Provincial News and Events 2021
Here you will find Provincial news and events for 2021. The news and events will appear in date order with the lastest at the top.
Aurelius Mark Lodge No. 814 and the Sailship Charity
On Friday the 4th of June 2021, the Worshipful Master of Aurelius Mark Lodge No. 814, W. Bro. Ken Headworth, who has recently achieved 50 years in the Mark Degree, attended ‘the Sailship Training and Learning for Life’ charity, accompanied by Elizabeth Barritt, their CEO for the presentation of a Table Saw purchased for the charity by the Essex Mark Benevolent Fund.
One of the members of the Aurelius Mark Lodge is a volunteer at the charity and there was a clear need for an efficient Table Saw, thereby enabling the trainees to construct wooden products such as planters and bird boxes. The new equipment would not only give those in need access to additional skills but also assist in raising funds for the charity.
The volunteer contacted the Aurelius Lodge Almoner in the form of W. Bro L. Thurston who then proposed the idea to the Essex Mark Benevolent Fund who subsequently granted the money in order to purchase the equipment.
Pictured is W. Bro Ken Headworth presenting the newly purchased Table Saw to Elizabeth Barritt with a virtual handshake.
Elizabeth said “We are very grateful to the Mark Masons of Essex and the Benevolent Fund for the invaluable presentation of this equipment”.
The objectives of the Sailship Training and Learning for Life charity are to ‘champion work and life skills training for people of all ages, living with a learning disability. We offer support for improved mental health and well-being to people who may be recovering from injury or illness, through therapeutic programmes, counselling and the offer of pathways back into employment’.
If you would like to know more about the Sailship charity and all of their on- going work, the link to their website is:
www.sailship.org.uk
One of the members of the Aurelius Mark Lodge is a volunteer at the charity and there was a clear need for an efficient Table Saw, thereby enabling the trainees to construct wooden products such as planters and bird boxes. The new equipment would not only give those in need access to additional skills but also assist in raising funds for the charity.
The volunteer contacted the Aurelius Lodge Almoner in the form of W. Bro L. Thurston who then proposed the idea to the Essex Mark Benevolent Fund who subsequently granted the money in order to purchase the equipment.
Pictured is W. Bro Ken Headworth presenting the newly purchased Table Saw to Elizabeth Barritt with a virtual handshake.
Elizabeth said “We are very grateful to the Mark Masons of Essex and the Benevolent Fund for the invaluable presentation of this equipment”.
The objectives of the Sailship Training and Learning for Life charity are to ‘champion work and life skills training for people of all ages, living with a learning disability. We offer support for improved mental health and well-being to people who may be recovering from injury or illness, through therapeutic programmes, counselling and the offer of pathways back into employment’.
If you would like to know more about the Sailship charity and all of their on- going work, the link to their website is:
www.sailship.org.uk
Stilus et Denarius Mark Lodge No. 1735
A very pleasant informal social Zoom meeting took place on Friday 26th of March, with the members of Stilus et Denarius Mark Lodge No. 1735, also known in certain circles as the “engine room of the Province”, being for Lodge Secretaries and Treasurers.
The meeting was opened at 7.00pm and hosted by the Secretary W.Bro Barry Coombes with 19 Brethren in attendance, including the Provincial Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother Paul Busby.
Several topics relating to Secretaries were discussed,
followed by the highlight of a short informative Q&A session hosted by W.Bro Paul Busby, all with the usual light hearted banter. The meeting ended on a high note with all looking forward to getting back to some sense of reality.
All past, present and potential Secretaries and Treasurers are more than welcome to come and join our useful meetings.
The meeting was opened at 7.00pm and hosted by the Secretary W.Bro Barry Coombes with 19 Brethren in attendance, including the Provincial Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother Paul Busby.
Several topics relating to Secretaries were discussed,
followed by the highlight of a short informative Q&A session hosted by W.Bro Paul Busby, all with the usual light hearted banter. The meeting ended on a high note with all looking forward to getting back to some sense of reality.
