Page 26 - EM-Issue-93

The Essex Mark Provincial Grand Lodge was held
on 1st June at Felsted School. The occasion was
the beginning of a long bank holiday weekend for
around 280 Mark members.

The spectacular setting of the Ivy covered Felsted
School Hall, was once again the backdrop for the event,
and the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Terence D.
Sheern, welcomed Mark men from around the country
and Europe. More than 220 Essex Mark members
were welcomed and witnessed their friends and Lodge
colleagues receive active office honours and promotions.
E s s e x M a r k P r o v i n c ia l R.W.Bro Paul Tarrant was presented with a cheque to the
Essex Mark Provincial
Essex Craft Festival bringing the total donation from the
nd L
od
g
a
Grand Lodge Essex Mark Province to £50,000.
G
r
e
Essex Mark are quite unusual, in that active officers are positively encouraged to attend Lodge meetings around the
Province and help to maintain the friendliness which is so widespread in the Mark Degree. Where a Lodge might be
missing officers because of sickness etc, the active Provincial officers are often to be found standing in.
Several of the Progressive Masonic orders presented displays to the assembled members and had the opportunity to talk
to potential members, and raise the profile of their specific orders.
A sumptuous Festive Board was provided – and was far from what you might expect from school dinners! The lucky
Mark men present enjoyed a five course meal, and all agreed that is was great to be back after a long layoff caused by
the pandemic.
Essex Mark member hosts Ukraine family

After many weeks of waiting, a Ukrainian family flew into Luton Airport to be greeted
by their sponsoring family. After a wait for news about their visas, Natalya and her
2 children, Karyba, 15, and 8-month-old Emilia learned that they had been granted
and that their temporary residence in Moldova, would be replaced with a family in
England.
W.Bro. Colin Kendrick of St. Nicholas Mark Lodge No.413, had been contacted by his
friend, Vova, as the war in Ukraine started and asked him to take his family to safety.
The family had been sheltering in their basement amid the dangers of the invasion
and plans were made to receive the family in England. Many weeks later, the flight into
Luton would see the family safe.
The journey to Moldova was a long one and on arrival, they and many other families were placed into temporary
accommodation whilst further travel plans were made. On 18 March, their Visa applications were made out and the wait
began.
During this time the Mark men of Essex have been supporting W.Bro. Kendrick raising money for the family. At a Cluster
Mark meeting, held under the banner of the Aurelius Mark Lodge No. 814, at Clacton, the Brethren donated their
evening Raffle collection, Natalya, with their best wishes.
At the 150th Anniversary of the Constantine Mark Lodge No. 145, held on 22 April 2022, the Essex 2030 MBF Festival
mascot, ‘Rory’ the Lion was donated so that Emilia would have a new soft toy on her arrival.
Thanks go to the Mark Brethren of the North of Essex and the Essex Mark Province for the support they have given and
continue to give. The family are safe, and they look forward to the end of the war and the opportunity to return to their
country.

BANNER DEDICATIONS

Recent months have been very busy for
the Provincial Grand Master and his team
with the dedication of three new banners.
Banner Dedication ceremonies took
place at The Combined Stewards Lodge
at Orsett, The Mark of Love & Rembrance
at Rochford and The Naze Tower Lodge of Mark Master Masons at Frinton. There is a further Dedication ceremony
planned for the newest Lodge in the Essex Province, The Southern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons at Upminster in
July.
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