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Adam Mills, Wyven Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 1333; Advanced in April 2019
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Who am I? Hi, I am Adam Mills, I'm 21 years old and graduated from the University of Essex in 2018 with a BA in History. I was born and raised in Kent but currently reside in Colchester. |
Likes:
Real ale; good food; various sports and activities; reading; learning and researching; cars; films and listening to my vinyl records.
Dislikes:
There is not really a lot I dislike. I am willing to experience and try anything and nothing really gets a dislike.
General Background:
Before leaving for University, I was a very active member in the St. John's Ambulance volunteering a lot of my time and enjoying every second. It is something I would like to get back in to, time allowing.
I am also a Militaria and Antiques collector where I have a vast collection and knowledge in various areas of history, with the main focus on the First and Second World Wars. This goes alongside with my hobby as a living historian, where I am able to educate people on areas of history with a more tangible and personal educational environment.
Views on Masonry:
My views on Masonry I feel are reasonably different in comparison to others. I was fortunate to fall into freemasonry almost by accident. From a young age I have always liked the idea behind the fraternity but thought I would never be fortunate to have the opportunity. Then a few friends I had through other circles managed to get involved through the University Scheme, which enables men to apply to become members a lot younger without family proposing them. Instantly showing an interest was easy enough but what was to come was a lot different to what I expected.
Freemasonry is not similar to anything I have ever been witness too before. It's the only place you are able to meet people from all walks of life and backgrounds and are entitled to have a general conversation with them as if they have known you for years.
Mark Degree:
My reasons for joining the Mark Degree was not something I did lightly. When the opportunity was raised to me, I instantly took to the Provincial Mark Masons website to research as to what kind of things do I expect to gain from joining the Degree, (without opening myself up to spoilers of course) and I was not disappointed at all!
My Advancement into the Mark Degree was an experience completely different to any other degree or order you would witness and to be completely honest, I know why it is called the fun degree.
The Mark has a completely different feel to Craft, HRA and, I’m sure, many other orders, but that is in no way a hindrance.
I am excited to progress further and experience everything it has to offer.
Real ale; good food; various sports and activities; reading; learning and researching; cars; films and listening to my vinyl records.
Dislikes:
There is not really a lot I dislike. I am willing to experience and try anything and nothing really gets a dislike.
General Background:
Before leaving for University, I was a very active member in the St. John's Ambulance volunteering a lot of my time and enjoying every second. It is something I would like to get back in to, time allowing.
I am also a Militaria and Antiques collector where I have a vast collection and knowledge in various areas of history, with the main focus on the First and Second World Wars. This goes alongside with my hobby as a living historian, where I am able to educate people on areas of history with a more tangible and personal educational environment.
Views on Masonry:
My views on Masonry I feel are reasonably different in comparison to others. I was fortunate to fall into freemasonry almost by accident. From a young age I have always liked the idea behind the fraternity but thought I would never be fortunate to have the opportunity. Then a few friends I had through other circles managed to get involved through the University Scheme, which enables men to apply to become members a lot younger without family proposing them. Instantly showing an interest was easy enough but what was to come was a lot different to what I expected.
Freemasonry is not similar to anything I have ever been witness too before. It's the only place you are able to meet people from all walks of life and backgrounds and are entitled to have a general conversation with them as if they have known you for years.
Mark Degree:
My reasons for joining the Mark Degree was not something I did lightly. When the opportunity was raised to me, I instantly took to the Provincial Mark Masons website to research as to what kind of things do I expect to gain from joining the Degree, (without opening myself up to spoilers of course) and I was not disappointed at all!
My Advancement into the Mark Degree was an experience completely different to any other degree or order you would witness and to be completely honest, I know why it is called the fun degree.
The Mark has a completely different feel to Craft, HRA and, I’m sure, many other orders, but that is in no way a hindrance.
I am excited to progress further and experience everything it has to offer.
