Essex Jubilee Mark & RAM Lodge No.1123
13 May 2022

Despite Covid and the sad loss of several senior brethren, Essex Jubilee Mark & RAM Lodge has gone from strength to strength and has seen 3 new candidates join in the last year and a half, and has 2 further candidates for this the Masonic year!
Friday 13 May, saw Brother Stephen Sawyer Advanced in an excellent manner conducted by W.Bro. Martin Bullard, under the watchful eye of Deputy Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. John Finlay and his accompanying Assistant Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro. Phil Richardson on their Official Visit to the Lodge.
Over 20 Brethren were in attendance, and a most enjoyable festive board was held at Saxon Hall, Southend.
Their I.P.M. W.Bro. Rob Benham acted as Tyler for both the Mark & RAM meeting and said the Lodge is in great spirit and it was nice to prepare another candidate for his ‘4th regular step’ in Freemasonry. Word of mouth about our Friendly Degree and the ‘Mark Awareness Evenings’ organised by Province, are really helping to attract new candidates to the Mark Degree.
Friday 13 May, saw Brother Stephen Sawyer Advanced in an excellent manner conducted by W.Bro. Martin Bullard, under the watchful eye of Deputy Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. John Finlay and his accompanying Assistant Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro. Phil Richardson on their Official Visit to the Lodge.
Over 20 Brethren were in attendance, and a most enjoyable festive board was held at Saxon Hall, Southend.
Their I.P.M. W.Bro. Rob Benham acted as Tyler for both the Mark & RAM meeting and said the Lodge is in great spirit and it was nice to prepare another candidate for his ‘4th regular step’ in Freemasonry. Word of mouth about our Friendly Degree and the ‘Mark Awareness Evenings’ organised by Province, are really helping to attract new candidates to the Mark Degree.
Northern Star No. 2012
14 May 2022
Double Advancement

Saturday mornings are traditionally a time for rest and relaxation with a possible lay in.
Not so for the brethren of Northern Star Lodge No. 2012, who met to Advance two candidates.
The Brethren started the meeting with a full English breakfast and after the toast list was completed, no pun intended, the brethren adjourned to the Temple in preparation for the ceremony. The members had decided to advance the candidates separately to make it as personal and special for each candidate as possible.
This was explained to the candidates as the second brother to be Advanced would have a bit of a wait, He was quite happy and understood why.
The Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master W. Bro. Paul Firmin and the main item on the agenda was to Advance the first two of the candidates from the very successful Mark awareness meeting that was held at Kirby Masonic Centre last month.
Bro Vincent Smith was advanced into the friendly degree of Mark Master Masons with a very good standard of ritual, with all the officers in good form with W.Bro. Bob Crow explaining the signs with his usual flair and command of the ritual. At the point where the working tools would be given Bro.Vince was escorted to a chair and the second candidate Bro. Craig Steven Fenner was escorted into the Lodge and advanced into the degree.
Not so for the brethren of Northern Star Lodge No. 2012, who met to Advance two candidates.
The Brethren started the meeting with a full English breakfast and after the toast list was completed, no pun intended, the brethren adjourned to the Temple in preparation for the ceremony. The members had decided to advance the candidates separately to make it as personal and special for each candidate as possible.
This was explained to the candidates as the second brother to be Advanced would have a bit of a wait, He was quite happy and understood why.
The Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master W. Bro. Paul Firmin and the main item on the agenda was to Advance the first two of the candidates from the very successful Mark awareness meeting that was held at Kirby Masonic Centre last month.
Bro Vincent Smith was advanced into the friendly degree of Mark Master Masons with a very good standard of ritual, with all the officers in good form with W.Bro. Bob Crow explaining the signs with his usual flair and command of the ritual. At the point where the working tools would be given Bro.Vince was escorted to a chair and the second candidate Bro. Craig Steven Fenner was escorted into the Lodge and advanced into the degree.
Before He was admitted the W.M invited W.Bro. Andy Sylvester to take the Chair to carry out the master’s role for the second candidate, bro. Craig Fenner and Bro. Bob Lawman changed places with the Senior Deacon W.Bro. Brian Birkin, it had been decided that a change of personnel would make it more interesting for the brethren attending. Again, the standard of ritual was excellent with W.Bro. Richard Stephens giving the explanation of the signs, the candidates were then both taken to the East and the working tools of the degree were given by W.Bro. Derek Mannister.
Due to Craig’s mobility issues, he was unable to kneel or stand for any length of time, the Lodge officers adapted the usual procedures and made him as comfortable as possible with a chair being provided at every point required to make it enjoyable for him.
Both candidates enjoyed the ceremony and look forward to the Friendly Degree.
The Lodge still has at least ten candidates waiting to be advanced, due to the success of the awareness event, and extra meetings are planned to accommodate them as soon as is possible, onwards and upwards we go.
Due to Craig’s mobility issues, he was unable to kneel or stand for any length of time, the Lodge officers adapted the usual procedures and made him as comfortable as possible with a chair being provided at every point required to make it enjoyable for him.
Both candidates enjoyed the ceremony and look forward to the Friendly Degree.
The Lodge still has at least ten candidates waiting to be advanced, due to the success of the awareness event, and extra meetings are planned to accommodate them as soon as is possible, onwards and upwards we go.
Posted 23 May 22
Fantastic night at Crowstone
W.Bro. Geoff Newman had the pleasure, aided by W.Bro.Len Abrahams, to install Bro. Mike Barrett into the RAM chair and then had a double Advancement ceremony where they introduced Bro. Ezrick Campbell and Bro. Jabez Persaud into Crowstone. Welcome brethren, to our friendly degree and even friendlier Lodge. The Brethren also witnessed a word perfect presentation of the Working Tools by their last Advancee, Bro. Joshua Vaughan. Well done Crowstone!
Posted 23 May 22
Brilliant Beriffe Advance first Northern Awareness event candidate

The Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master W.Bro. Paul Firmin and the main item on the agenda was to Advance the first of the candidates from the very successful Mark awareness meeting that was held at Kirby Masonic Centre.
Bro. Allan Hornsby was advanced into the friendly degree of Mark Master Masons with a very good standard of ritual, with all of the Officers in good form.
On receiving his entry form the W.Master was very keen to be his proposer as he had been his proposer into Freemasonry and wanted the opportunity to further advance Allan’s Masonic knowledge into an order that he was very confident that he would appreciate and enjoy.
The Lodge has two more candidates from the awareness event and is looking forward to bringing them into the Lodge as soon as possible, onwards and upwards for “Brilliant Beriffe”.
Bro. Allan Hornsby was advanced into the friendly degree of Mark Master Masons with a very good standard of ritual, with all of the Officers in good form.
On receiving his entry form the W.Master was very keen to be his proposer as he had been his proposer into Freemasonry and wanted the opportunity to further advance Allan’s Masonic knowledge into an order that he was very confident that he would appreciate and enjoy.
The Lodge has two more candidates from the awareness event and is looking forward to bringing them into the Lodge as soon as possible, onwards and upwards for “Brilliant Beriffe”.
Posted 15 May 22