All past, present and potential Secretaries and Treasurers are more than welcome to come and join our useful meetings.
Fillebrook Mark Lodge No.944 Cheese Tasting
On Friday 26th March, twenty members of the Fillebrook Mark Lodge got together with partners and guests to be entertained to a Zoom meeting with a difference - an informative Cheese Tasting.
Organised by Worshipful Master, Michael Levene, the Courtyard Dairy from North Yorkshire introduced six different English cheeses, which had been couriered to the participating members a couple of days before, along with biscuits and Quince jelly.
As each cheese was tried, cheese expert and host Richard gave an explanation of the background, mode of preparation and provenance of each cheese. As the members tasted the cheeses, comments and questions were put to Richard and discussion followed between the participants.
Members supplied their own accompanying drinks as appropriate and a most enjoyable and fun time was had by all. Above all an unusual and very entertaining evening with good company. To be recommended.
Members are now looking for an organiser of Chocolate Gateau Tasting Zoom meetings
Organised by Worshipful Master, Michael Levene, the Courtyard Dairy from North Yorkshire introduced six different English cheeses, which had been couriered to the participating members a couple of days before, along with biscuits and Quince jelly.
As each cheese was tried, cheese expert and host Richard gave an explanation of the background, mode of preparation and provenance of each cheese. As the members tasted the cheeses, comments and questions were put to Richard and discussion followed between the participants.
Members supplied their own accompanying drinks as appropriate and a most enjoyable and fun time was had by all. Above all an unusual and very entertaining evening with good company. To be recommended.
Members are now looking for an organiser of Chocolate Gateau Tasting Zoom meetings
Battlesbridge Mark and RAM Lodge No 1415 VBM
Battlesbridge Mark Lodge Report
A Virtual Business Meeting of Battlesbridge Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1415 was held in lieu of the regular meeting on Monday, 15th March, 2021.
There were eight members present plus the Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. John Finlay, AGDC.
The Presiding Officer, W. Bro. Jeffrey Conway, welcomed the participants and declared the meeting open at 17.38 hours. The Secretary read the Exemption from The General Suspension Notice and the Dispensation to hold a Virtual Business Meeting without the Warrant.
The minutes of the regular meeting of 16th March, 2020 and the abandoned meetings of 9th November, 2020 and 14th January, 2021, having been circulated with the Calling Notice, were confirmed without amendment, and will be signed at the next regular meeting. The Secretary then recorded the three apologies received for the meeting.
The Lodge then continued with the items listed in the Paper of business and the reports of the Almoner and Charity Steward were as in the earlier Virtual Business Meeting of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree.
The Worshipful Master closed the meeting at 18:00 hours.
After the Virtual Business Meeting had been closed, there followed an informal discussion about the future of the Lodges including an informed debate about the development of a recruitment strategy .
Battlesbridge RAM Lodge Report
The Virtual Business Meeting of Battlesbridge Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 1415 in lieu of the regular meeting on Monday, was held on 15th March, 2021.
Present were seven members plus the Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. John Finlay, RAMGR.
The Presiding Officer, W. Bro. John Lavery welcomed the participants and declared the meeting open at 17.02 hours. The Scribe read the Exemption from The General Suspension Notice and the Dispensation to hold a Virtual Business Meeting without the Warrant.
The minutes of the regular meeting of 16th March, 2020 and the abandoned meetings of 9th November, 2020 and 14th January, 2021, having been circulated with the Calling Notice, were confirmed without amendment, and will be signed at the next regular meeting. Apologies had also been received from four brethren.
The Scribe explained that, as W. Bro. John Lavery had not had the opportunity to Elevate a Candidate since his installation as Worshipful Commander, the Committee recommended that he should remain in office for the ensuing year and that, if required by post-Pandemic instructions, the Lodge would apply for a dispensation for him to serve for a third year. There were no other nominees and nobody in attendance requested a ballot and, therefore, the Worshipful Commander declared himself re-elected.
The lodge then proceeded with the election of the Treasurer , Auditors and Tyler as well as the local centre representative. The lodge received the Almoner and Charity Stewards reports and the Scribe noted that they had received one resignation.
