The PGM, RWBro Terence Sheern Visits a Special Crowstone Meeting
Well, where do you begin? Thursday, 17th January saw an extra special visit from the Provincial Grand Master, escorted by W.Bro. John Finlay, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and accompanied by 20 Acting Officers to the Crowstone Lodge, No. 945 meetings.
After a quiet RAM meeting, the Mark saw the official visit and two Brethren Advanced into Mark Masonry in a fine ceremony by all the Officers (which, we were to find out from Ray Fretten later, was somewhat different to his 40 years ago) witnessed by the 50 plus members and visitors present.
The Lodge was then called off while the remarkable career in Mark Masonry, and Freemasonry in general, was celebrated. He was Advanced into Mark Masonry into Crowstone in what, as alluded to earlier, Ray was the first to admit was not even close to good! Ray, of course, is almost legendary for his superb ability to deliver Masonic ritual often second to none. This was marked by the Lodge in the production of a celebratory Certificate presented to ray by the PGM. Ray went on to, as ever, be better still and returned the favour by presenting a cheque for £2,500 to the PGM which Crowstone wished to be added to the sums donated from Essex Mark to the Craft 2022 Festival which the PGM promised to do.
On behalf of the Lodge, WBro Bill Fraser presented Ray with a handcrafted and bespoke mallet to Ray as a small gift from the Brethren of Crowstone Lodge.
The Lodge was closed and all retired to a fine, amusing and entertaining festive board, held in the finest traditions of "the friendly degree", here is to the next ten tears and to a 50 year Certificate!
After a quiet RAM meeting, the Mark saw the official visit and two Brethren Advanced into Mark Masonry in a fine ceremony by all the Officers (which, we were to find out from Ray Fretten later, was somewhat different to his 40 years ago) witnessed by the 50 plus members and visitors present.
The Lodge was then called off while the remarkable career in Mark Masonry, and Freemasonry in general, was celebrated. He was Advanced into Mark Masonry into Crowstone in what, as alluded to earlier, Ray was the first to admit was not even close to good! Ray, of course, is almost legendary for his superb ability to deliver Masonic ritual often second to none. This was marked by the Lodge in the production of a celebratory Certificate presented to ray by the PGM. Ray went on to, as ever, be better still and returned the favour by presenting a cheque for £2,500 to the PGM which Crowstone wished to be added to the sums donated from Essex Mark to the Craft 2022 Festival which the PGM promised to do.
On behalf of the Lodge, WBro Bill Fraser presented Ray with a handcrafted and bespoke mallet to Ray as a small gift from the Brethren of Crowstone Lodge.
The Lodge was closed and all retired to a fine, amusing and entertaining festive board, held in the finest traditions of "the friendly degree", here is to the next ten tears and to a 50 year Certificate!
