Page 41 - Essex Mason (Issue 92)

Online Supplement

Written by Tony Hales
Provincial Communications Team

Michael Spence
Michael Spence
A Freemason of Beneficence for Fifty Years
A Fr eemason of Beneficence for Fifty Y ears

From Left to Right
WBro Kessick Jones, PSGD (The Grand Master, Order of Royal & Select Masters)
WBro Keith Emmerson, PDepGSwdB (Past Deputy Grand Master – Mark & Royal Ark Mariner Degrees
WBro Michael Spencer, PJGD
RWBro Paul Tarrant, ProvGM
WBro Graham Flight, PSGD (The Grand Sovereign – Red Cross of Constantine)
WBro Tom Jackson, PSGD (The Grand Master – Allied Masonic Degrees)
WBro Ryan Williams, JGD (Grand Secretary – Mark Mason’s Hall)

Paul Tarrant, the Provincial Grand Master (PGM) made an Official Visit to the Lodge of Beneficence No. 7978
at Orsett Masonic Hall on 18th November 2021. The meeting was an illustrious occasion for Michael Spencer,
a Past Junior Grand Deacon (PJGD) as it marked his 50 years in the Craft. Michael is a Past Provincial Grand
Master for Essex, in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees.

Consecrated in 1964 by The Earl of Warwick, at Southend in 1967 the Lodge of Beneficence moved to Grays following
the opening of Thurrock Masonic Hall and in 1971 moved again to its present venue at Orsett. In May of that year the
Immediate Past Master (IPM) had the pleasure of initiating his son, Michael George Spencer, to become the first father
and son in the Lodge and began a trend which has served the Lodge well over the last fifty years.

Michael Spencer became Worshipful Master in 1982, was appointed as Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
(ProvAGDC) in 1990 and following subsequent Provincial and Grand Lodge promotions was appointed PJGD in 2017.

Paul Tarrant, himself a Past Grand Secretary at Mark Masons Hall, presented Michael with a framed certificate marking
his 50 years. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Geoff Turpin, said “This was a special occasion for Michael
and among the 77 Brethren present celebrating with him there were many distinguished visitors representing additional
Masonic Orders of which Michael is a member of”. It seems appropriate after half-a-century in the Craft making new
friendships and charitable-giving that Michael George Spencer may now become known as ‘A Freemason of Beneficence
for Fifty Years’.

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