Mendip Lodge of Mark Master Masons Honour Two Long Serving Members

What a fantastic evening was had by all at the January meeting of the Mendip Lodge 781, with the PGM, R W Bro Philip Voisey, The DPGM, W Bro Tony Guthrie being accompanied by 18 members of the Provincial Team.

The summons was full of special presentations, and everyone knew they were in for a long enjoyable evening.

The PGM took the Master’s Chair to perform with the team an advancement ceremony; he was assisted by the DPGM, who delivered the secrets; W Bro Ian Moore explained the jewel, W Bro Paul
Giblin did the tools, with W Bro Ian Strickland finished with “ In Conclusion.”

After the PGM had handed back the master’s Chair and the lodge returned to order, the WM requested R W Bro Ray Guthrie to present the first of the 50-year-long service awards to W Bro Steve Defries.
W Bro Steve joined R W Bro Ray on the floor of the lodge, and in a very relaxed atmosphere, R W Bro Ray spoke about Steve’s distinguished career as a Mark Mason and the contribution that he had made to the degree in general.

There followed a good exchange of information between the two, with R W Bro Ray even showing a picture to the brethren of Steve years back, which caused a chuckle and comments from the brethren. . Steve thanked the Province and Grand Lodge for the presentation, saying that he would not change a thing in his 50 years as a Mark Man.

The First presentation being completed, the WM asked the PGM to make the next one. The PGM instructed the DC to present W Bro John Harris ( Jack) to him. Although not good on his feet, W Bro Jack insisted on standing for his special 50-year award. There then followed a unique and sometimes amusing conversation between the two, with Jack sometimes breaking off to tell a story or a joke which went down well with the brethren.

The PGM did all possible to tell the brethren about Jack’s
distinguished career in Mark Masonry, but Jack wanted to continue praising the Mark Degree for all they had done for him. It was indeed a wonderful conversation which I am sure at certain times brought lumps into the brethren’s throats.

The Brethren might have thought that was the end of the presentations but next on the summons was the presentation of a Grand Lodge certificate to Bro Geffrey 0 Sullivan, who earlier had been the
candidate for the demo advancement ceremony.

The Grand Lodge Certificate was presented with great feeling by the DPGM, W Bro Tony Guthrie, who, after explaining the content of the certificate, welcomed Bro Geffrey into the Lodge and the degree.
The hour was fast approaching 9 pm, and everyone was hungry, which was easily satisfied by the lovely meal which followed.

It was indeed a fantastic evening and to witness two 50-year certificates being presented was a real
honour.

Congratulation to the Mendip Lodge for an evening never to forget.