Essex Enthroned Commanders & Essex Installed Mark Masters
Lodge No. 1044
Saxon Hall
Tuesday 18 March 2025
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There is a sense of belonging to every aspect of Masonry and for the 147 Mark Men that made their way to Saxon Hall, that ‘Friendly Mark Degree’ displayed that in its fullest splendour.
A meeting for all Essex Mark men on this occasion, not just Installed Mark Masters & Commanders, both RAM & Mark meetings were undertaken in the true spirit of Mark Masonry. Prior to the commencement of the meetings the Essex Mark shop was ever busy as Mark Men purchased the newly introduced ties & cufflinks, a great testament to the Order that the Festival 2030 will continue to benefit from the generosity of Essex Masons.
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The Enthroned Commanders RAM meeting was opened in fine form by its incumbent Commander, W.Bro. Charles White. The Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro. John Finlay then entered the Lodge by Procession to resounding applause from the assembly. Taking his place in the Commanders Chair, Provincial Grand Lodge was opened and those 11 proud Mark Men whom were to receive Provincial RAM Grand Rank were presented to the Prov.G.M. Thus Invested, the Province were delighted to show their appreciation to its new bearers of Prov.R.A.M.G.R. Also undertaken was the ballot for, and admission of joining members into 1044, once again the assembly were delighted to welcome those Brethren.
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Provincial Grand Lodge being duly closed, the Worshipful Commander continued working through the agenda for the afternoon with the eminently significant pleasure of stewarding the election of W.Bro. Geoff Newman as Commander, and W.Bro. Brian Dack as Treasurer for the ensuing year. Thus congratulated, the Worshipful Commander closed the Lodge after completing the business of the Enthroned Commanders Lodge.
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After a short break to change regalia, it was on to the Installed Masters Lodge. Duly opened and the business progressing, another most pleasurable task for the Master was to confirm a ballot in favour of the joining members who were also welcomed, warmly and in fine Essex Mark traditions, into their membership of this wonderful Lodge; taking their seats after congratulated as new members by the Prov.G.M.
Once a year, at a stated time, each Lodge shall Install a Master and his Officers.
EIMM is naturally Brethren, no different in this respect and as such the incumbent Master, W.Bro. Pierre Waddoups Installed his successor W.Bro. John McCann into the Chair with a sincere and often humorous ceremony; the new Masters’ Officers of the year being Installed likewise.
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The Prov.G.M. then addressed the Brethren with a thematic centred on Charity.
Brethren, we remain continuously focussed on charitable giving and the Prov.G.M. was ably given to illustrating the fine work that we, as a Province, have generously given, pledged to donate ourselves, and will find ever-creative ways of raising money for those less fortunate.
For that, we stand tall & proud with Festival 2030.
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The Prov.G.M. went on to tell the assembly about his part in the activities, Zipwire’25. This will take place in June this year and sponsorship is welcomed with regular information available on all manner of charitable events throughout the Province.
Prior to the Prov.G.M.’s address and on that very Festival 2030 theme, a total of 24 Festival Jewels were presented to Lodges & individual Brothers for their fundraising achievements, a remarkable
milestone for the Province that will be expanded as the Festival continues under the capable stewardship of the Dep.Prov.G.M. V.W.Bro. Richard Goodwin. |
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Charity has no barriers, boundaries or Masonic demarcation and this was amply illustrated by R.W.Bro. Paul Tarrant Provincial Grand Master of Essex (Craft) who presented our Prov.G.M. with a cheque that takes the Essex Craft donations to Festival 2030 to £30,000, a remarkable sum of support that will continue to support those in need.
The Lodge business concluded, it was closed in due form and solemn prayer; the Brethren enjoying a Festive Board that typified not just the camaraderie of EEC & EIMM as 1044, but Mark Masonry in its’ entirety.
It’s that sense of belonging you know, Brethren.
Posted 24/03/25
