Portal Mark 155 Installation

On Thursday 23^rd February it was the Installation Meeting for Portal Mark 155 in Frome where W.Bro George Sargent would be installing W.Bro Richard Conneely into the chair of Adoniram, 10-years after he was last installed into the same chair.  Both had not been well beforehand but George was determined as the current Master to install his successor rather than having another Installing Master.  The evening started off by welcoming Tony Guthrie, the Deputy PGM into the lodge along with a good number of Grand Officers.  It was great to see the lodge room looking full with a good spread of Master Mason’s, rovincial Officers and Grand Officers adding to the full spectrum of colour.

The next item on the agenda was to get some additional members for the lodge and we balloted (successfully) for 3 joining members.  The WM then welcomed W.Bro Timothy Adams, W.Bro Frank Silver and W.Bro Tony Wilcox into the lodge as members which of course they were very pleased about, even though they did have to satisfy the Treasurer.  A great way to start the evening in being able to welcome 3 regular visitors as 3 new members, knowing full well that all 3 would contribute to the lodge greatly. 

The main event of the evening then started and W.Bro George thanked the Brethren for the support and assistance he’d had during the last year.  It was a very heartfelt thank you to the lodge and well received by all.  He then proceeded to install W.Bro Richard into the chair which was witnessed by the Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies W.Bro Ray Conneely, making it a family affair indeed.  No doubt when doing the Provincial diary check at the start of the year Ray made sure it was one of the Installation’s he was attending to watch his brother go back into the chair.  Of course being a Past Master the ceremony was indeed a shorter one but that took away none of the splendour of the occasion.  The Inner Workings over and the Brethren welcomed back in it was time for the appointment of Officers, the first job of the new WM which he did with warmth and sincerity.  Each group of appointments was accompanied by the relevant address to the Wardens, Overseers & Brethren which were all delivered with flair and then of course it was onto the working tools.

Once the Installation was over the Deputy PGM had more work to do as the lodge asked him to present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Mike Grover, something he has clearly done many times before, a great privilege for a new member and delivered but it is always evident that the Deputy PGM really enjoys the welcoming of the new member into this fantastic degree.  With the formalities over it was time for the Charity Steward to tell everyone about the importance of giving to charity which he did by explaining some of the key causes the MBF had been giving some of our donations to .  An update on last week’s Portal RAM meeting was given to the lodge by the Worshipful Commander, W.Bro Tony Wilcox as way of an encouragement for Mark Masons to join the very colourful degree.

We then all moved downstairs and enjoyed a curry for the festive board where the atmosphere was that of friendly joviality for all, and with that of relief for the Installing Master who could now relax and enjoy himself.  Good food and drink consumed we moved onto the toasts where the new Worshipful Master was able to highlight how well the Installing Master had conducted the ceremony and led the lodge over the last year, it was fantastic to see the lodge in good stead with a number of new Brethren coming into the Lodge and taking office. With the evening over the new WM and IPM will surely be reflecting on the evening and all members of Portal Mark will be pleased to welcome back the Deputy PGM, The Provincial Deputy Assistant Director of Ceremonies along with all of our guests any time along with any other Brother who would like to visit Frome where they can be assured of a warm welcome, good food and good company.