Provincial Grand Lodge
30 May 2024
Chelmsford Race Course
125 to 1.
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Nice odds – especially when you are at a racecourse. But in this instance, the numbers refer to 125 years of the Essex Mark Province and the beginning of the first year of our new Provincial Grand Master.
On Thursday 30 May, 330 Mark Men gathered at Chelmsford City Racecourse to assist the Pro Grand Master, M.W. John Herbert Prizeman, and the team from Grand Lodge to Install W. Bro. John Finlay as the 13th Provincial Grand Master of Essex, following the retirement of R.W. Bro. Terry Sheern. At 7.00am in good to soft conditions, the team began to arrive. By 8.00am bacon rolls, and coffee were being consumed by all and the conditions were remaining good. |
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8.15am saw the gates opened and they were off. Men from around the Province of Essex along with Visitors and guests from around the Country were arriving in their droves. Changing room facilities were full and by 10.00am brethren were taking their seats in the enclosure (or meeting room as we would know it). The Secretarial and Ceremonial teams, led by Rob Sandy and Tony Goater, had been very busy ensuring that the meeting room was light, airy and comfortable, with 18 Lodge banners resplendently placed in the East. Just before 11.00am the starter called the Lodge to order and V. W. Bro. John Jacobson, Presiding Officer, commenced the work of the day.
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The Pro Grand Master, M.W. Bro. John Herbert Prizeman, was admitted to the Lodge and his team of Grand Lodge Officers were Appointed to the Offices of the Lodge. Following the customary and respectful salutations, M.W. Bro. John explained to those present the purpose of the meeting and requested that the Grand Director of Ceremonies ascertain that the Provincial Grand Master Designate was in attendance. Having received a reply in the affirmative the main work of the meeting got under way. The wonderful ceremony of Installation was witnessed by 18 ruling Provincial Grand Masters, one Past P.G.M., 14 Deputy and Assistant Prov.G.M’s plus 27 Acting Provincial Grand Officers from around the Country. Also, eight Heads of Essex Masonic Orders and five past Essex Mark Executive members, and a host of other attendees all enjoyed a wonderful ceremony conducted by the Pro Grand Master and his Grand Lodge team of 20 Acting Officers.
With the Provincial Grand Master now safely installed into the Chair, he proceeded to Install his Deputy, W. Bro. Richard Goodwin, followed by his two Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, W. Bro John Stannard and W. Bro. Geoff Newman in a magnificent ceremony, rarely seen but thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The work of this part of the meeting nearing completion, the now R. W. Bro. John addressed the brethren and spoke of his desire to continue and build on the legacy of his predecessor, R.W. Bro. Terry Sheern. John spoke about his aim to build on the initiatives from MMH and UGLE to maintain closer relationships with all Masonic orders in Essex. As the business drew to a close with the furlong marker visible, R.W.Bro Paul Tarrant, the U.G.L.E Provincial Grand Master for Essex, presented a £10,000 cheque to R.W.Bro. John Finlay, as part of the Craft and Royal Arch support of the Essex Mark 2030 Festival. In accepting the generous donation, R.W.Bro John spoke of his pride in being an Essex Freemason, irrespective of whichever apron he may be wearing!
The Prov.G.M. then rose and expressed his thanks to the Pro Grand Master and the Grand Lodge team for their attendance, and for the way in which they had conducted what had been an excellent Installation meeting. A day that would long live in the memories all those attending.
The Prov.G.M. then welcomed and thanked the guests, many of whom had travelled from around the country, for attending and joining us in celebrating this very special occasion in our history. He then proceeded to honour the presence of the many guests in attendance, before reminding everyone that a magnificent light lunch was awaiting us.
The Grand Lodge team retired from the meeting and the Lodge was called off for luncheon.
A superb luncheon followed and with well over 300 diners hungry for their refreshment, it was served and completed like clockwork. Toasts were made and speeches and presentations were completed. The Prov.G.M. presented the Pro Grand Master with several mementos of his trip to Essex, including a fountain pen and a miniature gavel and block, both crafted by members of the Essex province. In addition, some locally distilled alcoholic beverages were presented. He explained that the Province does not run to having its own distillery, and had resorted to using the services of an Essex producer.
Following lunch, and with the runners and riders back in the stalls, the starter called to order and Provincial Grand Lodge was called back on and formalities were completed in a fine manner.
W.Bro. Richard Goodwin, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, then read the names of departed Brethren and, following a moment of silent reflection, a hymn was sung in their honour.
Further Provincial business was conducted with The Roll of Lodges, committee reports, accounts and elections and an abundance of other matters being conducted with usual Essex Mark professionalism.
The new Acting Officers for the year were presented to the Provincial Grand Master and each was Appointed in a sincere and personal way. The reins were passed across from the existing team with the newly appointed officers taking their positions ready for the off. The magnificent new team of Provincial Acting Officers were duly Invested. A carousel, having been formed by the Provincial Assistant Directors of Ceremonies, then proceeded to present each of the worthy recipients of Provincial Mark Grand Rank and first appointment to the Prov.G.M. for investiture. Thunderous applause, which was accompanied by an aircraft flypast (not pre-arranged) followed the ceremony. Scrutineers and Prov.A.D.C’s returned to their seats and the Provincial Grand Master addressed the Brethren.
Having expressed his delight at seeing so many members and guests present, he spoke of his great pleasure at being able to invest the recipients of Provincial Grand Rank and hoped that the day had been as special for each of them as it was for him.
He offered his congratulations to the new Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and spoke of his confidence that the team would serve the Province well. The new Secretariat were welcomed and described as a safe pair of hands to look after our Province.
Congratulations were offered to the nine Essex Mark men who will be receiving Mark Grand Rank during the coming few months, with a special mention being made of V.W.Bro. Dan Heath, an Essex Mark man who was recently appointed as Grand Secretary.
Special personal thanks and the Province’s appreciation was made to R. W. Bro. Terry Sheern for the most exceptional and dedicated manner in which he had led the Province during the last nine years.
The Prov.G.M. spoke of his plans and desires for the coming years and of his determination to maintain and encourage the flourishing relationship between our own Mark Grand Lodge and U.G.L.E.
In recognizing the great privilege of his new position John gave his personal thanks to the many members of the Province who had worked tirelessly to ensure that todays meeting was so successful. He gave special thanks to Presiding Officer, V. W. Bro. John Jacobson and the Deputy Presiding Officer, V. W. Bro Richard Bowyer.
The finishing post was now within striking distance and the newly Installed Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro John Finlay closed the Lodge and, accompanied by his Officers and the R.W. Brethren present, retired from the Lodge.
With the weather being a little changeable during the meeting, and with rain and thunder softly making its presence felt on the marquee roof, it was obvious that the planned relaxation on the summer terrace would be unwise. The members, having processed from the Lodge and greeted the new Essex Executive personally, relaxed in the dining area with refreshments fitted to the occasion.
Conditions were now definitely Soft, and umbrellas were rapidly shared to enable movement to the changing rooms. The runners and riders were pleased to be able to withdraw to the lounge area and relax with their chosen refreshments, before leaving to commencing their homeward journey.
A Successful and Winning Day
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Posted 05/06/24
