Page 22 - Essex Mason Issue 85

Additional Orders

Services for Mark Mason’s

R.W.Bro Terry Sheern is looking to form a new Mark lodge for past and present members of the military to be
a combined services lodge. Two meetings a year perhaps at Colchester because of the obvious military links.
Some ideas on how this Lodge could work and have some unique aspects to it but to get it off the ground I need
about 20/25 founders. The Lodge would be a full working lodge with present and past members of the military
as candidates.
Bill Dyer has been appointed to coordinate for V.W.Bro Terry Sheern, if you are interested please let Bill know.
Likewise if you know of any ex or present military in the Craft who would be interested in becoming a Mark Man
again please let Bill know.

Essex Mark Golf Day

n Friday 27th July 2018, 75 assorted golfers stepped out onto the golf course at
OStock Brook Manor Golf Club, Billericay at the start of a day of fund raising for
the Essex Mark Welfare Fund.
Many non-golfers joined in for the evening meal and presentations including a large
raffle and auctions, with over a hundred in attendance. The traditional £1 fines
were imposed throughout the day and continued into the evening for many golfing
misdemeanour’s, and also for many others attending who were just in the wrong place
at the wrong time! A ‘Beat the Pro’ competition on hole 7, a putting competition during
the day, an evening putting game to ‘£20 and a golf simulator helped to swell the money raised to just short of a fantastic £3,500.
A table brochure was also produced with adverts and good wishes from many individuals and MMM Lodges.
The PGM, R.W.Bro. Terry Sheern was in attendance all day, along with some of the Provincial Executive, where some joined in the
golf and others gave their support during the day or in the evening. The art of ‘buggy driving’ was shown by W.Bro. Bob Neal who
drove the PGM around the course during the day selling refreshments from their buggy, and was it needed with temperatures on
the course in excess of 31 . All the golf teams had photos taken on the first hole, as well as some action shots taken on the golf
o
course which were expertly taken by W.Bro. Peter Nason. Many of these photos were sold to individuals with a percentage of
money added to the charity.
There were many winners from the golf event with top five individual scores, nearest the pin on all par 3 holes, nearest the pin in 2,
putting competition, longest drive and a team competition, with the included picture showing the winning team from London. The
golf was played out in glorious sunny weather which made for a fantastic day, with Stock Brook Manor Golf Club being the perfect
hosts. A big thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to make the day such a success.
The Next Golf Day is on Friday 26th July 2019 - contact Richard Goodwin richard-goodwin@virginmedia.com if you want to enter

Royal Oak Lodge from small acorns

The Royal Oak Tree Lodge had been in some decline for a number of years and with dwindling
numbers, the potential end of the Lodge was contemplated. W.Bro. Rangit Singh Bhogal, whose
infectious smile and boundless enthusiasm are known and admired by all who know him, was
determined not to let it happen.
With further determination from others, from a small acorn grew another mighty oak tree! As the
original one preserved and protected a King, the new Khalsa Royal Oak Tree Lodge has, we trust,
preserved and protected a Mark Lodge for many a year to come.
So far, the RAM Lodge has not adopted the new name but, Royal Ark
Order of the Mariners will notice a real similarity between the ideals of Khalsa and
Secret Monitor the five Cardinal Virtues that are explained in the meaning of the 9
steps. “Khalsa” was a tool that could be used to create strength.
The origin of the word comes from the turbulent times when the
he Province of Essex, Order of the Khalsa were created. It has its origin in the Sikh religion, of which I am a
TSecret Monitor (OSM) recently proud member. It was during a period of persecution across India with
made a donation to Farleigh Hospice the Khalsa standing up against oppression and fighting for equality
at Chelmsford of £1000 towards its across society. After nearly 260 years the Sikh religion had been fully
replacement Hospice Outreach Project established through the teachings of the 10 Gurus; the last being Guru
Vehicle (HOP), the previous vehicle Gobind Singhji who concluded that the Sikh Holy Scripture was then
having been retired in 2016. complete.
The customised vehicle acts as a At the ceremony he inaugurated 5 members from the congregation
mobile drop-in centre which tours the to Sikhism, with the 5K’s, Kesh (uncut hair); Kangha (comb); Kacha
county offering information, support and advice on a variety of issues (under clothing); Kirpan (dagger) and Kara (steel bangle).These five
including life-limiting illnesses and treatment, specialist services in mid were taught to practice the morals of a human being. Faith; Discipline;
Essex, Hospice care, support for families & carers, emotional support, Sincerity and Honesty; Consciously work and earn honourably; Charity.
respite care and bereavement support. The donation was matched
by the OSM Benevolent Fund and the picture shows the Provincial The word Khalsa has taken many interpretations over time. It currently
Recorder V.Wy.Bro. Barry Hurst presenting the Benevolent Fund's signifies a person of Strength, Honesty, Honourability, Hard work and
cheque for a further £1000 to Fund-raiser Alison Jones. Charity. It is one you could turn to for support in all aspects of life. Charity
being a top priority currently seen around the world in times of need
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