F & U 348 Mark Lodge Welcome The Provincial Team
Tuesday 27th January saw The Fidelity and Unanimity Lodge welcome the Provincial Team. As always ably lead by the Provincial Grand Master, Philip Voisey accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Tony Guthrie ( PGM Designate ) and nine members of the team. There were a couple more planning to attend but it seems the floods got the better of them.
On opening the Lodge, the first duty of the Worshipful Master was to pay respect’s to the late Pro Grand Master MWBro John Herbert Prizeman, who passed last week. The Lodge rose in respect of departed merit.
It was the Lodges’ pleasure to Advance Bro Peter Prior-Sankey, who had been proposed by the Worshipful Master, Ian Clift, a very good friend of his.
The Lodge had to be a little reorganized with respect to its Officers as a number of Brethren were on duty in Twickenham with the SAMMM’s team that night. The Master worked a good ceremony as we welcomed our Candidate into the Mark Degree.
It was stated at the festive board that Bro Peter was an excellent ritualist so we look forward to him progressing as a Mark Master Mason in our Lodge!
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the PGM was invited to present a 40 year certificate to WBro John Phillips PGJO, who was Advanced into the Mark Degree on 2nd January 1986 in The Hailsham Lodge of MMM No 1234. John has been relocated to Somerset for the past 3 years and has been active within the Province.
The PGM also had a 30 year Certificate to present to WBro Terry Haggett, but due to health reasons, he was unable to attend. The Lodge will arrange to visit Terry at home in the near future to pass on the certificate to him.
Finally, the PGM also had a ” Grand Patron ” collar for WBro Jimmy Durant who unfortunately passed away back in October. Jimmy was always a very strong supporter of the Mark degree, and very generous towards this and the Royal Ark Mariner Lodge. WBro Rod Green will visit his widow Sigrid to pass on this collar he so richly deserved.
On completion of the work in the Temple, all retired to an excellent festive board, and the Lodge looks forward to another successful year under the guidance of our Worshipful Master.
WBro Rod Green
