Message from the PGM
Brethren,
Having enjoyed the summer break, I hope, like me, that you are looking forward to returning to the Lodge and renewing friendships. This gives me the opportunity to reflect with you on last year’s activities and what we have to look forward to in the coming year. One highlight was the William de Irwin Centenary meeting, where approximately 100 Brethren celebrated the event with the Deputy Grand Master in attendance, who was in excellent form. This year, Royal Sussex Lodge in Bath will be celebrating their Sesquicentenary meeting on 30th September 2024 with the Assistant Grand Master in attendance, and I encourage as many of you as possible to support the Lodge at this very special event. So, as a Province, we have been very fortunate to have had the Pro Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Assistant Grand Master attend meetings in consecutive years. Another note for your diary will be the Centenary meeting of the Eldon Mark Lodge, Clevedon, on the 6th of February 2025.
The Grand Lodge visit in March 2024, where 33 Somerset Brethren attended the meeting, followed by dining in Covent Garden, was a super day out organised by W.Bro Geoff Seaman and I look forward to a repeat of this event in 2025. Look out for details from W.Bro Geoff in the Newsletter and on the website!
Turning to the 2028 Festival, I am pleased to see, over the last year, a steady stream of Brethren purchasing Festival Jewels, which I hope will be their first step in supporting the MBF by taking out regular giving, thus claiming the 25% tax break in their favour. Please see your Charity Steward for forms. I am delighted to inform you that in supporting the MBF, the MBF has supported Somerset with grants to:
Brainwave Charity, Bridgewater, sponsored by Quantock Mark Lodge, £13,026
for a specially adapted roundabout for their play area.
Exmoor Search and Rescue direct request, £16,000 for specialist equipment.
Heads Up, Wells, sponsored by Mendip Mark Lodge, £8,463 for a 360-degree
sensory table and equipment.
This makes a total of MBF support to Somerset in the last year of £37,489.
As Mark Masons, we should be proud of the contributions we are making to our communities. So, I encourage you to promote the order to your Craft and Chapter Brethren, and whilst I have selected a good number of Brethren to distribute business cards for Brethren to view the Mark video, we should all be encouraging Brethren to see the magic of the Mark. The next step is to encourage brethren to become Royal Ark Mariners, which is one of the great privileges of being a Mark Mason.
I look forward to meeting you in your Lodge over the next year and I encourage you to participate in the Adventor Club, visiting the other Lodges in the Province. W.Bro. Graham Jeffery has been appointed to oversee this and it is hoped to arrange group visits to lodges for keen Adventor Club members who all share that enjoyment of visiting. So, like me, Brethren bring your Adventor Club card with you!
I look forward to your company over the next year and most importantly of all, let’s enjoy the special, friendly fellowship of our Mark and Royal Ark Mariner meetings.
