for their presence, well done Sirs, may you receive plaudits from your peers in whichever way it be submitted, and received by you as testament to their respect for you all.
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Posted on 07/04/26