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master noted that all Provincial communications had been circulated to all the members and drew particular attention to the need, identified during the virtual Provincial Lodges of Instruction, to ensure everybody worked from the latest version of the ritual.
The Worshipful Commander closed the meeting at 17:35 hours.
A Virtual Business Meeting of Battlesbridge Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1415 was held in lieu of the regular meeting on Monday, 15th March, 2021.
There were eight members present plus the Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. John Finlay, AGDC.
The Presiding Officer, W. Bro. Jeffrey Conway, welcomed the participants and declared the meeting open at 17.38 hours. The Secretary read the Exemption from The General Suspension Notice and the Dispensation to hold a Virtual Business Meeting without the Warrant.
The minutes of the regular meeting of 16th March, 2020 and the abandoned meetings of 9th November, 2020 and 14th January, 2021, having been circulated with the Calling Notice, were confirmed without amendment, and will be signed at the next regular meeting. The Secretary then recorded the three apologies received for the meeting.
The Lodge then continued with the items listed in the Paper of business and the reports of the Almoner and Charity Steward were as in the earlier Virtual Business Meeting of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree.
The Worshipful Master closed the meeting at 18:00 hours.
After the Virtual Business Meeting had been closed, there followed an informal discussion about the future of the Lodges including an informed debate about the development of a recruitment strategy .
Battlesbridge RAM Lodge Report
The Virtual Business Meeting of Battlesbridge Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 1415 in lieu of the regular meeting on Monday, was held on 15th March, 2021.
Present were seven members plus the Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. John Finlay, RAMGR.
The Presiding Officer, W. Bro. John Lavery welcomed the participants and declared the meeting open at 17.02 hours. The Scribe read the Exemption from The General Suspension Notice and the Dispensation to hold a Virtual Business Meeting without the Warrant.
The minutes of the regular meeting of 16th March, 2020 and the abandoned meetings of 9th November, 2020 and 14th January, 2021, having been circulated with the Calling Notice, were confirmed without amendment, and will be signed at the next regular meeting. Apologies had also been received from four brethren.
The Scribe explained that, as W. Bro. John Lavery had not had the opportunity to Elevate a Candidate since his installation as Worshipful Commander, the Committee recommended that he should remain in office for the ensuing year and that, if required by post-Pandemic instructions, the Lodge would apply for a dispensation for him to serve for a third year. There were no other nominees and nobody in attendance requested a ballot and, therefore, the Worshipful Commander declared himself re-elected.
The lodge then proceeded with the election of the Treasurer , Auditors and Tyler as well as the local centre representative. The lodge received the Almoner and Charity Stewards reports and the Scribe noted that they had received one resignation.
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master noted that all Provincial communications had been circulated to all the members and drew particular attention to the need, identified during the virtual Provincial Lodges of Instruction, to ensure everybody worked from the latest version of the ritual.
The Worshipful Commander closed the meeting at 17:35 hours.
Essex Jubilee Mark and RAM Lodge No 1123
The Essex Jubilee Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 1123, and Royal Ark Mariners Lodge No 1123 held a Virtual Business Meeting on Friday 12th February, it was attended by 14 members plus their cluster representative DPGM W.Bro. John Finlay. The RAM meeting was opened at 6.00pm by the Presiding Officer the W.Cdr. W.Bro. Martin Bullard. The Scribe read out the dispensation and the permission to hold a Virtual meeting and then the business of the meeting was conducted according to the published Paper of Business and the meeting was closed at 6.30 pm. The Mark meeting was opened at 6.30pm by the Presiding Officer the W.Master W.Bro. Robert Benham and again, the Secretary read the dispensation and the permission to hold a virtual meeting. The business of the meeting as contained in the published Paper of Business was then conducted this included a proposal by the Charity Steward W.Bro. Bob Harvey that the Lodge donate £300 to the MBF 2030 Essex Festival which was agreed by the brethren present. The Lodge was closed at 7.00pm
Aurelius Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No 814
Aurelius Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No 814 held a Virtual, Business meeting on Friday 12th of February at 1900Hrs. There were 8 members in attendance and they were joined by 8 guests. The meeting was in stark contrast to their meeting a year ago, when they hosted a Mark Awareness Evening, however the Lodge has been extremely fortunate to hold two physical meetings since the Covid pandemic lockdowns began last March.
