Q. In your opinion what is the most important part of being a member of the Mark Degree?
A. The Mark Degree is an interesting and vital part of the whole Masonic story. Importantly it has also given me access
to other Degrees and Orders which build on and fill gaps between others.
Q. From what do you get the most enjoyment in Mark Masonry?
A. The Ceremony of Advancement is a serious event, but I personally enjoy every opportunity to be SD especially when
leading a candidate to the Overseers and seeing the payment of Mark Masters done properly!
Q. What made you decide to join the Mark Degree?
A. I was a steward in my Craft Lodge and looking for a challenge. Our Tyler was the late John Shepperd who told me
that I would enjoy Mark Masonry. I did, I do and the rest is history!
Q. There is the well-known saying "it was never like this in my day ". How have things changed since you were Advanced?
A. Not too much really, I am glad to say. I like to think, if anything, it has become even more professionalised and true to
the (current!) book
Q. Apart from Freemasonry, what do you do to relax?
A. I'm mostly retired and my main passion remains motorcycling. I used to race, but now I prefer sun and comfort
touring with a good friend of mine. Fly fishing and single malt also account for a bit too.
Q. It's been said that Mark Masonry is not real masonry, what are your views?
A. I'm not sure we should accept the premise of the question, but Mark Masonry is the fourth regular step in Freemasonry.
You only have to look at the number of senior craft brethren who have done the same in joining to see the support we have.
The more you are in, the more you see and do, the more you understand. .
Q. If you could change anything in the Mark Degree what would it be?
A. Poor ritual in our lodges, not using the correct and current ritual book!.
Q. How would you describe the Mark Degree to others when recommending it?
A. It’s the start of your progress again, it introduces ideas and characters you will meet later. It's a serious degree in
which we have fun!
Q. What one thing do you like about the Mark Degree?
A. There is no one thing for me. I love the formal "informality" of some of it. I really enjoy Royal Ark Mariner and,
I suppose, the opportunity I have got to add to everyone else's enjoyment as ProvGDC.
Q. What one thing do you think could be done to promote the Mark Degree more?
A. I really think we are doing well at that currently, I maintain and write the website and I have a (small) team that
do the same with Facebook and Twitter. We have a media coordinator and we are constantly reviewing where we are.
Q. Do you think the Mark Degree in general is going in the right direction and why?
A. Yes, I do. Our PGM is constantly reviewing where we are, where are we going and how do we get there. We have a
Provincial Team who excel at their roles (Almoner & Charity Stwd particularly) and our charitable footprint
in our communities is distinct and spending money locally where needed. We have just consecrated two Lodges which
is no mean feat in itself. Every question asked is important to us and answers are always given.
A. The Mark Degree is an interesting and vital part of the whole Masonic story. Importantly it has also given me access
to other Degrees and Orders which build on and fill gaps between others.
Q. From what do you get the most enjoyment in Mark Masonry?
A. The Ceremony of Advancement is a serious event, but I personally enjoy every opportunity to be SD especially when
leading a candidate to the Overseers and seeing the payment of Mark Masters done properly!
Q. What made you decide to join the Mark Degree?
A. I was a steward in my Craft Lodge and looking for a challenge. Our Tyler was the late John Shepperd who told me
that I would enjoy Mark Masonry. I did, I do and the rest is history!
Q. There is the well-known saying "it was never like this in my day ". How have things changed since you were Advanced?
A. Not too much really, I am glad to say. I like to think, if anything, it has become even more professionalised and true to
the (current!) book
Q. Apart from Freemasonry, what do you do to relax?
A. I'm mostly retired and my main passion remains motorcycling. I used to race, but now I prefer sun and comfort
touring with a good friend of mine. Fly fishing and single malt also account for a bit too.
Q. It's been said that Mark Masonry is not real masonry, what are your views?
A. I'm not sure we should accept the premise of the question, but Mark Masonry is the fourth regular step in Freemasonry.
You only have to look at the number of senior craft brethren who have done the same in joining to see the support we have.
The more you are in, the more you see and do, the more you understand. .
Q. If you could change anything in the Mark Degree what would it be?
A. Poor ritual in our lodges, not using the correct and current ritual book!.
Q. How would you describe the Mark Degree to others when recommending it?
A. It’s the start of your progress again, it introduces ideas and characters you will meet later. It's a serious degree in
which we have fun!
Q. What one thing do you like about the Mark Degree?
A. There is no one thing for me. I love the formal "informality" of some of it. I really enjoy Royal Ark Mariner and,
I suppose, the opportunity I have got to add to everyone else's enjoyment as ProvGDC.
Q. What one thing do you think could be done to promote the Mark Degree more?
A. I really think we are doing well at that currently, I maintain and write the website and I have a (small) team that
do the same with Facebook and Twitter. We have a media coordinator and we are constantly reviewing where we are.
Q. Do you think the Mark Degree in general is going in the right direction and why?
A. Yes, I do. Our PGM is constantly reviewing where we are, where are we going and how do we get there. We have a
Provincial Team who excel at their roles (Almoner & Charity Stwd particularly) and our charitable footprint
in our communities is distinct and spending money locally where needed. We have just consecrated two Lodges which
is no mean feat in itself. Every question asked is important to us and answers are always given.
