Northern Cluster Meeting Report
First Advancement after Covid Restrictions
The Naze Tower Lodge, No.1380 hosted the annual Northern Cluster Meeting on Wednesday 15th of September at Kirby Cross Masonic Centre.
This was the first large scale gathering of Essex Mark Men since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, it was also to be the first official visit by the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Terence D. Sheern accompanied by his Acting Officers all of whom were eager to resume their official duties for the first time in two years.
The meeting was attended by 70 Mark Men from all over the Province. It was also the first time that the Mark Shop attended a meeting under the supervision of Steve Joslin.
The meeting started promptly and the Provincial Grand Master accompanied by Officers entered to much acclaim from all those present.
The Worshipful Master W.Bro. Andy Sylvester offered the Gavel to the PGM, who gladly accepted and went onto to introduce his Officers to everyone and told everyone that it was nice to see everyone in person and not via Zoom and that he looked forward to the coming Masonic season.
The main event of the evening was the first Advancement since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions of Brother Mark Smith from Frituna Craft Lodge, No.2949. Mark is also a serving member of Her Majesties Armed Forces, and members of the Essex Armed Forces Lodge were there to welcome him.
The Ceremony of Advancement was carried out in a most excellent manner by Andy Sylvester and, with several members of the Lodge themselves only having recently become Mark Men, they found themselves taking on leading roles in the ceremony, which was carried out to the approbation of all.
Brother Mark, being a Military Man, carried out all the signs in a most superb manner and earned himself the nickname "Brother Tick-Tock" ( Army slang for "good at drill").
Once the Ceremony was complete and Brother Mark had taken his place amongst his Brethren, the normal business of the Lodge took place.
The Worshipful Master addressed the PGM and presented him with a cheque for the sum of £1200, which was raised a the recent pub evening in aid of the 2030 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival, the PGM thanked Andy and the members of the Lodge for all the work that had been done to make the fundraising evening a great sucess.
The Provincial Grand Master took to his feet and asked the Provincial GDC, W.Bro. Michael J. West to to conduct the following Brethren to him individually, W.Bro's. Peter Nason, Brian Dack, Steve Joslin and Bro. David Todd.
He went on to thank them for all the hard work that they have been doing in the background of the Province and went onto award field promotions as follows:
Peter Nason to Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden
Brian Dack to Past Provincial Grand Master Overseer
Steve Joslin to Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon
and David Todd to Past Provincial Grand Steward.
All of who didn't stop smiling for the remainder of the evening.
Once the meeting closed the Brethren retired to the Festive Board, where W.Bro. John Stannard donated and raffled off a 15 inch Teddies For Loving Care Bear which raised the sum of £65.00.
The Festive Board was a very lively and friendly affair where friendships were renewed and new ones made, because amongst Mark Men, you will always find a friend.
This was the first large scale gathering of Essex Mark Men since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, it was also to be the first official visit by the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. Terence D. Sheern accompanied by his Acting Officers all of whom were eager to resume their official duties for the first time in two years.
The meeting was attended by 70 Mark Men from all over the Province. It was also the first time that the Mark Shop attended a meeting under the supervision of Steve Joslin.
The meeting started promptly and the Provincial Grand Master accompanied by Officers entered to much acclaim from all those present.
The Worshipful Master W.Bro. Andy Sylvester offered the Gavel to the PGM, who gladly accepted and went onto to introduce his Officers to everyone and told everyone that it was nice to see everyone in person and not via Zoom and that he looked forward to the coming Masonic season.
The main event of the evening was the first Advancement since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions of Brother Mark Smith from Frituna Craft Lodge, No.2949. Mark is also a serving member of Her Majesties Armed Forces, and members of the Essex Armed Forces Lodge were there to welcome him.
The Ceremony of Advancement was carried out in a most excellent manner by Andy Sylvester and, with several members of the Lodge themselves only having recently become Mark Men, they found themselves taking on leading roles in the ceremony, which was carried out to the approbation of all.
Brother Mark, being a Military Man, carried out all the signs in a most superb manner and earned himself the nickname "Brother Tick-Tock" ( Army slang for "good at drill").
Once the Ceremony was complete and Brother Mark had taken his place amongst his Brethren, the normal business of the Lodge took place.
The Worshipful Master addressed the PGM and presented him with a cheque for the sum of £1200, which was raised a the recent pub evening in aid of the 2030 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival, the PGM thanked Andy and the members of the Lodge for all the work that had been done to make the fundraising evening a great sucess.
The Provincial Grand Master took to his feet and asked the Provincial GDC, W.Bro. Michael J. West to to conduct the following Brethren to him individually, W.Bro's. Peter Nason, Brian Dack, Steve Joslin and Bro. David Todd.
He went on to thank them for all the hard work that they have been doing in the background of the Province and went onto award field promotions as follows:
Peter Nason to Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden
Brian Dack to Past Provincial Grand Master Overseer
Steve Joslin to Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon
and David Todd to Past Provincial Grand Steward.
All of who didn't stop smiling for the remainder of the evening.
Once the meeting closed the Brethren retired to the Festive Board, where W.Bro. John Stannard donated and raffled off a 15 inch Teddies For Loving Care Bear which raised the sum of £65.00.
The Festive Board was a very lively and friendly affair where friendships were renewed and new ones made, because amongst Mark Men, you will always find a friend.
