IT’S J B FOR WC AT F & U RAM 348
Friday 11th April marked the Installation meeting for this coming year. The Lodge was pleased to host the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Tony Guthrie, and the Provincial Grand DC Steve McNaughton, who is also a Lodge member.
The Lodge has enjoyed a very successful year, Elevating two new Brethren under the guidance of Harry Price the outgoing Worshipful Commander. His successor Bro James Brown was fully prepared and keen to take the Chair.
The Lodge was pleased with the attendance of 43 with 38 Dining.
WBro Harry Installed Bro James in fine form although he did admit at the age of 86 it was a lot more difficult to learn ritual than it was years ago when he was a younger man.
Once in the Chair WBro James was straight into his stride completing the agenda for the meeting. His first duty was to invite the Deputy PGM to present Grand Lodge certificates to Bro’s Barrie Palmer BEM and Bob Purdy. The big surprise of the evening was when he called for Candidates and Joining Members to be proposed, no less than five brethren were put forward, one being his son.
The Scribe also indicated that in addition, we had a Joining Member wishing to come in. The Deputy PGM noted at the Festive Board that he had never heard of five candidates being nominated in a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge in one go. (P S, over the weekend after the meeting the Scribe was informed of a further candidate wishing to become a member!)
All this means we are looking forward to an extremely busy year with a couple of Double Ceremonies coming up in October and January with the possibility of an extra meeting being planned.
On completion of the Lodge business most of the Brethren retired to one of Taunton’s famous Festive Boards. All that had attended stated that they had ,had a wonderful evening and wished WBro James all the very best for his busy forthcoming year in the Chair.
Report & Photos – WBro Rod Green, Scribe.
