Essex Enthroned Commanders & Essex Installed Mark Masters

Lodge No. 1044

Saxon Hall

Thursday 11 September 2025

Thursday 11 September saw over 140 Mark Men grace Saxon Hall for the regular meeting of the Installed Mark Masters & Enthroned Commanders Lodge – No1044.
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Continuing to embrace all Brethren in the Order, not just the Masters & Commanders, the attendance at the regular meetings is testament to its standing within the Mark Degree in Essex.

Refreshed from tea & biscuits the Brethren assembled for the RAM meeting which was a wonderful annual occasion of Installation for the Commander-Elect, W.Bro. Geoff Newman.  The Lodge duly opened by the incumbent Commander W.Bro. Charles White whom together with his Officers completed the business of the Lodge, including the welcoming of new members, before arriving at the agenda item to Install the Commander and his Officers. All below the rank of Installed Commander spending additional time over tea & biscuits the Installation was completed in fine style by W.Bro. Charles.
Officers duly Appointed & Installed by the new Commander, W.Bro. Geoff Newman closed the Lodge and the assembled Brethren eagerly awaited the Lodge Room to be formed for the Installed Masters Lodge.

Called to order, the Lodge was opened in due form, and the business of the afternoon began.  Honoured Guests welcomed, minutes approved, the Lodge received the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. John Finlay accompanied by his Provincial Officers.

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened, and the first item of the day was to Appoint & Invest W. Bro. Rob Sandy as Assistant Provincial Grand Master to replace W.Bro. John Stannard who recently announced his retirement.
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The Prov.G.M then went into to appoint W.Bro’s Colin Kendrick as Prov.G.Sec. and  Martin Pickett as Prov.Asst.G.Sec.

He then went on to present  W.Bro. John Stannard with a Past.Asst.Prov.G.M’s Collarette, which was received by John in his usual humble manner and by great applause by the assembled Brethren in recognition of John’s outstanding work as Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

The Prov.G.M presented a total of 15 Mark Benevolent Fund Collarettes to the recipients.
A point of business followed that saw the Election of the Master & Treasurer for the ensuing year and as such proved in favour of W. Bro. Paul Firmin as Master & W. Bro. Brian Dack as Treasurer, both warmly received and acknowledged by all attending.

Onto the Festive Board and those 140 brethren dined in peace & harmony, that peace being punctuated only by the raffle and good humour, it was suspected the raffle was to provide a chocolatey prize…..that naturally being the case the Prov.G.M. made most use of his winning ticket to bag the same!

The Prov.G.M rose for his address to the Brethren and naturally, our charitable causes and unparalleled levels of contribution to good causes being again exemplified by more members of the ‘Diamond Geezers’ Club, those Mark Men who’s contribution has reached a simply astonishing level of benevolence on an each & individual basis.  That tie is such a huge incentive, surely…….

He continued with an overview of his attendance at MMH for the Blood Bikes donation, spoke about Sailability and also the upcoming M.B.F. Festival Essex 2030 Musical Evening – the Festive Board being provided with a sneak preview of the wonderful singing talents of Joe Palmer who will be performing at the Musical Evening, you’ll want to be there! 

Closing his address, the Prov.G.M. thanked the attendees for their amazing generosity, the raffle raising the magnificent sum of £1000 for the Festival, well done to all!

Brethren, for the Mark Men of Essex, the meetings of 1044 are a ‘must-attend’, for those in, or whom have recently vacated the Chair, you will be welcomed with open arms, for any Mark Man, visiting will be a special occasion as the majesty of its existence plays out before you, likewise, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting, you won’t regret it, I can assure you. 
Posted 20/09/25