A Southern Star is Born on Wednesday 10th of November 2021.
It was rather wet and dreary on the morning of Wednesday, 10th November 2021 at The Square in Upminster as the Brethren gathered to be a part of another landmark moment in the history of the Mark Province of Essex; the birth of a new Lodge, The Southern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 2026.
Landmark because this Lodge brings us to an impressive "first" fifty in the number of Lodges in the Mark Province a testiment to the energy, drive and commitment of the Provincial Grand Master, his Executive and all the Mark Men in Essex to our Order especially given the "challenges" of the recent past.
As the Brethren began to arrive and greet each other over a cup of tea, the Consecrating Team, the Petitioners, together with the (patient!) Provincial Director of Ceremonies, under the watchful eye of the Consecrating Officer, R.W. Bro. Terence Sheern, the
Prov. G.M., used the early start to have a short rehearsal to ensure the day would run as smoothly as possible.
The Brethren in attendance then filled the Temple and at exactly 11.00am the meeting began with the Consecrating Officer entering the Temple with his escort and taking the Chair. He then appointed his Provincial Officers to assist him and opened a Lodge of Mark Master Masons. The Consecrating Officer then addressed the assembled Brethren on the purpose of the day. The Provincial Director of Ceremonies addressed the Prov.G.M. and begun what was to be an enormously impressive display of ritual. At the Prov. G.D.C's direction, the Petitioners stood in the East whilst the Warrant was read by the Provincial Grand Secretary. The Consecrating Officer, together with the Provincial Wardens, carried out the Consecration Ceremony in an exemplary manner. At this moment a Southern Star was born and began to shed its light on the brethren there assembled. The Provincial Grand Chaplain gave an enormously impressive oration on the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of the Lodge and the reasons behind its creation.
The Lodge having been consecrated, the P.G.M. then handed over proceedings to his Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. John Finlay, for the Installation of the Master Designate, W. Bro. Roy Kaye, the Prov.G.Almoner. The Ceremony of Installation, the presentation of the Working Tools and the Address to the Master were carried out faultlessly by the Dep. P.G.M.
The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies then assembled the Founders in the East and each of them received a Founders’ Jewel from the Consecrating Officer. They returned to their seats and the Worshipful Master proceeded to Install his Officers in a very sincere and enjoyable ceremony. The Address to the Wardens was given by W. Bro. Ray McKerron. Prov. G.S.W.; the Overseers by
W. Bro. Norman Eastbrook, Prov. G.J.W. and to the Brethren by V.W. Bro. Mark Reeve, Assistant Provincial Grand Master; all in an excellent and impressive style.
That concluded the Installation Ceremony and the Worshipful Master returned to the agenda as the Lodge then approved its brand new bye-laws and then, under a proposition from the Worshipful Master, bestowed Honorary membership on the Consecrating Officer and his team. The P.G.M. rose and accepted this on behalf of all his assisting Officers passing on his sincere thanks to the Brethren for the fantastic gesture.
In a break from the agenda W. Bro. John Stannard and W. Bro. Robin Morley both of the recently consecrated Northern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 2012; presented the Worshipful Master with a boxed set of Quarry Stones to be used in Advancement Ceremonies in the future. This gift they hoped would create and cement a bond between the ‘two stars’ in the Province.
The Provincial Grand Master and his Officers then retired, and the Lodge completed its regular business, closing in ancient form at 1.30pm.
After a short break for photographs and a very quick drink the Brethren sat down an excellent Festive Board where the Prov. G.M. gave an entertaining toast to the newest Worshipful Master in the Province of Essex. As is his custom the P.G.M. made a few presentations to the Lodge in the form of an inscribed glass for the Worshipful Master to use at festive boards in the future; a wooden star for the Director of Ceremonies’ Wand, as in his own words ‘who’s in charge of the Lodge? The D.C., right? So he is the star’, and two charity boxes in the shape of a star and in the colours of the Mark Degree.
In response, the Worshipful Master rose and expressed his gratitude to the Prov. G.M. and went on to praise several members of the Lodge who had been the driving force in getting the Lodge to this point: W. Bro. Tony Goater, W. Bro. Clive Snell and W. Bro. Geoff Newman. All three having put in many hours work on behalf of the Lodge. W. Bro. Roy then presented the Prov. G.M. with a cheque for £500 in favour of the Festival 2030.
This fine day finally came to an end 3.40pm and the Brethren parted company in high spirits with the knowledge that they are always welcome at the newest "star"in the Province.