The Presiding Officer W.Bro. David Todd declared the meeting open and read the Letter of Dispensation.The February meeting is traditionally Election of Officers and this year proved no different, considering the circumstances. W.Bro. Tony King being the only nomination was duly elected for the ensuing year, and would be installed when normal meetings resume.Peter Rodway was also declared treasurer. Peter was not present at the meeting but that didn’t prevent him being elected.
The meeting closed at 1930Hrs.
The Aurelius Mark Master Masons Lodge No. 814 was opened at 1940Hrs by the Presiding Officer, W.Bro. Ken Headworth, and he welcomed the guests from Tuscan Pillar, Beriffe, St. Nicholas and Naze Tower and made a special welcome to their Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Richard Goodwin.
After the Dispensation and the Permission to hold the meeting documents were read, the Presiding Officer then continued with the agenda as per the published business paper.Brother David Todd, being the only nomination was declared Master Elect, Brother David thanked the Lodge for placing their confidence in him to lead the Lodge after we resume meetings. Once again Peter Rodway was Elected Treasurer in his absence. Two candidates’ names were read out for Advancement, who have been waiting eagerly since February 2020 to be Advanced.
During Any Other Business, Worshipful Brother Richard Goodwin introduced himself to the Brethren and gave an insight into his work as a member of the Executive and his role as Festival Chairman and informed the members that there were exciting times ahead for our Province. He finished his address by saying that he hoped to visit Aurelius as soon as circumstances allowed. Brother David Todd thanked W. Bro Ken Headworth on behalf of all the Lodge members present for the past 50 years’ service to the Lodge and the Mark Degree, and that the Lodge would be honouring his fantastic achievement when normal meetings resumed.
Ken thanked everyone for attending and that he looked forward to meeting everyone in person later in the year.
The meeting was closed at 2010Hrs .
The Presiding Officer W.Bro. David Todd declared the meeting open and read the Letter of Dispensation.The February meeting is traditionally Election of Officers and this year proved no different, considering the circumstances. W.Bro. Tony King being the only nomination was duly elected for the ensuing year, and would be installed when normal meetings resume.Peter Rodway was also declared treasurer. Peter was not present at the meeting but that didn’t prevent him being elected.
The meeting closed at 1930Hrs.
The Aurelius Mark Master Masons Lodge No. 814 was opened at 1940Hrs by the Presiding Officer, W.Bro. Ken Headworth, and he welcomed the guests from Tuscan Pillar, Beriffe, St. Nicholas and Naze Tower and made a special welcome to their Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Richard Goodwin.
After the Dispensation and the Permission to hold the meeting documents were read, the Presiding Officer then continued with the agenda as per the published business paper.Brother David Todd, being the only nomination was declared Master Elect, Brother David thanked the Lodge for placing their confidence in him to lead the Lodge after we resume meetings. Once again Peter Rodway was Elected Treasurer in his absence. Two candidates’ names were read out for Advancement, who have been waiting eagerly since February 2020 to be Advanced.
During Any Other Business, Worshipful Brother Richard Goodwin introduced himself to the Brethren and gave an insight into his work as a member of the Executive and his role as Festival Chairman and informed the members that there were exciting times ahead for our Province. He finished his address by saying that he hoped to visit Aurelius as soon as circumstances allowed. Brother David Todd thanked W. Bro Ken Headworth on behalf of all the Lodge members present for the past 50 years’ service to the Lodge and the Mark Degree, and that the Lodge would be honouring his fantastic achievement when normal meetings resumed.
Ken thanked everyone for attending and that he looked forward to meeting everyone in person later in the year.
The meeting was closed at 2010Hrs .
