Page 57 - Essex Mason (Issue 92)

Online Mark Matters

Recent Highlights

Saturday, 13th November, saw the Northern Star Lodge honoured by a visit from
Right Worshipful Brother Terence Douglas Sheern, Provincial Grand Master. As
is usual with this unique Lodge, a fried Breakfast was taken first, heralded by the
Master processing in, attired in a dressing gown and with a sleepy, “faraway look”,
and leading the Wardens all with “Wee Willie Winkie” candle-holders with a lighted
candle to set the mood of the meal.

Friday, the 12th November saw the dedication of the Combined Stewards’ Lodge
banner. Many years ago the Langdon Hills Mark Lodge was in dire trouble and
considering surrendering its’ Warrant. After much deliberation, a decision was
made to make it the Combined Stewards Lodge, No.1628. It was repurposed to
accept, Provincial Stewards, or their equivalent, from ALL of the recognised Orders
represented in Essex.
It was rather wet and dreary on the morning of Wednesday, 10th November 2021 at
The Square in Upminster as the Brethren gathered to be a part of another landmark
moment in the history of the Mark Province of Essex; the birth of a new Lodge, The
Southern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 2026. Landmark because this
Lodge brings us to an impressive “first” fifty in the number of Lodges in the Mark
Province a testiment to the energy, drive and commitment of the Provincial Grand
Master, his Executive and all the Mark Men in Essex to our Order especially given the
“challenges” of the recent past.

Wednesday 13th of October 2021 was a gloriously sunny day in Southend and a
good day for an early start to witness the rebirth of an Essex Mark Lodge that had
fallen into darkness 12 years previously. The Isthmian Mark Lodge had handed back
it’s Warrant in May of 2009 and was the only Essex Mark Lodge to remain closed.
The Provincial Grand Secretary read the Warrant of the Isthmian Combined Services
Lodge, the Petitioners were arranged before the PGM and the Ceremony of
Reponement was carried out, to bring this Lodge back to light with a new purpose,
that of catering for those Brothers who are volunteer, Retired or Serving members of
the Emergency, Civil, Crown or Public Services.
Friday 25th of November saw 90 Grand and Provincial Grand Officers gather at
The Hutton Masonic Hall Mount Avenue, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex. It was the first
Officers Mess in two years due to Covid Restrictions. The President, W.Bro. Norman
took the opportunity of addressing the Brethren and then went on to propose the
toast to our Provincial Grand Master which was met with acclaim. The Prov.G.M.,
in his response, reminded all of the ongoing initiatives in Essex as well as updating
all on upcoming events. As is the usual custom, he also took the opportunity to
announce the names of the next Provincial Wardens as well as his nomination for
Grand Steward.
As part of the MBF Capital Grant initiative all 48 Mark Lodges in Essex selected a
Hospice of their choice and these were collated by the Provincial Almoner. There
were 8 Hospices identified by the Lodges and with a total of £48, 000 to distribute
the following Hospices received grants.

Farleigh Hospice Chelmsford, St Francis Hospice Havering, St Helena Hospice
Colchester, Haven House Children’s Hospice Woodford, Havens Hospice Southend,
Little Havens Children’s Hospice, St Luke’s Hospice Basildon, St Clare’s Hospice
Harlow

Following our support for the Clowns in the Sky charity, the Mark Province of Essex
received a “Highly Commended” award in the Pride of Essex Award Ceremony.