"Welcome to Essex, The Southern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No.2026"
Landmark because this Lodge brings us to an impressive "first" fifty in the number of Lodges in the Mark Province a testiment to the energy, drive and commitment of the Provincial Grand Master, his Executive and all the Mark Men in Essex to our Order especially given the "challenges" of the recent past.
As the Brethren began to arrive and greet each other over a cup of tea, the Consecrating Team, the Petitioners, together with the (patient!) Provincial Director of Ceremonies, under the watchful eye of the Consecrating Officer, R.W. Bro. Terence Sheern, the
Prov. G.M., used the early start to have a short rehearsal to ensure the day would run as smoothly as possible.
The Brethren in attendance then filled the Temple and at exactly 11.00am the meeting began with the Consecrating Officer entering the Temple with his escort and taking the Chair. He then appointed his Provincial Officers to assist him and opened a Lodge of Mark Master Masons. The Consecrating Officer then addressed the assembled Brethren on the purpose of the day. The Provincial Director of Ceremonies addressed the Prov.G.M. and begun what was to be an enormously impressive display of ritual. At the Prov. G.D.C's direction, the Petitioners stood in the East whilst the Warrant was read by the Provincial Grand Secretary. The Consecrating Officer, together with the Provincial Wardens, carried out the Consecration Ceremony in an exemplary manner. At this moment a Southern Star was born and began to shed its light on the brethren there assembled. The Provincial Grand Chaplain gave an enormously impressive oration on the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of the Lodge and the reasons behind its creation.
The Lodge having been consecrated, the P.G.M. then handed over proceedings to his Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. John Finlay, for the Installation of the Master Designate, W. Bro. Roy Kaye, the Prov.G.Almoner. The Ceremony of Installation, the presentation of the Working Tools and the Address to the Master were carried out faultlessly by the Dep. P.G.M.
The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies then assembled the Founders in the East and each of them received a Founders’ Jewel from the Consecrating Officer. They returned to their seats and the Worshipful Master proceeded to Install his Officers in a very sincere and enjoyable ceremony. The Address to the Wardens was given by W. Bro. Ray McKerron. Prov. G.S.W.; the Overseers by
W. Bro. Norman Eastbrook, Prov. G.J.W. and to the Brethren by V.W. Bro. Mark Reeve, Assistant Provincial Grand Master; all in an excellent and impressive style.
That concluded the Installation Ceremony and the Worshipful Master returned to the agenda as the Lodge then approved its brand new bye-laws and then, under a proposition from the Worshipful Master, bestowed Honorary membership on the Consecrating Officer and his team. The P.G.M. rose and accepted this on behalf of all his assisting Officers passing on his sincere thanks to the Brethren for the fantastic gesture.
In a break from the agenda W. Bro. John Stannard and W. Bro. Robin Morley both of the recently consecrated Northern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 2012; presented the Worshipful Master with a boxed set of Quarry Stones to be used in Advancement Ceremonies in the future. This gift they hoped would create and cement a bond between the ‘two stars’ in the Province.
The Provincial Grand Master and his Officers then retired, and the Lodge completed its regular business, closing in ancient form at 1.30pm.
After a short break for photographs and a very quick drink the Brethren sat down an excellent Festive Board where the Prov. G.M. gave an entertaining toast to the newest Worshipful Master in the Province of Essex. As is his custom the P.G.M. made a few presentations to the Lodge in the form of an inscribed glass for the Worshipful Master to use at festive boards in the future; a wooden star for the Director of Ceremonies’ Wand, as in his own words ‘who’s in charge of the Lodge? The D.C., right? So he is the star’, and two charity boxes in the shape of a star and in the colours of the Mark Degree.
In response, the Worshipful Master rose and expressed his gratitude to the Prov. G.M. and went on to praise several members of the Lodge who had been the driving force in getting the Lodge to this point: W. Bro. Tony Goater, W. Bro. Clive Snell and W. Bro. Geoff Newman. All three having put in many hours work on behalf of the Lodge. W. Bro. Roy then presented the Prov. G.M. with a cheque for £500 in favour of the Festival 2030.
This fine day finally came to an end 3.40pm and the Brethren parted company in high spirits with the knowledge that they are always welcome at the newest "star"in the Province.
"Welcome to Essex, The Southern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No.2026"
Consecrating Team, Southern Star members and distinguised brethren
