West Ham No. 467 - at the Double!
The West Ham Mark and RAM Lodges met on Wednesday the 27th of October 2021 at the Masonic Centre at The County Hotel Chelmsford for their first physical meeting in 2 years, their last being in October 2019, prior to the start of the Global Pandemic.
The West Ham Royal Ark Mariner Lodge was to go first and the Lodge was opened to the announcement that the Worshipful Commander elect as W. Bro. Roger Smith, Provincial Grand Chaplain couldn’t be present, due to circumstances outside of his control. However, plans were already in place to hold an Emergency meeting within 5 weeks so that W. Bro. Roger could be Installed.
The West Ham RAM was instead led by V. W Bro. David Garston, who took the Commanders Chair, led the agenda and facilitated the 2 years of administration that was necessary before closing the RAM and into a short tea break.
The Brethren were able to meet for Tea prior to the Mark meeting, to catch up after such a long time away. The West Ham Mark was then opened by V. W. Bro David Garston, again standing in for those Brothers that could not attend who then welcomed the official visitor in the form of W. Bro Ray McKerron as the Provincial Grand Senior Warden. He was admitted along with a deputation of Provincial Officers from the Essex Provincial Support Team to assist the Lodge in the Advancement of 2 Candidates, Bro’s David Lee and Andrew Shepherd.
The Ceremony of Advancement was undertaken by V. W. Garston and supported by the Ritual Team with both Candidates witness to an exemplary performance, a very special start to their Mark journey in the Province of Essex and one of the oldest Mark Lodges in the Province. The Signs of the Degree were rendered by none other than W. Bro. Len Abrahams who was also the Master Overseer for the Ceremony.
The business of the day also included W. Bro Robin Fletcher being proclaimed as Worshipful Master for the forthcoming year and the presentation of a Certificate and Collarette to the WM, showing that West Ham No. 467 has qualified for the MBF Grand Patron Gold Award. The meeting was concluded with W. Bro Ray McKerron, PGSW presenting Grand Lodge certificates to Brothers Aloke Singh and John Binder.
The meeting was closed in due form with 18 brethren enjoying a festive board at The County Hotel.
The West Ham Mark, having been Consecrated in 1893 will turn 130 years old in 2 years’ time, the year prior to the Province celebrating its 125th Anniversary. With this double Advancement now complete, West Ham is in a strong position to grow and to enjoy this milestone.
The West Ham Royal Ark Mariner Lodge was to go first and the Lodge was opened to the announcement that the Worshipful Commander elect as W. Bro. Roger Smith, Provincial Grand Chaplain couldn’t be present, due to circumstances outside of his control. However, plans were already in place to hold an Emergency meeting within 5 weeks so that W. Bro. Roger could be Installed.
The West Ham RAM was instead led by V. W Bro. David Garston, who took the Commanders Chair, led the agenda and facilitated the 2 years of administration that was necessary before closing the RAM and into a short tea break.
The Brethren were able to meet for Tea prior to the Mark meeting, to catch up after such a long time away. The West Ham Mark was then opened by V. W. Bro David Garston, again standing in for those Brothers that could not attend who then welcomed the official visitor in the form of W. Bro Ray McKerron as the Provincial Grand Senior Warden. He was admitted along with a deputation of Provincial Officers from the Essex Provincial Support Team to assist the Lodge in the Advancement of 2 Candidates, Bro’s David Lee and Andrew Shepherd.
The Ceremony of Advancement was undertaken by V. W. Garston and supported by the Ritual Team with both Candidates witness to an exemplary performance, a very special start to their Mark journey in the Province of Essex and one of the oldest Mark Lodges in the Province. The Signs of the Degree were rendered by none other than W. Bro. Len Abrahams who was also the Master Overseer for the Ceremony.
The business of the day also included W. Bro Robin Fletcher being proclaimed as Worshipful Master for the forthcoming year and the presentation of a Certificate and Collarette to the WM, showing that West Ham No. 467 has qualified for the MBF Grand Patron Gold Award. The meeting was concluded with W. Bro Ray McKerron, PGSW presenting Grand Lodge certificates to Brothers Aloke Singh and John Binder.
The meeting was closed in due form with 18 brethren enjoying a festive board at The County Hotel.
The West Ham Mark, having been Consecrated in 1893 will turn 130 years old in 2 years’ time, the year prior to the Province celebrating its 125th Anniversary. With this double Advancement now complete, West Ham is in a strong position to grow and to enjoy this milestone.