Robert Whitfield, Chelmer Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 342; Advanced in January 2016
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Who am I? Hi, my name is Rob Whitfield. I am 53 years old and born in Rayleigh, Essex. I have lived in Chelmsford for most of my life with a couple years of my early life in Brussels. |
Likes:
First and foremost being with my son; the great outdoors; camping; reading; theatre; rock music; playing the guitar and watching a film with a gin and tonic!.
Dislikes:
A liver and bacon dinner, doing my accounts.
General Background:
I have been running my own company for almost 5 years now based in Essex. I am also a qualified Bush Craft Instructor and I teach whenever I can between running my company. This is a great passion of mine. I was involved in music for many years playing in bands and then working as a sound engineer/stage technician. I moved into theatre and have been involved with that for over 25 years in acting, stage managing and then directing. I have lost count of the number of shows I have worked on in that time.
I am part of a Wild West re-enactment group that does about 8 shows a year across the country.
I have an allotment and I keep chickens, quail and ducks with my partner. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 rabbits and reptiles.
We have 3 boys between us.
Views on Masonry:
My grandfather was an Essex Mason in Upminster and I was given his regalia when he passed on. He never spoke about it when he was with us and it stayed in a draw for 30 years or more.
I still have his old summons and ritual book but I never really took any notice of it. I was introduced to the concept of Masonry from a good friend who I work with in bush craft who happened to mention it around the campfire one night, so I asked the relevant questions. I was lucky enough to have a good friend in Southend who proposed me to join his lodge, and I joined in December 2014.
Masonry is great fun. The history and traditions behind it are fascinating. The morals and teachings of masonry fitted in exactly with my personal thoughts and actions in my everyday life.
The ritual in all the orders I am in are fascinating and by nature I am inquisitive and like to get involved. I would never have met such a diverse cross section of people if I had not joined masonry and all have been friendly and supportive.
Mark Degree:
I joined Mark Masonry within 5 months of my 3rd degree. So have been in it almost as long as Craft Masonry.
On the advice of a Brother I decided that this was my next step. I am very fortunate to have joined a Lodge that meets 4 times a year, and we have monthly LOI’s and 4 Officers nights so I am constantly around the degree and ritual.
The brethren of the Lodge are supportive and the festive board is always a good way to finish the meeting. I do visit Mark Lodges when I get the opportunity and the ritual is one of my favourites of all the orders I am in.
It is great fun and really tells a story. All the offices I have been in so far are a pleasure to take and all have their own special part in the ritual. I am about to join my second Mark and RAM Lodge.
I am looking forward to my year in the Chair and getting more involved with Mark Masonry as a whole.
First and foremost being with my son; the great outdoors; camping; reading; theatre; rock music; playing the guitar and watching a film with a gin and tonic!.
Dislikes:
A liver and bacon dinner, doing my accounts.
General Background:
I have been running my own company for almost 5 years now based in Essex. I am also a qualified Bush Craft Instructor and I teach whenever I can between running my company. This is a great passion of mine. I was involved in music for many years playing in bands and then working as a sound engineer/stage technician. I moved into theatre and have been involved with that for over 25 years in acting, stage managing and then directing. I have lost count of the number of shows I have worked on in that time.
I am part of a Wild West re-enactment group that does about 8 shows a year across the country.
I have an allotment and I keep chickens, quail and ducks with my partner. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 rabbits and reptiles.
We have 3 boys between us.
Views on Masonry:
My grandfather was an Essex Mason in Upminster and I was given his regalia when he passed on. He never spoke about it when he was with us and it stayed in a draw for 30 years or more.
I still have his old summons and ritual book but I never really took any notice of it. I was introduced to the concept of Masonry from a good friend who I work with in bush craft who happened to mention it around the campfire one night, so I asked the relevant questions. I was lucky enough to have a good friend in Southend who proposed me to join his lodge, and I joined in December 2014.
