Essex Mark Northern Cluster Meeting
The latest cluster meeting took place on the 10th October hosted by Easterford Mark Lodge, No. 1781 at their Centre in Kelvedon. The night was to prove a great success with most of the northern Lodges represented and with the Temple and the Festive Board full to capacity--indeed we were to need two dining rooms to accommodate all present. With the Lodge open, the evening began with the Provincial Grand Master entering escorted by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and attended by nineteen acting Provincial Officers including the Deputy PGM; both APGMs and both Provincial Wardens. It was a bit of a squeeze, but everyone was seated somewhere!
The PGM took the Chair for a short while, as is his custom, to introduce the Provincial Officers and to briefly address the Brethren on the purpose of the meeting before returning it to the Master of the Lodge. The WM and his officers then proceeded to Advance Bro. David Laurence Hylands and Bro. Nicholas William John Horner in a most impressive display of ritual, all the more impressive when one considers the WM is in his 90's (and was, by his own admission taught all he knew by Hiram himself!); there were the customary Easterford "variations" which included some fine singing and some, clearly, chastened Overseers.
The Ceremony over, the PGM had one more surprise for everyone, not least the WM, W.Bro. Peter Curtis, who he announced was to be promoted to Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden; a field promotion that came as a complete surprise to W.Bro. Peter. Finally, the PGM, in a nod to the obligation taken by all Mark Master Masons, presented W.Bro. Peter with his Mark and and announced that his request was that Peter should attend PGL next so that he could be formally invested.
The Provincial Grand Master then retired, in procession, to enjoy, with all assembled, after a small sherry as is the Easterford custom, a fine Festive Board. All in all, an excellent evening held in the finest traditions of Essex Mark Masonry.
The PGM took the Chair for a short while, as is his custom, to introduce the Provincial Officers and to briefly address the Brethren on the purpose of the meeting before returning it to the Master of the Lodge. The WM and his officers then proceeded to Advance Bro. David Laurence Hylands and Bro. Nicholas William John Horner in a most impressive display of ritual, all the more impressive when one considers the WM is in his 90's (and was, by his own admission taught all he knew by Hiram himself!); there were the customary Easterford "variations" which included some fine singing and some, clearly, chastened Overseers.
The Ceremony over, the PGM had one more surprise for everyone, not least the WM, W.Bro. Peter Curtis, who he announced was to be promoted to Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden; a field promotion that came as a complete surprise to W.Bro. Peter. Finally, the PGM, in a nod to the obligation taken by all Mark Master Masons, presented W.Bro. Peter with his Mark and and announced that his request was that Peter should attend PGL next so that he could be formally invested.
The Provincial Grand Master then retired, in procession, to enjoy, with all assembled, after a small sherry as is the Easterford custom, a fine Festive Board. All in all, an excellent evening held in the finest traditions of Essex Mark Masonry.
