St. Nicholas Centenary

St. Nicholas RAM Lodge No.413
Centenary Celebration and Banner Dedication

7 April 2025

Harwich

The Centenary Warrant

On a sunny afternoon with a cold Easterly breeze, Royal Ark Mariners made their way to a special meeting at the Historical Town of Harwich situated in the far North East
Corner of Essex.

Just two months earlier, on Monday the 3rd of February 2025 the Lodge had enjoyed their 100th Installation meeting. The Lodge was Consecrated on 27th February 1925. After 100 years, this meeting was to celebrate the Centenary and to enjoy the pomp and ceremony of a new Banner Dedication Ceremony.

With meticulous attention to detail, a planning committee was formed some time ago and one of the most important things was to obtain a Centenary Warrant in celebration of this Landmark.

And the new Worshipful commander Colin Kendrick, had agreed to graciously step aside and allow the longest serving Past Commander Richard Ralph to occupy the Throne during the meeting.

Almost all the members of the Lodge were joined by over 30 guests. We were honoured to be joined by our very own Essex Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother John Finlay; Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, John Stannard and Geoff Newman as well many 'active officers' of the Essex Province.

After the Lodge was opened, the Provincial Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro.Tony Goater was admitted and informed the brethren that the Provincial Grand Master was outside and demanded admission. The Prov.G.M was admitted in due form escorted by his officers. He was offered and accepted the Sceptre from the W.C. and occupied the Throne for the Ceremony to follow.

The Prov.G.M then appointed his own Provincial Officers for the Ceremony.

The Prov.G.M. then went on to explain the History of the Lodge and its Founders, well known Freemasons in Essex 100 years ago. Of note was that the 17 Founders in the following two months Elevated 19 new members!

The new Centenary Stone - note the details.

“And today 100 years later, I am absolutely delighted to be here with you in Harwich to celebrate the Centenary of your lodge, with the added bonus of dedicating your new lodge banner, which I am greatly looking forward to seeing.”

The Prov.G.M went on to explain the History of the Lodge,and made particular reference to the name St. Nicholas being the Patron Saint of Sailors and Mariners,and Harwich being a seafarers port town.

As the 'new' Scribe, Colin Kendrick said, "Quick before we open, have you got the warrant" I panicked for a few seconds then realised that it's proudly displayed on the wall of the Temple

The Prov.G.M then called upon the Provincial Grand Secretary to read the Original Lodge Warrant. This is displayed in a frame on the wall of The Temple, a transcribed copy was supplied.

W. Bro Richard Stephens was then invited to read a copy of the original Minutes of the Consecration Meeting,and to present a brief history of the Lodge.

All that attended were presented with a colour bound booklet of “A Complete History”. Credits for preparing this go to W. Bro. John Stannard (Scribe 2020) and W. Bro. Richard Stephens (Scribe 2025).

Prayers were said by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, W.Bro. Ray McKerron.

The Centenary Warrant was then presented to the W.C by the Prov.G.M.

The Brethren in the South - note the History Boards and Stones all watched over by Tubal Cain

The Brethren in the North

The Brethren from the West

The Prov.G.M. R.W.Bro. John Finlay ready to unveil the Centenary Stone

Banner Dedication

The Prov.G.M then explained the meaning and purpose of Banners.

The Worshipful Commander was then invited to retire in procession to escort the new Banner into the Lodge.

The Banner Party then re-entered the Lodge with the new Banner.

Lodge A.D.C. W.Bro. Derek Manister	Lodge D.C. W.Bro. Paul Firmin
J.W. W.Bro. Andy Sylvester	S.W. Bro. Bob Lawman
J.D. W.Bro. Colin Kendrick	S.D. W.Bro. John Hopkins
Banner Bearer Bro. Paul Bird
W.C. W.Bro. Richard Relf
Prov.G.D.C. W.Bro. Tony Goater

The Hymn “Praise my Soul The King of Heaven” was sung, as they entered.

The W.C requested that the Prov.G.M received the Banner, unveil it and caused it to be dedicated.

The Banner was unveiled and the Prov.G.M exclaimed “Truly magnificent”.

More Prayers were said by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Ray McKerron.

The Banner was then delivered to the W.C.

The Banner Party then paraded the Banner around the Lodge 2 ½ times whilst the Hymn “O Worship the King” was sung.

Love this one - what I consider to be my 'Photo of the Day' Note the details in our new Lodge Banner.

The Banner was placed in the East and the conduct of the Lodge was passed back to the Worshipful Commander.

During the Lodge business, it was announced that a generous donation of £300 would be made towards to Zip Wire Challenge Event in aid of the 2030 Festival.

New Honorary Member

A Ballot had already taken place, and the W.C. welcomed the Prov.G.M as a ‘new’ Honorary member of St. Nicholas Lodge No. 413 of Royal Ark Mariners. He was given a copy of the By Laws! “Thank you for making me an Honorary member. This I will always cherish.”

The Prov.G.M and his Escort left the Lodge in due form.

The Lodge was closed, and we all immediately re-entered and gathered round the new Centenary Stone Plaque which was behind a curtain in the West. This was unveiled by the Prov.G.M to loud applause.

Group photographs were taken, and we all adjourned with big smiles to the bar and Festive Board.

Prov. DC Tony Goater herding the Brethren into place for a photo….

Festive Board

A superior Festive Board menu had been chosen to celebrate the occasion with RAM Theme:

Starter: Duck and pork pate
Mains: Whole Rainbow
Dessert: New York Cheesecake with hundreds and thousands!

The Festive Board was enjoyed with both old and new friends. The toasts and speeches were informative and humorous, well received with much applause and merriment.

Our WC Colin Kendrick enjoying a moment with A/WC Richard Relf and photobombed by John Stannard

DC Paul Firmin getting ready to open up

Charles Lowry was happy once I'd sorted out his power supply, an extra chair and a summons

Relaxing before we start dinner. Note the slide show running showing much history of the Lodge and all credits to Les Bond

Calming the pre-meeting nerves with the WC and Warder Peter Ball

The Prov.G.M. and the two W.C.s take wine with the Brethren

Les Morgan's table

Paul Bird and Peter Ball's table

We wondered what Colin Kendrick was up to.........and then we realised that he had prepared a cheeky tribute to the 2030 Festival Zip Wire Challenge

Junior Wardens table Andy Sylvester

Junior Warden's table Bob Lawman

In the best possible taste, the Prov.G.M. explained a few details of the real Zip Wire Challenge

The Prov.G.M. R.W.Bro. John Finlay responds with his 'Parish Notices' and it included the announcement of those who had received Grand Rank Honours. And this shows W.C. Colin Kendrick grinning about his forthcoming appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies - one of the highest first appointments

And of course our own W.C. Colin Kendrick had to reply with special mentions of boats and captains….

W.C. Richard Relf replies to the toast to the W.C. (which was proposed by the Prov.G.M.) during which he thanked everyone for making the evening a special event which he will remember

.....and appointed the Prov.G.M. as an Admiral and awarded him a special mug

W.Bro. Colin Kendrick performed a cheeky model re-enactment of the Zip Wire Challenge. In this he portrayed the Prov.G.M as Leo the Lion on a washing line zooming towards a Cindy Doll representing Mrs. Sharon Finlay.

Afterwards we all departed in love, peace and harmony.