Viking Lodge No.1564 "Rule of 6"Installation Meetings
The Viking Lodges of Royal Ark Mariners and Mark Master Masons, No.1564 met on Tuesday the 15th of September at Saxon Hall, Southend on Sea; these meetings being the first in the Mark Province of Essex to be held under the new "Rule of 6".
Saxon Hall is a very well prepared and welcoming venue for the Brethren attending meetings and, wearing the mandatory face coverings, all enjoyed a comfortable and safe gathering. The meetings did incur a fair amount of last minute changes and planning in order to bring the number attending into line with the new Government and our Grand Lodge guidelines, as the "Rule of 6" was introduced after our agenda was agreed, dispensations attained, and the summons printed.
The Royal Ark Mariner meeting was held first, we were allocated the main temple, leaving us plenty of room to social distance! The Lodge was opened with Past Commanders occupying the Wardens and Guardian's stations to comply with the new Enthronement ritual issued by Grand Lodge. The Worshipful Commander, W.Bro. Nigel Williams, was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, so a very able substitute in W.Bro. Paul Busby stood in and carried out the Enthronement of Bro. Eddie Gammage in superb fashion.
W.Bro Paul, who is also the Provincial Grand Secretary, then delivered an almost faultless address to the Commander. We also welcomed a joining member, Bro. Steve Yates who unfortunately, due to the restrictions, could not attend, he will be heartily welcomed at our next "normal meeting".
The Mark meeting was held immediately after the RAM meeting but with a change of personnel. The Worshipful Master W.Bro. Paul Busby had to leave due the restriction on numbers but a very experienced substitute in V.W.Bro. Bob Potts stood in. Again, the Lodge was meeting with three Past Masters occupying the two Wardens chairs and the Inner Guard's place. V.W.Bro. Bob went on to Install Bro. Ken Berry into the chair of Adoniram in splendid fashion and rounded off the Ceremony with a faultless address to the Master.
After his installation W.Bro. Ken was pleased to display a full set of new mauls, one for the WM and one each for the two Wardens and three Overseers. These splendid Mauls were engraved with the Lodge name, number, and consecration date. The Mauls were hand made by W.Bro. Jeff Bennet and presented to W.Bro. Ken to mark his installation into the Chair of Viking Lodge.
We also welcomed two new joining members who, due to the restrictions. could not attend; they being Bro. Steve Yates and Bro. John Kerr who will be heartily welcomed at our next "normal Mark meeting".
The members of the both Lodges elected a new Secretary and Treasurer, V.W.Bro. Bob Potts handing over to W.Bro. Alan Reynolds after many years’ service and W.Bro. Richard Goodwin handing over the Lodge purse strings to W.Bro. Tony Clark after 13 years as Treasurer. Grateful thanks were expressed to both for meritorious service to both Lodges.
With the remaining business completed all 6 Brethren retired to the bar for a well earned drink and catch up. After many months away from our Mark Masonry everyone agreed it was good to be back and working again.
Saxon Hall is a very well prepared and welcoming venue for the Brethren attending meetings and, wearing the mandatory face coverings, all enjoyed a comfortable and safe gathering. The meetings did incur a fair amount of last minute changes and planning in order to bring the number attending into line with the new Government and our Grand Lodge guidelines, as the "Rule of 6" was introduced after our agenda was agreed, dispensations attained, and the summons printed.
The Royal Ark Mariner meeting was held first, we were allocated the main temple, leaving us plenty of room to social distance! The Lodge was opened with Past Commanders occupying the Wardens and Guardian's stations to comply with the new Enthronement ritual issued by Grand Lodge. The Worshipful Commander, W.Bro. Nigel Williams, was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, so a very able substitute in W.Bro. Paul Busby stood in and carried out the Enthronement of Bro. Eddie Gammage in superb fashion.
W.Bro Paul, who is also the Provincial Grand Secretary, then delivered an almost faultless address to the Commander. We also welcomed a joining member, Bro. Steve Yates who unfortunately, due to the restrictions, could not attend, he will be heartily welcomed at our next "normal meeting".
The Mark meeting was held immediately after the RAM meeting but with a change of personnel. The Worshipful Master W.Bro. Paul Busby had to leave due the restriction on numbers but a very experienced substitute in V.W.Bro. Bob Potts stood in. Again, the Lodge was meeting with three Past Masters occupying the two Wardens chairs and the Inner Guard's place. V.W.Bro. Bob went on to Install Bro. Ken Berry into the chair of Adoniram in splendid fashion and rounded off the Ceremony with a faultless address to the Master.
After his installation W.Bro. Ken was pleased to display a full set of new mauls, one for the WM and one each for the two Wardens and three Overseers. These splendid Mauls were engraved with the Lodge name, number, and consecration date. The Mauls were hand made by W.Bro. Jeff Bennet and presented to W.Bro. Ken to mark his installation into the Chair of Viking Lodge.
We also welcomed two new joining members who, due to the restrictions. could not attend; they being Bro. Steve Yates and Bro. John Kerr who will be heartily welcomed at our next "normal Mark meeting".
The members of the both Lodges elected a new Secretary and Treasurer, V.W.Bro. Bob Potts handing over to W.Bro. Alan Reynolds after many years’ service and W.Bro. Richard Goodwin handing over the Lodge purse strings to W.Bro. Tony Clark after 13 years as Treasurer. Grateful thanks were expressed to both for meritorious service to both Lodges.
With the remaining business completed all 6 Brethren retired to the bar for a well earned drink and catch up. After many months away from our Mark Masonry everyone agreed it was good to be back and working again.
Eddie Gammage the newly Installed Commander of Viking RAM Lodge
Bro. Ken Berry, newly Installed Worshipful Master of Viking Lodge of MMMs
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Mauls made by Jeff Bennett and presented to Ken to mark his Installation as Master.
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