St. Nicholas RAM Lodge No. 413 Centenary Installation
Monday 3 February 2025
Harwich
Group photo of most of the members and guests
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Harwich is a small Port Town in the far North-East Corner of Essex. Harwich and the local area is steeped in history. Local Freemasons enjoy meeting at the small but well appointed Harwich Masonic Hall. A real ‘Jewel in the Crown’ which impresses many a visitor.
Amongst the Lodges that meet at Harwich is the St. Nicholas Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No. 413. It is moored to the St. Nicholas Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 413 which also meets at Harwich but on separate dates. The membership, currently only 20 members, is drawn from Mark Master Masons of Harwich (as above) and Beriffe Lodge of Mark Master Mason No. 825 which is only 18 miles away. The mix of Freemasons from Brightlingsea and Harwich leads to harmonious and lasting friendships. And we are able to enjoy Royal Ark Mariner ‘fire’ at the Festive Board, much to the entertainment of our visitors!
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So on a cold clear evening on Monday 3rd February 2025, 25 members and their guests enjoyed the 100th Year Installation Meeting of St. Nicholas RAM Lodge. And the Commander Elect was none other than a very enthusiastic Bro. Colin Kendrick, who has been a Freemason for well over 30 years. I say that because Colin has been a Past Master of the Mark Degree and a Brother of the RAM Degree for many years. And has never had the opportunity of being a RAM Commander.
During the planning stages for the Centenary Year Colin, who is very active with the Mark Provincial Secretariat, put himself forward to be Commander for the 100th Installation. An honour which was unanimously supported by all the Brethren.
Meticulous planning and attention to detail gave the 25 members and their guests an interesting ceremony to be remembered. Although this was not an 'official visit' we were honoured to have in attendance two APGMs in attendance. Geoff Newman as a private guest and John Stannard, who as a member enjoyed his birthday that same day.
The new Commander, the generous person that he is, had a special cake made to celebrate the 100 years of the Lodge. And had the birthday boy assist him in cutting it up.
Colin wouldn't stop grinning from ear to ear!
L-R: Geoff Newman (Asst.Prov.G.M); Colin Kendrick (Prov.Prov.Sec.)and John Stannard (Asst.Prov.G.M)
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And with his two new Wardens
L-R Bob Lawman (S.W); Geoff Newman (Asst.Prov.G.M); Colin Kendrick (WC); John Stannard (Asst.Prov.G.M) & Andy Sylvester (J.W)
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Superb Cake that Colin had made for him by the daughter of a friend who he trained to bake - it was very tasty. Note the bottle of Port ready for deployment
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Colin Kendrick as the new Worshipful Commander looking very proud at the Festive Board before we started
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Our WC toasts John Stannard on the occasion of his birthday
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Not only that we all get to sing "happy birthday" while they cut the cake
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During his response speech, Colin as our new W.C informed us what the year ahead will bring. He was proud to announce that we will be Officially Celebrating the 100 years of the Lodge on Monday 7th April 2025. On that day, the Provincial Executive will be in attendance at the Harwich Masonic Centre. Made even more special by a new Banner Dedication; Centenary Warrant and a Stone Plaque unveiling.
Our new Worshipful Commander, Colin, was absolutely ‘blown away’ by his Installation Ceremony and how we were ALL involved in the Ceremony.
Afterwards he said, “Thank you all my dear Brethren, I really enjoyed the evening, your company, the friendship and the ceremony for an Installed Commander, and of course the best wishes from absent RAM's. |
"I am truly humbled to be Worshipful Commander of St Nicholas RAM Lodge in our Centenary Year, we are now working on the big commemoration of the Year, The Banner Dedication, Centenary Warrant and Plaque unveiling, later in the year a Candidate. Truly our Founders would be proud to know St Nicholas RAM Lodge is providing enjoyment to it's members 100 years on.”
Posted on 09/02/25
