The Mark of Love and Remembrance No. 1718 - Banner Dedication
Saturday 12 February
Rochford Masonic Temple
In the morning of Saturday the 12th of February 2022, the members of the Mark of Love and Remembrance No. 1718 had an early start to attend their Royal Ark Mariner Lodge, which was to undertake an Installation Ceremony at the Rochford Masonic Temple.
There were 40 Royal Ark Mariners present to witness W. Bro. Pierre Waddoups take on the Commanders role in a RAM Lodge that he had created. W. Bro. Pierre was the Organising Secretary behind the RAM and its driving force, having pushed the idea and developed it into its Consecration on the 20th of February 2015. Although W. Bro. Pierre is already an Installed Commander, he had not been Installed into the Chair of the RAM which he had so carefully organised.
The meeting was honoured with the presence of R. W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern, PGM along with W. Bro. John Finlay, DPGM and W. Bro. Richard Goodwin, APGM and other distinguished Brethren. This would not be the only unique element of the meeting.
There were 40 Royal Ark Mariners present to witness W. Bro. Pierre Waddoups take on the Commanders role in a RAM Lodge that he had created. W. Bro. Pierre was the Organising Secretary behind the RAM and its driving force, having pushed the idea and developed it into its Consecration on the 20th of February 2015. Although W. Bro. Pierre is already an Installed Commander, he had not been Installed into the Chair of the RAM which he had so carefully organised.
The meeting was honoured with the presence of R. W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern, PGM along with W. Bro. John Finlay, DPGM and W. Bro. Richard Goodwin, APGM and other distinguished Brethren. This would not be the only unique element of the meeting.
The Worshipful Commander Elect was presented to the W. Bro. Vince Bull as Commander of the RAM, but unbeknownst to all present, W. Bro. Vince vacated the Chair in order that W. Bro. Geoff Waddoups the son of the Commander Elect could Install his Father into the Commanders Chair.
It was clear, quite quickly that the ruse had caught the Commander Elect by surprise and what followed was an emotional and unique Ceremony of Installation.
With the new Commander Installed, the officers were appointed and invested and the Mark of Love and Remembrance Royal Ark Mariner Lodge was closed, in readiness for the business of the day, that of the Dedication of a Banner for the Mark.
It was clear, quite quickly that the ruse had caught the Commander Elect by surprise and what followed was an emotional and unique Ceremony of Installation.
With the new Commander Installed, the officers were appointed and invested and the Mark of Love and Remembrance Royal Ark Mariner Lodge was closed, in readiness for the business of the day, that of the Dedication of a Banner for the Mark.
The Mark Lodge was opened and R. W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern was escorted into the Lodge to take the Chair and to conduct the Ceremony to Dedicate the Lodge Banner.
The Provincial team were arranged in order and the Lodge Banner party retired to escort the Banner into the Lodge.
The Provincial Grand Chaplain, W. Bro. Roger Smith then gave an interesting history on the use of Banners before the Provincial Grand Master uncovered the Banner, Dedicated it and presented it to the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kevin Bull.
The Provincial team were arranged in order and the Lodge Banner party retired to escort the Banner into the Lodge.
The Provincial Grand Chaplain, W. Bro. Roger Smith then gave an interesting history on the use of Banners before the Provincial Grand Master uncovered the Banner, Dedicated it and presented it to the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kevin Bull.
The Banner was then paraded around the Lodge by the Lodge Banner escort and finally placed in its stand in pride of place within the Lodge.
The PGM then vacated the Chair and the remainder of the Lodge business was completed. There to witness the Ceremony was W. Bro. Stan Smith, Founder and Honorary member of the Lodge, who had also designed the Banner and who was welcomed by all in attendance.
All of the 50 Brethren in attendance then enjoyed the world famous Love and Remembrance buffet lunch, which makes this Lodge and a visit to it, rather special.
The PGM then vacated the Chair and the remainder of the Lodge business was completed. There to witness the Ceremony was W. Bro. Stan Smith, Founder and Honorary member of the Lodge, who had also designed the Banner and who was welcomed by all in attendance.
All of the 50 Brethren in attendance then enjoyed the world famous Love and Remembrance buffet lunch, which makes this Lodge and a visit to it, rather special.
Posted 13 February 2022
