Provincial Grand Lodge of 
Mark Master Masons of Bedfordshire

 


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Latest News

First Certificate of Merit Presented

W. Bro. Neville Chamberlain of the Icknield Lodge of Mark Master Masons was the first "surprised" recipient of the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit.

In presenting the Certificate, the PGM said, " For the first time in Bedfordshire I intend to award a Certificate of Merit to one of our members.  It is my wish that the holder of such a Certificate should take precedence at both Lodges and Festive Boards except where there is a Grand Officer or Acting Provincial Warden present. In addition, if the Brother is not already a Past Senior Warden, he will be promoted to that rank.  

The Brother I have chosen to receive this first Certificate was Advanced into Harpenden Lodge in the Province of Hertfordshire 1977 and was appointed to the rank of PPrGJO (Herts) in 2003.  

He was a founder member of Icknield Lodge No. 1625, which was Consecrated on the 11 January 1986 when he took office as Junior Overseer.  He became Worshipful Master of that Lodge for the first time in 1991, for the second time in 1996 and for the third time in 2004.   

He was appointed PPrGInspWks in 1997, promoted to PPrGSW (Beds) in 2005.  

After he had moved to Sussex he was appointed PPrGMO ( Sussex ) in 2009 and he has just been installed as Worshipful Commander in the Pulborough Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners.  

In all his Mark Masonry he has proved his dedication and skill and I have no hesitation in making this acknowledgement of his commitment."

 

Deputy PGM to Retire

 

V.W.Bro. David Picton PGJO RAMGR, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, is to retire from that office at the Provincial Meeting in June.

His successor will be W. Bro. Peter Vaughan PAGDC, presently the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, who will be installed as Deputy PGM at the same meeting.

New Appointments in Mark Grand Rank

At the Annual Investiture of Mark Grand Lodge on 9 June 2009, the M.W. Pro Grand Master invested two members of this Province as Grand Officers. 

W. Bro. Billy Miller, the Director of Ceremonies for a number of years at Lea Lodge is to be appointed as a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.  At the same time, W. Bro. Ron Rawlings having served as both Treasurer and Secretary of the Ampthill Lodge receives an Acting appointment as a Grand Steward.

Appointment in Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank

At the Annual Assembly of Royal Ark Mariners on 9 December 2008, the Grand Master invested W. Bro. Ashley Green of the Ampthill Lodge with RAM Grand Rank. This appointment reflects W. Bro. Ashley’s long service to the RAM degree and is a well-deserved promotion from the RAM Provincial Grand Rank with which he was invested in 2004.

 

New Lodge Banner Dedicated at Ampthill

On 30 May 2008,  the Ampthill Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1396 celebrated the Dedication of their first Lodge Banner.  The ceremony was carried out by the Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro. Christopher Smith together with a Team of Provincial Grand Officers.  The Provincial Grand  Chaplain, W Bro. Rev Keith Steele gave a uplifting Oration and the new Banner was received by the Lodge before their annual Installation Ceremony.

The new Banner, which was designed by W Bro. Vic Brown was mainly financed by a legacy from W Bro. Brian Champion and is only the second Mark Lodge Banner in the Province.  It depicts the Ampthill Lion and the Mark Keystone and will serve the Lodge as a symbol of unity and loyalty for many years to come.

New Appointments in Mark Grand Rank

At the Annual Investiture at Mark Grand Lodge on 10 June 2008, the Grand Master, HRH Prince Michael of Kent made the following appointments and promotions in Grand Rank.

W. Bro. Russell Howard was promoted to Past Grand Junior Deacon.
W. Bro. Martin Wilson received a first appointment to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Appointment in Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank

At the Annual Meeting of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners in December 2007, the Grand Master  appointed  W. Bro. John Stringer to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank.  This well-deserved appointment reflects the effort and commitment to the order shown by W. Bro. John who has continued to serve the RAM degree since his appointment to Provincial Rank in 1998.

New Appointments in Mark Grand Rank

At the Annual Investiture at Mark Grand Lodge on 12 June 2007, the Pro Grand Master, MW Bro. John Hale, on behalf of the Grand Master, made the following appointments and promotions in Grand Rank.

W. Bro. David Picton was promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer
W. Bro. Donald Ansell and W. Bro. Victor Brown were promoted to the rank of Past Grand Senior Deacon.
W. Bro. Ian Baker to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
W. Bro. Norman Bliss to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
W. Bro. David Collom to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
W. Bro. John Luttrell to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
W. Bro. Owen Parker to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer.

Provincial Grand Master to Retire

At the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge on 17 June 2006, the Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Harry Arnold announced his intention to retire from his office on the 31 December 2006.  In his Address, the PGM indicated that he felt he had achieved his target to set the Province on a firm financial course and that it was now time to hand over to a successor.  Many of those present were surprised and saddened to hear R. W. Bro. Harry's news and at the end of his meeting, he was given a prolonged standing ovation in recognition of his memorable stewardship of Bedfordshire.

In appointing his officers for the year, the PGM paid tribute to all those brethren who had helped in the management of the Province during the last 8 years.

Mark Mason Honoured by H. M. The Queen 

AlanTownsend1.jpg (178092 bytes)

W. Bro. Alan Townsend MBE

In her annual Birthday honours, Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to confer Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire MBE on W. Bro. Alan Townsend PPrGSO for services to the Metropolitan Police.  The Province warmly congratulates W. Bro. Alan on his well-deserved honour.  W. Bro. Alan is a Past Master of the Stuart Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 434 as well as a Past Commander of the Stuart Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners. 

25th Anniversary of Chiltern Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1538

The Lodge was consecrated on 5th July 1980 and many of its Founders have since passed to the Grand Lodge above. On 4 July 2005, the Chiltern Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1538 celebrated its 25th Annual Festival when W. Bro. Denis Perkins was installed as Worshipful Master by one of its surviving Founders, W. Bro. Bernard Caves.   The First Master, R. W. Bro. Alan Alvey, who went on to become the Provincial Grand Master, was present at the anniversary and spoke about his delight that the Lodge had prospered so well in the intervening years.  

The Secretary of the Lodge for the past 12 years, W. Bro. Derek Bird retired from his office at the same meeting and was presented with a gift to mark his retirement by R. W. Bro. Alan Alvey and to express the affection and appreciation of all members of the Lodge.

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Last modified: June 20, 2009