Matt Layzell Installed as Commander at Cerdic RAM No.571 at Chard.
In recent years, early September has proved to be quite warm, and this is the time of year Cerdic 571 Royal Ark Mariners hold their installation! Not this year however, one may be in need of an Ark to get to the lodge, such was the level of rainfall experienced in Chard on Thursday 5th September.
Thankfully, all managed to arrive safely, if not a little wet, with around 30 brethren in attendance, including the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Phillip Voisey and two Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters, WBro Geoff Nash and WBro Ray Guthrie ( both honorary members of Cerdic ), accompanied by WBro Steve McNaughton, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
One of the last duties of the outgoing Worshipful Commander, WBro Ken Crang, was to present a cheque on behalf on the lodge for £1000, to the PGM for the benefit of the 2028 MBF Somerset Festival, which was very warmly accepted! This donation qualifies the lodge at MBF Grand Patron level, one of only two in the Province for RAM………thus far!
The main event of the evening was of course to Install the Commander Elect Matt Layzell. The ceremony was excellently worked by WBro Ken Crang, and his Installing team.
It must be noted what a wonderful and memorable year the lodge had under the tenure of WBro Ken, guided expertly by his brother and IPC, Norman, with three brethren elevated and an abundance of visitors at every meeting, many of them being hosted by Ken.
For the first time in many years, WBro Norman Crang sent apologies, although he did have a reasonable excuse, as that evening was his 90th birthday!! Congratulations Norman on becoming a nonagenarian!!
The new Worshipful Commander Matt Layzell, then invested his officers, with great friendliness and sincerity, with all ‘ light rainbows’ , in the progressive offices.
The brethren then retired to the Phoenix Hotel, for a fine festive board , as always, and with some quirky raffle prizes!!
Following a lovely supper, the Provincial Grand Master gave an interesting speech about the newly formed Adventors Club, which is a new way to promote, support and encourage visiting and connections between brethren around the province.
The Provincial Grand Senior Warden, WBro Darren Sinclair had the privilege of responding to the visitor’s toast, a task he completed with great mirth, adding that it was only half of the ‘ Wardens on tour’ at Cerdic tonight !
So brethren, keep an eye out , for the Adventor Club cards and badges and the ‘ Travelling Wardens on Tour’ .