Masonry is great fun. The history and traditions behind it are fascinating. The morals and teachings of masonry fitted in exactly with my personal thoughts and actions in my everyday life.
The ritual in all the orders I am in are fascinating and by nature I am inquisitive and like to get involved. I would never have met such a diverse cross section of people if I had not joined masonry and all have been friendly and supportive.
Mark Degree:
I joined Mark Masonry within 5 months of my 3rd degree. So have been in it almost as long as Craft Masonry.
On the advice of a Brother I decided that this was my next step. I am very fortunate to have joined a Lodge that meets 4 times a year, and we have monthly LOI’s and 4 Officers nights so I am constantly around the degree and ritual.
The brethren of the Lodge are supportive and the festive board is always a good way to finish the meeting. I do visit Mark Lodges when I get the opportunity and the ritual is one of my favourites of all the orders I am in.
It is great fun and really tells a story. All the offices I have been in so far are a pleasure to take and all have their own special part in the ritual. I am about to join my second Mark and RAM Lodge.
I am looking forward to my year in the Chair and getting more involved with Mark Masonry as a whole.
Martin Parsons, St. Katherines Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 1026; Advanced November 2018
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Who am I? Hello, I am Martin Parsons and I am 49 years’ old. |
Likes:
Too much food; real ale; rock music and Terry Pratchett oh, and a recently found interest in Golf!
Dislikes:
Being passed the cheese board at a Festive board and finding that every knife has been used to cut the blue cheese. Some of us only like the cheddar and then finding that that has been cut with the same blue cheese knives, unbelievable!
General Background:
I was born in Yorkshire and grew up in West London but most of my adult life has been in England’s second best county.
I have been a shift worker for most of my careers which can make regular commitments a little difficult. I have been a Prison Officer for 17 years and I have also been a Yard Beadle at Westminster Abbey. Now I am a crane driver at the docks.
Some days it beats working for a living as I feel that I am being paid to drive ‘Tonka’ toys.
Views on Masonry:
I was initiated by my uncle the same day my father became a joining member of my mother lodge. I was fortunate to be able to be in the chair to initiate my brother in law.
When the time came to finally join Mark I stood by my father’s side while we took our obligation together. But this time it was my brother in laws turn to be in the chair!
It is a very personal and family thing to me that has made the family bond even stronger.
Too much food; real ale; rock music and Terry Pratchett oh, and a recently found interest in Golf!
Dislikes:
Being passed the cheese board at a Festive board and finding that every knife has been used to cut the blue cheese. Some of us only like the cheddar and then finding that that has been cut with the same blue cheese knives, unbelievable!
General Background:
I was born in Yorkshire and grew up in West London but most of my adult life has been in England’s second best county.
I have been a shift worker for most of my careers which can make regular commitments a little difficult. I have been a Prison Officer for 17 years and I have also been a Yard Beadle at Westminster Abbey. Now I am a crane driver at the docks.
Some days it beats working for a living as I feel that I am being paid to drive ‘Tonka’ toys.
Views on Masonry:
I was initiated by my uncle the same day my father became a joining member of my mother lodge. I was fortunate to be able to be in the chair to initiate my brother in law.
When the time came to finally join Mark I stood by my father’s side while we took our obligation together. But this time it was my brother in laws turn to be in the chair!
It is a very personal and family thing to me that has made the family bond even stronger.
Don’t be one of those who miss out on an interesting fun degree. Either speak to a brother who you know and is a member and ask for more details, or contact the Provincial Grand Secretary via the contact details on the website at www.essexmark.co.uk or email to EssexProvSec@britishmasons.uk.
This is the third in a set of 9 teasers in this campaign and previous teasers can still be found on the Essex Mark website by clicking on the Teaser of the Month button on the front page.
This is the third in a set of 9 teasers in this campaign and previous teasers can still be found on the Essex Mark website by clicking on the Teaser of the Month button on the front page.
